Feeling Stuck After MBA: How Can I Start Fresh in HR and Is It Too Late?

I completed my MBA in 2010 and lost an interview opportunity due to having less than 60%. I received an offer, but since I wasn't interested in marketing, I didn't accept it. Afterwards, I prepared diligently for a career in 'HR' within the banking sector, but unfortunately, I did not succeed. I've had some interviews for PO positions in banks, but not for 'HR'. Now, I am genuinely anxious about my situation. How can I build my career in the 'HR' field? Is there any chance of starting over, or is my career over?

Nothing is Over Until You Accept It as Over

Three things:

a) Why are you so fixated on HR? Find out the reasons—you haven't really worked in HR, so you don't know what it is like. Most of your perception would be based on what you've heard or read about HR jobs. Everyone doesn't like carrots, and you won't know if you would like it until you have actually eaten one. If you refuse to eat anything else until you get a carrot and the carrot takes time to come, you might end up starving or at least going hungry for a long time.

b) You could join marketing or any other area and then try to shift to HR. People have done it. Of course, there are no guarantees. This, however, seems to be the smartest strategy to me. You will get a job sooner and with it, your confidence back. Plus, you will get another day to fight and come back to HR.

c) You could also go for some additional certification or diploma (HR veterans can guide) and keep pushing for the HR job.

I suggest you join a small company. Your MBA would help you in getting a job. In such a company, you will get exposure to the Personnel department. You can also join a consultancy and do hardcore recruitments if you are interested in it. These two jobs are comparatively easy to get and have decent profiles for beginners. After gaining experience, you could secure a job in a reputed organization.

Addressing Employment Gaps

As far as a gap is concerned, if asked during an interview, I suggest you tell the truth rather than making up a story.

Regards

What Gurpreet has said is correct. You can start with a small company or consultancy where you will have more to learn and gain good exposure. These jobs are easy to get and are meant for beginners. You can also continue to grow your knowledge in the subject you are interested in. I am sure that by the time you finish that first job, you will have gained very good experience. Believe in yourself.

Don't lose hope. Joining a smaller company and being more open to other opportunities should be the solution.

Additional Certification for HR Careers

You could also consider pursuing additional certifications or diplomas. HR veterans can guide you on this, and it might help in pushing for an HR job.

Thanks for the reply. Could you suggest some courses?

By the way, I can't help but appreciate your idea of improving spoken English over the phone.

@Gurupreet and Yasuni

Thank you so much for your advice. I felt energized knowing I'm not alone here, and my life's gateway is not closed. Thanks again.

Regards,

Gaining Experience in HR

HR is a living thing, and it's not easy to learn by studying any courses or study materials. Instead of learning through courses and materials, it is better to try to find a job in HR. As my seniors have mentioned, gaining exposure in a small organization can help you progress to the next level.

I think you should find out more about the PO posts at the banks. Mostly, after working in the PO post for some duration, they conduct internal exams for applying to other departments of the bank. You might get through to the HR department upon clearing the exams. Also, as an HR professional, you need to understand the operations of the bank. Working at this level will allow you to learn about the sector by the time you get the desired HR position. Hope this helps you.

Regards,
Anu

A certificate or a diploma gives you credibility in the market, which often serves as an entry point to a career. Remember how a BTech or an MBA opens up career opportunities for you, though most of your learning would still happen after you join the job.

Risks of Joining a Small Company

The risk of joining a small company is that:
a) Their processes and practices might be unprofessional and not well-defined, so you may not learn much.
b) It may be very difficult to break out of the small company zone into a reputed company.

Another good piece of advice was what @Anu_Hr said; it could be the smartest option:

Absolutely!

I agree with you that a small company may not have well-defined processes and practices, but it is a place where you can explore more and develop your own strategy. You can establish your processes and procedures and bring professionalism to the area where you are working. In contrast, in a reputed company, everything is well-defined and planned, and the only thing you have to do is follow them. There may be opportunities to use your ideas in such a company, but you may not be given complete authority to make decisions.

It is also true that sometimes you may not be able to switch from a small company to a big one, but that totally depends on you, the company you have chosen to work for, and how you make decisions. To become an HR professional, you can take some short-term courses, but it is the experience in the HR field that will make you proficient. I also find Anu_HR's idea to be good. You can try it out.

If you want to take some courses, consider enrolling in a Safety course, a Law course, or pursuing an LLB as these are interconnected with HR.

Regards, Gurpreet Aidhen