Midlife Career Switch to HR: Should I Apply for HR Roles Right After My Course?

Dear Seniors, Hope all are doing well! I am very keen on entering the HR industry. However, I am a midlife career switcher and am currently going through a midlife career transition.

Here's the Story:

I hold an MBA with a marketing specialization from Andhra University [2002 batch - full-time]. I have over 11 years of experience in content management, including writing, editing, and publishing in both print and digital media. Throughout these 11 years, I have also performed some HR tasks as part of my duties.

After completing my MBA, I joined a small publishing business where I worked as an Editorial Assistant for 4.9 years. At this small publishing business, which had yearly publications, my work mostly involved administration and recruiting contract sales executives.

Subsequently, I transitioned to two MNCs in different content roles where Training & Development was also part of my tasks.

My Relevant Experience in the HR Field Includes:

- Administration and Recruitment: 4.9 years
- Training & Development: 6 years

I no longer see growth in content writing and management. I am now considering a move into the HR field, which I have been interested in all my life. Unfortunately, I could not pursue an MBA in this area as our college did not offer an HR option, and Andhra University did not have dual MBA courses in 2002.

I am particularly interested in areas such as Employee Relations, Employee record management, background checks, and other similar aspects in corporates.

Recently, I joined a highly reputable product-based company in the IT industry as an Associate Manager - Content (Learning & Development). I am part of the HR team as my role focuses on learning & development. I feel fortunate to be working closely with the HR team and observing their operations.

When I expressed my interest in transitioning to HR to the Head of HR (my boss), she mentioned that I should work in my current role for a couple more years before considering a move. However, I aim to spend a maximum of one more year in the content industry. I do not wish to delay my transition and complicate my midlife career move.

Additionally, I am currently pursuing a PG Diploma in HRM through distance learning from SCDL. Should I start applying for HR jobs as soon as I complete the course? I would greatly appreciate your advice, as it could have a significant impact on my current situation.

Thank you for taking the time to read my lengthy question.

Thank you and best regards,

Rishi

I see that you are keen to get into the HR field. Start searching for a job, keep attending interviews, and once you complete your education or course, join.

Regards,
Deepak

Thank you for your reply. However, my administration and recruitment experience is in a small-scale business environment, specifically a micro-business environment. I held a one-man-does-all role. Will companies consider my previous relevant experience in HR? Or will they continue to question why I am making a move after 11 years in another field and attempting to transition into HR? Is it too late to make this move? Please advise.

Cheers,
Rishi

I am also planning to get into HR Operations without any previous experience. I am wondering if an HR Generalist role would be suitable for me. Please advise.

Where are you located - USA or India? The options available to you would, to an extent, depend on this factor.

Mid-Career Switches: Challenges and Opportunities

In general, mid-career switches, though difficult, are not impossible to make. I have done it myself - thrice. One plus point you seem to have is your exposure in Admin, T&D, and Recruitment.

However, can you please explain the line: "The maximum time I want to work in the content industry is just 1 more year"? Looking at the scenario you are presently in, maybe it's better for you to work for a couple of years (like your boss suggested) where you can handle things (Content Management & HR) "in-parallel"?

Since you have 11 years of experience, I am sure you realize the chances of getting a suitable job protecting your present CTC & Position if you apply for HR jobs. The compromises you would need to make could be quite high - not everyone can handle it.

Evaluating Career Opportunities Within Your Current Company

Given such a situation, you are in a company where the chances seem to be brighter for a career switch within the same company - based on what your boss mentioned. Then why take the risk of moving out? Like the saying goes: "A bird in hand is worth 2 in the bush."

And since your boss now knows your final career goals, it's quite possible that you may be given opportunities to handle Core HR work if you show continuous interest, as long as you ensure that your present job role is not compromised until you make the complete/final shift to HR. Hope you get the point.

All the Best.

Regards,
TS

Thank you for your advice. By the way, I am in India. You aptly understood my situation. However, there's a little concern here.

When I mentioned "The maximum time I want to work in the content industry is just 1 more year," I meant I don't want to work in the content industry for more than 1 year from now and transition into the HR industry before it's too late.

I came across some horror stories of fellow mid-career switchers, even if their tenure in their previous industry was just 5 years. In my case, it's 10 years, so you can imagine. As you said, it is difficult but not impossible. Therefore, any delay from my side should not turn my situation from difficult to impossible. This is why I do not want to stay in my current industry (content management) for more than 1 year from now.

While being in my current job, I will also show interest in volunteering for recruitment and operations tasks whenever a requirement arises, usually when there's a lack of resources to handle these tasks or during mass HR drives.

Please advise me on how to handle this situation.

Best Regards,

Rishi

Suggest not putting any timeframe (e.g., 1 year) for the move—sometimes it becomes counterproductive (and the problem is: we never realize that until it's too late). Just move with the tide—and grab the opportunity whenever it appears in front of you. The trick is to keep your 'eyes & ears' open all the while, even as you go about doing your regular work.

Steps to Volunteer for Recruitment and Operations Tasks

Regarding 'volunteering for recruitment and operations tasks whenever a requirement arises,' I would suggest two steps:

1. Keep meeting your boss regularly to remind her of your willingness to participate in the regular HR activities (though not to an extent that she feels you are 'pestering').

2. Stay in touch with your colleagues and keep watching what they do. Participate in informal discussions—you will be able to both learn how things are done and get leads on when you can actively 'encourage' your boss to include you in the HR work (meaning identifying situations when 'taking help' becomes necessary).

Being a marketing guy, both these steps shouldn't be very difficult for you, I guess.

All the best.

Regards,
TS

Your worry about mid-career shifting is unwarranted and uncalled for. Many people have shifted successfully, as illustrated by my brother who transitioned from being an electrical engineer to excelling in paper pulp production. He became a top professional in the field and even represented India in international conferences.

Please remember that a day consists of 24 hours, and you are an employee of your organization for around 10 hours; the rest of the time is your own. Consider taking on a part-time HR assignment in a small industry to broaden your knowledge across various domains, instead of lamenting that your current exposure is limited to recruiting and training.

Additionally, be open to undertaking additional HR assignments within your organization when there is extra workload. It seems that you have a supportive female HR boss; utilize her guidance and advice effectively.

Lastly, the theoretical knowledge gained from a PG Diploma may not be adequate to propel you higher in HR. Practical exposure is crucial for your advancement. I wish you the best of luck in your career switch.

Regards,
Dr. Ram

Here are some links that can lead you to understand what HR is and is going to be. It might help your switch over/decision-making.

- [Primary Responsibilities of a Human Resource Manager | Chron.com](http://smallbusiness.chron.com/primary-responsibilities-human-resource-manager-10957.html)
- [What Are the Functions of Human Resource Managers? | Chron.com](http://smallbusiness.chron.com/functions-human-resource-managers-1326.html)
- [Challenges Faced by Human Resource Managers Because of Technical Changes | Chron.com](http://smallbusiness.chron.com/challenges-faced-human-resource-managers-because-technical-changes-61058.html)
- [Central Challenges Faced by the Human Resource Department in Any Organization | Chron.com](http://smallbusiness.chron.com/central-challenges-faced-human-resource-department-organization-11727.html)
- [Major Challenges Affecting a Human Resources Manager | Chron.com](http://smallbusiness.chron.com/major-challenges-affecting-human-resources-manager-57675.html)
- [Contemporary Issues Faced by Human Resource Managers Today | Chron.com](http://smallbusiness.chron.com/contemporary-issues-faced-human-resource-managers-today-1875.html)

Warm regards,

TSK. Raman

Thank you very much for your advice. I heartily bow to you for extending your expertise and guidance to me. So far, I have only been thinking of starting as a freelance recruiter on the weekends. I did not know that part-time HR roles, especially in HR operations—such as employee record-keeping, employee relations, etc.—are available.

In the case of my organization, the HR operations team is full, and there's a buffer of resources to handle operations in times of overload, so there's no chance of taking my help anywhere. However, my boss did involve me in recruitment drives.

Seeking Advice on Part-Time HR Operations

So, please advise on how I can go about making my way into part-time (weekends) HR operations. I am currently based in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh. Could you please help me out with any avenues you are aware of in your network?

Best Regards,
Rishi