Transitioning from Manufacturing HR to IT: Seeking Advice from Experienced Peers

Dear Seniors, I have worked in the manufacturing sector and currently work in the automobile service industry in an HR Generalist role. I have around 5 years of experience. Now, I am considering transitioning into the IT or ITES industry.

Please suggest any advice or recommendations you may have.

Thank you.

This discussion seems interesting. I request Mahesh to share more about why he would want to shift so that we can better prepare him for the larger picture.

HR professionals who are working in the IT or ITES industry receive more benefits (monetary and non-monetary) compared to those in the manufacturing and service industries, even when their education, experience, and personal attributes are the same. All staff members are educated and can understand things quickly. There is no union and less political interference, which makes the environment more conducive.

Regards,

Dear Mahesh,

As per my knowledge and experience, the manufacturing industry provides more learning opportunities than other corporate offices. In the manufacturing industry, you have challenging work where you can prove yourself.

IT companies have one main benefit: they offer a five-day workweek, and that's it.

Dear Mahesh,

You mentioned that you have to move. Let us clarify the reason, whether you have to go or you want to go. If you want to go because of some more benefits, you can take a chance. On the other hand, if you have to go due to circumstances beyond your control, you should prepare yourself. Identify the areas crucial to proving your suitability for entering the IT field, even though you are performing well in your current role.

Wishing you good luck.

Regards.

I am personally not convinced by your reasons to shift to the IT/ITES industry. In my opinion, the challenges for an HR person are far greater in industries that are labor-oriented. However, HR, as a profession, is industry-independent since it pertains to the lifecycle management of employees across the organization. The only difference lies in the framework of policies and processes used to manage people. This difference may even exist between different companies within the same industry.

What I mean to convey is that one's contribution to the organization, as well as personal growth as a professional, is undoubtedly more substantial through continuity within the same industry. Concepts like 'HR as a Business Partner' are frequently discussed. How can one become an effective business partner without a clear understanding of the financial aspects of managing a business? Each business vertical varies from the others in this regard. Therefore, transitioning from manufacturing to IT/ITES requires not only learning about their HR policies and processes but also understanding the business management in an IT company. Trust me, it is a significant undertaking not worth pursuing, especially when the same effort could propel you further in your current environment.

Change, solely for the sake of change, is rarely beneficial unless undertaken after thorough research, reflection, and analysis.

Mahesh, the compensation norms for workers, irrespective of the industry, are well-defined in terms of minimum wages payable for different categories of employees. However, for employees in the executive cadre, it is the concerned company (not even the industry) that is empowered to decide their compensation policy and can vary it as per their business growth.

In the IT sector itself, HR Executives have widely varying compensation from SMEs to multinational companies. Your argument that IT pays more than manufacturing to their HR staff needs statistical validation. My suggestion, however, would be not to invest time in such futile comparisons, which can only be attempted by those doing research. If you find some IT company offering you a better package, by all means, do migrate there and devote time to learning their processes and business. That could be more gratifying if you are truly fond of facing new challenges.

I would reckon HR is HR and dealing with humans everywhere. I have worked in manufacturing and am now in medical devices. Manufacturing is challenging as it is more labor-intensive, and in smaller setups, HR is supposed to handle IR and administration too. But if you are working in hardcore HR, the core remains the same.

Different Industries, Different Challenges

Different industries have different challenges, and you become more well-rounded in your profile if you work in various sectors. I would encourage you to move if you get an opportunity.