Career Dilemma: Should I Wait for a Manufacturing HR Role or Join a Recruitment Consultancy?

Hi, I am Shalin. I have 2.8 years of experience in the manufacturing industry as an HR Generalist, and now I am receiving offers from consultancies as a recruiter and from the BPO industry as well. Kindly let me know if I opt for consultancy now, will it affect my future career in the manufacturing sector? Or should I wait for some good offers from the manufacturing sector? I am not really interested in working in consultancies right now. Please guide me. I need suggestions from experienced professionals in this industry about my career.

I believe that while working in a manufacturing unit, you must have acquired a good practical knowledge of HR functions. Now, I would like you to express your thoughts and beliefs on the job role of a recruiter as per your understanding.

By comparing your current practical knowledge, experience, and job functions with the role of a "Recruiter" in consultancies, you can naturally find the answer to your questions and concerns.

Career Path Considerations

It is beneficial to secure a corporate job with a good package and opportunities to work in CORE HR. However, opting for a "Recruiter" role might impact your career path negatively and may not be a wise decision.

Many recruiters aspire to transition to working in Core HR and understand the distinction between the roles. While recruitment is a part of HR, working as a recruiter in BPOs/consultancies may not provide the same level of satisfaction you have experienced so far and could present challenges.

Recommendation

I recommend considering another corporate job in "Core HR" to support your career progression, rather than sticking solely to manufacturing industries/companies.

If you are not facing any current issues or challenges prompting this change, you may want to wait and search for a suitable job opportunity.

Best of luck

Thank you very much for your suggestions. Even I was not ready to switch over my track, but I have been unemployed for the past 3 months, which is why I am feeling confused. I worked in Chennai for 2.8 years, and due to personal reasons, I came to Mumbai. Here, I am trying in the manufacturing sector only, but the location of the plant is too far from Mumbai.

Apart from this, I am receiving calls from the BPO industry for roles as a generalist and as a recruiter. Could you please guide me on how I can approach Corporate Firms for a job?

Kindly advise, sir.

Regards

Dear Mr. Anil, many people are advising me to forget about the manufacturing sector because I am a girl and may not be able to handle it. Instead, they suggest working in a service-oriented or teaching field. I feel depressed and confused, thinking that I might lose my career. I have also received offers from Chennai, but I am unsure whether I can relocate there or not.

I am willing to work in a corporate office in any industry. Should I pursue this path? Please advise, sir.

First of all, you don't need to worry about the things that are bothering you these days. There is no need to lose hope. "If there is night, there is a day too." I understand your concerns about finding a job, and surely you will soon find a good job.

"There are far better things ahead than any we leave behind."

Searching for a job in a city like Mumbai has never been an easy task, and it may seem difficult now, but you have to keep searching. Mumbai is a big city, and managing things there can be tough, but not impossible. Many others like you have faced challenges in the past and present, and will continue to do so in the future. Those who persevere are eventually rewarded.

Secondly, there is no reason to believe that you are losing your career or unable to find a job. You are simply at a stage where you need to show confidence, faith, and determination to overcome obstacles. Have faith in yourself; it is crucial. Since you have already made the decision to relocate from the city where you began your career, it is important to stand by your decision and not give up.

You know your qualities, experience, and knowledge better than anyone else. You have worked with a Manufacturing Unit for 2.8 years, which is a valuable experience that will eventually lead you to a job. It may take time, but it is a process you need to accept.

Understanding Your Job Search Challenges

Now, have you ever tried to understand why you are not getting good job opportunities? If yes, please share your efforts so far.

Firstly, identify what may be wrong with your job search and why recruiters may not be showing interest in your profile. Let me know more details about your job search by answering the following questions:

- Have you registered on Job Portals? If not, please do so immediately. If yes, review and update your profile.
- Have you tracked the interest shown by recruiters in your profile recently?
- Are you regularly visiting Job Portals and applying for jobs?
- Spend time on Job Portals, read job postings, and apply for suitable openings. If possible, reach out to employers directly if you find shared contacts.
- Contact your friends for local job contacts.
- Newspaper job listings can still be helpful; consider applying through them.
- Keep learning and improving your knowledge to enhance your skills.
- If you receive job offers for HR Generalist positions, do not dismiss them. Focus on the job role rather than the industry. Consider opportunities related to HR functions like HR Executive/Assistant, regardless of the sector.

Remember, only you know your experience and capabilities. You are well-equipped to handle difficulties and perform well in interviews. Should you encounter any challenges during interviews or need assistance, feel free to reach out to Cite.Co for help.

I hope this feedback is helpful to you. Keep pushing forward, and things will fall into place.

I read the thread. I would suggest you register yourself on LinkedIn. There are many useful benefits around. You can connect with many people from different sectors. You can ask for their permission and send your resume to the concerned HR in a specific company. People in your circle can recommend your past and present work. They will endorse you for the skills you have acquired.

My personal suggestion for you is to join as an HR Generalist in any industry. It will be a good move. Please don't join as a recruiter in consultancy.

Regards,
Radha Yermal

Current Job Market for HR in Mumbai

You have already hit the nail on the main problem. Mumbai has no manufacturing anymore, at least not the types that need large HR departments. The few that are there, like RCF at Chembur, are already staffed. The scope of getting a job is limited, especially as many people want to return to Mumbai after stints outside the city. (Other, smarter people chose to remain outside).

There are manufacturing clusters at Bhavani, Patalganga, Thane (again mostly closing and relocating), Thane Belapur Road (again in shambles), and to some extent on the Vasai-Virar belt. The other clusters are in Nashik and Pune. You can live in Mumbai and commute to Nashik or Pune.

Job Opportunities in the Service Sector

So your friends have said it right, manufacturing HR jobs are not available in Mumbai. Jobs are in the service sector - software, BPO, insurance, banking, mobile, and retail.

You need to decide whether you want to change to the service sector or relocate to a place where manufacturing is in vogue. Of course, you can get a job in corporate HR, but that would depend on your skills and experience, which I am not capable of assessing. Most corporate HR jobs would be at a senior level or as assistants to senior HR managers, where you may end up doing superb work or become a secretary for him. If that's a route you want to follow, go and meet the temping agencies like TeamLease, Adecco, who are placing people in such roles (but as contract employees).

Send me your CV anyway through personal messaging. Perhaps someone can help.