Torn Between IT Recruiter and HR & Admin Executive Roles: Which Path Should I Choose for My Career Growth?

Dear Seniors, I recently attended two interviews: one for an IT Recruiter position in an IT Recruitment Solutions Company, and the other for an HR & Admin Executive role in a 500-employee strong Pest Control Services company. I was selected for both positions. The salary offered for the IT Recruiter role is higher than that for the HR and Admin Executive position.

I hold an MBA in HR and have 2 years of experience as an Admin Executive in a small-sized firm. I now wish to transition into the HR field, but I am uncertain about which offer to choose and what factors to consider when making this decision. Which option would be better for my career?

Thank you.

Here is the brief detail about both the jobs:

IT Recruitment:

- Understanding the requirement from the client.
- Sourcing resumes of applicants.
- Calling them and finding out if they are available for this job opening.
- If they are fine with the job proposal, scheduling the interviews with the client.
- Following up with applicants and clients about the status of the interview.
- Getting the candidate placed in that job.
- You need to achieve the targets assigned by your team leads. For example, 5 placements in a week/20 placements in a month, etc.

HR & Admin:

- Handling joining formalities
- Managing attendance & time sheets
- Balancing leaves
- Maintaining the policies
- Employee engagement
- Budgeting
- Structuring payroll
- Generating payslips
- Writing HR letters to employees
- Other responsibilities vary from company to company

Now, you decide where you can perform the best.

Career Path in HR: Recruitment vs. HR & Admin

Recruitment is one of the HR areas, and HR & Admin encompasses all other areas along with recruitment. If you are interested in recruitment, you can join an IT recruitment company. Otherwise, you may join another company that offers you an HR & Admin position.

In my experience, it is beneficial to have the opportunity to learn all other HR areas, starting from joining formalities to exit formalities (employee data maintenance, leaves & time management, payroll, statutory requirements, F&F settlements, HR audits, employee engagement activities, etc.).

I began my career as an IT Recruiter in a small consultancy, where I worked for nearly 1.2 years. Later, I joined as an HR & Admin Executive in a thermal power-generating company, where I was exposed to all HR roles and became proficient in payroll and statutory compliance. Now, I am working as a Payroll Executive in a top company. My friends who are in recruitment are still in that field only.

Think wisely and then decide... ALL THE BEST.

Regards