Seeking Guidance: How Can I Transition from Marketing Research to HR and Admin?

Hello to all, I posted my concern, i.e., I worked for one IT company in marketing research projects. I want to change my profile to an admin and HR executive. I want to train myself with the help of this community. Please let me know the basic skills to survive in this area. Please give me your valuable suggestions to enhance my skills. Thank you in advance.

Regards,
Lakshmi Narayana

Importance of Aptitude in Career Choices

What precedes the basic skills is the aptitude for the job. Without an aptitude for a particular function or role, you may find it difficult to own the skills and be effective in the role.

Therefore, you should ask yourself a few questions. Despite marketing being a much sought-after function in terms of packages and challenges, why do you want to switch to the Admin & HR function? Is it because you found marketing not to be a cozy job, or have you gained the impression that HR is a softer job? It is necessary to identify if you have a natural flair for a particular function; failing which, you may again come up with another question after spending some time in HR as to how to switch to Finance. Therefore, spend some time identifying your natural inclinations, qualifications, strengths, weaknesses, etc., before deciding to change the course of your career.

Regards,
B. Saikumar
In-House HR & IR Advisor

Thank you for your advice, sir. Yes, I have realized on my own that I would like to be frank and provide a bit of my description. Previously, I mentioned that I worked as a marketing analyst, but it was actually a marketing research project. Now the client has designated me as a Software Engineer. We will be working on a tool, and the client has reduced the team size. There are no projects currently, and they are asking us to resign from our positions.

Focus on Administration

I have decided to focus on administration. I am working on enhancing my skills in that area. Can you please suggest the areas I should work on to thrive in the admin department?

Interview Preparation

I am interested in interviewing with companies outside. Could you guide me on the questions they may ask and how I can provide satisfactory answers?

Skill Improvement and Resources

I am using this forum to improve my skills. Please help me by providing examples of general emails and predefined email templates. Kindly inform me if there are any job opportunities available.

Thank you in advance,

LakshmiNarayana.

What I understand from your post is that you want to stick to administration. You have not said anything about your qualifications or any previous stint in administration, and if so, what kind of functions you were performing. This would enable the readers to reply appropriately.

Regards,
B. Saikumar

I have an MBA in Marketing and have been working for an MNC in marketing research projects for the past 7 years. Now, I want to switch to a role in the administrative department. I am ready to start anew in this area. I am requesting guidance on the basic things that are needed.

Thank you,

Lakshminarayana

Transitioning to HR Roles

The tendency of employers when selecting a candidate for HR roles is to look for one with qualifications in HR. You need to realize this. After spending 7 years in market research, if you still want to change over to HR & Admin and prepare to start all over from scratch, then it's better to go for some diploma program in HR.

Essential Skills for HR

HR requires people management skills like good communication, empathy, analytical skills, interpersonal skills, problem-solving skills, and listening skills, as employees will not tire of complaining. Firefighting skills are needed to douse any agitation, and drafting skills are essential as you need to draft policies and SOPs, etc. You need to work on them gradually as Rome cannot be built in a day; there is no quick-fix formula.

All the best.

Regards,
B. Saikumar

I would like to advise you not to throw away your 7 years of experience in the hope of doing well in HR. You need qualifications and better drafting skills. It would be better to tough it out in your current line of work or explore some other allied line of work. Due to the current security environment, even security has a lot to offer for the right candidate.

All the very best.