Feeling Stuck in My HR Career: Should I Wait, Go Back to Consultancy, or Study More?

I am an MBA in HR and Finance with 1.5 years of experience. I completed my MBA in June 2011. Fortunately, I secured a campus placement in HR at a manufacturing plant. I worked there as a Management Trainee with a Generalist role for 6 months. I left that job due to unacceptable behavior from my boss. After a 3-month gap, I returned to my hometown and joined a consultancy firm, focusing on core recruitment. I worked there for 6 months before getting married.

Having gained experience in both manufacturing and core recruitment, I decided to avoid consultancy roles and focus on corporate jobs, which I believe are better. Unfortunately, after my marriage, I struggled to find a corporate job for a year. Eventually, I landed a job in Real Estate, but the company faced losses and let me go after 3 months, despite my good performance. They chose to assign my tasks to a junior for less pay.

It has been 5 months since I have been unemployed, and I am struggling to secure a good corporate HR job. My profile appears unstable.

Guidance Needed on Career Path

Seniors/Experts, I seek guidance on my next steps:

1. Should I continue waiting for a corporate HR job and persist through the struggle?

2. Should I consider working in a consultancy (which I am hesitant about) to avoid the depression of unemployment?

3. Should I pursue further education, like a course, degree, or diploma in fields such as LLB or CS, to enhance my employability and make a fresh start post-MBA? If yes, what would be the better option after an MBA?

I appreciate your guidance in advance.

Thank you,

Regards, Isha

Thoughts on Career Path and Next Steps

1. If recruitment did not work out for you, don't look at it again. Indeed, it is not everyone's cup of tea, although it seems easy.

2. While working in the manufacturing sector, besides your immediate boss, were there others who liked your work? Can you get their help as a reference, and maybe they can point you to HR of other companies they know?

3. Likewise, in the real estate company, can you get references?

4. After gathering all this, make a list and start contacting people. Also, update your profile on various portals accordingly, along with your clear desire for a corporate role only.

5. If you have to do some courses, I suggest training and development, soft skills, etc., in line with your core foundation. It is much better to develop a building on a foundation rather than let go of the same and start anew, unless you are clear that HR itself is not for you. Law could help—perhaps some courses in labor law. But do them as a "continuing education" effort.

Regards.

Thanks for your reply. I am already implementing the suggestions you provided in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th points.

Regarding a Course in Training & Development

I am aware of ISTD. Will pursuing ISTD give my career a boost at this point in time, especially since I am facing career instability and currently unemployed?

Regards,
Isha

I can understand the pressure you faced in previous times and are currently facing. Your bad luck seems to be following you regularly, but as a professionally skilled person, you are not supposed to quit at any level. The breaks you mentioned give a very bad impression to interviewers or employers. According to policies and norms, no company (corporate) will easily prefer you for a job. Therefore, I can assume and suggest some small but impactful things that may work and help restore your self-confidence and spirit.

1. If possible, try to join a mid-level company with adjustments to your CTC, profile, and designation.
2. Consider trying to secure a good HR job in a leading HR consultancy like Mafoi and others. They may provide an opportunity to restart your career. Consultancy jobs are not bad; it depends on the company.
3. Since you are currently unemployed, engage in short-term skill enhancement courses. This will enrich your CV and add weight to it.
4. Stay updated on all HR functions, new policies, updates, editions, new ventures, major changes in the HR and corporate world. While these may not directly support you, they will provide extra knowledge that can be used during conversations and interviews to show that even after such breaks, you are updated on recent affairs. Being well-informed also boosts your inner confidence.

Taking these actions will provide you with a solid foundation and help bridge any gaps.

Best wishes, Isha. It's you who can do it and prove it.

God Bless.

Regards,
Manish Srivastava
HR & ISO Consultant (QMS/EMS & FSMS)
[Phone Number Removed For Privacy Reasons]

Thank you for your reply, Manish ji. Your thoughts have really motivated me. I will definitely work on the things you have mentioned. Thank you for your guidelines and wishes.

Best Regards,
Isha

As others have already said, adjust your expectations regarding company/salary, update your skills, and keep trying.

Regarding the ISTD

I have no idea—although some say it is a good course. I'd still suggest targeting a corporate role; otherwise, one would simply be wasting time in a job one doesn't like. Your recruiting skills should be an asset to corporates as well. Just my opinion.

Best of luck!