Stuck Between High Pay and Career Passion: How Can I Transition from Front Desk to HR?

I am currently working as a front desk executive and I want to switch to HR, but it's getting difficult due to my current designation and high salary. What should I do? Kindly suggest.

I am currently working as a Junior Executive Administration - Front Office. I accepted this job because my last company relocated to another state, and I had financial problems, so I accepted this receptionist job. However, I have 2.1 years of experience as an HR executive in a prior company. Now, I want to switch back to an HR profile, but it's challenging due to my current salary being higher than HR openings and my current front desk designation.

Please advise me on what to do. Whenever I try for an HR job, many employers offer me receptionist roles with higher pay due to my current designation. When I try for receptionist roles, they consider me overqualified. I am totally confused about my future career path. Should I accept an HR job as a fresher with a lower salary or continue with a receptionist profile with a higher salary?

If I choose the first option, it may create financial problems. If I choose the second option, I may lack work satisfaction and not see a bright future. Please guide me on what to do.

Thanks and Regards,
Golden

Advisable to select the option of going for an HR profile, which you enjoyed working in earlier. As you said, it would provide you with "work satisfaction."

All the very best. Thanks.

I suggest requesting your present employer to provide an opportunity in HR so that your ambition and issue are resolved. If this is not possible, you may need to prioritize either your ambition, previous experience, and career progression in HR or your salary package.

Regards,
Kamesh

Thank you so much for your valuable advice. I absolutely agree with your opinion that I should select an HR profile. However, the problem is whenever I try for an HR job, I don't get an opportunity. Even my CV is not shortlisted due to my current designation as 'Admin Executive Front Office'. If someone considers my CV and calls me for an interview, then only the interviewer or employer can get an idea about my HR knowledge, but unfortunately, that hasn't happened.

Actually, I had a word with my HOD as well. He assigned me some HR work and assured me that he would observe my work. After six months, he would give me a chance to work in the HR department. He was impressed by my work and promised me that he would talk to senior authorities regarding changing my designation and department at the time of the yearly appraisal. But, once again, luck was not on my side as my HR head left the organization during the appraisal period.

When I discussed this situation with my new HR head, he informed me that he didn't want to recruit anyone new in HR. He is ready to assign me HR work but without changing my designation and department. Furthermore, he also wants to observe my work for the next six months, and I doubt whether that will happen.

Based on my past experience, I don't have any hope from my HR department regarding this matter. It seems that my only option is to try outside for an HR job.

Kindly advise on what steps to take to secure an HR job.

Thanks & Regards,

Golden

If you are really passionate about working in an HR profile and believe you will not have future opportunities in your current organization, then it is better to leave your current profile. Before leaving your current job, start searching diligently for an HR profile job by highlighting the key HR skills and exposure you have. Please don’t leave the job without having another option in hand.

A valid justification for your strong interest in HR can be shared with the interviewer during a face-to-face interaction. There may be situations where you have to compromise on salary, but in order to have a satisfying HR profile and career ahead, sacrifices can be made temporarily. Once you get a chance, things will work out automatically.

All the very best.

Thanks

Hi everyone, here I am once again seeking your valuable guidance. As per HR@Glance advice, I have applied to numerous companies for HR jobs. Within the last week, I received an interview call from a consultancy for a position in a construction company. Before attending the interview, I had confirmed with the consultancy representative that the construction company had shortlisted my CV for an HR role and they were okay with my current designation (front desk). However, during the interview, the interviewer did not ask me a single question related to HR. She only inquired about my current profile and designation, then asked me to wait. After an hour, she asked me to leave for the day and mentioned that they would inform me of the result later. This experience has made me nervous. Over the past two to three months, I have applied to many companies but have not received any calls. Please advise me on how to secure an HR job, or do you also believe that no one will consider me for an HR position solely because of my current designation as a Front Desk Executive?

Thanks and Regards,
Golden