Feeling Stuck in a Non-HR Role: How Can I Explain My Job Change to Interviewers?

Seeking Advice on Career Transition

I have 3 years of experience in an HR generalist profile. My first organization experience was 1.3 years, and I left due to relocating to my native place. My second organization experience was 6 months, and I left due to a bad working culture.

Currently, I am working in a pharmaceutical company as an HR officer since April 2014 (1.11 years) at my native place, and this is my third organization.

A year ago, in April 2015, my HR Manager asked me to assist our Plant Head with his daily office work, similar to a personal assistant role. I was not in a position to refuse this assignment, so I accepted it as a new opportunity to learn something new. Since then, I have been assisting our Plant Head, which has diverted my HR profile to 20% HR and 80% operations.

A month ago, I informed my HR Manager that I don't want to continue in this role and wish to work solely in the HR department. However, he insisted I continue as a personal assistant, leaving me with no option.

Consequently, I have started searching for a new job because my current profile has completely disrupted both my professional and personal life. However, interviewers are questioning my stability, and when I explain the true reason for wanting to leave my current job, they perceive it negatively.

As an HR professional, I understand the importance of stability, but I also know there is no point in continuing with my current company. I am unsure how to convince interviewers about my job change.

I need your suggestions on this matter. Will you please guide me?

Thank you in advance.

Regards

Career Planning and Job Stability

Rolling stones gather no moss, but remember, the wandering bees get the honey. First, lay out a career plan. What are your current qualifications, and what are you planning to learn and add to your CV? Right now, you should continue with your current job and enhance your qualifications so that you can secure another job. Never leave a job unless you have already landed another one.

Understanding Your Current HR Role

By the way, how large is your HR setup? What duties were you performing in your HR profile? Who is handling that portion now? No interviewer will be too pleased to see so many job changes. Even job changes need to demonstrate a pattern toward career progression or a plan. You will have to think about how to convince potential employers along these lines.

Your profile was changed in April 2015. After almost a year, you are now considering changing your job. Ideally, this should have been done immediately when your profile was changed or within 1-2 months.

Well, still, nothing is lost. Prepare your CV, mentioning the current job profile as well, and try to sum up the responsibilities with your HR profile. Keep things positive and present the current profile as showcasing your multi-tasking ability and additional responsibility.

While in an interview, be positive and specify the real reason for your past job changes. Do not hide the facts. A mature interviewer can understand the genuine reasons for change. Be goal-specific and apply to jobs that you are passionate about. Learn about the company and its job requirements. If you feel you meet the requirements, then apply for it. Elaborate on how your current profile will help you in becoming a good HR professional (a people person). Show your long-term goals to the company and how you can be an asset to them.

"When obstacles arise, you change your direction to reach your goal; you do not change your decision to reach there."

All the best!

Thank you, Nathrao and Excelencia, for your response and suggestions. It's not that I have just realized the situation. At the beginning of considering a job change, my manager informed me that they would hire a new person for this position, stating that I would only need to do this for a short period. However, currently, he is not willing to hire a new person and expects me to continue in the same role. Consequently, I have started my job search and am encountering difficulties in making the job change.

Within the HR department, there were six of us (including one manager and one Senior Executive), and my responsibilities were being partially managed by my colleagues. Nevertheless, I will heed your suggestions.

Thank you once again.