Starting as an IT Recruiter: Can I Still Aim for a Managerial Role Without Generalist Experience?

Hello Everyone,

I am a fresher in the HR field; I have been working in international BPOs for the past 3.5 years and just completed my PG in HR from Symbiosis. I tried to get into Generalist HR roles in some companies as a fresher but have not succeeded. I recently got an opportunity to work as an IT Recruiter - Trainee in a US-based IT corporation. I will be working as a Trainee for 3 months, and then I will be designated as an IT Recruiter in that company.

Could anyone please let me know the scope and career progression of an IT Recruiter? If I am unable to transition into a Generalist role later on, what are the chances of moving into a managerial position in the field of IT Recruitment? Or is this progression limited without experience in a Generalist role?

Your suggestions and advice would be greatly appreciated.

Scope for IT recruiter or IT jobs remains unaffected. You have wonderful growth; don't worry about that.

There are different opinions and talks about IT slowdown. One of our forum members also posted a PowerPoint presentation on this two days back.

The government sees no slowdown in the IT Sector. Brushing aside fears of a slowdown in the IT industry, the government last Thursday said the Indian IT-ITes/BPO sector's revenue is expected to grow by over 33 percent in 2007-08.

Minister of State for Communications and IT, Shakeel Ahmad, said there would be no recession in the IT industry in the coming year.

There was no immediate challenge to the Indian IT industry from China or other competing countries, as per the Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council. He said this when asked if the country would lose its leadership in the sector to China and other countries due to a lack of development planning by the government.

You have a Symbiosis PG diploma in HR and have now joined a US-based company as an IT recruiter. You should aim to get into a managerial position with responsibilities at least within two years. You have a lot of articles, presentations, and papers within this forum. This will take you to great heights.

Best of luck,

Chennai Ibrahim

Hello, Mr. Ibrahim,

Thank you so much for your reply; it's greatly appreciated and encouraging. Since I would be starting in IT Recruitments and I do not have any IT Qualification as such (I just have a PG diploma in HR from Symbiosis), I am thinking of enrolling in a PG Diploma in IT (again from Symbiosis) this year in April. Would you say that it would be helpful in my career as an IT Recruiter? Or, it won't really matter if I have this additional PG Diploma besides just a PG Diploma in HR?

You see, I want to work really hard and smart and aspire to reach AM level hopefully after 3 years, and I am ready to pursue any additional courses to this effect: so should I go for a PG Diploma in IT from Symbiosis too? Looking forward to your valuable advice.

Best Regards, Romil

Dear Romil,

A diploma in IT skills will not add value to your profile; it is not required for your IT HR profession. However, it will ease your IT HR job. You will find yourself comfortable while you search for the right talents, even when the client's requirements are not clear. There is nothing wrong if you have that dedication and vision; you can pursue a diploma in IT from the same Symbiosis.

Regards,
Chennai Ibrahim