Dear Seniors, Hope all are doing well! I am very much keen on entering the HR industry. BUT...I am a midlife career switcher....and am currently going through a midlife career
Here's the story:
I am an MBA with marketing specialization from Andhra University [2002 batch - full time]. I have over 11 years of experience in content management [writing, editing, publishing in both print and digital media].
I have performed some HR tasks as part of my duties all these 11 years.
After completing MBA I joined a small publishing business where I worked as Editorial Assistant for 4.9 years for a small publishing business - as the business had yearly publications, my work was mostly Administration and Recruitment of contract sales executives.
I later moved on to two MNCs in different content roles where Training & Development was also part of my tasks.
So, Relevant experience in HR field is:
Administration and Recruitment: 4.9 years
Training & Development: 6 years
I see no growth in content writing and management anymore. I am now contemplating a move into HR field - which I have been interested in all my life but could not do an MBA in this area as our college had no HR option and also Andhra University had no dual MBA courses in 2002.
I am especially interested in Employee Relations, Employee record management and background check, and other similar areas in corporates.
I recently joined a highly reputed product based company in IT industry as Associate Manager -Content [learning & development]. I am part of the HR team as my role deals with learning & development. I feel lucky to be sitting with HR team and see how they work and go about.
When I expressed my interest to the Head of HR [my boss], she said I have to work in the role I was recruited for a couple of years and then try moving in. The maximum time I want to work in content industry just 1 more year. I don't want to delay my move and make it more complicated for a midlife career move.
I am also pursuing a distance mode PG Diploma in HRM from SCDL. Should I try for jobs in HR as soon as I complete the course? Please advise me. Your advice could change a life in crisis....
Thank you very much for being patient enough to read such a long question.
Thank you & Best regards,
Rishi...
From United States, Seattle
2Here's the story:
I am an MBA with marketing specialization from Andhra University [2002 batch - full time]. I have over 11 years of experience in content management [writing, editing, publishing in both print and digital media].
I have performed some HR tasks as part of my duties all these 11 years.
After completing MBA I joined a small publishing business where I worked as Editorial Assistant for 4.9 years for a small publishing business - as the business had yearly publications, my work was mostly Administration and Recruitment of contract sales executives.
I later moved on to two MNCs in different content roles where Training & Development was also part of my tasks.
So, Relevant experience in HR field is:
Administration and Recruitment: 4.9 years
Training & Development: 6 years
I see no growth in content writing and management anymore. I am now contemplating a move into HR field - which I have been interested in all my life but could not do an MBA in this area as our college had no HR option and also Andhra University had no dual MBA courses in 2002.
I am especially interested in Employee Relations, Employee record management and background check, and other similar areas in corporates.
I recently joined a highly reputed product based company in IT industry as Associate Manager -Content [learning & development]. I am part of the HR team as my role deals with learning & development. I feel lucky to be sitting with HR team and see how they work and go about.
When I expressed my interest to the Head of HR [my boss], she said I have to work in the role I was recruited for a couple of years and then try moving in. The maximum time I want to work in content industry just 1 more year. I don't want to delay my move and make it more complicated for a midlife career move.
I am also pursuing a distance mode PG Diploma in HRM from SCDL. Should I try for jobs in HR as soon as I complete the course? Please advise me. Your advice could change a life in crisis....
Thank you very much for being patient enough to read such a long question.
Thank you & Best regards,
Rishi...
From United States, Seattle
Hi Rishi, I can see you are keen to get into HR Field, so start searching for Job and keep attending interview and once you complete the education/course join. Regards Deepak
From India, Delhi
From India, Delhi
Hi Deepak,
Thanks for your reply. But my administration and recruitment experience is in a small scale business environment. In fact, a micro business environment. I was in a one-man-does-all role. So, will companies consider my previous relevant experience in HR? Or will they keep bothering me about why am I making a move after 11 years of career in another field and trying to enter HR? Is it too late a move? Please advise....
Cheers,
Rishi...
From United States, Seattle
Thanks for your reply. But my administration and recruitment experience is in a small scale business environment. In fact, a micro business environment. I was in a one-man-does-all role. So, will companies consider my previous relevant experience in HR? Or will they keep bothering me about why am I making a move after 11 years of career in another field and trying to enter HR? Is it too late a move? Please advise....
Cheers,
Rishi...
From United States, Seattle
Also, I am planning to get into HR Operations without any previous experience....Wondering if a HR Generalist role fits for me....please advise.....
From United States, Seattle
From United States, Seattle
Dear Seniors, please help me...your advices can lay a bright career path for an aspiring professional....
From United States, Seattle
From United States, Seattle
Hi Rishi,
Please check out the below link , hope this will give you some answer and incase any doubts let me know :)
https://www.citehr.com/458967-hr-giv...ggestions.html
Regards
Deepak
From India, Delhi
Please check out the below link , hope this will give you some answer and incase any doubts let me know :)
https://www.citehr.com/458967-hr-giv...ggestions.html
Regards
Deepak
From India, Delhi
Hello Rishi,
Where are you located--USA or India? The options available to you would, to an extent, depend on this factor.
In general,mid-career switches, though difficult, are not impossible to make. I have done it myself--thrice.
One Plus point you seem to have is your exposure in Admin, T&D & Recruitment.
However, can you pl explain the line: 'The maximum time I want to work in content industry just 1 more year'? Looking @ the scenario you are presently in, MAYBE it's better for you to work for a couple of yrs [like your boss suggested] where you can handle things [Content Mgt & HR] 'in-parallel'?
Since you have a 11 yrs exp, I am sure you realize the chances of getting a suitable job protecting your present CTC & Position IF you apply for HR jobs. The compromises you would need to do COULD be quite high--all can't do/handle it.
Given such a situation, you are in a company where the chances SEEM to be BRIGHTER of the career-switch within the same company--based on what your boss mentioned. Then why take the risk of moving out? Like the Saying goes: 'A bird in-hand is worth 2 in the bush'.
And since your boss now knows you final career goals, it's QUITE possible that you may be given opportunities of handling Core HR work IF you show the interest continuously AS LONG AS you ensure that your present job role IS NOT compromised, until you make the complete/final shift to HR. Hope you get the point.
All the Best.
Rgds,
TS
From India, Hyderabad
Where are you located--USA or India? The options available to you would, to an extent, depend on this factor.
In general,mid-career switches, though difficult, are not impossible to make. I have done it myself--thrice.
One Plus point you seem to have is your exposure in Admin, T&D & Recruitment.
However, can you pl explain the line: 'The maximum time I want to work in content industry just 1 more year'? Looking @ the scenario you are presently in, MAYBE it's better for you to work for a couple of yrs [like your boss suggested] where you can handle things [Content Mgt & HR] 'in-parallel'?
Since you have a 11 yrs exp, I am sure you realize the chances of getting a suitable job protecting your present CTC & Position IF you apply for HR jobs. The compromises you would need to do COULD be quite high--all can't do/handle it.
Given such a situation, you are in a company where the chances SEEM to be BRIGHTER of the career-switch within the same company--based on what your boss mentioned. Then why take the risk of moving out? Like the Saying goes: 'A bird in-hand is worth 2 in the bush'.
And since your boss now knows you final career goals, it's QUITE possible that you may be given opportunities of handling Core HR work IF you show the interest continuously AS LONG AS you ensure that your present job role IS NOT compromised, until you make the complete/final shift to HR. Hope you get the point.
All the Best.
Rgds,
TS
From India, Hyderabad
Dear Tajsateesh,
Thank you for your advice. BTW I am in India....Aptly understood my situation. However, there's a little concern here...
When I mentioned "'The maximum time I want to work in content industry just 1 more year" - I meant I don't want to work in the content industry more than 1 year from now....and transition into HR industry before it's too late...
I came by some horror stories of some fellow midcareer switchers...even if their tenure in their previous industry was just 5 years....In my case it's 10 years..so you can imagine,,.as you said, it is difficult but not impossible....so, any delay from my side should not take my situation from difficult to impossible....this is why I am not wanting to stay in my current industry [content mgmt] for more than 1 year from now....
However, while being in my current job, I will also show interest in volunteering for recruitment and operations tasks whenever a requirement arises [usually when there's lack of resources to handle these tasks or whenever there are mass HR drives...
Please advise me on how to handle this situation....
Best Regards,
Rishi...
From United States, Seattle
Thank you for your advice. BTW I am in India....Aptly understood my situation. However, there's a little concern here...
When I mentioned "'The maximum time I want to work in content industry just 1 more year" - I meant I don't want to work in the content industry more than 1 year from now....and transition into HR industry before it's too late...
I came by some horror stories of some fellow midcareer switchers...even if their tenure in their previous industry was just 5 years....In my case it's 10 years..so you can imagine,,.as you said, it is difficult but not impossible....so, any delay from my side should not take my situation from difficult to impossible....this is why I am not wanting to stay in my current industry [content mgmt] for more than 1 year from now....
However, while being in my current job, I will also show interest in volunteering for recruitment and operations tasks whenever a requirement arises [usually when there's lack of resources to handle these tasks or whenever there are mass HR drives...
Please advise me on how to handle this situation....
Best Regards,
Rishi...
From United States, Seattle
Hello Rishi,
Suggest DON'T put any timeframe [1 yr, etc] for the move--sometimes it becomes counter-productive [and the problem is: we never realize that until it's too late]. Just move with the tide--and grab the opportunity whenever it appears in front of you. The trick is to keep your 'eyes & ears' OPEN ALL THE WHILE even as you go about doing your regular work.
Reg 'volunteering for recruitment and operations tasks whenever a requirement', I would suggest TWO steps.
1] Keep meeting your boss regularly to remind her of your willingness to PARTICIPATE in the regular HR activities [though NOT to an extent that she feels you are 'pestering'].
2] Just stay in touch with your colleagues & keep watching what they do & participate in informal discussions--you will be able to BOTH learn how things are done AND get leads on when you can actively 'encourage' your boss to include you in the HR work [meaning identifying situations when 'taking help' becomes necessary].
Being a Marketing guy, both these steps shouldn't be very difficult for you I guess.
All the Best.
Rgds,
TS
From India, Hyderabad
Suggest DON'T put any timeframe [1 yr, etc] for the move--sometimes it becomes counter-productive [and the problem is: we never realize that until it's too late]. Just move with the tide--and grab the opportunity whenever it appears in front of you. The trick is to keep your 'eyes & ears' OPEN ALL THE WHILE even as you go about doing your regular work.
Reg 'volunteering for recruitment and operations tasks whenever a requirement', I would suggest TWO steps.
1] Keep meeting your boss regularly to remind her of your willingness to PARTICIPATE in the regular HR activities [though NOT to an extent that she feels you are 'pestering'].
2] Just stay in touch with your colleagues & keep watching what they do & participate in informal discussions--you will be able to BOTH learn how things are done AND get leads on when you can actively 'encourage' your boss to include you in the HR work [meaning identifying situations when 'taking help' becomes necessary].
Being a Marketing guy, both these steps shouldn't be very difficult for you I guess.
All the Best.
Rgds,
TS
From India, Hyderabad
Hi Tajsateesh,
Well said sir! and thank you very much for such a prompt response....Yes, I will follow the two paths you suggested...Being part of the HR team, I am always included in all HR meetings....so no worries in this front..Yeah, as you said...I will surely be in touch with my Boss all the time....In fact I sit right front of her cabin...so no issues..
Best Regards,
Rishi...
From United States, Seattle
Well said sir! and thank you very much for such a prompt response....Yes, I will follow the two paths you suggested...Being part of the HR team, I am always included in all HR meetings....so no worries in this front..Yeah, as you said...I will surely be in touch with my Boss all the time....In fact I sit right front of her cabin...so no issues..
Best Regards,
Rishi...
From United States, Seattle
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