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Faced with a choice between an MBA in HR and a general MBA, I had to ask myself a lot of questions. In addition, peers who were in similar situations helped me by discussing their queries, and helping me answer mine. I am trying to reproduce my answers to some questions here, hoping they'll be useful to some of the readers.
Disclaimer: All these questions were asked to me or my friends by peers, colleagues or seniors at sometime or the other. Please do not be offended by any of them. The idea is not to malign any college/career/gender/person but to answer some questions.
Myth 1: HR is for people who are 'good at interacting with others.'
Reality: Any profession needs people who are good at interacting with others. Can you be a successful football player, if you can't 'interact' with others? A salesperson? An advertising guy? Whatever! The core responsibility of an HR person is to maximise the returns on the money spent in hiring/retaining human resources. Of course, this needs to be done fairly, and within certain legal boundaries. HR has vast scope, and is broadly divided into:
1) Recruitment - includes strategic planning, forecasting, hiring, and selection
2) Learning and Development - training, learning management and administration, career enhancement
3) Performance Evaluation - appraisals and promotions
4) Industrial Relations - mainly for blue-collared jobs
5) Consulting
Now, think about it. Would just being an extrovert, and having a liking for 'talking and interacting with people' qualify you for a job in any of these fields? No, right? You'd have to work just as hard as any other professional, to do well.
Myth 2: No one picks HR. It's only because they have no other choice, that they do an HR course.
Reality: Whoever told you that! In the little circle of people that I know, I can count at least 5 people, who have opted for HR over marketing/finance/operations. And mind you, all the colleges that called them were sterling institutes. But, if you are clear in your mind that HR is your calling, go for it, then!
Myth 3: HR is a women's profession.
Reality: That's been a case because HR was perceived as a 'softer' profession earlier, but not any more. HR is as competitive as any other stream of management today. There are tough targets in hiring, selection, training, appraisals, consulting etc. Men and women are on equal footing. For example, in my 6 years of workex, I've seen a fair gender mix amongst HR professionals. So, have no worries on that front.
P.S. I'll be back with more. I don't claim to be an expert or a 'know it all'. These are just my opinions augmented with some research and interaction with HR gurus in my organization. Please feel free to add on, agree, disagree with me. Also, please post further queries and I'll try getting answers from some senior HR folks I know.
Acknowledgments: Thanks to nidhi_rawal, skeptic, bugs bunny, harshadk, and diva12 for enriching discussions and opinions.
Disclaimer: All these questions were asked to me or my friends by peers, colleagues or seniors at sometime or the other. Please do not be offended by any of them. The idea is not to malign any college/career/gender/person but to answer some questions.
Myth 1: HR is for people who are 'good at interacting with others.'
Reality: Any profession needs people who are good at interacting with others. Can you be a successful football player, if you can't 'interact' with others? A salesperson? An advertising guy? Whatever! The core responsibility of an HR person is to maximise the returns on the money spent in hiring/retaining human resources. Of course, this needs to be done fairly, and within certain legal boundaries. HR has vast scope, and is broadly divided into:
1) Recruitment - includes strategic planning, forecasting, hiring, and selection
2) Learning and Development - training, learning management and administration, career enhancement
3) Performance Evaluation - appraisals and promotions
4) Industrial Relations - mainly for blue-collared jobs
5) Consulting
Now, think about it. Would just being an extrovert, and having a liking for 'talking and interacting with people' qualify you for a job in any of these fields? No, right? You'd have to work just as hard as any other professional, to do well.
Myth 2: No one picks HR. It's only because they have no other choice, that they do an HR course.
Reality: Whoever told you that! In the little circle of people that I know, I can count at least 5 people, who have opted for HR over marketing/finance/operations. And mind you, all the colleges that called them were sterling institutes. But, if you are clear in your mind that HR is your calling, go for it, then!
Myth 3: HR is a women's profession.
Reality: That's been a case because HR was perceived as a 'softer' profession earlier, but not any more. HR is as competitive as any other stream of management today. There are tough targets in hiring, selection, training, appraisals, consulting etc. Men and women are on equal footing. For example, in my 6 years of workex, I've seen a fair gender mix amongst HR professionals. So, have no worries on that front.
P.S. I'll be back with more. I don't claim to be an expert or a 'know it all'. These are just my opinions augmented with some research and interaction with HR gurus in my organization. Please feel free to add on, agree, disagree with me. Also, please post further queries and I'll try getting answers from some senior HR folks I know.
Acknowledgments: Thanks to nidhi_rawal, skeptic, bugs bunny, harshadk, and diva12 for enriching discussions and opinions.
During career counselling from a well reputed organisation which also studies Psychology, I was told that having extra ordinary verbal skills is useful for MBA HR. Are they essential?The question is not framed perfectly. i.e. "Verbal Skills or Basic english skills" are necessary/essential for MBA...
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. (which is what your actual question meant!)
I am younger than the people discussing here
and indeed doing a great job for MBA HR aspirants.
Few points I wd like to raise:
During career counselling from a well reputed organisation which also studies Psychology, I was told that having extra ordinary verbal skills is useful for MBA ...
and indeed doing a great job for MBA HR aspirants.
Few points I wd like to raise:
During career counselling from a well reputed organisation which also studies Psychology, I was told that having extra ordinary verbal skills is useful for MBA ...
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Click here to read the story online. Also, there is a link to related stories on that page that opens.
Pradeep, valid point about the head-hunting bit. And that's where one's networks with folks will probably come in handy.
Pradeep, valid point about the head-hunting bit. And that's where one's networks with folks will probably come in handy.
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Junta,
Please buy this week's Business World ( 5 May 2008 ). Cover story is on HR and how HR is redefining itself.
"Solving the People Puzzle. How companies are re-imagining Human resources management" is the heading with a series of articles.
(Have not read it. Just now saw it and wante...
Please buy this week's Business World ( 5 May 2008 ). Cover story is on HR and how HR is redefining itself.
"Solving the People Puzzle. How companies are re-imagining Human resources management" is the heading with a series of articles.
(Have not read it. Just now saw it and wante...
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There is a particular profession/career path in HR which is not discussed much here. Highly lucrative. Its Senior Management Head Hunting.
Sounds boring? Not exactly. This is not the kind of head hunting which normal Head hunting firms do. Like calling up and getting some stupid details.
T...
Sounds boring? Not exactly. This is not the kind of head hunting which normal Head hunting firms do. Like calling up and getting some stupid details.
T...
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Well, most of the times, the work HR does is not let known to the employees....dont you'll have a " Meet ur HR" program every fortnight ??!!!
I wud compare HR to a footballing referee...he has done a good job if he remains un-noticed and not the person who changed the match..!!!
Also, depen...
I wud compare HR to a footballing referee...he has done a good job if he remains un-noticed and not the person who changed the match..!!!
Also, depen...
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and more often than not they are plain dumb...
acc to me, reason is that the guys who manage these things at employee level are graduates who could not not get any other decent job... otherwise why would they agree to do such menial jobs... and still mess up things so badly thaht employees lo...
acc to me, reason is that the guys who manage these things at employee level are graduates who could not not get any other decent job... otherwise why would they agree to do such menial jobs... and still mess up things so badly thaht employees lo...
5
Yeah more often than not HR is hated the most because of certain things
In my internship, the problem i faced with HR were as follows:
1) They never give the details u want
2) My Full n Final was done after 3 months
3) I had to get one form completed for my internship certificate and ...
In my internship, the problem i faced with HR were as follows:
1) They never give the details u want
2) My Full n Final was done after 3 months
3) I had to get one form completed for my internship certificate and ...
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In some organizations, yes! However, you can't really generalize it to all HR folks. For example, there are folks who deal with employee retirals (firing employees). Even if they do it for a genuine reason, they will obviously not be loved and worshipped.
Folks who deal with appraisals and c...
Folks who deal with appraisals and c...
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then again I have one more question directed towards the people.......Rohit Bhai had given the link to a blog in his post probably in the first or second page......
there is a small line in it that says HR PEOPLE ARE SOME OF THE MOST HATED PEOPLE IN THE BUSINESS.......even I have heard things ...
there is a small line in it that says HR PEOPLE ARE SOME OF THE MOST HATED PEOPLE IN THE BUSINESS.......even I have heard things ...
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Exactly Sumit......totally agree with u.......I have felt from the start that HR is a passion......a hobby........but then as is the case with most Indian students passions tend to get checked due to various pressures.....and u know what......that is precisely what I am afraid of.......I just wan...
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no man...definitely not......I am not definitely in it just for the money........my inclinations for HR began the day I wanted to do an MBA just because I like that field and I am pretty sure I can excel a lot in it....u know its like my true calling............in fact I may not go for anything e...
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Pradeep, to (partially) answer your question, we had a poll on the XLRI community on orkut. Sharing the results:
Total votes - 113
Freshers - 31 (27%)
< 6 months - 4 (3%)
6-12 months - 18 (15%)
12-24 months - 33 (29%)
24+ months - 27 (23%)
Please note that these figures are f...
Total votes - 113
Freshers - 31 (27%)
< 6 months - 4 (3%)
6-12 months - 18 (15%)
12-24 months - 33 (29%)
24+ months - 27 (23%)
Please note that these figures are f...
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Awesome initiative Sumit [ u shd have shown me this earlier :sneaky:]
Heres sharing how i made the decision...
I always knew i was a management guy, even while doing my BE...so that was settled.
The specialization was something I wasnt very sure about, not untill a year ago.
I real...
Heres sharing how i made the decision...
I always knew i was a management guy, even while doing my BE...so that was settled.
The specialization was something I wasnt very sure about, not untill a year ago.
I real...
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great work sumit and all others!!! keep it coming!!! by the way,i m getting into IMI this year to do my PGDM-HR... has 2 years of work-ex from wipro .. and a b-tech from NIT calicut... All the best 2 you guys!!
i m looking forward to gettin back to college aftr a long time!!
cheers again....
i m looking forward to gettin back to college aftr a long time!!
cheers again....
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Jshah, fair points! I guess many of us get disillusioned with HR, because our line HR folks are unavailable or busy or never have answers. I used to be one such person, long ago.
In the two organizations that I have worked with, I have been really happy with the functioning of the corporate HR...
In the two organizations that I have worked with, I have been really happy with the functioning of the corporate HR...
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i agree wid Rohit.... I havent felt HR in my 3 years at current job... all those flaff is only in the books... i would go on the extent of saying that the HR doesnt even sit in the same office as we do and operates from an office which is some 15 km away from this place... in 3 years i havent had...
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No wonder
It actually makes me think. Is it true that most of us would have worked in some firm post engineering and got so frustrated seeing the way HR behave and then developed a "I don't want to get into HR" feeling ?
At least, I definitely felt so when working in my first company.
It actually makes me think. Is it true that most of us would have worked in some firm post engineering and got so frustrated seeing the way HR behave and then developed a "I don't want to get into HR" feeling ?
At least, I definitely felt so when working in my first company.
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Start ups online communities which are user driven, like PaGaLGuY.com, need two kind of HR managers - Online and Offline. One for the office/PG HQ and the other for maintaining the forum which is done by moderators. I have been interacting with users for around two years now and have realized tha...
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tch...good words and I so wish it was in real.I would really like to know few companies which actually "believe" in this and implement this, and yes, first hand INDIAN experiences only please.NO posts like "I have a friend in whose company this....".
May be we will learn few things from there...
May be we will learn few things from there...
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Its not about HR function having a 9-6 Job. All the support functions ie the functions which are not directly related to earning the revenue are generally have such working timings. Functions like HR, Admin, FInance (accounts & taxation) are perfect examples.
The revenue generating functions h...
The revenue generating functions h...
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That's a total myth. Having worked for the training function of HR for nearly 3 years, I can vouch for that. My boss would be in office from 9 am to 6 pm, on most days, but I'd still get emails from him at 11 pm, many times. He had a wife and two kids, and spent a lot of time with them, but he di...
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These are my thoughts: (I am also working in a start-up and we are facing similar issues in recruiting etc).
- Usually, a typical MBA, is not good for start-ups. The typical MBA is the types whom you would find in a large no. in PG. (I, myself, may end up being one or is already one!). They l...
- Usually, a typical MBA, is not good for start-ups. The typical MBA is the types whom you would find in a large no. in PG. (I, myself, may end up being one or is already one!). They l...
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Hmmm..I was reading " Winning.." by Jack Welch and he was clearly in the opinion that ur HR Director is the next imp position to that of a CEO..!!!
Wise words frm the horses' mouth indeed..!!
Apart from the gyaan, its really encouraging to find so many dynamic ppl interested in HR...the fut...
Wise words frm the horses' mouth indeed..!!
Apart from the gyaan, its really encouraging to find so many dynamic ppl interested in HR...the fut...
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Rohit bhai, Anvesh, Santiago, Monsty, Harshad, Ashu, Beta , PSL, bubu...and anyone I've inadvertently missed out..thanks a ton for enriching the discussion with further info, questions and discussions.
I have scheduled meetings with some senior HR folks that I know, and I'll try my best to ge...
I have scheduled meetings with some senior HR folks that I know, and I'll try my best to ge...
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I happened to stumble upon this thread and it has provided me some great insight .
Thanks a lot Sumit !
Even I am interested in HR and I faced the same questions raised in this thread about HR . This thread goes a long way in answering those doubts . Great work Sumit - your research and e...
Thanks a lot Sumit !
Even I am interested in HR and I faced the same questions raised in this thread about HR . This thread goes a long way in answering those doubts . Great work Sumit - your research and e...
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A great thread and great posts....
My two cents......
Most junta writing CAT/XAT only want to escape the monotony of their work . Whats the escape route? An MBA ! Stories of 1 crore salaries abound!! So write CAT/XAT and get into a general MBA , follow the crowd , the money ...
My two cents......
Most junta writing CAT/XAT only want to escape the monotony of their work . Whats the escape route? An MBA ! Stories of 1 crore salaries abound!! So write CAT/XAT and get into a general MBA , follow the crowd , the money ...
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Great thread Sumit:idea:
Here's my take on this topic:
No field of management is less or more important than others. In a successful organization, all depts like HR, Fin, Mktg etc. come together, complement one another and work in harmony to produce a firm that works like a well-oiled mach...
Here's my take on this topic:
No field of management is less or more important than others. In a successful organization, all depts like HR, Fin, Mktg etc. come together, complement one another and work in harmony to produce a firm that works like a well-oiled mach...
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Ummm...my post may be bit Off-topic. But being part of a start-up and looking at HR from a perspective which is not-so-oh-corporatish I guess I can bring in few of my perspectives.
This post is more intended for the people who want to build teams based upon the requirements of different depart...
This post is more intended for the people who want to build teams based upon the requirements of different depart...
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ya friend ! This thread is moving in right direction with righ inputs and discussions!
Thanks Sumit for this initiative ... me too am under going this trauma of deciding on Offer of HR COURSE.
wud like to throw up few questions which i asked myself .
1. What do i look from a job after M...
Thanks Sumit for this initiative ... me too am under going this trauma of deciding on Offer of HR COURSE.
wud like to throw up few questions which i asked myself .
1. What do i look from a job after M...
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Thanks bubu and monsty for raising a pertinent question. Let me try answering it.
Question: I have heard that HR managers are paid less than Marketing or Finance managers.
Ans. Traditionally, that has been the case. Broadly, organizations split functions into two categories - cost functions...
Question: I have heard that HR managers are paid less than Marketing or Finance managers.
Ans. Traditionally, that has been the case. Broadly, organizations split functions into two categories - cost functions...
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hey...
thats another myth sumit needs to take care of ...
and even if HR folks were to be paid less than investment bankers, would you not get into HR?? inspite of your inclination towards it..
As Frank would have asked, "Are you only in it for the money?"
cheers..
thats another myth sumit needs to take care of ...
and even if HR folks were to be paid less than investment bankers, would you not get into HR?? inspite of your inclination towards it..
As Frank would have asked, "Are you only in it for the money?"
cheers..
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Superb post Sumit....u addressed all the doubts I had regarding HR.......I always had felt an inclination towards HR since the day I started having the feeling that an MBA was the true calling for me but then I always had doubts......and I also have heard that HR people are paid less than other M...
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Question: I've never heard of a CEO with an HR background. If I take an HR course, will I ever become a CEO?
Ans. I'm not a fortune teller, but I can answer this one without gazing into a crystal ball. My take is that if you have the right skills, attitude, and direction, you can very well bec...
Ans. I'm not a fortune teller, but I can answer this one without gazing into a crystal ball. My take is that if you have the right skills, attitude, and direction, you can very well bec...
194
heyyy...tht was a really helpful post..nicely put everythn in one place....well cud u throw some light on what are the growth prospects in HR..like from where does one start...say straight of XLRI...wat are the various posts held?
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