HR generalist and HR business partner
Also called: HRBP, HR executive
Looks after people policies, performance, employee relations and labour law in an organisation.
What the work is
HR generalists handle the full employee journey: onboarding, policies, performance reviews, employee concerns, exits and compliance with labour laws. HR business partners work alongside business leaders on team structure, talent and culture.
HR needs people skills plus comfort with law, data and confidential matters. Most HR leaders hold an MBA or postgraduate diploma in HR.
A typical week
- Onboard new employees and explain policies
- Handle employee questions and concerns
- Run performance review cycles
- Keep records and labour law compliance
It suits people who
- Like working with people
- Are fair and discreet
- Are organised with processes
Your path to get there
School (Class 8-10)
- Any stream; Psychology and English help
Class 11-12
- BBA, BA Psychology or Sociology, B.Com
College or fresher
- Intern in an HR team
- Take an MBA in HR (CAT, XAT, CMAT) or MA HRM (TISSNET for TISS)
- Learn HR software and Excel
Working or switching
- Team leads and operations managers move into HR with an HR qualification
- Start with a skills refresh of 6 to 12 weeks: one short course and one TalentMeter assessment to show where you stand today.
- Use returnship and second-career programmes; many large employers in India run them for people back after a break.
- Explain the gap in one honest line on your CV and LinkedIn, and list what you did in it (caregiving, freelancing, courses, volunteering).
- Contract, part-time and freelance roles are a common way back in; they turn into full-time offers often.
Exams and certifications
| Name | What it is for | When |
|---|---|---|
| CAT, XAT, CMAT ↗ | MBA in HR | Once a year |
| TISSNET | MA in HRM and LR at TISS | Once a year |
| SHRM-CP or CIPD | HR certification | Any time |
Exam names, eligibility and dates change. Always check the official website for this year's notice.
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