ma’am,
how to answer a question like why did you choose H.R. for your job
Well, why did you choose HR for your job? I don’t think there is a “right” answer to your question. I will say if you say, “I chose HR because I really like working with people,” the person interviewing you might burst into paroxysms of laughter.
So, to answer your question, I will pretend someone has just asked me why I chose HR for my career.
I really like people. Ha! I do. More specifically, I like training people. I entered Human Resources with the goal to be a trainer. I had strong technical skills and strong experience teaching college level classes, so I jumped in. I landed in an HRIS department and I’ve been in HR ever since. I’ve never realized my original goal of being a full time trainer, but I do conduct regular training sessions and find that works out well.
So, now I throw out the question to all my HR readers. Why did you choose HR for your career?
I like pointing out people’s mistakes.
Oh wait, that’s unfair, I’m not in HR, I’m an auditor. 😉
krupo–hah! Same difference.
HR was offered to me when I left the military. I interviewed for a logistic position and they felt I would be a good fit for HR. Try it out they said and if it is not for you, come on over to logistics. 12 years later, I am still here. I love the variety. The legal aspects challenge the junior lawyer want-to-be in me. I like this organizational perspective way more than that of financial or complaince. Most of all, I enjoy the types of interactions I am able to have with people, not necessarily the people themselves :), in this role – coaching, training, advising, listening.
I fell into it. I got hired as a graphics assistant and receptionist and the company grew. I did everything my boss didn’t do. We needed to hire a second person and found someone who had dealt with accounting before who was a perfect fit, so I was left with HR and contracting. Never a dull moment!
I wonder just how many people fall into it, like me? (& drinkingtea above)
I posted my list of reasons why I’m in HR on my site.
My goal in HR is to become a recruiter — I want to play matchmaker between jobs and job seekers. Over the last few years I’ve realized how important it is to work in a job that’s the right fit for both you and the company you’re in, and I want to help people figure that out. I’m starting my career path as an HR administrative assistant to gain an understanding of the challenges businesses face in the process of employing, training, compensating and retaining people.
Ultimately, I could see myself becoming a job coach, combining my interests in recruiting, resume writing, and helping people find the right jobs.
i think it is a great reply
Hmmm. Good question and got me thinking. I guess I fell into it. It was the best job offered to after graduation.
It just stuck. My specialty is labor law – investigations and union contracts. I love the challenge.
I’m not a generalist manager, but it’s a challenge running your own department and I love it.
Not much of an answer, huh?
I have typo issues today. Should be “offered TO me”. And “I’m now a generalist manager.”
Coffee here I come.
Naively (like most I think), I went into HR because I “liked working with people”. It wasn’t too long before I realized that I was going to have to find other things I enjoyed that kept me in the career, because you have to work really hard in HR to not start hating people in general. Unfortunately you get to see the worst in others on a daily basis, eh Evil?? LOL!! Being cynical is just fine though, that’s what gets us through the day with a laugh.
Why do I stay? I’m a Type A and HR is a hectic, crazy, ever-changing, challenging, multi-tasking, multi-departmental, multi-industry, never-boring, personally satisfying career to me.
On the minus side, I think we’ve all probably had a few burnout periods in the career simply from overwork and periods where you just haven’t been able to brush off the problems when you leave through the front door and go home, but you push through and find the fun in the challenge again eventually. If you don’t like being busy for every single moment of your day (including getting calls in the bathroom!), HR is not for you.
Of course, this wouldn’t be my interview answer, this is just my honest answer for you all!
Wow! so cute honest answer from you
i real like it, Keep it up!
Wow! so cute honest answer from you
i real like it, Keep it up!
Lilian
I’m not in HR (probably obvious in some of my comments). I read your blog to better understand the beast and to learn how not to annoy it (i.e. be a lower maintenance manager). 😉
engineer–
And we love you for it!
i choose hr bcz hr is the only area where we can able to know the behaviour, attitude and psychology of an individual.
hi..! i’m from a hospitality background and i would like to know what would be a better answer to my question ”why did you choose hr after hotel management degree?’
Hi!!! I am from marketing background but i want to take up a job in HR.. i would like to know what would be a answer to my question” why did u choose to work in HR after getting a degree in marketing?”
Hi, I am from receptionist background and I would like to know
what would be a better answer to my question “why did you choose to work as hr after getting a diploma in hr management.
I would like to thank all those whose who have replied about being a HR student,I wont lie I really apreciate what you have guys I so wish you could help me to choose my career because I have what we call intrapersonal conflict on choosing career
Hi Sejal!
Facing the same challenge, currently in marketing wanting to shift to HR. Did a MBA in Marketing. Also, pondering between moving to Canada now in my current role of marketing or sales (if i cant get through with a marketing role abroad) under skilled immigration (now that there is a opportunity, which may close later) or stay here and do a distance course while continuing my job and find a job in parallel or go for a full-time MBA in HR abroad or here.
Please Help @EVILHRLADY