Every year, thousands of MBA graduates in Pune finish their degree with HR as their specialisation — and then spend 6 to 12 months unable to land their first job. They apply on Naukri, get no responses. They attend walk-in interviews, get rejected. They wonder what they are doing wrong.
The answer is almost always the same: a degree is not a skill. Companies in Pune are not hiring for your MBA certificate — they are hiring for the ability to do something on day one. This guide will show you exactly what that something is, and how to build it fast.
Why MBA Freshers Struggle to Get HR Jobs (The Real Reason)
My MBA is enough. Companies will hire me and train me on the job.
Most Pune companies — especially SMEs and mid-size firms — do not have the bandwidth to train freshers. They need someone who can handle a payroll query, post a job on Naukri, or explain PF deduction to an employee from day one. If you cannot do this, they will hire someone who can.
I will apply everywhere and figure it out in interviews.
HR interview questions are almost always practical. "Walk me through how you would process salary for 50 employees." "What is Form 16 and when is it issued?" "How would you source candidates for a senior finance role?" If your answers are theory-only, you will not get past round one.
What Pune Companies Actually Look for in HR Freshers
We speak to HR managers and hiring companies regularly as part of our placement network. Here is what they consistently tell us they want from a fresher HR hire:
- Basic payroll understanding — can they understand salary structure, PF/ESI deductions, TDS? Can they work in GreytHR or Excel payroll sheets?
- Recruitment basics — can they write a job description, post on Naukri, screen resumes, and coordinate interviews without hand-holding?
- Compliance awareness — do they know what Form 16, PF challan, ESI return, or appointment letter means? Are they scared of these terms or comfortable?
- Communication and professionalism — can they handle employee queries calmly? Can they represent HR in a meeting?
- Willingness to do everything — small companies need HR generalists who will pitch in across all HR functions, not specialists who only want to do one thing
💡 Notice what is NOT on this list: MBA percentage, college brand, number of internship certificates. Companies care about what you can do — not what you have collected.
Your 5-Step Action Plan to Get Your First HR Job in Pune
Get practical training — not another certificate
The single most impactful thing you can do is enrol in a practical HR course that teaches you real skills: payroll processing, recruitment on live portals, compliance documentation, PMS. Not a workshop, not a webinar series — a structured course with hands-on practice. This is the shortcut from "MBA fresher" to "job-ready candidate."
Build a skills-based resume — not an academic resume
Most fresher resumes look identical: education, internship at company name, "responsibilities included assisting HR team." Rewrite your resume around skills and outcomes. "Processed attendance data for 80 employees using Excel." "Sourced 15 candidates on Naukri for IT roles." Even if these are from a training exercise — they show you know how to do the work.
Optimise your LinkedIn profile as an HR professional
LinkedIn is where Pune's HR hiring managers search for candidates. Your headline should not say "MBA Graduate seeking opportunities." It should say "HR Executive | Payroll | Recruitment | Labour Law Compliance | Pune." Add your skills, get endorsements, write a summary that mentions what you can do. Connect with 50+ HR professionals and recruiters in Pune specifically.
Target SMEs and mid-size companies — not just MNCs
Every fresher applies to Infosys, Wipro, TCS and the big names. The competition is brutal and the selection process is long. Meanwhile, Pune has thousands of manufacturing companies, IT services firms, logistics companies and service businesses in Hinjewadi, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Kothrud and Magarpatta that desperately need HR people and hire within weeks. Target these first — get experience, then move up.
Prepare for practical interview questions
Practice answering these out loud before every interview: How do you calculate PF deduction? What is the difference between CTC and gross salary? How would you handle an employee who disputes their salary? Walk me through your recruitment process for a junior accountant role. If you can answer these confidently and concisely, you will stand out from 90% of other freshers.
Which HR Role Should You Target First?
As a fresher, do not hold out for the perfect job. Your goal is to get your first 12–18 months of real experience, because that transforms your market value completely. The best entry-point roles in Pune for HR freshers are:
- HR Executive (Generalist) — the most common and broadest role. Best for learning the full HR function quickly.
- Payroll Executive — very high demand in manufacturing and IT. Pays well even at fresher level if you have payroll software skills.
- Recruiter / Talent Acquisition Executive — excellent entry point, fast hiring, good for building a network. Especially strong in Pune's IT sector.
- HR Compliance Executive — less glamorous but very stable. Companies with 200+ employees always need compliance support.
How Long Does It Take to Get Placed?
Students who complete our HR Generalist course and follow the steps above typically receive their first offer within 3–8 weeks of completing training. The range depends on how aggressively they apply, how well their resume is written, and which type of company they are targeting.
The students who take the longest are those who wait passively for the right opportunity rather than actively building skills and applying broadly. In HR, your first job is rarely your dream job — it is the foundation that makes your dream job possible.
Start Your HR Career the Right Way
Aapvex's HR Generalist course in Pune gives you the practical skills, resume, and placement support to get your first HR job fast. Free counselling call — no pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get an HR job in Pune without experience?
Yes. Many companies in Pune hire MBA and graduate freshers for HR executive roles, especially in IT, manufacturing and services. The key is having practical skills — payroll software knowledge, recruitment tools, compliance basics — not just a degree. Companies care about what you can do on day one.
What is the salary for an HR fresher in Pune?
HR freshers in Pune typically earn ₹2.5–4.5 LPA depending on the company, sector, and the candidate's skill level. Candidates with hands-on payroll and compliance training consistently start at the higher end of this range.
Is MBA compulsory for HR jobs in Pune?
No. Many HR executives in Pune are graduates (BCom, BA, BMS) with practical HR training. MBA is an advantage for certain strategic HR roles but is not mandatory for most HR executive or payroll positions. What matters most is demonstrated practical skill and professionalism.