Feeling Stuck in an Admin Role: Should I Look for a New HR Job to Grow My Career?

Dear seniors, I am presently working in a small software company. I have 6 years of experience in HR. I joined this company in February 2014. Prior to that, for 1 year, I was not working full-time because of my health issues. Although during that year, I handled a few freelancing assignments. Now, in the present company where I am working, it is a very small company. But the problem is, here I am mostly handling admin work, and there is no HR strategic part involved.

In fact, I was once told by my boss that as HR, you are just an implementer, so you don’t have to think. After that sentence, I felt that they need someone with no mind who can just implement ideas and policies made by management.

In earlier assignments, I handled the strategic part of HR. I was part of every decision made regarding policy, and here I am just informed about what needs to be implemented. I have talked to my boss several times, but there is no result. I am thinking of searching for a new job now. So, will it be the right decision for my career?

Regards,
Trusha

Role Conflict in Your Current Job

What is happening in your case is role conflict. Yours and your employer's perceptions of the job differ significantly, hence this heartburn.

You could have been a little more careful while taking this assignment. If you had handled 'strategic HR' in your earlier job, then why did you accept an HR role in a 'very small company'? Did you clarify your future role?

The present company offered you the job because you did not have a job, and they perceived you as a "needy" candidate. Generally, needy persons have little choice.

In your post, you have written that "here I am just informed what needs to be implemented." In that case, what is the quality of implementation? Do you do your best? Is your work flawless? If yes, then show patience for some time and gain the trust of the management. Over a period of time, propose the change. Study the operations and find out what kind of revenue leakage is happening, where it is happening, and how it is happening. Proposing methods to control operational expenditure is a sure way to gain visibility and trust too.

In smaller companies, HR is nothing but a glorified clerk. Pardon me if my comment sounds mordacious. But then that is the truth. As of now, accept it as your fait accompli. Your employers could be too busy with their affairs to bother about your job satisfaction.

In case you quit the job, you may be a little more cautious while selecting future jobs. But then it could be quite difficult to get a job that fits exactly your requirements.

All the best!

Regards,
Dinesh V Divekar

I do understand what you are saying. I agree I had very little choice for a job when I was looking after a 1-year break. Although I had discussions about my future role in the present company.

Presently, I am ready to wait until I get an opportunity that meets my requirements. This time, I will not make any decisions in a hurry. For the implementation part, I am delivering what has been instructed to me with quality and within the given time frame.

Another issue here is the lack of appreciation from my boss. I have completed many tasks that were pending for a long time, but I didn't receive any recognition for them. However, this seems to be a common issue in many places, so I am not complaining about it.

I completely agree with your observation that in a small company, HR is often viewed as a glorified clerk, though it sounds bad . To them, HR is just a person who is educated and an English-speaking office boy.

I really appreciate your reply.

Regards,
Trusha