Should I Stay in My Current HR Role or Join a New Venture? Seeking Your Advice

Dear All,

I request you to please advise me on my query as I am confused about whether to take up a new job or not.

I have a total of 2 years of work experience in an HR generalist role. I recently changed my job (about 2 months ago). Here, my job profile is also that of a generalist role. My current organization is undergoing major changes in terms of setting up new processes, especially in HR. However, our HR corporate office is in Mumbai, and here we are not involved in making the processes but rather just following them. Additionally, HR in Delhi handles more administrative work rather than HR-related tasks.

I have been offered a job opportunity that would require me to work directly with the senior manager of HR and be responsible for starting the HR department with him. This company is a big joint venture between an Indian firm and a US firm. They have just started operations in India and have recruited around 9 senior people to begin with.

Both organizations (my current one and this joint venture) are at par in terms of revenues worldwide.

Please advise on whether I should consider this job opportunity or be more patient and wait for things to improve.

Hi Shubhra,

As per my suggestions, if you are not satisfied with the present job profile, then you must consider accepting that offer. You mentioned that in your current employment, you are only following the rules and regulations set by the corporate office. However, in every organization at this level of experience, you have to follow your seniors, as you may not be a part of senior management. The key thing you will have to do is implement the policy successfully at your end.

Your present situation is really good, and it will definitely help you learn more if you work with senior managers. So, from a career development perspective, it's a great opportunity for you, and you should consider joining there.

Wishing you all the best.

Regards,
Amit Seth

Shubhra,

It is not very clear as to what you are looking for. It appears that you want to be in an activity that is creative rather than implementation and administration of policies.

While a start-up would provide you the thrill of being involved in many things at a time, you may at the same time not be able to focus on one area to master.

At this stage, seek out a person with whom you could work and learn - one who would give you the opportunity and a turf to be creative - and one who can coach you to do better.

If the senior HR Manager of the organization that you are considering to join meets the above needs - that could be a right place for you.

Relook at your present organization, job, and your boss. Would you get to learn and grow there? Is there something about the role (job) that you have been missing? What can you do to make it interesting? Is your present boss coaching you?

Balance the two opportunities and go for the one that suits you the best.

Patience is a good virtue but nothing will change unless you do something about it.

Regards,

Ramesh

Well, it seems change is better, but one thing—why are you looking for other jobs? If you already know your job description (JD) and all terms and conditions with the package, then stick with the current one. Because in everyday life, we see a lot of opportunities around us but can't switch so frequently. So, think again.

Hello,

If the "policy makers" are in Mumbai, it is indeed regrettable that HR of locations are not being involved for consultation or for sharing or for generating good teamwork for effective implementation of the "new" HR processes, whatever they may be. Such a situation displays how deep (or shallow) the HR commitments of the "powers that be" are! But it is too early to sit in judgment based on the contents of your mail. "Patience" is a very important tool available to HR, but it should be "active patience" and NOT meek compliance.

Working in a Branch or a location away from the Corporate HR has its own advantages like the disadvantages that we all complain. In such a situation, you have the flexibility and no obligation to function "solo" and act/resolve issues on your own without involving the corporate HR beyond the necessary! "Working independently" is what we all will call it.

On the other hand, the new offer seems to offer an opportunity for "hands-on" work under the guidance of a senior manager and that too for setting up the HR function virtually from scratch. If I were you, I would certainly go for this for the following reasons among others:

1) Hands-On exposure to basics.

2) To work under the guidance of a senior manager.

3) Opportunity to participate in conceptualization processes for establishing HR culture in an all-new situation.

4) Saving of time that may be needed to convince the present management that they should involve you in conceptualization processes also.

Such opportunities do not come often. Working in an organization that is compliant with policies, rules, and procedures, you develop skills of maintaining the system, but here you would be contributing to creating the system. To me, this is most significant for my career.

Trust you will have no more indecisive elements in your thought processes on the issue. If you need to interact more, take a contact please.

Cheers and best of luck!

Regards,

Samvedan

December 7, 2007

Dear Subhatra,

If you are not satisfied with your present employer, then you may consider accepting the new offer. From your message, we observed that you do not have a significant role to play, and hence you may wait for some more time to acquire enough knowledge and improve things with your present employer.

With regards,
L. Kumar

Dear Subhatra,

I hope you have made the correct decision for your long-term career growth.

With regards,
L. Kumar