Choosing Between Stability and Growth: Which HR Role Would You Pick?

Hi,

Please help me choose between these two job offers.

One is with a company established some 100 years ago and yet growing, as an HR generalist. The second is with a 4-year-old manufacturing company where there is no set HR or admin, so my responsibility is to set up the complete HR department. I have 2 years of experience in recruitments, so this one seems like a huge task, but I understand that learning here would be maximal.

Having said that, the reporting manager in the first company has been working there for the past 9 years and has grown to a VP now. He seems fun to work with and told me that he is strict like a teacher.

Please let me know which option will be better.

Hello friend,
Well the answer is not easy – probably you can look at this from different angles:
1] Superior( Boss) : Compare who will be guiding you in your job- if it is first job it is better to work under a superior who is able to guide you. So an old company may score a + point here.
2] Job Content: Are you able to find out the job content for the two jobs – then ask what would you LIKE?
3] Growth Opportunity: Which job offers greater growth opportunity ? An experience in old established company can always get you a better job in smaller company. Variety of experience on HR process will be higher in an established company.
4] Work life balance: Which company is giving a better work life balance
5] Salary: Who is paying you more?! :)
You may take a conscious decision based on above as also after discussing with elders in the house.
Once you take a decision – OWN that decision.
Best of luck
Regards
Nishikant

Hello friend,

Regarding the growth opportunity, which job offers greater growth opportunity? Experience in an old established company can always secure you a better job in a smaller company. The variety of experiences in HR processes will be greater in an established company.

Best of luck.

Regards,
Nishikant

Hi Nishikant,

Thanks for the reply. I appreciate the time and effort. Could you please expand on this third point? I am leaning towards the big company with an HR generalist profile...

Hello friend,

In an established company, there will be structure, and you can grow to a higher level in the next 2-3 years. You will also gain much wider professional experience as many HR processes would already be in place in a larger organization. After about 3-5 years of experience, if you feel the need for a change, you can shift to a company where HR needs to be established. Due to your experience, you will receive good offers from smaller companies.

However, starting in a company where HR does not exist, your career progression will depend on the kind of people you are dealing with. If they value your work and provide proper structure and designation, then it is acceptable. If they do not understand the new initiatives you have implemented and the contributions you have made to a place where nothing existed, while you may feel a sense of inner achievement, you may also feel ignored or undervalued.

This is a risk you will need to assess based on your knowledge of the company.

Regards,

Nishikant

Hi Sunayna!

In a large, well-established organization, you will be part of a system, and the most important quality required from you will be system orientation and documentation.

In a start-up, small organization, you will be the initiator, pursuer, and change agent.

You should assess your personality profile and find out whether you have qualities of a change agent and pursuer. Or you are more comfortable with fitting into a system, say system orientation.

With all said and done, setting up systems requires a lot of different qualities than an HR generalist. In fact, such qualities are very scarce. Further, setting up systems requires a lot of emotional drenching and stress. Here comes your work-life balance. One cannot succeed in a new setup in setting up systems without some of the essential qualities like persuasion, rigorous follow-up, etc.

The above paragraph I have mentioned based on my personal experiences.

Please consider your personality traits for selecting between the two.

You can opt for online tests or professionals in psychoanalysis (preferred) for this.

- Hiten

Dear Sunanya,

I suggest you go for the manufacturing industry that helps you strengthen your career by initiating new things, facing new problems, and shaping the organization. Both choices are good. As friends, we can only suggest; ultimately, you are the decision-maker. Think of all possible positives and negatives and come to a conclusion. All the very best.

Truly Yours,
Kumar.H.P

I also agree with Nishant. Don't join a company where HR does not exist—your career progress will totally depend on the kind of people you are dealing with. If they value your work, provide proper structure and designation, then it is okay. However, if they do not understand the new initiatives you have implemented and contributions made to a place where nothing existed, while you may get an inner sense of achievement, you will feel ignored or undervalued.

Take a decision. Think positively. In a large, well-established organization, you will be part of a system. At least you will never feel undervalued in a company.