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Moving to a standalone HR role from a big corporate HR team...

Charlie

Hi All!

Just wondering whether anyone has experienced going from a corporate company with a big HR team to a stand alone HR role incorporating everything HR, Recruitment and L&D. Whether there is anything to consider/weigh up and any challenges you've faced making the jump?

Thank you

  • Hi Charlie,

    I did this 6 years ago and haven't looked back since.

    Within larger corporations you tend to be pigeonholed, or just act as a conduit between the business and the HR Dept. Now you'll get to own every aspect! And this is the bit I love the most, the variety and breadth of the work, you'll get your fingers in all the HR pies. You'll be able to shape the HR strategy as you see best, make decisions that have real tangible impacts and become an integral part of the business.

    I always found the Corp. HR world a bit insular whereas now you'll be in the midst of everyone and it won't be long before you'll be able to identify some like-minded individuals within the business who will want to support and work with you to help deliver your ideas.

    It's busy and it can be frustrating at times but what job isn't. Make sure you continue to build up your network through forums like this, seminars, LinkedIn etc., and as you can see here, there are always people ready to help.

    This will be the best move you've made, you won't regret it!
  • I started my HR career in a standalone HR generalist position.
    It's definitely challenging. Having no one to vent to about draining issues is the toughest part.
    The other is bouncing ideas around. This is tricky on your own, I turned in to a bit of a loon.
    I now use this community to bounce ideas off and learn from.

    If you're in a standalone position you have to be a strong self motivator in order to keep an eye on the HR realm for new ideas and keep up to date.
    Usually in a team new ideas can come from anyone but when you're working on your own you have to be the one out there looking for ways to improve, and you have to do this alongside all the other administrative and manager level tasks.

    I often wonder if I should switch to a company with a bigger HR team now for a more rounded HR experience, but I really appreciate the freedom to mould HR processes and drive ideas forward.

    I think it's great for personal development and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone.
  • Hope these generous responses have been helpful, Charlie.

    Have you made this move... or are you considering it?
  • in reply to Steve Bridger

    Thank you everyone for your responses - so helpful!! What an awesome community.

    I am considering taking the leap and very thankful for everyones advise to help me weigh up whether its right for me.

  • in reply to Charlie
    I moved from and admin role (with level 5) wanting that next step (thinking it would be advisor level) and managed to secure a standalone HR Associate role about 18 months ago now. Mainly brought on board to ensure that they're being compliant and to ensure correct processes were followed etc and also to provide support if any discipline/grievance/performance issues were raised.

    Thought it was ideal for my next step and to honest it was and still is (I just need to believe in myself more).

    I have been involved in so much more, everything from basic admin, HR audit, reviewing and introducing policies, small redundancy project, implementing a new HR system project, new appraisal process, recruitment and now salary bench-marking with a possibility of job evaluation with loads of other bits in-between. I love that it is so varied but I sometimes feel out of my depth and question if I put too much on myself coming from 20 years in Admin, but I do have access to HR Advice, Guidance & Template tools which helps.

    I take each day as it comes, however the more strategic they need to be the more I panic as this is out of my comfort zone (although when I talk about it with my other half he says I talk the talk where needed I just need to be more confident with management if I need to think more strategically so who knows lol)

    I do find it lonely sometime, but groups like this helps so much :-)
  • Hi

    I have recently made the transition and it has its benefits and dis-benefits! I would suggest really know your work context and it really helps to know what is 'fit for purpose' and be selective as not one size fits all! I've worked with amazing tools, great initiatives but when you are a one person band, some of the tools and intiatives are not appropriate and relevant. Also, it's only you, so you have to be quite disciplined with what your priorities are. You may see yourself as becoming more transactional and less of a strategist but this will depend on the organisations and its culture. Good luck! I'm not keen on going back to a coporate setting and team structure yet, but I've had a few wobbles....................
  • Hello,

    I haven't transitioned from a corporate HR role but I did work for a large multinational in another function, prior to that I was in a small HR team of 4.
    Now, I am standalone for a small company with some support from the HR Manager in Norway.
    I reply quite a lot at the moment on this community as I was out of HR for about 2 years.
    It can be tricky, I sometimes feel quite isolated and a bit lacking in motivation without others to bounce off of. I know what the priorities are for the business and I know what I need to do but I need to be very disciplined with my day to stay focused.
    My job at the moment isn't very re-active which I have found a challenge but only because my last role (commercial support for a multinational) was heavily reactive (easily 100+ emails to deal with in a day).

    This HR job is what I want to do and it's a fantastic opportunity to develop strategically and I have a lot of autonomy but it's a learning curve for sure.

    I would say be sure you have a clear idea of what you may be going into, the job itself and what is expected of you. My position has turned out to be a bit different to what was put across at interview. I am happy with this but others may not have been.

    Hope this ramble is of some help...

    Lorraine

  • If you work in HR and act as the sole source of HR expertise within your employing company you may be interested in joining our special interest group for stand-alone professionals.

    Our group continues to grow in numbers and experience and attracts stand-alone HR professionals working across a broad range of industry sectors and sizes of business. Members are usually in environments without the day to day support of a corporate HR department.

    We provide an opportunity for members to explore the challenges faced by solo HR practitioners and share solutions to common problems encountered at work.

    • Do you feel as if you are a ‘drop-in’ centre?
    • Are you the go-to person to solve all kinds of people (and non-people) issues?
    • Do you miss not having a support network?

    If you’ve answered yes then our group could be for you.

    In addition to providing a great networking opportunity and a knowledge-sharing forum, we organise practical workshops where you can explore key workplace issues and solutions, facilitated by expert speakers.

    We’re open to suggestions on the issues that matter to you and we’ll do our level best to ensure we support you in championing better work and working lives within your company, while keeping your sanity Wink

    If you would like to join our Solo HR Practitioners Group please contact the branch via: manchester@cipdbranch.co.uk to request an expression of interest form. 

    You may also be interested in taking our current poll on future talk themes.

    We have already received numerous responses and today we launch our dedicated LinkedIn group (members-only) so if you are a part of our group we look forward to receiving your joining request.

    Our first newsletter goes live this week to all those currently subscribed to our group.

    We hope to welcome you shortly.

  • in reply to Rebecca
    Hi Rebecca

    Thanks for the info. I would like to join the group. The link provided comes up with an error message though.
    Thanks
  • in reply to Sumeetha
    Hi, you'll need to email manchester@cipdbranch.co.uk to request an application form and to take part in the poll please follow this link www.surveymonkey.co.uk/.../MCRSoloHRPoll

    Apologies the previous link(s) didn't work
    Rebecca