Hi Seniors, Please guide me.
I am working in a small organization where the hierarchy is very flat, and the exposure is limited. However, I have been offered a promotion as an HR Manager there.
Simultaneously, I have an offer from a larger organization where the exposure is much better, but the role is for an HR Executive.
What should I opt for?
From India, New Delhi
I am working in a small organization where the hierarchy is very flat, and the exposure is limited. However, I have been offered a promotion as an HR Manager there.
Simultaneously, I have an offer from a larger organization where the exposure is much better, but the role is for an HR Executive.
What should I opt for?
From India, New Delhi
Your startup is growing?get the right tools to manage people & processes. See It In Action - Book Your Demo
Hey Priya,
Your subject was so funny... "desi HR". I looked into your message just because of that. Kidding. It depends on what you wish to accomplish in life actually. "Position in an organisation" is less important than responsibility, decision power, and value one adds to a company. In the long run, what you have learned and can accomplish matters for any organization and also for your institution. I will never join an organization that gives me a position of CEO and asks me to work as a peon. Will you??
My suggestion for the current situation is to accept the HR manager post and add value to your organization and make it happen like the ones at Reliance and TATA. All the best.
ukmitra
From Saudi Arabia, Riyadh
297Your subject was so funny... "desi HR". I looked into your message just because of that. Kidding. It depends on what you wish to accomplish in life actually. "Position in an organisation" is less important than responsibility, decision power, and value one adds to a company. In the long run, what you have learned and can accomplish matters for any organization and also for your institution. I will never join an organization that gives me a position of CEO and asks me to work as a peon. Will you??
My suggestion for the current situation is to accept the HR manager post and add value to your organization and make it happen like the ones at Reliance and TATA. All the best.
ukmitra
From Saudi Arabia, Riyadh
Thanks for the reply.
I want to know, despite working as an HR Manager, I will not be getting exposure as an HR Manager in a big organization. Is it the right move to be an HR Executive in a small organization? I have spent four years in this organization and have reached the HR Manager role, but I do not have complete exposure to the HR Manager role.
From India, New Delhi
I want to know, despite working as an HR Manager, I will not be getting exposure as an HR Manager in a big organization. Is it the right move to be an HR Executive in a small organization? I have spent four years in this organization and have reached the HR Manager role, but I do not have complete exposure to the HR Manager role.
From India, New Delhi
Hi Priya,
Even I've felt the same thing, but my experience is somewhat different. Earlier, I had joined the so-called big organization, but I was used to getting signatures on various papers. Even there, I was not learning much. Now, due to some reasons, I've joined this small company, but it's been giving me the time to learn new things about how things can be managed with limited resources. Here, no one is complaining. They are concerned about their work, and moreover, they are more than helpful because there is no fear that one will get more or less.
In short, I am enjoying and learning, which was not possible there because of work pressure and time limits. I am planning to spend quite some time here to become fully efficient, and then I'll search for a bigger organization. I can say I am in my training period and getting myself ready for further challenges. I hope this would be of some use to you. Wish you good luck.
Regards,
Bhanu
From India, Ludhiana
Even I've felt the same thing, but my experience is somewhat different. Earlier, I had joined the so-called big organization, but I was used to getting signatures on various papers. Even there, I was not learning much. Now, due to some reasons, I've joined this small company, but it's been giving me the time to learn new things about how things can be managed with limited resources. Here, no one is complaining. They are concerned about their work, and moreover, they are more than helpful because there is no fear that one will get more or less.
In short, I am enjoying and learning, which was not possible there because of work pressure and time limits. I am planning to spend quite some time here to become fully efficient, and then I'll search for a bigger organization. I can say I am in my training period and getting myself ready for further challenges. I hope this would be of some use to you. Wish you good luck.
Regards,
Bhanu
From India, Ludhiana
Big or small is a mindset and moreover the need of the hour. Don't just take it for granted that big organizations have great HR practices and small ones don't, or vice versa. It all depends on the viewpoint of the board whether to rank HR as a support and facilitator or a department that is also responsible for mentoring and overall development of employees. My suggestion would be, please don't be biased based on the designation or size of the company. It's the versatile exposure not only in HR but also in financial, branding, and strategy that matters a lot in the long run.
From India, Bangalore
From India, Bangalore
Dear Priya,
I believe you should make use of the opportunity of being a Manager - HR. Because, along with the promotion, I am sure you would also have decision-making authority in the kit. Once you have experience as an HR Manager (by this, I mean managing HR for the entire unit) for a small unit - probably after a couple of years, you may want to explore opportunities with MNCs that have business units at different locations. You may be given an opportunity to be in charge of that one small unit - but in a big organization. Slowly, you will have the opportunity to manage two to three units at a time. Make use of this.
In huge organizations, systems may be followed, and your role will be very confined to a specific activity. Even if you have knowledge in some areas, people may not seek your suggestions just because you will be caught in a hierarchy trap here.
---
I have corrected the spelling and grammar errors in the text while ensuring proper paragraph formatting and preserving the original meaning and tone.
From India, Madras
I believe you should make use of the opportunity of being a Manager - HR. Because, along with the promotion, I am sure you would also have decision-making authority in the kit. Once you have experience as an HR Manager (by this, I mean managing HR for the entire unit) for a small unit - probably after a couple of years, you may want to explore opportunities with MNCs that have business units at different locations. You may be given an opportunity to be in charge of that one small unit - but in a big organization. Slowly, you will have the opportunity to manage two to three units at a time. Make use of this.
In huge organizations, systems may be followed, and your role will be very confined to a specific activity. Even if you have knowledge in some areas, people may not seek your suggestions just because you will be caught in a hierarchy trap here.
---
I have corrected the spelling and grammar errors in the text while ensuring proper paragraph formatting and preserving the original meaning and tone.
From India, Madras
Dear Priya,
Please try to analyze the following points within yourself. What is a big organization according to you? Is it the one with more turnover? The one with thousands of people and many locations? The one with very big brand names? It depends. A garment manufacturing company may have thousands of people but still may not reach half of the revenue of IT or service companies.
Many well-known big brands have a negligible number of people. Not every organization can be a Reliance or TATA.
Regardless of revenue and the number of people, the basic role of HR remains the same, whether it is a 20-people organization or a 20,000-people organization. The only factor is that handling more people requires more HR professionals, and the role gets divided and distributed.
Exposures may vary, and we must decide what kind of exposure we aim for. Is it IR orientation? Is it corporate orientation? Is it plant HR management? It is a misconception that only exposure in corporate or big organizations gives an advantage.
There are career scopes with diverse experiences. Therefore, kindly decide what you want first, and then the choice will be clear.
Best regards,
Dayanand L. Guddin
Senior Head - Human Resources
Bobst India
From Singapore, Singapore
Please try to analyze the following points within yourself. What is a big organization according to you? Is it the one with more turnover? The one with thousands of people and many locations? The one with very big brand names? It depends. A garment manufacturing company may have thousands of people but still may not reach half of the revenue of IT or service companies.
Many well-known big brands have a negligible number of people. Not every organization can be a Reliance or TATA.
Regardless of revenue and the number of people, the basic role of HR remains the same, whether it is a 20-people organization or a 20,000-people organization. The only factor is that handling more people requires more HR professionals, and the role gets divided and distributed.
Exposures may vary, and we must decide what kind of exposure we aim for. Is it IR orientation? Is it corporate orientation? Is it plant HR management? It is a misconception that only exposure in corporate or big organizations gives an advantage.
There are career scopes with diverse experiences. Therefore, kindly decide what you want first, and then the choice will be clear.
Best regards,
Dayanand L. Guddin
Senior Head - Human Resources
Bobst India
From Singapore, Singapore
Hi Priya,
According to me, small organizations offer you more challenging jobs. What I meant is a job of a generalist, wherein you have the opportunity to explore each aspect of HR, whereas big organizations normally offer the role of a specialist. In your case, since you have already gained 4 years of experience in a small organization, I am sure you might have learned a lot. Now, it's time to take one step up in your career chart. A position that comes with responsibilities, decision-making abilities, and experience. So, if you are offered a role as an HR manager, please grab the opportunity since you will be exposed to more challenging roles. If you consider Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs theory, one has to climb up, and it will keep you self-motivated to reach the top. How long will you work in the same position?
Regards,
Priyanka
From India, Mumbai
According to me, small organizations offer you more challenging jobs. What I meant is a job of a generalist, wherein you have the opportunity to explore each aspect of HR, whereas big organizations normally offer the role of a specialist. In your case, since you have already gained 4 years of experience in a small organization, I am sure you might have learned a lot. Now, it's time to take one step up in your career chart. A position that comes with responsibilities, decision-making abilities, and experience. So, if you are offered a role as an HR manager, please grab the opportunity since you will be exposed to more challenging roles. If you consider Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs theory, one has to climb up, and it will keep you self-motivated to reach the top. How long will you work in the same position?
Regards,
Priyanka
From India, Mumbai
Dear Priya,
Big fish in a small pond or a small fish in a big pond? To be or not to be? As suggested by senior colleagues, I would like to be the big fish in a small pond! Who knows, the small pond may grow bigger in the years to come?
A word of caution though... As an HR manager, you will be responsible and accountable for several legal and statutory compliances which may not be in place currently in your organization. These you will have to introduce all by yourself. The people management skills you will learn as they come, one day at a time. You may request some senior friends or colleagues to be your mentor to guide you in your career.
ALL THE BEST!
From India, Mumbai
Big fish in a small pond or a small fish in a big pond? To be or not to be? As suggested by senior colleagues, I would like to be the big fish in a small pond! Who knows, the small pond may grow bigger in the years to come?
A word of caution though... As an HR manager, you will be responsible and accountable for several legal and statutory compliances which may not be in place currently in your organization. These you will have to introduce all by yourself. The people management skills you will learn as they come, one day at a time. You may request some senior friends or colleagues to be your mentor to guide you in your career.
ALL THE BEST!
From India, Mumbai
According to me, knowledge and exposure will always support you. If you are starting your career, exposure is a must as HR plays a vital role in an organization. Suppose, in any case, your present management changes because of any external factor, your situation becomes more critical. You need to cope up with the market, management, etc., which will depend on your knowledge and expertise.
Secondly, if you accept the fact that learning is important, then you need to leave your comfort zone.
From Japan
Secondly, if you accept the fact that learning is important, then you need to leave your comfort zone.
From Japan
Looking for something specific? - Join & Be Part Of Our Community and get connected with the right people who can help. Our AI-powered platform provides real-time fact-checking, peer-reviewed insights, and a vast historical knowledge base to support your search.
