When you work in HR for a big company, it might not feel like much changes year over year. Aside from implementing new policies or onboarding fresh employees, no matter what department of HR you work in, it’s probably safe to say that you know the ins and outs of your job pretty well.
But move from a big company to a small one, and you’re in for quite an awakening. That’s what I did, when I left my HR business partner posts at Dell, Amazon, and Zynga to work at the smaller, more nimble startup Jobvite. I decided I was ready for a change (and to be closer to my family), so I took a leap of faith and embraced a new role with open arms.
When I started at Jobvite, it was up to me (and the rest of my tiny and newly hired team) to do it all: build performance reviews, manage talent, bring in new talent, the works. There wasn’t a fully established HR department, so we were left to wear every single hat, every single day. For someone who came from a more bureaucratic background, this was entirely new—and I learned a ton from it. Here’s what you’ll likely experience moving from a big company to a small one, and how to keep your wits about you.
1. You’ll have to learn to juggle.
There’s no doubt about it—moving from a big company to a small company likely means that any specializations you may have will go right out the window. Get ready to learn everything from benefits software to immigration policy to team staffing to working with recruiters, because you’ll be expected to make decisions on behalf of the company. It’s not a bad thing, though. It makes the days more exciting, it helps you stay engaged, and it keeps you learning at work, which is probably the smartest thing you can do to stay relevant as an employee.
2. You’ll need to rely on your team.
I wouldn’t be able to do this job without the help of my team. Learning fast and staying on top of so many moving pieces is tough, but I’ve learned that everyone has a different set of skills—and asking for guidance makes my job a lot easier. One colleague might have a background in payroll, while the other is well versed in training development—and ultimately, I have to learn how to do both. We all bring something different to the table, and that’s where a team can be your biggest asset.
That doesn’t just go for your HR team, either. Working well with recruiters can really streamline your day-to-day tasks, especially when you’re waiting on open requisitions or onboarding a new employee. Don’t underestimate the power of a good relationship with your recruiting team; you never know when you’ll need a favor.
3. You’ll diversify your background.
In moving to a startup, my resume has probably grown two pages. Instead of staying an expert at one task, you get to learn a dozen new ones, and if your team is small enough, you have to be an expert at those too. But the ability to diversify your background will only help you in the long run, whether you stay at your small company or not. With these new skills, you’ll be an asset to all of your future teams, traditional or not.
So don’t be afraid of going from big to small. Change is good for us, and you have so much to gain from a new adventure. While it might be scary at first, my time at a smaller company has been so rewarding—and I hope yours is too.
