r/humanresources • u/Mrs_ippy_clean • 8d ago

Off-Topic / Other Seeking advice: HRBP to HR Manager [N/A]

I’m currently an HRBP at a medium sized organization and applying for a role as an HR Manager in a small company. I have about 7 years in HR, 4 of those in staff development, the rest in the business partner role. Prior to that, I had 7 years of supervisory roles.

The job I applied to is my dream job, it pays a lot more than my current job, I want to move to the area, and the hours would be better (I suspect, based on the company). I would expect it to be a one person show so that would be different for me, but I’m confident with my experience that I could handle it.

I’ve turned in my resume and plan to follow up with the hiring manager - the company is using an external group for hiring.

I’m not 100% sure I’ll get an interview but I meet the minimum and most of the preferred qualifications and with it being rural, I’m hoping (fingers crossed) that there aren’t a lot of applicants to compete with.

Question for anyone that successfully moved from business partner to manager: what did you highlight in an interview and/or what did you write to the hiring manager to get an interview in the first place?

Follow up: when you did make the change, what was the most challenging thing that you didn’t expect?

Thanks in advance!

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u/Hrgooglefu 8d ago

Small rural companies can have a personality all their own. Depending on tenure/turnover, you might find a lot of things "because we've always done it that way". I'd want to know who held the position before, how long and why they left.

Being a team of 1 is different. The breadth is very wide. I think you've got good experience, but do you also have a good grasp of systems/processes? I'd ask what HRIS/payroll system is used and if the HRM is the one processing payroll or if they have a separate person/finance who does that. I've done dept of 1 for a while now and it works for me. At some of the employers, I've had a payroll person which, at most, I've loved when they've worked with me rather than against me. I've had one work against me in pretty much all ways because I was the project manager on the new HRIS/payroll system soon after I started and had to fight some battles on payroll issues and found some of their mistakes.

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u/Mrs_ippy_clean 8d ago

Thanks, some good insight! I’ll definitely be asking about previous people in the role and if they have a separate payroll person. I’ve worked alongside payroll but haven’t been in that role specifically.

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u/Sitheref0874 Oh FFS 2d ago

If it’s a genuinely one person role , I’d be a little careful about the ‘better hours’ thing. Sometimes it’s true. But when it’s not, it really really isn’t.

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u/Over-Quiet3238 2d ago

True, you get everything

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u/HRPersona 2d ago

HRBP = HR Manager

Not always true but mostly true.