top of page
Sharon, HR Manager at Non-Profit Group Home Housing: Advize Career Interview
An HR Manager at a Non-Profit Group Home Housing carved a unique path from music to human resources, fueled by a passion for benefits administration and a desire to navigate the ever-evolving legal landscape of HR. This professional's days are multifaceted, from onboarding new hires into the company culture to conducting fair investigations, all while ensuring legal compliance and protecting employee rights.
Effective communication, objectivity, and adaptability are crucial skills, finding immense satisfaction in influencing positive outcomes, spotting potential in others, and building cohesive teams.
Though the role can be isolating, mentorship and networking are key to navigating the challenges and making a real difference.
The multifaceted nature of HR, especially leadership development, brings immense joy, especially when witnessing individuals rise to the occasion.
Success in this field requires flexibility, adaptability, and the ability to create order from chaos, with a healthy dose of self-awareness and an understanding that not everyone will be pleased, but empowering the team through the philosophy of "help me, help you" makes it all worth it.
A lifelong "hustle" and a strong work ethic, honed through various jobs, set this professional up for success, further empowered to advocate for those who may not have a voice because of personal experiences as a differently-abled person.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Sharon Mooney
HR Manager
Non-Profit Group Home Housing
Baylor University
Arizona State University (ASU) - W. P. Carey Master of Science - MS, Human Resources Management and Services
Fine Arts, Music
Nonprofit
Human Resources (HR)
Disabled, Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School
Watch all of this Advizer's videos below
Career Path of an HR Manager at a Non-Profit Group Home
Sharon's career path began with a music scholarship for piano performance and pedagogy, recognizing "very quickly that that was more of a hobby", which eventually led to the insurance space, and discovering a passion for benefits administration. This interest in benefits then transitioned into human resources and recruiting, feeling that "HR is always changing, always growing," prompting the pursuit of further education to supplement their music-focused bachelor's degree.
Main Responsibilities of an HR Manager at a Non-Profit Group Home
Sharon's HR Manager role at the non-profit evolved from primarily recruiting and onboarding to encompassing all aspects of HR, with a strong emphasis on legal compliance and protecting both employee rights and the organization from potential liabilities. They excel in "ensuring the protection of employee rights and pair that with protecting the organization from being open to liabilities," enjoying the more challenging aspects of HR like investigations and holding people accountable, due to the company's need for a certified HR professional to navigate legal frameworks.
A Day In The Life Of An HR Manager At A Nonprofit Group Home
A day in the life of an HR Manager at a Non-Profit Group Home Housing is multifaceted, with tasks ranging from heavy interview days and candidate orientations focused on "acclimating them to the culture," to disciplinary meetings and conducting fair investigations to ensure everyone's rights are protected. The role's daily variation suits the career professional well, as "each day can really be unique and bring its own unique challenges."
Most Important Skills For An HR Manager At A Non-Profit Group Home
For an HR Manager at a Non-Profit Group Home Housing organization, effective communication, including "para verbal communication" like body language, is essential, as is the ability to be objective and unbiased, which can be achieved by mastering interpersonal communication and the "learned skill" of separating from the internal dynamics of the organization.
Favorite Parts of Being an HR Manager at Non-Profit Group Home Housing
Sharon, an HR Manager at a Non-Profit Group Home Housing, finds the most rewarding part of the role is the "ability to influence positive outcomes," and to be seen as a "strategic partner" within the organization, allowing HR to be valued beyond traditional administrative functions. The other aspect of the role that brings the most joy is spotting potential in individuals that others might overlook, empowering them, and "seeing them soar."
Biggest Challenges Faced by an HR Manager at a Non-Profit Group Home
Sharon, an HR Manager at a Non-Profit Group Home Housing, finds the biggest challenge in the role to be the inherent loneliness of advocating for both employees and the company without having someone within the organization specifically advocating for HR, as "there really is nobody at the local level within the organization that is supporting HR". To combat this isolation, Sharon emphasizes the importance of finding mentors and networking outside the organization for support and advice, as this "can really help make that journey less lonely".
Favorite Parts Of Working In Human Resources For Non-Profits As An HR Manager
Sharon finds the HR space exceptionally rewarding due to its multifaceted nature, particularly in leading leadership development courses and witnessing individuals rise to the occasion, exceeding expectations and showcasing their potential as leaders, even when others have "discounted their value". A great joy comes from building a cohesive team and establishing lasting systems that facilitate the continued success of others, extending beyond a single organization.
What Type Of Person Thrives In HR According To A Non Profit Group Home HR Manager
According to Sharon, thriving in HR, particularly at a non-profit group home, requires immense flexibility, adaptability, and the ability to "pivot and adapt and make lemonade out of lemons," while also recognizing and addressing personal limitations through strategic partnerships. Successful HR professionals in this field are able to "make things work and bring it all together when other people would just look at it as chaos," and have the self-awareness to surround themselves with people who elevate their skillset.
What an HR Manager at Non-Profit Group Home Housing wishes they had known before entering the Human Resources industry
Sharon wishes someone had emphasized that work isn't necessarily where friendships or community are found, and understanding that "people will not like you" is crucial for navigating the discomfort inherent in HR. Accepting that one cannot please everyone, especially as someone who used to be a "people pleaser," ultimately creates an easier path for success in the HR field.
Entry-level positions for aspiring Non-Profit HR Professionals
Sharon, an HR Manager at a Non-Profit Group Home Housing, suggests that entry-level candidates consider roles like "HR generalist or an HR coordinator," where one can learn on the job without needing extensive prior knowledge, and also suggests exploring paid internships that offer compensation and valuable experience. She also mentions that some organizations will even "pay for certification" or classes for promising candidates, making it worthwhile to explore these opportunities.
Significant Career Lesson From an HR Manager at a Non-Profit Housing Group
As an HR Manager, one significant lesson Sharon has learned is the importance of remaining open to anything, especially feedback, and leading with the philosophy of "help me, help you," which means empowering and serving the team for their greater good. This approach, viewing humans as capital, fosters loyalty and a desire from previous employees to work with Sharon again because "I believed in them and I elevated them and I empowered them."
College Experiences That Helped an HR Manager at a Non-Profit Group Home Succeed
Sharon attributes career success to a lifelong "hustle," starting with side jobs in high school and continuing through college with student work. This instilled a strong work ethic and a focus on "working smarter, not harder," streamlining processes to maximize efficiency and create future success, which has been valuable in the non-profit sector.
How Identity Has Influenced An HR Manager's Career At A Non-Profit Group Home Housing
Identifying as a differently abled person has profoundly shaped Sharon's career as an HR Manager, empowering them to "become a better advocate for people that maybe don't have a voice," as discovering a learning disability has enabled Sharon to better understand personal needs and advocate for both themselves and others within the non-profit group home housing sector. This self-awareness has ultimately benefited not only their career but also countless individuals encountered along the way, fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment.
Advizer Personal Links
bottom of page