Josephine Hantschke’s Project Career

My story began in 2022. After five years in furniture retail, I was ready for a change. Employee development, onboarding and recruitment had already fascinated me in my previous role, so I felt that HR might be where I belonged.

Almost four years later, I know that instinct was right. I love that no two days are alike, that I am always learning and that project work with HR factory gives me the opportunity to experience a wide range of organisational structures – and gain a genuine look behind the scenes.

So let me take you behind the curtain:

Act One: A Pharmaceutical Company

My first project gave me an inside look at an international pharmaceutical company. Alongside other HR factory colleagues, I joined the Recruiting Services team with a focus on candidate management. Our responsibilities included creating and publishing job adverts, communicating with candidates, liaising with recruitment agencies, maintaining the HR management system and organising interviews – all in close collaboration with the HR Business Partners.

I still remember my first day at the client's office: it felt like stepping into a science-fiction film. I had simply never seen offices that modern, and I could not help feeling a little special. Thanks to my team, I settled in quickly and soon felt confident in my new responsibilities. Before long, I was no longer the newcomer – I was onboarding new colleagues myself.

After a while, it was time to take what I had learned and move on to the next project.

Act Two: A Foundation

I moved from a corporate group to a foundation – an environment that was entirely new to me. That made it all the more exciting to learn how HR operates within such a different organisational structure.

As an HR Generalist, I was responsible for HR administration, onboarding and offboarding, coordinating internal benefits, recruitment and candidate management. I also helped optimise existing processes, which gave me yet another perspective on HR.

I found it particularly interesting to see how forums were prepared and which issues matter to a foundation. The contrast with a corporation is clear: rather than selling a product, a foundation pursues a purpose – whether charitable, commercial or cultural.

During that time, I met many inspiring people, built new connections and continued to develop. My colleagues welcomed me warmly, and I soon felt part of the team.

After about a year, the next project came knocking…

Act Three: A Social Care Organisation

For the past six months, I have been working as an HR Administrator at a social care organisation. Together with a colleague, I support the HR Business Partners and help keep their day-to-day workload manageable. With around 30 employees, this is the largest HR department I have worked in so far. Even though I am an external team member on site, my fantastic colleagues make me feel that I truly belong.

The role is giving me valuable insight into the AVR employment framework used by many German social organisations, while allowing me to deepen my expertise in HR administration.

I look forward to continuing to grow in this project, exploring new topics and expanding my knowledge – and I am already curious to discover which organisation will be next.