Project career of Janine Langemann at HR factory
From hotel to HR: how boredom, passion and a leap in the dark shaped my path
Some career paths start with a clear plan. Mine began with short-time work and further training out of sheer boredom.It was the middle of the coronavirus pandemic. The luxury hotel where I had been working since my apprenticeship - now for five years - was at a standstill. I was on full-time short-time work and was looking for something to challenge me. So I started training to become a business administrator. Without much of a plan, simply because it felt right.
When the hotel reopened, I had the opportunity to put my newly acquired knowledge into practice, not just in my head: I moved internally to the HR department. What followed was the classic "jumping in at the deep end" - after a short time, I was largely on my own. And that's exactly what made me what I am today. Learning by doing is not a cliché; it is one of the most effective schools there is.
Why I left the hotel industry behind after seven years
Seven years in an industry - that leaves its mark, both good and thought-provoking. At some point, I felt the desire to look outside. Other sectors, other structures, other people. I wanted to find out where I really wanted to be in HR in the long term.
That was precisely my reason for switching to HR factory. The project-based work promised to give me a lot of insights in a short space of time. And this promise has been fulfilled - faster than expected.
My first project took me straight to an international automotive supplier, where I surprisingly quickly took on responsibility for an entire HR department. It was my first time sitting opposite a works council. New territory. But the pool of knowledge at HR factory and the support of my manager helped me to settle in quickly.
What really excites me: actively shaping culture
Professional growth was important to me - but not enough. I also wanted to be a real part of HR factory, not just external. So I joined the Employee Engagement team, and that was one of the best decisions.
Working there is something very special for me. No KPIs, no hard deadlines - instead: People, community, ideas. We plan internal activities, create encounters and work on making HR factory a place where people not only work, but also enjoy coming to. This work has shown me how much energy is generated when you don't manage culture, but really shape it.HR Services: Five clients, five industries, one huge learning boost
After about six months, my first project ended - successfully with a permanent replacement. I then moved to the HR Services team and looked after five clients from five different sectors at the same time.
That was intense. It required sensitivity, flexibility and the ability to build trust quickly. But it expanded my HR toolbox in the long term. When you have to adapt to so many different worlds in such a short space of time, you grow - whether you want to or not.
Where I am today - and where the journey is going
I'm currently working in the project world again, this time for a company in the field of sustainability consulting and CO₂ management as a People Partner. New environment, new challenges. And that's exactly what drives me.
For the future, I would like to continue working on varied projects, deepen my professional knowledge and at the same time provide internal impetus. My journey should take me to where I can support both companies and people in the HR context in the long term.HR factory offers me exactly the right framework for this.