HR at TikTok: Building Teams That Move at the Speed of Culture

How does HR at TikTok build teams that move at the speed of culture?

Meet three of our HR team members -- Chris Tabora (Talent Acquisition, Global Business Solutions), Kim O'Donnell (Global Talent Acquisition), and Monisha Singh (Talent Acquisition, APAC) -- who are challenging the status quo and bringing together an incredible global team at TikTok!

They recently sat down with us to discuss their growth and impact within Talent Acquisition, as well as the future and mission of the organization going forward.

Tell us about your background. Why did you join TikTok?

Chris: "Before joining TikTok, I had years of educational and professional experience in HR and recruitment. What drew me to TikTok was how different the app was from anything I had seen before. I was excited to be a part of it! Since the app was growing fast, I also knew that hiring at TikTok would be faster and more exciting than pretty much anywhere else."

Kim: "I've worked in Talent Acquisition for over 15 years, including over 10 years at another global tech company. What drew me to TikTok was the chance to push myself out of my comfort zone and try something totally new; unlike my previous role that focused on one region, my role at TikTok gives me global scope over teams across five major regions. This has given me more room to make an impact and master new skills than I ever imagined."

Monisha: "Prior to TikTok, I was fortunate enough to handle recruitment for several prominent tech start-ups. Because scaling things from the ground up is what excites me most, I jumped at the chance to help drive TikTok's growth as the first recruiter for the Asia-Pacific region! As a member of the Global HR for HR team, I've had an amazing experience so far bringing the world's best HR talents to TikTok."

How have you grown since you joined?

Kim: "The biggest skill I've developed at TikTok is collaboration. As recruiters, we have a lot on our plates, so we lean on the experiences of teams in other regions to learn what's working and not working. Incorporating the perspectives of partners from different countries and cultures has also helped me improve my emotional intelligence, which has helped me thrive in TikTok's fast-paced work environment."

Monisha: "We often say that one year at TikTok is like 3 years elsewhere, but I didn't believe it until I completed my first year! Looking back on the learning I've experienced so far, I can confidently say that I've grown more as a recruiter in my 1.5 years at TikTok than in the eight years prior. The huge ownership and autonomy we get gives us the chance to solve important problems and create great things. At the same time, we're never alone because there's always someone happy to help and support when needed."

What are some of the highlights of your experience at TikTok so far?

Chris: "One of my most memorable projects was partnering with the Employer Branding Team and COOP Careers to host a virtual event for first-generation minority graduates. It was the first time I had ever taken part in an initiative that led to life-changing hires almost right away. TikTok's goal to become the most diverse and inclusive company in tech is something that inspires me in my work, especially when I can see that we practice what we preach."

Monisha: "The team has more than tripled in size since last year and there have been so many wins and learnings. One thing I'm especially proud of is launching and building our sourcing function by bringing together the best talent sourcers in the APAC region. This initiative has had a huge impact by providing deeper insights into niche talent markets and improving our delivery in higher volume markets."

What is the HR team focusing on right now?

Chris: "We're currently focusing on improving the hiring process. Working at TikTok is similar to the experience in app: exciting, engaging, and thrilling! We're not a buttoned-up or traditional company with all our systems in place; rather, we're building something exciting from the ground up and driving change in a new way. Although this process comes with some inevitable hiccups, I love that each of us within HR has a seat at the table in overcoming these issues and taking the company forward."

Monisha: "I agree with Chris here. TikTok is still in its early stages as a business; although we're often compared to the giants in the industry, they've been around for 10+ years while we just turned three! We may be dealing with some growing pains, but what's most important is that we're learning and heading in the right direction. The culture within TikTok HR is to seek feedback and be adaptable, so I'm confident that we'll continue to improve the experience of our candidates and teams."

What would you say to candidates interested in working in HR at TikTok?

Chris: "The best part about working in HR at TikTok is that everything we do is valued and we can see the impact you have on the business as we grow so rapidly. I also love that we are truly global partners; for example, I've had the opportunity to work on hiring projects in North America, Canada, Europe, and Latin America. If you're interested in driving our expansion into new frontiers, it will be an incredible experience."

Kim: "As I mentioned, collaboration is at the heart of everything we do, and I'm inspired by the talented people I work with on a daily basis. No matter where you're located or which team you join at TikTok, you'll feel a culture of possibility and positivity from day one. We're all passionate about making the TikTok community and organization the best it can be!"

The experiences of Chris, Kim, and Monisha highlight how TikTok is a place where you can make things happen. If you'd like to learn more, click here to browse HR roles and check out our LinkedIn to stay up to date about life at TikTok!