Pursuing an HR career path can be more difficult with the current state of affairs, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible!
Yes, climbing the HR career ladder and capitalizing on this trend might seem difficult to do in the context of the already overwhelming day-to-day responsibilities, and itâs completely understandable if you havenât been giving your career the attention it deserves. But there are definitely ways for you to move forward.
From staying on top of HR trends and industry developments, constantly investing in your knowledge base, as well as surrounding yourself with like-minded people, navigating the ever-competitive HR landscape can be a challenge.
Which is why in this article we are going to address some of the most important steps for crafting the HR career of your dreams.
Whether youâre just getting started on your HR career path or are looking for a new challenge in your professional life, weâve compiled a few tips to help you achieve your goals and steer your career in the right direction.
1. Stay focused and proactive
If you are good with people, have an eye for details, and a keen understanding of the bigger picture, then a career in HR might be for you.
But thereâs a long way from wanting a successful HR career path to actually achieving it.
First things first: a proactive attitude can help you differentiate yourself.
As an HR professional, there are many situations that require creative solutions, so the more innovation you bring in your organization through your role and the more motivated you are to focus on solutions instead of problems the faster you will get noticed.
So by coming up with new ideas and applying a âcan doâ attitude instead of waiting to be assigned new responsibilities, it will be just a matter of time until your company and superiors recognize your efforts.
However, this doesn’t mean you should work longer hours. Working smarter instead of harder should always be your mantra. The main idea is to get out of your comfort zone and be open to learning new things every day that are beyond your to-do list, instead of sitting back and waiting for your job description to unfold.
2. Be like a sponge and try to absorb everything related to HR
There are a variety of HR career paths you could embrace as a professional to take your career to the next level.
So before deciding what your next move should be, or choosing between different areas of HR like hiring, payroll, employee benefits, or employee development programs, itâs important to understand how each aspect of HR contributes to your organization and how you identify with the job functions required to perform.
HR generalist roles are a great way to test the waters, immerse yourself into a variety of specific functions, and gain important insights into HRâs most common challenges. Whichever path you eventually decide to specialize in, having a broad experience will serve you well in the long run and help you get a comprehensive overview as a future HR manager.
3. Stay exposed to quality information
Thanks to the internet, we now have instant access to tons of information readily available about the changing world of work.
These resources can help you with everything from answering basic HR questions to finding a network of professionals that can help. Making friends is free and the best way to do this is by putting yourself out there and attending industry events or proactively reaching out to people online.
Join online networks (e.g. create a great LinkedIn profile) and interact with people if you appreciate their work. This way, before you know it, youâll have a whole network to leverage when the need arises.
Constantly challenge yourself by asking good questions and developing a thirst for knowledge. From your managers to new people you meet at events, there are countless things to learn from everyone just by swapping stories and ideas.
Of course there will also be some filtering to do (i.e. donât take relationship advice from someone thatâs single), but the main focus should be on having the right mindset to acquire a vast knowledge around your HR topic of interest.
4. To succeed on your HR career path, get certified
While many HR professionals choose to focus on their skills, having an up to date, polished resume is just as important if you want to advance on your human resources career.
In other words, itâs important that your skill level and experience is also supported by confirmation of those skills by either certifications, or even better, company awards for achieving outstanding results.
On the certification side: this might mean going for an MBA in an HR-related field, or getting an industry-recognized certification, like a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) certification.
5. Take a break from HR once in a while
It can be easy to get caught up in the HR bubble. Whether you tend to only surround yourself with HR peers or just get into a work-home routine, itâs important to come up for air once in a while.
It may seem counterintuitive to recommend that you not focus solely on HR, but that you actually strive to acquire knowledge outside this area to broaden your perspective and expand your skills.
This will also give you a better understanding of business in general and your own human resources career path, in particular.
6. Aim high but donât be afraid to start slow
As you are starting to build your career in HR, a common pitfall would be to aim only for the jobs and companies that have a certain resonance. However in reality, titles vary from one organization to another, depending on their size and structure. They donât necessarily comply with industry standards.
This means you shouldn’t assess a job opportunity by its name but by the learning potential and growth opportunities it offers. Also try to keep in mind that building a successful HR career is a process filled with a lot of trial and error.
Every HR professional has his or her own unique path, and contribution to make. While you might feel lost at times, itâs important to always look inside your heart and find the right motivation. Perseverance is just as important a skill when building a career. And only pure passion can guide and support you in making the right career choices.
While pursuing a successful HR career path can sometimes feel like a lonely road, there are a wealth of networks and resources available to spice up your professional life at every stage of the journey.
That, as well as cultivating a healthy support network will help you gain confidence, drive innovation, and eventually move your career forward.
The most successful HR professionals capitalize on their creativity and strive to improve their work environments. And remember, the most successful HR directors today have gone through their fair share of ups and down, which only made them even better.