Whether you’ve been working in your HR role for a while now or are just starting out, you might be wondering what your career progression could look like. The good news is there’s never been a better time to realise your professional goals!
Human Resources isn’t going anywhere and, more than ever, companies are realising the benefits of hiring and retaining quality HR employees to help nurture and grow their business. That’s why HR is consistently ranked as one of the fastest growing industries.
But what steps can you take to ensure career advancement? It doesn’t have to be a complicated endeavour. In fact, you likely have more tools at your disposal than you may realise. To get you started, we’ve put together our own list of tips for climbing the HR career ladder:
- Reflect on and highlight the skills you already have
You might think you don’t have the necessary skills or training to get started – either in a new HR role or in a new initiative at your current company. But that’s not necessarily true.
Think back on other experiences you’ve had and don’t worry if those experiences weren’t all HR-related. What did you learn? Did you find you handled certain tasks better than others? If things went wrong, were you able to recognise how and why? The trick here is to recognise the skills you already have and understand how they can be applied to your HR role.
- Recognise what your company needs
Take a moment to think about what your company needs to succeed. Is there something they could be doing to improve business overall? How can you be the one to get the ball rolling?
Innovation and creativity are the hallmarks of an excellent HR employee. If you see a problem that needs fixed or a situation that could be improved, don’t wait to be asked to take on that responsibility. Take it upon yourself to instigate that change. Being enthusiastic and proactive will go a long way to showing your higher-ups that you can be counted on in the long run.
- Step out of your comfort zone
It can be scary to step out of your comfort zone but the benefits will far outweigh any overwhelming feelings you might have. Your peers can sometimes be your best resource in this instance!
Start by asking to shadow someone else in their role. There are a multitude of roles that fall under the HR umbrella and you might be uncertain which roles you enjoy over others. Shadowing is not only productive but it can also be a great opportunity to learn from and engage with your colleagues while giving you a fuller picture of your own career development. Make sure you ask colleagues you are comfortable with if you can shadow – you’ll feel much more at ease when it comes to asking questions and understanding their role.
- Measure your successes and be open to feedback
Don’t be afraid to get creative! But also be upfront and acknowledge when a strategy or initiative of yours hasn’t worked. If you measure your successes, you’ll have a better change at understand where you went wrong and why it fell flat. Focus on the data and learn to make links between your strategy and the outcome.
When it comes to feedback, always be open to other perspectives. You don’t have to necessarily agree with someone else’s opinion but when leaders and other mentors are trying to help, it’s best to listen. Learning to accept and take on feedback is critical when it comes to improving yourself and advancing your career. Not only does it show others you respect their point of view but when you start implementing that feedback, it will surely be noticed.
- Seek out professional development opportunities
Last but not least, consider boosting your skills through education. Whether through workshops or seminars, there are plenty of professional development opportunities out there for HR professionals at all stages of their career.
Having these experiences on your resumé will show prospective employers that you’re serious about your role and already have some of the essential skills they’re looking for.
At Oakwood, we offer a range of professional qualifications that will not only look good on your resumé but will provide you with the necessary skills and confidence to succeed and advance in your HR career.
Conclusion
Advancing your HR career can be easier than you may think. With a little determination and enthusiasm, you can show the leaders in your company that you’re an asset worth investing in long-term.
The list above, however, is just the beginning! There are plenty of other strategies you can implement to level up your career. It’s all about being creative. In no time, this will become second nature and you’ll have no problem impressing your colleagues and finding new opportunities to grow. Good luck!
Get in touch with Oakwood here.
