AD | Collaborative post
Human resource (HR) professionals play a critical role in the healthy functioning of literally all organisations. From ensuring that potential employees are a good fit to sorting out internal disputes, the responsibilities are highly varied, resulting in an engaging and exciting professional area. If you’re interested in progressing your career in HR, here are some tips that can help you achieve your goals.
Lay out a clear career path
As always, the first step when it comes to progressing your career in the HR world is to develop a clear career plan. Think about where you want to be in two, five, or ten years, and what steps you’ll need to take to get there. Then, identify the experience and qualifications you need to get there, and develop a plan to achieve your goals.
Network, network, network
Networking is absolutely essential for career development, and when it comes to HR it’s no different. Make sure that you go to the relevant industry events, join professional associations, and get involved in online communities – all of this will help you to develop a supportive network of fellow professionals in the HR niche.
Expand your skill set
As you’ll know, HR is a broad field that requires a large toolkit of different skills. Consider pursuing certifications or additional education to enhance your knowledge and skills – you don’t need to take time out of work to do this, for example, you can take your CIPD level 3 course online, fitting it in around your professional responsibilities. If you’re aiming for a higher degree, enrolling in an at your own pace online college is another option.
Seek out mentors
Mentors can provide you with the guidance and advice you’ll need to progress in your career. Look for individuals who have managed to achieve a similar career trajectory to the one you’re aiming for, and ask them for advice on how they got there. Whether you shadow them or just meet up for coffee every now and then, their advice will likely be invaluable.
Embrace technology
Technology is rapidly changing the HR world, and it’s important to stay up-to-date. Familiarise yourself with HR software and tools, such as applicant tracking systems, HR analytics software, and emerging digital employee engagement platforms. The ability to leverage technology can give you a massive competitive advantage, helping you to progress in your career.
Communicate your value
Finally, while you obviously need to do a good job, it’s also important as an HR professional to communicate your value to the organisation. Don’t be overly boastful, but at the same time, you want to be sure that individuals such as your supervisor are aware of your contributions, and that the impact you’re making on the business doesn’t go unnoticed.
People management is an incredibly rewarding field to get into, and you can advance a long way. Seeing progression in your career will require plenty of hard work and an ongoing commitment to learning and professional development. By laying out a plan on where you want to get, developing your network of fellow HR professionals, and making sure that you properly communicate your value, you can achieve your career goals and take your HR journey to new heights.