There is never a dull moment when working in Human Resources. Typically, no one day is the same; that’s one of the things that makes the role exciting. Being a part of employee engagement and company culture is a huge responsibility to be successful at. With the right skills, knowledge, and attitude you can be an integral part of business. If you want to begin a career in human resources or even move up in your current role here are some tips to get you started.
1. Networking
Networking is a great opportunity to meet other like-minded professionals. These professionals can possibly give you a recommendation or direct you to a job opening. It is also a great way to learn information about the field. Some networking opportunities include the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) where you can find learning resources, networking events, and have access to their career center. When attending events introduce yourself and make your name known so that people remember you. Don’t be afraid to show off your skillset or talk about your newly acquired certification or degree.
2. Education and Certifications
Education is going to play a big part in obtaining a role in HR. You need to understand how to handle difficult employee relations, follow compliance standards, and effectively communication important information. The skills you learn in obtaining a degree or certification will be helpful with learning relevant business acumen such as critical evaluation and organizational leadership.
3. Soft Skills
Working in HR means that you need to be strategic along with having soft skills. Empathy, assertiveness, and decision-making abilities are all necessary to be successful in this position. During team meetings come up solutions to solve a current problem. Take it a step up and show the negatives of a solution- discussing the pros and cons. Showing that you reviewed all aspects of a situation shows great problem-solving abilities. Highlighting your skills in your current role can put you in a better position to apply for more HR focused areas.
4. Volunteer
Look for events to volunteer at where you can share your experiences and knowledge. I did a career workshop with the youth at the Boys and Girls club. I looked for speaking events to volunteer at. Never think that you do not know enough. Share what experience and knowledge you do have, it can always benefit someone. Also, volunteering is an easy way to get your name out there and gain additional experience.
5. Leverage Relationships
If you are working in a different department other than HR look for ways to leverage relationships so you can grow into that area. Does your company have opportunities for cross-training? Is there ever a time the HR department needs extra assistance handling projects? When I worked as an Executive Assistant, I looked for ways to build trust and show my organizational skills. I would assist with filing confidential documents and take notes in leadership team meetings. I proved my trust by keeping information confidential. Within time I was doing more than taking notes – my input was desired. Show up and show out. Prove that you have what it takes; let your work speak for itself.
Small Business VS Large Organization
Once you apply for positions, you may be thinking if you should work for a large or small business. Both have benefits. I started off as an Executive Assistant, then grew into an HR Administrator; ultimately leading an HR department of one. Look for different type of administrative jobs. In small companies HR typically wears a lot of hats. This is your opportunity to gain hands on experience in many facets of HR.
If you start off with large organization this can also be impactful. The great thing about large companies is they most likely have various departments for HR. Benefits, payroll, and recruiting to name a few. If you would like to grow into a different position you can do so within time. You may even receive tuition reimbursement if you decide to continue education or receive a certification.
Remember to have fun with this. Networking, gaining knowledge, and transitioning into new roles are things to be excited about. Before you know it, you will have what it takes to get into that HR role you’ve been aiming at!
For more information about how to begin a career in HR, check out more of Corporate Minority’s career insights.
