Is It Time To Step Up Your Game in HR?
by Alan Collins
A buddy recently challenged me to step up my game by asking: Could you write an article for HR professionals about enhancing their HR career…BUT, made up entirely of questions?
My response was: Yep, I believe I can…but why don’t you be the judge by giving me your opinion by commenting below once you finish reading it, okay?
Should we begin? I’m ready, are you?
1. How’s your HR career going?
Is it going as well as you would like it to? Do you think you could improve it right now? Are you having fun? Are you satisfied with the size of your paycheck? If you were forced to, what ONE THING would you do right now that could move your HR career to the next level? Would you improve your financial intelligence and knowledge of your business? Would you improve your skills as an HR leader? Would you enhance your skills in compensation? In labor relations? In talent management? In managing projects? Are you willing to commit to doing it today? If you are willing, will you write it down right now, so you don’t forget?
2. Are you using your HR talents to the max in your current role?
Have you ever stopped and thought about how much you really already know in HR? Isn’t it impressive? Can you imagine how different your life might be if you fully utilized all your HR knowledge in your current role? Are you doing that in the job you’re in now? If not, why aren’t you? If you had to choose, would you say it’s due to organization constraints, your fear of failure or just procrastination? If it is procrastination, could you commit to doing that one thing that’ll improve your career (the one I asked you to write down earlier) as soon as you finished commenting on this article?
3. Are you marketing yourself and showcasing your HR accomplishments enough?
Do you recognize how much value you’re adding to your organization in your current job? Does your boss recognize this? Is she a career advocate for you? What about her boss? What about anyone else who could potentially be your next boss…do they know about how valuable you really are? Don’t you think they should? Because if they did, wouldn’t they be in a better position to help move your HR career along? On a separate note, how engaged are you outside of your organization? Are you involved in outside associations and networks? Do you regularly have lunch with people who could provide you with your next HR job?
4. Have you ever thought ways to package your HR experience to promote your HR career even more?
Do you write well? What about writing a book on what you know in HR? Not enough time? What about crafting a short 5-10 page report on something you do well? Still time strapped? What about writing an article on a recent HR project you got rave reviews on? Do you blog? Not a writer, ok – can you speak? Could you put together a short presentation that showcases your expertise? Do you already have a nice power point deck you’ve presented many times that you could use with a few minor changes? Could you use it to do lunch & learns to share your expertise with groups inside or outside your organization? Do you think any of this would enhance your HR reputation and visibility? Do you think an enhanced reputation in HR with more people could open up additional opportunities for you?
5. Are you trying to go it alone in your HR career?
Are you aware that lone rangers don’t make it far up the HR food chain? Are you associating and learning from HR folks who are playing a bigger game than you are? Did you know that by doing this alone, it helps you move your OWN game upwards? Who are your mentors? What experienced HR advisors are you tapping into? Who can you let your hair down with? Who do you trust to give you candid career feedback? Are you pleased with the size of your network? How many headhunters know you by name? What existing relationships do you already have that you are allowing to get stale? What new relationships or networks should you be building right now? Think this isn’t important, then answer this question: if you suddenly got pink slipped, who would you turn to?
What do you think about asking yourself these simple questions every six months…and then TAKING ACTION on the results?
Would your HR career trajectory be different? Do you think it would help you step up your game? If so, does it make sense to schedule an appointment with yourself now to go through these questions…seriously?
So, what do you think? Was this question-based article helpful?
Before you go, can you do two small favors for me?
1. Would you share your comments on this article by clicking HERE?
2. Can you pass this article on to others who might benefit from it and ask them what they think too?
Would you mind if I thanked you in advance?
About the Author: Alan Collins was Vice President – Human Resources at PepsiCo where he led HR initiatives for their Quaker Oats, Gatorade and Tropicana businesses. He is now President of Success in HR, Inc. and the author of: UNWRITTEN HR RULES: 21 Secrets For Attaining Awesome Career Success in Human Resources with TWO FREE CHAPTERS that can be downloaded HERE.
© SuccessinHR.com
February 10th, 2010 at 9:42 pm
Thank you for reminding all of us what we need to be doing better. Ironically enough I found myself in the situation you described two months ago, however I was enrolled in my Master program in OD and have pushed my network from there. Additionally I am generating informational interviews to build my network. Thanks for keeping us inspired, and motivated!
February 11th, 2010 at 1:20 am
Hi Alan,
Excellent article, thought provoking and reminds if we need to be doing better as a HR professional, especially if you’re feeling that your HR career is stagnant… or will be reaching this stage soon. Many thanks for these inspiring and motivating questions which do come to you, but you never think of noting those and take appropriate action.
February 11th, 2010 at 6:13 am
Hi,
Enjoyed the article.. Gave great insight..
Thanks..
-Esther
February 11th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
@Sue – congrats on pushing your networking and informational interviewing…be sure to give 3x as much as you take.
@Gauri – glad you found the article thought-provoking!
@Esther – thanks for adding your insight.
February 11th, 2010 at 2:08 pm
I’m impressed you could write an entire article with questions! Good job. Lots of good questions to ponder.
February 11th, 2010 at 2:15 pm
Another well-written, thought-provoking article, Alan.
Although I assume that your posts are written for employed HR professionals, I read them with the self-employed HR professional in mind. Every self-employed professional struggles with how to play a bigger game, and how to find the time to do all the things your article outlines.
Hint: Think outsourcing. Ask me how you can use outsourcing to play a bigger game.
=>Donna Caissie, the ExtraOrdinary HR Assistant
http://www.extra-assist.com
hrva@extra-assist.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/donnacaissie
http://twitter.com/donnacaissie
February 11th, 2010 at 2:41 pm
Alan,
Incredible article! I’m just starting in this field so I don’t have much experience but it does make one think about all there is to know and be able to grow our understanding on what we want for our careers.
Thank you for all your wonderful insights!
February 11th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
@Michelle – Thanks for your comment. It was a struggle to stop from dropping in a statement or two…force of habit.
@Donna — Love what you’re doing as the Extraordinary HR assistant. I’m an advocate of ALL HR professionals taking control of their careers and playing as big a game as their abilities and passion allow them to. My articles do tend to lean more towards those folks on the employed side since that’s been where I’ve spent most of my career…but I’m hopeful that they can resonate too with the self-employed, contract professionals, consultants and others who also play important roles in HR. I’ll be sure to set some time aside to check out your websites. Thanks again.
@Yesenia – as a newcomer, welcome to HR. It’s a terrific calling. Glad you stopped by. I think you’ll find lots of resources here that will help you as you move forward in your career. Don’t be a stranger.
thanks,
Alan
February 11th, 2010 at 9:17 pm
Hi Alan,
I appreciate this excellent article. It’s a good reminder to periodically assess your career and take action to achieve better results. Good advice.
February 12th, 2010 at 8:46 pm
Alan, Thank you for this inspiring article. You are so very good at driving creative thinking from your readers! You are also very good at kicking us HR professionals in the rear to perk up and control our careers. I have been reflecting the past several months on my own career. I continually challenge myself to branch into areas of HR where I have not had exposure. I am delving deeper into the international realm of HR, and have found this to be both personally rewarding and educational. I look forward to further supporting our international business units in Brazil, China, The Netherlands and India. We have never had a strong US HR support presence for these countries, they have virtually operated autonomously, we are finding they are lacking some core processes that fall not only into HR but accounting, finance and IT.
I am also working on an outline for a book and developing what would be a speaking outline that would accompany it. I continually find as I am out presenting various topics to industry and civic groups that participants are complimentary of my style in delivering materials based on my 20 years of HR experience. This is an opportunity that I might be able to diversify my income in the future, and also give back to industry in a productive, impactful and meaningful way.
I recently presented my HR Team with your new book: UNWRITTEN HR RULES: 21 Secrets For Attaining Awesome Career Success in Human Resources. They are excited to have received a copy, and I look forward to answering their questions as they read the book.
Alan, Thank you for your contributions to the HR Profession –
February 13th, 2010 at 7:20 pm
@Trudy – thanks, great points.
@Mark – the actions you’ve taken is exactly what this article is all about! I think many of us in HR under-estimate the how powerful we can be and the leverage our experience provides us. The examples you’ve provided here: expanding your focus globally, the book outline, presentations, etc. are great ways to expand your influence, impact and I’m certain will open many doors down the road. Pls stay in touch.
Alan
February 13th, 2010 at 10:41 pm
Alan,
You bring out some very great points, as well as drive me to do more targeted self analysis. It is easy to say to yourself , “I need to progress, grow and develop, etc”, but as you illustrate you need to know the correct prompt questions for effective career success. Well done and so helpful..
February 18th, 2010 at 8:46 pm
Great article. I was downsized from the head of HR position and am having a “dickens” of a time finding employment. I started my own virtual HR business – but still would like the “comfort” of a regular employment. It’s really rough out here. Do you think that “virtual” HR is a good path?
March 1st, 2010 at 9:08 pm
Great questions for re-focusing. I will take the time to go through them and answer in writing.
March 11th, 2010 at 11:13 am
Great thoughts! This is a definite reality check in this un-loyal economy. Now is the time to make imperative strides toward developing your skills to make successful strides in your HR career.
August 7th, 2010 at 7:13 am
Dear alin,
it’s a novel effort to make the readers to realise what they are and where they are. it is also an eye-opener. Answering thro’ questions induce others to think further.