I often get asked for advice on how to transition into HR. Here is what I share: Before you do anything else, get super clear about your 'why.' When I ask, the most common ones I hear generally fall into two buckets: (1) I had a great manager, so I want to make sure we have more of those. (2) I had a horrible manager, so I want to ensure I have the ability to support others through that and ideally preventing that from happening to others. Truthfully, a lot of what I hear stems from past managers. Since they impact so much of our day to day, a big swing in either a positive or a negative direction can often trigger something in a human to want to amplify or de-amplify what they've experienced. Here is the thing though, that is not enough. You need to be clear as to why you want to work at the intersect of business success and enabling humans. You want to understand your 'why' as it pertains to YOU not primarily the experience you had with your past manager. How do you dig deeper? Consider these as a starting point: - What do I think HR is? Am I clear on it? Do I understand it? - What HR leaders have I seen that I'd like to consider as my role models. What about them resonates with me? - What are the specific aspects of HR that get me really excited? What are the ones that I think I'll dread? How does that balance out for me? - How can all of my past experiences prepare me for this field? What subset of HR may I be best suited for? The broader the exploration you do, the clearer you'll become on why this may be the space for you. This matters, as when you speak to potential employers saying simply 'I want to go into HR because I had a bad manager' is not enough. For example, a sales person that realized their passion lies in recruitment after speaking with hundreds of potential customers has a story to tell. A person who was able to execute a big change to company operations by bringing in multiple stakeholders with different perspective to the table and enabling them to align, also has a story to tell. Take the time to be intentional as to why you want this to be your space. A bad manager can for sure get your brain going but they shouldn't be the reason you go into HR. #hr #leadership #advice
With permission from Vanesa Cotlar, MBA, I want to also share that PeakHR's next program is for folks who are just beginning their HR careers! Learn more at peakhrlearning.com/basecamp and apply today for our June 2024 program!
Your insights on HR leadership are spot on! 💼 It's refreshing to see someone emphasizing the importance of empathy and adaptability in the workplace. Those qualities make a difference in building a strong and supportive team culture. Keep sharing your wisdom – it's valuable for seasoned professionals and those just starting in the field. I am looking forward to more of your thoughtful posts! 👏 #HRLeadership #EmpathyMatters #WisdomSharing
Amazing points Vanesa. Transition to HR can be easy if the candidate has a strong WHY and a proper skillset to work on.
All great points Vanesa - Especially having a clear definition of what HR really is
Dealing with humans is not an easy task as it seems to be. One needs to be very clear about why they want to go into the HR space Vanesa!
So true!
Workforce Development Strategist | Community Builder I Manufacturing Collaborator
2moMake sure your why is more than "I like people"! I've met so many HR folks, especially in interviews, who give this as the only reason. It is not enough, and certainly doesn't accurately convey the impact we can have.