Introduction
Human Resources development is at the heart of a promising HR career—one that offers a powerful mix of employment growth, advancement opportunities, and job satisfaction. As an HR professional, you play a critical role in driving a company’s success by contributing to real business decisions. In recent years, the field of Human Resources development has seen unprecedented growth and transformation, increasing the demand for skilled professionals who can keep pace with changing business needs. With job prospects expected to increase by 7% in the next ten years, investing in Human Resources development has never been more important.
However, building a successful HR career isn’t a walk in the park. It requires a strategic approach, commitment to professional growth, and a willingness to adapt to change. In this blog post, we will discuss ten tips on how to build a successful HR career, including developing a strong foundation of knowledge, building a diverse HR network, leveraging technology, and being open to continuous learning. These tips will help aspiring HR professionals take their careers to the next level and achieve success in this dynamic and exciting field. But first, let’s talk about the HR profession and what it’s like to be a professional in the industry.
Who is an HR Professional?
HR professionals are responsible for managing an organization’s workforce, which requires a range of skills and expertise. They play various roles in the organization, such as employee recruitment, training, benefits administration, employee relations, and compliance with labour laws.
To be a successful HR Professional, you should be able to balance the needs of the organization with the needs of individual employees and effectively communicate with all levels of the organization.
10 Tips on how to build a Successful HR Career
Here are 10 tips you need to succeed in the highly demanding job of an HR Professional:
1. Develop a Strong Foundation
The first step to building a successful HR career is to focus on Human Resources development by developing a strong foundation. This means gaining the necessary education and experience required to excel in HR. You can consider obtaining an HR certification or degree from an accredited institution. These credentials are key components of Human Resources development and can significantly enhance your credibility. You can become a certified HR professional with some of the following certifications.
- Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI) – The leading HR professional association in the United Kingdom, and has over 150,000 members across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
- Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) – CIPM is the professional body for HR management in Nigeria with over 12,000 members.
- The Institute of Human Resource Management Kenya (IHRM) – Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, IHRM is the Statutory Professional Body tasked with regulating the HR industry in Kenya.
- Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) – Though headquartered in the U.S.A, SHRM is an international HR powerhouse with hundreds of chapters around the world.
- The Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD) – Popular in the U.S.A. The organization also offers a line of certifications tailored to those outside the U.S. or interfacing with global teams.
- The Chartered Professionals in Human Resources (CPHR) -Nearly 50,000 members across Canada, the United Kingdom, China, Australia, Singapore, France, India, Norway, New Zealand, and nearly a dozen other countries.
These certifications can provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in HR. Additionally, seeking out internships or entry-level positions to gain practical experience can help you develop the skills necessary to succeed in HR and build a professional network.
2. Focus on Building Soft Skills
Technical knowledge is essential, but soft skills such as organization, time management, communication, confidentiality, teamwork, and problem-solving are critical to building a successful HR career. These skills play a vital role in Human Resources development, helping professionals connect and work effectively with employees, managers, and executives.
To support your Human Resources development, practice active listening, learn how to give feedback constructively, and cultivate empathy. These skills will enable you to communicate effectively, handle conflicts, and contribute to a positive work environment.
3. Network
Networking is critical in any profession, and HR is no exception. Attend industry conferences, join professional organizations, and connect with HR professionals on social media to stay up-to-date on industry trends and connect with like-minded professionals.
Networking can help you develop relationships that can lead to job opportunities, mentorship, and knowledge-sharing. Attend networking events regularly and participate in online forums to build your professional network. Sites like Eventbrite can help you find events to look out for.
4. Embrace Technology
Technology has revolutionized the HR industry. To support effective Human Resources development, HR professionals must stay current with the latest HR technologies to enhance their efficiency and build a successful HR career. Many companies now use HR software, such as applicant tracking systems, to streamline their HR processes.
To stay up to date on HR technologies and advance in Human Resources development, professionals can attend technology-focused conferences, participate in online training programs, and utilize modern HR solutions. One example of HR software that embraces innovation is NotchHR.
NotchHR is a free HR software that solves challenges in recruitment, payroll management, leave, requisitions, learning management systems, meetings, announcements, tax and pension payments, and more. It helps HR managers and professionals improve productivity and contribute meaningfully to Human Resources development within their organizations.
5. Learn to Think Strategically
HR professionals must understand the organization’s goals and develop HR strategies that align with those goals. They must have a deep understanding of the company’s culture, values, and mission to develop effective HR initiatives. To develop strategic thinking skills, professionals can participate in leadership training programs, read books on strategic thinking, and seek mentorship from experienced leaders. These efforts can help HR professionals to think creatively and develop HR initiatives that align with the company’s goals.
6. Continuously Learn & Grow
The HR field is constantly evolving, and you must stay current on the revolution. Attend training sessions, read industry publications, and seek mentorship to stay up-to-date with industry trends. Additionally, consider pursuing advanced education or certification to develop specialized skills that can help you stand out in a crowded job market.
As an HR professional, you must have a growth mindset and be committed to continuous learning and development. This mindset must also be passed on to the workforce you manage. To build a successful HR career, you must ensure that your employees are also learning and developing continuously. Learning and Management System feature on NotchHR is an avenue to train your workforce and help them grow in their respective careers.
Read more on how to upgrade your HR processes here.
7. Be a Collaborator
As the people manager, you get to work closely with other departments to ensure that HR initiatives are aligned with the overall business strategy. Collaboration and effective communication with other departments, including finance, operations, and marketing is necessary. For you to build a successful career, you must be able to create relationships with employees at all levels of the organization to promote a positive organizational culture.
With Chats & Announcements on NotchHR, you enable seamless communication, collaboration, and knowledge sharing within your organization.
8. Prioritise quality over quantity
Be it in recruitment or employee retention, you should prioritise quality over quantity. Some companies make the mistake of believing that increasing the number of hires will solve their workload problems. Sometimes, HR Managers are given KPIs to hire a specific number of people, leading to rushed decisions or loading the workforce with interns just to meet targets. In many cases, this approach undermines the quality of hires and ultimately weakens Human Resources development efforts.
This is not the best approach. As the people leader, you should focus on hiring quality candidates for each role. This doesn’t mean breaking the bank to get top-tier talent for every position—it means being intentional and strategic. When you hire the right people and invest in their growth, you contribute meaningfully to Human Resources development and long-term organizational success. Quality is contagious: get good people, then develop them further as part of your ongoing Human Resources development strategy.
9. Demonstrate Strong Leadership
In addition to developing technical and soft skills, you must also possess strong leadership abilities. The ability to manage teams and projects effectively is incredibly important when building a successful HR career. As an effective leader, you must also be able to adapt to changing circumstances and make decisions quickly even in the face of unexpected challenges. Also, as an HR professional, you must be able to clearly articulate your organisation’s vision and goals to teams and inspire them to achieve those goals.
10. Be Flexible and Adaptable
Finally, to build a successful career, you must be able to adapt to changing circumstances and be flexible in your approach. This requires the ability to pivot quickly to meet the needs of the organization. Being flexible and adaptable helps HR professionals navigate changing market conditions and emerge stronger in the long run.
CONCLUSION
Building a successful career doesn’t just happen—it takes years of deliberate and consistent hard/smart work. Following these tips will help you on your journey to build a successful career in HR and contribute to impactful Human Resources development within your organization. A career in HR can be challenging, but it is also rewarding and filled with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
By investing in your skills and knowledge, you actively participate in your own Human Resources development. This not only enhances your effectiveness but also enables you to make a lasting impact on your organization and its employees. When you commit to continuous Human Resources development, you’re laying the foundation for a career that is fulfilling, meaningful, and successful.
