There are several reasons as to why an individual may be seeking a promotion in HR, and a multitude of benefits as to why organisations should promote their staff.

With what is an exciting, yet daunting process, many of us are left unsure of where and how to start when looking to climb the corporate ladder.

So, if you are eager for a change and motivated by the prospect of taking on more significant responsibility, this blog explores several ways in which you can prepare for a promotion in the HR field.  

1) Work with your manager, not against them

Your manager was likely to be in the position that you are not long ago, and if not, they will still have a good idea about promotions and what they entail. Speak to your manager and ask them about their workload, including any worries or concerns that they may currently have on their plate.

By taking on some of these responsibilities and actively working to alleviate their burden, you will demonstrate your reliability and dedication, not only making your work life easier but also supporting your colleagues.  

Displaying a commitment to your team’s overall workload and the collective pursuit of long-term business goals demonstrates your teamwork skills, a vital attribute for gaining the promotion you are looking for.

2) Track your accomplishments

Keeping a record of your accomplishments is crucial for your career development. Not only does this help you remain focused and confident in your abilities, but it also provides tangible evidence of your contributions to your role and organisation.

We recommend keeping an accomplishment log, documenting the following:

• Projects that you completed on time: projects that were of high importance that you assisted with.
• Financial impact or goals: projects or tasks that directly resulted in profit for the business.
• Challenges overcome: how you identified, overcame, and learned from these experiences.
• Managing stress and pressure: documenting any difficult situations in which you persevered.
• Moments that you exceeded expectations: were there any projects in which you performed especially well?
• Recognition: have there been moments of recognition in your role? Including any awards of reviews.

3) Observe successful promotions

Identifying and observing successful promotions within your organisation is a worthwhile strategy. While not every promotion is the same, being aware of the personality traits, habits, and achievements of those who have previously been promoted, that you can consider incorporating in your own way, is extremely valuable.

For example, did you see a colleague recently receive a promotion that was a team player? Or someone that had solid communication skills and was often looking for ways to collaborate within the team?

These are things that you inherit and improve on, clearly showing that you can take your surroundings into consideration, and then adapt in your own way that will benefit both your team and the organisation.

Additionally, look to the leaders and senior members of staff in your organisation, and identify the skills and characteristics in which you feel makes them successful in their role.

4) Cultivate effective leadership skills

As you work towards a promotion, your leaderships skills are something that could very well set you apart from the competition. When working in HR, it’s expected that you will lead, influence, and encourage employees through times of change, periods of growth and when adopting new initiatives. These are processes that require robust leadership skills, and your employer will be actively looking for ways you show them.

We recommend building your leadership skills by:

• Looking for opportunities to lead daily tasks and short-term projects
• Building on leadership qualities such as decisiveness, problem solving and self-awareness
• Taking initiative and acting in a way you would if you were a leader
• Investing in continued improvement and learning

5) Maintain a strong work ethic

The importance of a good work ethic is vital when climbing the corporate ladder. However, having a strong work ethic does not mean working yourself into the ground, but it does mean completing tasks to the best of your ability and in a timely manner.  

A few ways to improve your work ethic include:

• Following the lead of bosses, colleagues, and mentors: take into consideration company etiquette, and how those who lead, act, and communicate.
• Improving self-discipline: identify how and when you best work, and where your energy levels sit when completing different tasks, this will allow you to make tweaks and remain consistent.
• Taking pride in your output: they say that no one will care as much about your work as yourself, so make sure the work that you are doing is work that you are proud of.
• Utilising time management processes and prioritising: utilising a time management system that works best for you will support productivity and ensure a sense of control while working.

HR professionals who have a good work ethic tend to be more conscientious, intuitive, and perceptive, qualities that are highly valued in any HR department.

6) Be proactive, ask for feedback and learn from your mistakes

When working in HR, you are often presented with a variety of different issues. This means that you must be proactive and able to provide innovative solutions to arising circumstances.

Show your commitment to finding the best solutions by proactively seeking feedback and being open to improvement.

Additionally, don’t be afraid to explore new ideas and try different initiatives or ideas of your own. If something does not work, document the outcomes, and look for ways to improve in the future.

In any workplace, a valuable skill is to be able to learn from your mistakes and remain consistent when actions do not go to plan. HR managers need to be able to adapt based on different situations and environments, as no two situations will ever be the same.

7) Expand your HR knowledge

While this seems like quite a big task, increasing your knowledge on the different areas in which you can receive a promotion will not only improve your chances, but increase your options.

Additionally, it is helpful to know what part of HR you would like to specialise in, or if you would like to specialise at all. There are several different roles available within the industry, and some of them may require different skills.

A few ways in which you can do this include:

• Shadowing different employees to gain diverse experiences
• Experimenting with the initiatives that align with your interests
• Undertaking a CIPD or equivalent qualification to expand your HR knowledge

Showing that you are committed to upskilling and development only further cements your commitment to your organisation and the industry.

So, while promotions in any workplace can be a daunting prospect, and something that requires focus and determination, implementing these steps into your working life will help set you up for success, paving the way for that promotion.  

Get CIPD qualified with Acacia Learning and start working towards your promotion today.