5 Things You Should Be Doing to Get a Promotion in HR

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Brian Wallace, Founder & President, NowSourcing

Human resources is one of the most crucial departments of any company. After all, it’s the people that make a business work. It’s only natural that those in charge of finding these people and keeping them happy play such a vital role in the success of a company. 

However, while most see it as important, human resources personnel aren’t always the first ones thought of when it comes time for a promotion, which is just plain old wrong. 

There are two ways to approach this: get mad about the unfairness of it all OR take steps to get yourself noticed and earn that promotion you so deserve. Of course, there is a lot that goes into promotion politics. But you’re more in control than you think. So, to help you get to that point, here are five things you can do: 

Quantify Your Work

The business world is all about numbers and data. If you want to do something new and different, that’s fine, just so long as you have the data to back it up. This same logic applies for promotions. If you want more money and/or more responsibility, then you need to show to your managers why this is the case. 

The first way you can do this is by simply keeping track of and documenting your work. Keep a record of what you’ve done and what you’ve done well so that you can show why you’re so valuable and why you deserve the promotion. 

Another thing to do is to put extra effort into quantifying the results of your work. If you put the effort into designing a new recruiting campaign, then make sure you have some data afterwards to show why it was better. This will not only help you get recognition, but it’s a great bargaining chip when it comes time to ask for a promotion. 

Innovate

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People are hired to do a job. When they do that job well, no one notices too much, and everything proceeds according to the status quo. This is fine, but only if you don’t want a promotion. If you’re after bigger and better things, then you’re going to want to start thinking out of the box. 

People don’t get promoted because they are simply good at their job. Instead, they get promoted because they excel at what they do and have shown a capacity to innovate. 

Of course, there is some degree of risk involved in this, so don’t go crazy. But also don’t be afraid to suggest new ideas and take different angles to solve problems. It’s likely to get noticed and could result in a promotion.

Try New Things

Along similar lines, don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone. Just because a project doesn’t fit directly into your job description doesn’t mean it’s not worth a try. In fact, having this experience might reveal new skills to you and your supervisors, which would open up new doors for you. 

Of course, don’t stretch your job description so much that you are stressing out and don’t have time to fulfill your normal tasks. But as new projects come up, be prepared to volunteer to take them on. This initiative, plus the experience you will have, will make you that much more qualified for a promotion the next time one comes along.

If you find that these new opportunities are not emerging, speak with your boss. And if they still aren’t there, it might be time to look for a new job, one that will allow you the freedom to prove yourself. If this is the case, check out job boards such as Higher Hire for new opportunities near you. 

This can be the “newest” thing of all, but it’s often necessary to get that promotion you feel you truly deserve.

Education and Training

Although additional education does not guarantee you a new position, it certainly can’t hurt. Consider going back for an M.B.A. (perhaps at the company’s expense?) or some other graduate degree you think might help. For example, HR professionals can often further their career by getting a law degree. 

However, you don’t have to go back to a university to further your education and get promoted. Conferences and seminars can be great ways to stay in tune with the latest developments in your field, and they also show initiative on your part. 

There are also a handful of professional HR certifications you can get to bolster your resume, which may require you to take some PHR practice tests. But a little study can go a long way, especially if it leads to a promotion.

Ask for It!

Lastly, if you feel you are up for a promotion, just ask for it! Perhaps your boss has been thinking the same thing but just hasn’t had the chance to bring it up. Or, perhaps they haven’t realized all that you’ve been doing. 

No matter the situation, don’t be afraid to ask for something you want. If your manager doesn’t think you’re qualified, this can lead to a really fruitful discussion that will set you up much better for securing that position down the line. 

Your Promotion is Right Around the Corner

As an HR professional, you probably deal with promotions all the time. But now it’s time for you to get yours. Of course, there are other factors at play, such as current budget needs and other personnel concerns. But, in general, the promotion you’ve been wanting is there for the taking. You’ve just got to reach out and grab it!