Unleash Your Inner Lion: A Guide for Entry-Level HR Professionals…

Hey there, fellow HR new entrants and interns! As an HR practitioner with some experience, I often get asked for guidance from HR Interns and HR Graduates on how to get ahead in the field. My advice to them is that to manage an effective career starting at entry-level, they need to have a lions mindset. A lions mindset secures careers and improves your chances of becoming the "Alpha Lion" in the HR pride.

Are you ready to take charge of your career and leave a lasting impression in the world of Human Resources? It's time to harness the power of a lion's mindset and prowl ahead with definitive competence and strategic career tactics, just like an Alpha male lion leading its pride. While competence gets you the job or opportunity, definitive competence gets you ahead of others starting off their careers just like you. Definitive competence is the competence that will define your future success in the field.

Here are some valuable tips to help you kickstart your HR journey and pave the way for success:

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• Embrace Continuous Learning: Lions are known for their continuous hunting and survival skills development. Similarly, as an HR professional, it is crucial to stay updated with the latest industry trends, employment laws, and HR best practices. Seek out learning opportunities such as workshops, webinars, and online courses to deepen your knowledge and stay one step ahead. The most skilled hunters become Alpha by showing the value of their skills to the pride. Similarly fast track development of your work related skills to advance. Be cautious about pursuing more "academic" interests straight out of university and immediately after securing that first job. Rather focus your energy on completing practical courses to grow your skillset not just grow the length of qualifications on your CV.

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• Cultivate Strong Relationships: Lions thrive on strong relationships within their pride. Similarly, building a network of professionals within and outside your organization can help you gain insights, exchange ideas, and potentially open doors to new opportunities. Attend industry events, join HR-related groups on LinkedIn, and actively engage with your peers to foster meaningful connections. In your first "job" understand the politics of the pride in the organisation that you are based in but don’t play politics. Relationships & mentoring in particular are important tools to fast track career growth. Entry level HR professionals must secure a professional mentor early on in their career journey. This must be an HR leader or Technical Specialist in HR who have already earned their stripes in the field.

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• Master strategic thinking about your career: Lions are strategic hunters; they observe, analyze, and then strike at the opportune moment. They understand the competitive environment as well and what skills they need to get ahead. In HR, strategic thinking is essential to identify problems, resolve conflicts, and make informed decisions. Strategic thinking is also crucial to advance a career. Cultivate this skill by understanding the bigger picture, gathering data, and considering various perspectives before taking action. Also when interning develop territorial wisdom. This means knowing the company’s culture & values & internalising them to help your growth. Be deliberate and intentional about your career goals & strategies.

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• Communicate with confidence: Lions use various sounds and body language to communicate their dominance and strength within the pride. As an HR professional, effective communication is vital in carrying out your role and standing out from your colleagues. Develop clear and concise communication skills, both written and verbal, to effectively convey ideas, instructions, and policies. In addition understand the competitive environment, understand which young cubs are also queuing for the same opportunities you want and use your effective communication and performance to set yourself apart from them?

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• Exhibit Professionalism and Confidence: Just like a confident lion, exude professionalism and confidence in every aspect of your work. Being punctual, dressing appropriately, and maintaining a positive demeanor will earn you respect and credibility among your colleagues and superiors. Volunteer for special projects, Embrace challenges with a confident mindset and demonstrate you are determination to succeed. When unsure ask for guidance & drink up all the learning you can swallow. View the internship or the first year of work after graduating as a “post-graduate-on-the-job" module you must complete.

• Stay updated with HR technology: Developing a "process oriented mindset" earlier on in your HR career is crucial. Understanding data and keeping abreast of developments in HR technology plays a crucial role in streamlining processes and enhancing efficiency. Be au fait with technology designed to improve processes, automate tasks, managing employee data and improve the overall employee experience and value proposition.

• Pay attention to developing your empathy and emotional intelligence: Lions are not only strong but are also know to show a lot of empathy to their pride. Showing empathy and emotional intelligence in your interactions with your employees can create a positive work environment and build trust. Invest time in understanding different perspectives, practicing active listening and understanding the power of kindness in HR. Become comfortable with an approach that places a high value on positive people outcomes for business success not business success at the expense of positive people outcomes.

• Be data driven: Lions use their keen senses to gather information about what is happening around them. Similarly leveraging data and analytics can help you make informed decisions in HR. Familiarise yourself with HR metrics, surveys and analytical tools to measure employee engagement, performance and retention. Part of technical competence is about being as comfortable on an excel spreadsheet as you are in a Recruitment interview.

• Embrace diversity and inclusion: Just like a diverse lion pride, workplaces thrive on diversity and inclusion. Educate yourself about diversity initiatives, foster a mindset based on diversity and inclusion and ensure fair & equal opportunities for all employees. Appreciate the importance of celebrating differences and cultivating a sense of belonging in the organisation for all employees.

• Seek mentorship and Development opportunities: Lion cubs learn from the more experienced and more skilled members of the pride and as an aspiring HR professional, mentorship and self development can greatly contribute to both your personal and professional growth. Find a mentor who can guide you, provide insights and help you navigate your HR career journey. If you are in an organisation that embraces professional development through conferences, workshops and certifications, embrace these opportunites.

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Remember, developing a lion's mindset is about unlocking your inner potential and employing effective tactics to rise within the HR field. By consistently working on your competence, refining your skills, and developing a confident and strategic approach, you'll pave the way for a successful career in HR.

Keep your passion and determination alive as you journey through the world of HR. Remember to adapt and keep honing your skills as the field evolves. With a lions mindset, unwavering dedication, willing to learn AND a PEOPLE FIRST approach you are sure to make a lasting impact in the HR field. ?

So go ahead, unleash your inner lion, and conquer the HR world! You have what it takes.

#HRCareerJourney #AlphaHRProfessional #BeTheHRKing #BeTheHRQueen

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