5 things you need to know about HR

Many people have over the years underestimated the role of HR and the power they wield if they are on your side and what it means for your career. Today we end those games we deploy every day when we see any HR member coming our way, the all busy with our computer things and the acting distracted at the water dispenser.

Smile, have a small chit-chat on how they are doing and follow these tips to the letter. Love them or hate them, they have a significant impact on your career in terms of compensation or promotions.

Here are 5 tips you need to know about HR

1.Show some love to HR, too

Every department has its fair share of whining, but the HR department seems to be always on the receiving end. HR might take long to hire new staff leaving you shouldering so much, but they are doing their best.

Feedback is critical to any department, and the same goes for the HR department too. Showing your appreciation for their efforts will go a long way. “Your feedback for any department should be genuine at all times”, Says Muthoni, Recruitment Manager at Corporate Staffing Services. Giving constant constructive feedback will work in your favor with the department.

2.HR works for the company, not for you

HR is a colleague and at the same time works for the company just like anyone else. HRs are always there to support employees by ensuring they get the best always. That said, they are there to serve the best interests of the company.
The next time the HR department introduces some changes such as restructuring or changing the reporting time to 7:45 am from 8:00 am, remember they are not acting out of their own decision but in the interests of the company.

Your opinion does not matter that much as the interests of the organization. So, Let it go and acclimatize to the new rules.

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3.Note that employees are classified

The talk about being equal in terms of talent or value is something they don’t really believe in. In many companies, employees are classified into different categories depending on one’s potential.

Every manager groups their staff with help from the HR department. These classifications speak a lot to your development opportunities and/or promotions within the organization. You have seen or heard of two people at the same level, doing the same job, but their salaries or compensation varies so much.

Do you suspect you failed in your salary negotiations? Muthoni recommends reviewing these three things. For every policy within an organization, exceptions can be granted, get to know how the office politics work.

4.HR opinion of you matters

We always tell your supervisor is key to your advancement, the same goes for the HR, both positively and negatively. What goes around the office about you will eventually land on your supervisor or HR’s desk. Are you, the committed and early bird kind of person or are you the always complaining or late kind of person? They will get to hear about it.

When employee reviews are due, this is the time you wish you did the best with yours. Managers discussions on who gets to be promoted or demoted meetings after reviews, you will want to be on the good side of your supervisor and most importantly the HR.

If you don’t know anyone in HR, they probably don’t know you either. The HR department is always the first to know about new upcoming positions and you need to be in the good books for recommendation purposes. Keeping in mind that not all jobs are advertised, HR will keep you updated on the hidden jobs.

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5.Be careful what you discuss with HR

Despite being colleagues and wanting to act as so by sharing information about work, you need to be cognizant of what you share. Not all conversations you have with them are confidential.

You have the right to ask for conversations to be kept private, but at the same time if it’s something you don’t want to be known its best not to put your luck to the test. The HR people are familiarized in dealing with very hypersensitive information that discussing something you see as private can easily take place.

With all the above said, your personal brand is something very important that you will need to build and improve your reputation. Take time and have career growth conversations with HR to get their input on your prospects.

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The writer is a Communications Officer at Corporate Staffing Services, a leading Recruitment firm that offers CV Writing, Job Placement & Career Advice.  Email: Elizabeth@corporatestaffing.co.ke