Ten Things to Ask Yourself

The Wall Street Journal Online recently published an article entitled “Ten Things Human Resources Won’t Tell You.” The ten things mentioned seemed to run the gamut of topics from the dangers of being fired by postings on social media to stating that HR is not the employee advocate. Ninety percent of the comments (up to 26 total by the time of this post) made in response to the article are slams against HR in support of the negative messages set forth in the article. It appears from the number of negative comments, that HR departments haven’t made much progress in building credibility since the 2005 article, “Why We Hate Hr.”

Of the ten things mentioned, “In some companies, we’re not very useful at all,” may be one of those emotion-provoking comments that infuriate some HR folks. However, instead of letting your emotions take over your open-mindedness, ask yourself these ten questions:

  1. How valuable am I to the organization?
  2. How have I communicated that value to the organization’s leaders?
  3. How have I communicated that value to the organization’s employees?
  4. What measures am I using to determine success?
  5. How are the HR programs aligned with the goals of the organization?
  6. Do I advocate for employees fairly and consistently?
  7. Do I know how to balance the competing interests in the organization to provide a fair viewpoint?
  8. Do I clearly communicate the reason behind my position to employees, managers, and company leaders?
  9. Am I an example to those within and around the organization of its key values?
  10. What can I do today to serve my customers?

As always, your comments and questions are encouraged!

————————————————————————————-

For more resources, See the Human Resources library.

Sheri Mazurek is a training and human resource professional with over 16 years of management experience, and is skilled in all areas of employee management and human resource functions, with a specialty in learning and development. She is currently employed as the Human Resource Manager at EmployeeScreenIQ, a global leader in pre-employment background screening.

14 Replies to “Ten Things to Ask Yourself”

  1. Is being an HR is really that “useful?” cause I’m going to take HRM (Human Resource) too, I wonder what kind of job can I take. I wish there’s a list or two?

  2. Is hr having any scope or not?
    I have done M.B.A in hr,but still jobless b’coz there is no scope in the city where i stay?

  3. i want to build my carrer in HR. I havent done any HR course . suggest me in executive MBA which collage is best in reasonable price .

  4. Hi,
    Well im starting college this fall and im not really sure about what i want to become but after reading a few articles about human resources i feel that i can become an HR if i really tired as a major or career to help out not just myself but others in need.. so i was wondering if its a good field to head towards?

  5. @Lor Yang – Well, HRDM or HRM (i.e. Human Resource Development Management) is a good career IF you like Public Speaking and if you are confident in it. You can either become an HR in a company or a manager, supervisor etc. Actually there are a lot of jobs that can be accessed by HRM, we freshmen just don’t realize it, well to summarize, its much much related to BS Business Administration.

    Hope it helps!

  6. Hello
    I am pursuing M.B.A and I am doing my project work on “Employee Recruitment, Recognition and Retention”.
    Can anyone provide me some help on this topic..

    Regards:
    SHAINA

  7. I have been currently assigned to a position as an HR, which is an entirely new area. Where to i start frm?

  8. @Shaina – why not try yo Google it?

    @Ophelia – Good then, well I’m not so sure but of course better to get to know each and every employee under your command? Its better to work where you are liked by your subordinates though

  9. HRM is nothing more than how to empower and enable human beings to meet the requirements to reach an organization’s vision, mission, goal and objectives. In fact, learning any concept at any field is not difficult but how to apply them is even more crucial and difficul.

  10. i want to study hrm to it’s fullest. so i need many tips of how one can qualify to a phd level.

  11. i want to study HRM to it’s fullest. so i need many tips of how one can qualify to a last level. anyone interested can help me with alot of study materials. in many organisations there are no promotions and transfers but HR offiers are there why?

  12. I’ m very glade to join your texts about human resource management.
    Now, if possible please could you send to me some details information about these?
    I’ m a student at NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF RWANDA in 4th year in PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION.
    My phone number is: +250-0785636749 OR +0250-0722225011.
    May God bless you all.

Comments are closed.