Today more than ever it is important for the HR professional to keep their skills current and their knowledge of changes in the workforce up to date. Five ways that you can keep yourself on the cutting edge are outlined below:
Offer your Services to a Professional Association
One of the best ways you can keep your skills up to date is to offer your services or expertise as a volunteer to your professional association. Offering your services will allow you to meet other HR professionals, expand your skill base as well as provide you with the opportunity to gain experience and improve your presentation skills. Volunteering is a wonderful way to expand your resume and highlight your commitment to the profession.
Complete a Stretch Objective
Another option that allows workers to brush up skills and demonstrate proficiency to their employer is to establish a stretch objective which will expand your skill level but also take you out of your comfort zone. Examples of a stretch objective could be working with your city or our municipality to be appointed to a board or commission. Not only can a stretch objective provide you with a unique experience but you will be using new skill sets which can potentially be added to a work portfolio.
Enroll in Continuing Education and Become Certified
While informal training can be useful, there does come a time to enroll in that formal education or certification program. It is very important to evaluate all continuing education programs in advance to ensure that the classes are appropriate; credits are transferable so that the courses will be recognized.
Tap into Online Resources
One of the best ways to expand and develop your skills is to subscribe to industry blogs for the latest trends, news magazines, webinars and periodicals that highlight new and emerging trends in your profession.
Develop Your Technology Alternatives
Advances in technology are changing and the way we conduct business is moving at such a fast pace that keeping up to speed with the changes and ways to become more productive is becoming more important than ever. Over the past several years HR Departments have moved to employee self-service, webinars are replacing conferences and the internet is the resource that people turn to. Using technology will help you remain ahead of the curve.
