How to Safeguard Your HR Career Against an Economic Downturn

This is your HR news flash for the week of November 30, 2020, your briefing on talent management and the world of work from HRCI. No matter the economy’s condition, HR professionals play a critical role in their organizations. However, during economic downturns, position security can be a concern. In this moment, it is important to proactively position yourself as a valuable business partner. Recently, Felicia Harris joined our Alchemizing HR webinar series to discuss practices for protecting your career during these uncertain times. Here are a few tips she shared during the webinar: First, facilitate cross-functional meetings. HR professionals play a pivotal role in bringing together cross-functional stakeholders. Demonstrate how you can bring teams together and encourage a healthy exchange of ideas from across the organization. This will establish you as an effective leader and bring departments together to solve business problems. Second, invest in yourself and your future. Studying and earning your HRCI certification is an excellent first step for your professional development. It shows your commitment to the HR profession, and it also demonstrates to your colleagues that you are a reliable source on HR topics. You can also create a personal mission, vision and values statement that aligns with your organization. Share your personal mission statement with your colleagues. This will demonstrate that you have carefully thought about your organization’s mission and the role you play. Finally, recognize your organization's place in the economic cycle. Every economy goes through cycles. Recognizing this helps prepare your organization for the future. Focus on preserving resources in peak times, so that future economic downturns have less impact on employment and your overall business.