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7 Career Tips For Introverted HR Pros

7 Career Tips For Introverted HR Pros
by Susan RoAne

Don’t let being reserved hold you back from excelling in a profession devoted to people.

Research indicates that one-third to one-half of people identify as introverts—which generally means they draw their energy from being alone rather than in a group. That can be a challenge when you’re looking to advance your career in a profession focused on meeting the workplace needs of others, particularly if you’re the only person in your organization who handles HR.

I asked HR professionals from around the country who identified as introverts—many of whom were solo practitioners—to share their advice for excelling in their HR careers. Here are their tips:

1. Prepare and practice.

Introverts generally like to think things through before they speak. For that reason, practicing before a big meeting or interview can be a great tool for ensuring that you have the right words ready at the right time.

“To manage my career in HR as an introvert, I found that investing the time to do my homework and thoroughly prepare for internal meetings, one-on-one meetings with employees, civic events and presentations pays off,” says Gretchen Woods, HR manager at The Wenatchee World, a newspaper company in Wenatchee, Wash.

2. Enlist allies.

Briefing colleagues on what you want to say prior to key events is also helpful. “When I have an idea, suggestion or solution to share in a meeting, I will find allies both on the staff and in management beforehand,” says Woods, who serves as the solo HR practitioner in an organization of roughly 100 people. “That way, they help me amplify my message if I don’t speak up quickly enough.”

3. Follow up later.

Even with the benefits of planning and allies, it’s not uncommon for introverts to realize that they didn’t share everything they wanted to say at a meeting or event—or to think of new ideas or feedback after they’ve had more time to reflect.

In those instances, it’s important to remember that it’s never too late to let your voice be heard. “If I feel awkward [at a meeting] and don’t speak up but have an idea or solution to share, I handle it later that day,” says Eileen Gabaldon, SHRM-CP, an HR manager for law firm Harris, Finley & Bogle P.C. in Fort Worth, Texas. “I’ll approach the person and say, ‘After the meeting, I thought of this option/solution’ and lay out my plan in a one-to-one conversation. That way, I make my contribution and manage my introverted side.”

Read full article on SHRM.