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Critical First Steps in Your New Position

Posted: 12.07.10

Lucky enough to get that high-profile HR position, but somehow worried that you may not stack up against the expectations or demands waiting for you when you start?

Starting a new HR role almost always brings with it some fear of the unknown and unfamiliar, whether you will meet expectations and if you will just ‘fit in’. As well, adjusting to a new position and establishing new relationships may feel a bit awkward, especially if it’s been a few years since you last transitioned HR roles. People start new positions all the time – however there are some timeliness key points that will help you start on the right foot and avoid common pitfalls:

Assess the situation carefully: What you learned from interviews likely will not reflect what you find once you start, so try to walk in without too many preconceptions. The company may have started an internal realignment, either within HR or more broadly, that wasn’t indicated or some of the HR staff may have left since the time you interviewed.

This is an excerpt. For the full press release, please download the PDF version below.