The Human Resource Professional's Career Guide Building a Position of Strength

by Palmer, Jeanne; Finney, Martha I.

• ISBN13: 9780787973315
• ISBN10: 0787973319
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2004-07-05
• Publisher: Pfeiffer

Summary

Written by Jeanne Palmer, one of the superstars of HR recruiting and consulting, The Human Resource Professional's Career Guide is the first ever comprehensive look at the choices, challenges, and rewards of building a life's work in HR. Whether you are new to the field or you are wondering how to best leverage the value of all your experiences to make the next big career leap, this book gives you all the information you need to know to make smart career decisions. Based on Jeanne Palmer's 30 years in HR, this book tells you how to Acquire the essential qualifications and experience that executive recruiters and search committees look for Make the right choices today that will help spell success tomorrow Rise above past career missteps Ace senior-level job interviews Prepare yourself today for a future of opportunities you can't even imagine Be ready when your dream opportunity comes along

Author Biography

Jeanne Palmer is president of The Palmer Advantage, Inc., which provides consulting and search services exclusively for HR. A lifelong HR professional, she has worked with major corporations including Cisco Systems, Genentech, National Semiconductor, Oracle, Palm, Polycom, the San Francisco Symphony, Veritas Software, and World Savings.

Martha I. Finney is a journalist specializing in HR and career management. Her column on HR career advice appears in HR Innovator magazine. She is also the coauthor of HR From the Heart: Inspiring Stories and Strategies for Building the People Side of Great Business.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	xv
Introduction: Getting the Most from this Resource	xvii
CHAPTER 1 "Yes" Is a Success That Doesn't Happen by Accident	1	(26)
Career Kitting	4	(3)
Why Money Gets Left on the Table	7	(5)
There Are Many Paths to the Top	12	(1)
Sidebar: How to Break In	13	(1)
Summary	14	(1)
INTERVIEW Paul Bianchi, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, PeopleSoft, Inc.	15	(4)
INTERVIEW Susan Bowick, Executive Vice President, Human Resources and Workforce Development, Hewlett-Packard Corporation	19	(8)
CHAPTER 2 Every Choice Tells a Story	27	(32)
Life Is Long; Your Options Are Many	29	(1)
Your Three Basic HR Career Choices	29	(2)
Sidebar: Why Do Non-HR Professionals Get the Top People Seat?	31	(1)
Education	32	(2)
The Environment(s) in Which You Want to Work	34	(3)
Human Resource Organizations	37	(2)
Planning Your Career Path	39	(5)
Don't Let Your Past Get Away from You	44	(3)
What Interviewers Will Be Listening For	47	(2)
Summary	49	(2)
INTERVIEW Mary Jean Connors, Senior Vice President, Knight Ridder	51	(8)
CHAPTER 3 The Power of the Planned Transition	59	(28)
Reasons for Your Next Change	60	(2)
Take Care of the Path You're On	62	(2)
Take Care of the Path Going Forward	64	(5)
Sidebar: Quick and Easy Steps You Can Take Today to Springboard Your HR Career	69	(1)
Manage the Old Relationships After You Say Good-Bye	70	(1)
Plan to Help Others as You Settle In	71	(1)
Summary	71	(2)
INTERVIEW Debra Engel, Former Senior Vice President, Human Resources, 3Com Corporation	73	(6)
INTERVIEW Eva Sage-Gavin, Executive Vice President, Human Resources, Gap, Inc.	79	(8)
CHAPTER 4 "Hey, I Know Someone..." How to Make the Market Come to You	87	(22)
Your Circles of Influence	89	(3)
Sidebar: Building Relationships That Make a Difference	92	(1)
Now What?	93	(5)
Sidebar: How to Get Published	98	(1)
How to Break into Completely Unknown Territory	99	(3)
Now That You Have a Reputation, What Does It Say About You?	102	(2)
Summary	104	(1)
INTERVIEW Mary McLeod, Executive Vice President, Human Resources, Charles Schwab & Co.	105	(4)
CHAPTER 5 Recover from Your Missteps	109	(30)
1. The Wrong Fit	113	(2)
2. Bad Timing	115	(2)
3. Poor Judgment	117	(1)
4. The Wrong Friends	117	(1)
5. The Wrong Company	118	(1)
6. Political Mistakes	119	(1)
7. Inappropriate Age	120	(1)
8. Derailing Priorities	121	(1)
9. You Didn't See the Handwriting on the Wall	122	(2)
10. Your Reputation's Ruined	124	(1)
11. Move Too Fast or Move Too Slow	125	(1)
Wrap-Up	126	(1)
Summary	126	(1)
INTERVIEW Ann Rhoades, President, Peoplelnk	127	(6)
INTERVIEW David Russo, President, Eno River Associates	133	(6)
CHAPTER 6 Control What You Can; Let the Rest Go	139	(16)
The Allure of the "A Player"	140	(4)
Other Aspects Within Your Control	144	(2)
Sidebar: What Every Leadership-Bound Resume Should Have	146	(1)
What You Can't Change Overnight	146	(2)
Summary	148	(1)
INTERVIEW Audrey Boone Tillman, Senior Vice President and Director, Human Resources, AFLAC	149	(6)
CHAPTER 7 The Interview Process: How to Handle the Hot Seat	155	(36)
How the Interview Environment Changes	157	(1)
Sidebar: Interview Questions Top Executives Are Asked	158	(2)
How Will the Interviews Vary?	160	(2)
Do You Understand the Business?	162	(1)
Do You Understand Your Own Career Path?	163	(1)
They'll Be Judging You on the Questions You Ask	164	(1)
Sidebar: Essential Questions You Must Ask Recruiters	165	(1)
The Fine Points of Managing Your Interview	166	(2)
After the Interview	168	(1)
Money	169	(3)
The Offer Process	172	(1)
Counteroffers	173	(1)
Should You "Go for the Offer," No Matter What?	174	(2)
Summary	176	(3)
INTERVIEW Jim Wall, National Managing Director, Human Resources, Deloitte & Touche	179	(6)
INTERVIEW Sherry Whiteley, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Intuit	185	(6)
CHAPTER 8 Prepare Yourself for a Future You Can't Imagine Today	191	(6)
Sidebar: Exit Strategy: How to Break Out	192	(1)
Getting There	193	(3)
Summary	196	(1)
Appendix A: Career Preparation Self-Assessment	197	(14)
Appendix B: Certifications, Tools, Training, and Associations	211	(8)
Index	219	(8)
About the Authors	227