Learn how to join, leverage, and evaluate HR professional associations to overcome current HR trends and challenges and boost your career growth.

I joined my first HR association when I started my first HR Director role. I had moved, and found that by joining the association, I added an entire group of friends and mentors to my life! The meetings were great, but the value that I gained from the friendships was invaluable. I joined a committee the year after I joined, then ran the committee for years, then became President of the association. While I have not been involved in years, I did keep the friendships I gained from that first meeting 25 years ago! You may learn and reach your goals, but you may also gain friends and mentors that can lift you up in ways you may not expect.

How can you overcome current HR association trends and challenges?

As an HR professional, you may face various trends and challenges in your field, such as digital transformation, talent shortage, diversity and inclusion, employee engagement, and compliance. How can you overcome these issues and stay ahead of the curve? One way is to join and leverage HR professional associations that can offer you networking, learning, advocacy, and recognition opportunities. In this article, we will discuss how you can benefit from HR associations and how to choose the right ones for your career goals.

1 Benefits of HR associations

HR associations can help you overcome some of the common HR challenges by providing you with access to valuable resources, such as industry reports, best practices, webinars, podcasts, newsletters, and blogs. These resources can help you stay updated on the latest trends, regulations, and innovations in HR, as well as learn new skills and competencies. Moreover, HR associations can help you connect with other HR professionals, mentors, experts, and influencers who can offer you advice, support, feedback, and referrals. You can also participate in events, forums, workshops, and conferences that can expand your network, exposure, and visibility.

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Jennifer McClure

🌟 Building future-proof Human Resources Leaders and empowering them to unleash the full potential of their people 🌟 Keynote Speaker | CEO Unbridled Talent | Chief Excitement Officer DisruptHR
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Being an active member of an HR association offers many benefits, most notably the opportunity for continuous professional development through montly meetings in your local community, as well as the opportunity to attend various workshops, seminars, webinars, and state/national conferences. By participating at the local level - or better yet, volunteering in a leadership position - you'll be able to expand your network and your influence, as well as help to determine the programming and learning opportunities provided.

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Ebere Okafor CHRP, CPM

HR Manager | Talent Acquisition & Management | Employee Development
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I agree that HR associations have truly been a game-changer in my journey. They're like a reliable compass, always pointing me in the right direction when it comes to HR challenges. The toolkit of valuable resources, like reports, webinars, and expert advice, has been instrumental in navigating the twists and turns of HR. However, while these resources undoubtedly provide a steady stream of knowledge, I've found that the real magic lies in the community aspect. HR associations create a sense of belonging. They offer a warm space where I can connect with fellow professionals, learn from experienced mentors, and share my own experiences. This two-way street of knowledge exchange has fueled my growth in unexpected ways.

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Gemma Toth, HRSCP, CDEI, CMHFA

Sr. Certified Human Resources Business Partner
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I learned that you don't have to be in an official association to reap the benefits of learning from other HR professionals. Social media has become a great platform to connect/network with other HR professionals and learn from them. From LinkedIn and Facebook groups as well as X (fka Twitter), there are many notable HR professionals that can help with your growth. The #HRCommunity, Maverick, #DisruptHR, and HRHotSeat to name a few that have been very influential to all HR folks at all levels in every corner of the world. You can associate yourself with this group without the cost of membership.

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Phidelia Johnson

Architect of Workforce Optimization | HR Agent of Change Revolutionizing Manpower Fortitude for Companies on a Global Scale | Proactive and High-Impact Business Strategist | Employee Turnover Reduction Specialist
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Being a part of an HR association can bring a multitude of advantages that have the potential to enrich and propel one's professional advancement. Nonetheless, it is important to note that the perks associated with joining an HR association may differ, which underscores the significance for both inexperienced and experienced professionals to meticulously explore and select an association that harmonizes with their distinct role requirements and career objectives.

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2 How to choose the right HR associations

When considering which HR associations to join, you should take into account several factors, such as the membership fees and benefits, the reputation and credibility, and the alignment with your goals. Popular and reputable associations include the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the International Association for Human Resource Information Management (IHRIM), the Association for Talent Development (ATD), and WorldatWork. Compare the costs and benefits of different associations to get the most value for your money, and read reviews and ratings from other members to assess their satisfaction. Additionally, look for accreditations, awards, and endorsements from reliable sources. Finally, choose an association that is in line with your career aspirations, interests, and needs. For example, if you want to advance your HR certification, look for an association that offers exam preparation, study materials, and continuing education credits. If you want to specialize in a certain area of HR, look for an association that focuses on that niche.

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Ebere Okafor CHRP, CPM

HR Manager | Talent Acquisition & Management | Employee Development
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The accuracy of your tips for selecting the appropriate HR associations is spot-on. However, I share a concern about accessibility. Many HR enthusiasts or newcomers might face financial constraints when it comes to joining these associations, potentially hindering their access to valuable resources. Ensuring inclusivity is crucial. It would be fantastic to explore and highlight options for those who are eager to learn and engage but might be limited by financial considerations. This way, a wider range of individuals could tap into the benefits these associations offer, fostering a more diverse and vibrant HR community.

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Tracie Sponenberg

Keynote Speaker | Former Chief People Officer, now Distribution industry consultant | Brand Partner | HR Tech & AI Advisor | Connector & Introvert | Fiercely People First
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I would add to select an association that not only aligns with your goals, but your values. Some HR Associations may be a better fit for your own core values than others! Know what is important to you, do the research, talk to members of the association and factor your values into the decision.

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3 How to make the most of HR associations

Once you join an HR association, you should actively engage with it and make the most of its offerings. To do this, you should set SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) goals to measure your progress. Additionally, don't just be a passive member; get involved in the association's activities, such as volunteering, joining committees, attending events, or mentoring others. This will help you build relationships and gain recognition. Furthermore, seek feedback from other members and use their insights to improve your professional development and career prospects.

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Tracie Sponenberg

Keynote Speaker | Former Chief People Officer, now Distribution industry consultant | Brand Partner | HR Tech & AI Advisor | Connector & Introvert | Fiercely People First
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I joined my first HR association when I started my first HR Director role. I had moved, and found that by joining the association, I added an entire group of friends and mentors to my life! The meetings were great, but the value that I gained from the friendships was invaluable. I joined a committee the year after I joined, then ran the committee for years, then became President of the association. While I have not been involved in years, I did keep the friendships I gained from that first meeting 25 years ago! You may learn and reach your goals, but you may also gain friends and mentors that can lift you up in ways you may not expect.

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4 How to balance your time and resources

Joining and participating in HR associations can be rewarding, but it can also be time-consuming and costly. To balance your time and resources between association involvement and other professional and personal commitments, it's important to prioritize activities, plan ahead, and delegate or outsource tasks. When prioritizing activities, decide which are most important and beneficial for you and allocate your time and resources accordingly. When planning ahead, make sure to register early for events to get discounts, book travel and accommodation in advance to save costs, and block your calendar to avoid conflicts. If you have too much on your plate, consider hiring a virtual assistant to handle your administrative work, asking a colleague to cover for you at work, or enlisting a family member or friend to help with personal errands.

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5 How to evaluate your ROI

Participating in HR associations can be an investment in your career, but how do you know if you are getting a good return on your investment (ROI)? Evaluating your ROI periodically is key to meeting your objectives and getting the benefits you expected. Track the outcomes of your association activities and measure the value of your activities compared to costs. Divide your gains by costs and multiply by 100 to calculate your ROI. Adjust your strategy based on the results of your evaluation, such as changing goals, joining a different association, or trying a different activity. If you are getting a high ROI, consider continuing or expanding your involvement or share your success with others.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can you overcome current HR association trends and challenges?

1

2

3

4

5

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1 Benefits of HR associations

2 How to choose the right HR associations

3 How to make the most of HR associations

4 How to balance your time and resources

5 How to evaluate your ROI

6 Here’s what else to consider

Human Resources

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How can you overcome current HR association trends and challenges?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Benefits of HR associations

2 How to choose the right HR associations

3 How to make the most of HR associations

4 How to balance your time and resources

5 How to evaluate your ROI

6 Here’s what else to consider

Human Resources

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