How to Break Free from HR Career Stagnation in 5 Steps

Without knowing how to make meaningful progress in your HR career, you won’t be able to earn the recognition you deserve, feel confident in your role, or position yourself for promotion. Instead, you may continue to feel undervalued, underutilized, and stuck in a stagnant role.

You’re in the right place! I created this proven 5-step process to help you break free from career stagnation based on my 16+ years of experience and research from working with HR professionals.

We’ll cover everything from identifying your key wins to building strategic relationships. I’ll also share common mistakes I’ve seen HR leaders make so you can avoid the same pitfalls.

Just follow the steps, and by the time you finish Step 5, you’ll feel empowered, recognized for your work, and ready to embrace new opportunities.

Let's grow!

Before you can advocate for your value, you need to take time to recognize and document your accomplishments.

The first thing you need to do is build a habit of tracking your wins consistently. Here’s how:

For example, instead of writing, “Created an onboarding checklist,” try, “Reduced new hire onboarding time by 20% by creating an optimized checklist that increased manager efficiency.”

What to look out for:

Many HR professionals skip this foundational step and wonder why they struggle to advocate for promotions or raises. Don’t let that be you! This step sets you up for success later when you negotiate for new roles or performance-based raises.

At this point, you’re probably thinking that this sounds like too much networking or might feel transactional. You may even be wondering, “How do I build authentic relationships without coming off as opportunistic?”

If you hang in there, you’ll see that building connections is about creating mutual value rather than just asking for favors. When done right, this will strengthen your role as a trusted advisor within your organization.

Here’s how to do it:

Pro Tip: Share updates about the progress of projects you’re working on. This keeps stakeholders informed and positions you as a proactive contributor.

What to look out for:

Many people only reach out when they need something. Avoid this mistake by building relationships before you need assistance. Over time, this will foster trust and open doors to new opportunities.

You may be feeling overwhelmed at this point, wondering if you’ll have the time to pursue additional training or certifications. That’s normal! Remember, continuous learning doesn’t have to mean formal classes. It can also be practical, on-the-job learning.

Here’s how to do it:

What to look out for:

It’s easy to fall into the trap of "learning without applying." As you absorb new information, take small, actionable steps to implement what you learn in your day-to-day work.

We’re almost there! This step is essential for ensuring your efforts align with your long-term goals.

Here’s how to do it:

What to look out for:

Don’t set goals based on external expectations. Instead, focus on what aligns with your strengths and aspirations. I call this, "controlling what you can control." When goals reflect your authentic vision, you're more likely to stay motivated.

This is the last step, but don't run out of energy! At this stage, it’s time to confidently share your value and ask for what you deserve.

Here’s how to do it:

Pro Tip: Use data to back up your claims. Quantify your results whenever possible (e.g., “Increased employee engagement by 15% through a revamped onboarding process.”)

What to look out for:

One common mistake is waiting too long to speak up. If you’ve put in the work and delivered results, don’t downplay your contributions. Share your wins confidently.

A growth mindset helps you see challenges as opportunities for growth rather than setbacks. Remind yourself that each step of your journey contributes to your long-term success, even when progress feels slow.

Congratulations! You’ve just learned a 5-step process to break free from career stagnation and position yourself for recognition and advancement. Follow these steps, and you’ll be equipped to grow your career instead of wondering if your hard work will ever pay off.

Want more personalized strategies to advance your HR career? Schedule some time to talk with me today!

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