Dream of Becoming Senior VP, Global HR?

The leading privately held global executive search firm, Spencer Stuart, just told us what they look for in an HR resume. They are the people who would know, as they claim to have unrivalled access to leading executives around the world. It's a pretty grand claim but I happen to know it's true because a close friend is a Global Practice Leader for Spencer Stuart.

Buried on page 70 of November's workspan, from World at Work, is a sidebar by Steven Blackman and Claudia Lacy Kelly of Spencer Stuart. In it they tell us how us HR practitioners can prepare to, "speak your CEO's language . . ." by developing business intelligence and acumen.

Take this good advice but also recognize the coded message. It's another way of saying, "This is what we look for when we go searching for HR executives."

Here are some take aways:

Signs of Executive Mindset and Experience

• Haven't relied on what you already know -- have moved around, gotten out of your comfort zone and succeeded
• Stayed focused on outcomes
• Showed dexterity in dealing with a complex, matrixed organization
• Designed organizations and organizational change
• Recorded international experience (early in your career is better)
• Pursued cross training in finance, operations and/or general management

Valued Competencies

• Uses skilled judgment as a guide to thought and action
• Accurately distinguishes and identifies critical objectives
• Analyzes relevant information adeptly
• Chooses the most effective path to achieving goals
• Develops clear strategies to achieve outcomes, anticipating likely obstacles and applying creative problem solving 
• Understands how the company makes and loses money

Impeccable Add Ons

• MBA
• Broad-based business credentials (think Wharton or other business school Executive Development Programs)
• Applied psychology degree in business specialty

No more insider secrets. Now you know what to shoot for.

Margaret O'Hanlon is founder and principal of re:Think Consulting.  She has decades of experience teaming up with clients to ensure great Human Resource ideas deliver valuable business results.  Margaret brings deep expertise in total rewards communications and change management to the dialog at the Café. Before founding re:Think Consulting, she was a Principal in Total Rewards Communications and Change Management with Towers Perrin. Margaret is a member of the Board of Directors of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), Pacific Plains Region. She earned her M.S. and Ed.S. in Instructional Technology at Indiana University. Creative writing is one of her outside passions, along with Masters Swimming.

Comments

[Michael D. Haberman]

Excellent list Margaret!

[Margaret O'Hanlon]

Hi Michael. Thanks, I agree the info is compelling, but remember I am passing along the wisdom of Claudia Lacy Kelly and Steven Blackman at Spencer Stuart.