As discussed in this chapter, a successful career in HR demands a broader range of skills and experiences than ever before. While designed for people currently employed in HR positions, the following exam provides good insights into what is necessary to succeed in HR today. If you are currently employed in HR, take the exam and see how well you are doing. If you are not currently in HR, go over the exam questions to learn how you might prepare yourself for a career in HR.

HOW DID YOU DO?
To calculate your score, add all the numbers you entered on the spaces provided.

L. Starting Points (10 points) (10 points if you have a managerial, directorial, or VP title) Il. Knowledge of General Business and Finance (10 points) During the past six months, have you initiated conversations with the CFO or other finance executive to discuss the financial implications of HR programs? If yes, add 2 points Have you completed some general business courses at the college level? If yes, add 2 points. Do you have an MBA? If yes, add 2 points. Do you develop the first draft of the company's annual HR budget and then advocate for it during the corporate budget-setting sessions? If yes, add 2 points Did you meet HR budget goals (+ or-5%) during the most recent fiscal year? If yes, add 2 points. Ill. Mastery of HR Disciplines (10 points) Have you initiated, developed, and implemented a specific HR program within a specific HR niche (e.g., training or compensation)? If yes, add 1 point for each program, to a maximum of 4 points. Before assuming your present position, did you hold a title of manager or director of a specific HR function, such as benefits or staffing? If yes, add 2 points for each title, to a maximum of 4 points. Have you mentored someone else in HR who was designing a program within a specific HR niche? If yes, add 2 points. IV. Knowledge of Your Organization (10 points) Can you state your companys earnings for the most recent fiscal year? If yes, add 1 point. Can you state your company's profit (or loss) for the most recent fiscal year? If yes, add 1 point. Can you identify your organization's primary product or service lines and the relative revenue generated by each? If yes, add 1 point Can you identify your chief competitors and state your competitive position relative to them? If yes, add 2 points. Do you report directly to the CEO? If yes, add 2 points. During the past year, have you initiated a meeting or meetings with a line manager or other colleague at the management level for the express purpose of learning about their business needs or objectives? If yes, add 3 points. V. Cross-Functional Experience (10 points) Have you ever "shadowed" another executive or accepted a temporary assignment to gain a better understanding of another business function? If yes, add 2 points. Have you ever held a position in an industry outside the one in which you're presently working? If yes, add 4 points. Have you ever held a position in a discipline outside HR (e.g., marketing, communication, or finance)? If yes, add 4 points. VI. International/Cross-Cultural Experience (10 points) Have you ever participated in a cross-cultural training program? If yes, add 1 point. Have you ever served as a member of a task force addressing a global business issue? If yes, add 1 point. Have you ever traveled abroad? If yes, add 1 point for each country you've visited, to a maximum of 3 points Have you ever held an overseas assignment of six months or longer? If yes, add 5 points. IL Mentors (10 points) Have you had one or more mentors during your career? If yes, add 4 points. Have any of your mentors been a. the opposite gender? b. another race or ethnic group c. in a discipline other than HR? Add 2 points for each yes answer IIL Career Decisions (10 points) Have you developed a specific career goal for yourself? If yes, add 4 points Have you initiated activities intended to give you the skills/responsibility needed to progress toward your career goal? ff yes, add 3 points. Have you sought or accepted a lateral transfer for the purpose of expanding your career opportunities? If yes, add 3 points. IX. Technology (10 points) Have you directed a project in which the application of technology (computers, voice-response systems, etc.) improved HRs value or productivity? lf yes, add 5 points. Have you been a member of a group or task force responsible for applying technology to solve an HR-related issue? If yes, add 3 points. Do you use a computer yourself in the course of doing your job? If yes, add 1 point Do you consider yourself conversant in the current technological lingo (e.g, client/server, open architecture)? If yes, add 1 point. X. Continual Learning (10 points) Do you subscribe to and read at least two business/professional publications? If yes, add 2 points Do you keep current on general issues that have implications for HR (e.g, health care reform)? if yes, add 2 points. Do you periodically take classes or attend seminars in areas not directly related to HR, such as creativity or statistics? If yes, add 2 points. Do you participate in professional organizations or attend conferences specifically directed to HR executives? If yes, add 2 points. Do you regularly engage in right-brain activities, such as reading for pleasure going to museums, or attending performing-arts events? If yes, add 2 points. Enter Subtotal Here Review the score sheet. For each section in which you gave yourself no points (for example, you earned no points under Career Decisions or Technology), deduct 10 points from the subtotal above. Enter the Total Points Deducted Here Subtract the deductions (if any) from the subtotal. Enter the Grand Total Here 85100 Congratulations! You're clearly a leader in HR. 70-84 e foundation you've built for your career is solid. You're on the way 55-69 You've got a good start additional experience in one or two key areas should 40-54 You have valuable experience in some key areas, but to get to the top you 0-39 to the top. help you get to the top. Set specific goals. need additional experience. Start noweem Getting to the top in HR will be very difficult.