5 Essential Skills Of Human Resource Professionals: Which Ones Do You Have?
What makes HR professionals successful? Is it their professional qualifications or their soft skills or something else?
When we think about Mpesa or Uber, one thing comes to mind, Shortcuts. It’s always said there are no shortcuts in building a career, but there are skills you can practice to propel you further into becoming an expert.
What are some of the skills that will distinguish you from other HR professionals;
Approachable
Being the person who handles all matters related to employees at the workplace you will need to have an approachable demeanor. You should practice an open door policy, this will encourage your fellow employees to feel comfortable such that they can approach you at any time and with whatever issues.
Grey area oriented
Almost 70% of the HR issues border on the grey area, meaning, they are not black nor white but in between. The grey issues include thing to do with; harassment, discrimination, strings you have to pull or how far you need to bend on some issues. “You will need to be impartial, always, I pose scenarios to interviewees and have them answer how they will handle the situations”, says Muthoni Ndegwa, Recruitment Manager at Corporate Staffing Services.
With so many issues coming at you at the same time, you will need to act as objective as possible and known when to seek for expertise. Expertise maybe your fellow HR professionals or even maybe an attorney.
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Ethical and discrete
You are the conscience of the company round the clock and the keeper of confidential information and your character should be beyond reproach. You have to constantly monitor the actions of the management to ensure they do not infringe on the employee’s rights by ensuring that the laid policies and regulations are adhered to.
Confidential information should always be held in confidence and never divulged to any unauthorized party. Always strive to set and promote ethical standards in the organization. For example, your friend who is a colleague might want to know salary and benefits of a colleague. You as a friend might want to answer, but as an HR professional ethics will prevent you, says Muthoni.
Business Insight
Being the person overseeing the human resource aspect, you will be required to have keenness and quickness in understanding and dealing with business affairs. You will require having a good understanding and knowledge of organization operational functions, marketing, and financial processes. This knowledge will go a long way in preparing you whenever you are looking to hire a staff for whatever position.
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Strong conflict management
When managing people, conflicts will always be there and it’s never easy dealing with them. Conflicts at a workplace require to be solved quickly and amicably or it will blow up. Critical thinking skills will be required to manage conflict. Your problem-solving ability dictates your effectiveness at work and to keeping the organization running smoothly.
“HR professional serves business strategy, know the strategy and what makes the business tick and tailor your HR approach to that” concludes Muthoni. The above skills are what is most sought after by employers in addition to your professional and soft skills. Brush up your skills using the list and let us know how it goes.
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The writer is a Communications Officer at Corporate Staffing Services, a leading Recruitment firm that offers CV Writing, Job Placement & Career Advice. Email: esther@corporatestaffing.co.ke