Nowadays, changes in required skills in every field have been occurring. In fact, HR professionals are on the list where they need to acquire new skills in order to succeed in the field. For instance, if in the past HR was dealing with the hiring and process payment, today is different and the required skills are more than before. The main skills that everyone who wants to build a career in HR is:
- Communication skills
Communication is a crucial skill for human resource staff. You will need to connect efficiently with people around an organisation, from the staff at the entry-level positions to the management. You have to be able to clarify any and all details pertaining to company policies orally and in writing. People in human resources are also expected to perform interviews, give presentations, and lead conflicts. All of these responsibilities require strong communication and the ability to explain in order to be tailored to every audience. In addition, HR professionals need to have good listening skills because 80% of their responsibilities require active listening and getting to know the situation or the issue.
- Teamwork and collaboration
Maybe you already know that every job requires teamwork and collaboration with others, but in HR working as part of the team and able to collaborate is a must skill. The HR staff often work with different departments and some of them might not be familiar to them, but the importance is to reflect all information and want to learn something new. Besides, HR manages Employee Engagement where collaboration with the team is the first essential step to develop.
- Conflict management
HR staff help address many work-related disputes, whether they are between two colleagues or an employee and their boss. HR workers need interpersonal skills and mediation skills. They need to listen respectfully to both sides and settle the matter fairly and acceptably. Successful companies rely on stable partnerships between employees and employers, and the professionals who sustain those interactions. Identifying and addressing employee issues as they grow provides a more fulfilling work atmosphere for both workers and employers alike.
- Decision making
HR professionals tend to make a lot of decisions as most of them have a direct impact on the company’s performance including who to hire and resolving disputes between the team. Thus, it is essential that HR employees possess critical thinking and having ability to compare the pros and cons in a respective manner.
- Ethics and dealing with data
HR staff manages lots of confidential, sensitive details about a business and its employees. You have to be careful, sharing this information with people only when it’s necessary. You will need to be in a position to ensure that all employers and workers comply with data policies. When you discover that either party breaks ethical norms, it will be your responsibility to identify the violation and do your part to hold others accountable.
- Flexibility and Prioritising
Businesses need HR employees with coordination experience since many positions on a team or business calendar to require balancing and prioritising tasks. It is crucial to be able to build a plan that will allow everyone to attain their goals. Besides, you need to be flexible and open for changes as most of the changes related to the company’s culture commence within/ from the HR department.
If you think that you possess all skills above, then you probably will want to give the start of your HR career. People with these skills will succeed in an HR career; however, most of the job openings require a relevant degree. If you made your mind and ready to start your HR journey, have a look at our BA (Hons) Business and Human Resource Management programme.