You have learnt the managerial, operative and advisory functions of HRM. Let us now learn the various skills required for HR Professionals.
Human Resource professionals serve an important role in the Organisation. Hence, it is essential that they possess requisite skills to perform all the HR functions well. Some of the important skills are discussed below:
Multi-tasking Skills: HR professionals have to deal with many aspects of business. The business moves fast and priorities also change from time to time. Hence, the main skill for human resource management is to acquire multitasking capability of the professionals. For example, recruitment for key position involves understanding of leadership requirement, organisation culture, finding suitable candidates, matching suitable candidate with the position, etc.
Interpersonal Skills: In order to be an effective managers, they must possess strong interpersonal skills as well as decision making skills. Since they have to deal with the interview process, they should be able to communicate in an effective manner. They should also present the company in an appropriate manner.
Communication Skills: The HR managers should be able to communicate in a clear and effective manner. Good communication skills are required for posting memos, policy handbooks, and related information. HR managers need to be empathetic listener. The HR managers should possess the capability to clearly understand the problems of the employees. For example, grievance handling of employees. Further, HR professionals should be able to understand non-verbal communication and voice inflections as well as verbal communication.
Negotiation Skills: HR professionals must possess the competence to negotiate. For example, while making offer for employment to new employee, HR managers often negotiate on salary and benefits. They should possess negotiation, analytical, and problem solving skills in order to assess the overall package as per the industry norms.
Problem-solving and Conflict Management:Problem-solving and conflict management as a combination is necessary for HR managers. All employees in an organisation may not be able to adjust with their co-workers. The managers are required to manage conflicts and solve problems.
Assessment Skills:Assessment skills are required in performing many functions of human resource management. For example, in the process of implementing performance management, assessment skills is required for performance evaluation of employees. These skills may be useful for performance assessment, skills assessment of employees before designing relevant training programmes, etc.
Instruction Design Skills: The HR managers should possess the competence to develop training for the Organisation. They should possess presentation abilities, instructional design skills to conduct best training programmes for the benefit of the Organisations.
Organisational Skills: The HR management requires suitable organisational skills. These may include : time management skills, organisation of files, and personal efficiency. HR professional deals with careers and lives of many people. In case, a HR professional receives request for details regarding termination or compensation, he should provide the desired information.
Ethical and Discretionary Skills: HR professionals are the keepers of confidential information of the Organisation. The HR department deals with the top level of management. The department should make sure that the regulations and policies are followed in the right manner.
Strategic Skills: The human resource management has objectives, goals, budgets, and people to manage. The functioning of the organisation along with its strategic plans must be well understood by the HR professionals. They assist the management in strategic way, e.g., bringing in new skill sets for business growth, and revision of compensation in the light of business strategy etc.
Fairness: There should be fairness demonstrated from the HR professionals towards all employees. There should be a clear communication. The voices of people must be heard and all policies must be followed in fair manner. The HR professionals must also make sure that respect and privacy are also maintained.
Development Skills: The HR professionals need to assist, coach, and develop the employees. The main intention of the HR professionals should be continued improvement and innovation in the organisation for the development of employees.
Team Orientation: The organisations have hierarchies which are headed with supervisors. The HR professionals should be able to understand the team dynamics and work in order to bring in different individuals together and develop team work.
Technology Skills: There are number of software applications and tools that are used in the HR management. HR professionals should be proficient in the applications of these tools. They should possess HR competencies such as applicant tracking software, human resource information system, data analytics, and many more innovative tools and techniques, etc.
