HR Transformation and continuous career opportunities

Like with most careers, there is always a typical route; however, sometimes you fall into your life career. HR, People and Talent can be one of those. We have seen HR’s journey transform over the past 20 years. With employment law changes increasing and businesses realizing HR was a necessity, it moved away from personnel and administration to a strategic role and often the driver behind any organizational change or transformation. In the last five years, HR now often sits within the C-suite level. HR professionals transform organizations through stakeholder engagement and commercial mindsets.

Talent roles have evolved strategically over the past 10 years, originally starting from an internal recruiter or resourcing position. We have now seen these roles become an integral part of a company’s growth and success. Attracting top talent and using different methods of assessment to identify the right talent drives the business forward. The utilization of digital technology has enabled a more streamlined process and broader access to top talent worldwide.

People, Learning & Development – With the ever-changing platforms within an organization, People and L&D have to ensure they not only upskill themselves but continue to do so while driving employee engagement and upskilling across the business. Some would say the days of classroom training onsite are gone, and most companies would agree with this, but learning and development will always remain a crucial part of an organization’s growth and employees’ personal development. With the help of HR driving digital change, People and L&D teams can deliver exceptional training online via Teams or other corporate platforms. A recent survey showed that Learning & Development is still one of the top priorities for employees seeking new opportunities.

Recent changes in the HR industry

In Canada and North America, Digital Transformation has required HR teams to have a greater knowledge and insight into data protection and privacy regulations, such as PIPEDA, to ensure policies and best practices safeguard employees and organizations.

This has meant that Recruitment and L&D teams have benefited from being able to upskill staff efficiently and quickly, and blind shortlisting is an effective way digital transformation has positively impacted the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Agenda.

Agile working practices provide new ways of working, driving greater efficiencies and encouraging creative and innovative ideas. However, they pose challenges for HR in communicating change and ensuring staff are equipped with the skills to adapt.

Remote working has also brought significant changes across organizations. Questions remain about whether employees are set up correctly, if they have sufficient management support, and how well-being is being addressed. HR continues to adapt to the ever-changing environment across industries.

Salt’s advice for getting a job in the HR, People & Talent industry

• Employers’ Requirements

  HR roles require excellent communication skills, an understanding of the employee life cycle, analytical skills, and in most cases, a university degree. Employment law regulations are ever-changing, and HR needs to be at the forefront of these changes, educating stakeholders and ensuring employee engagement.

• Resume Requirements

  When applying for jobs in HR positions, several key elements should not be omitted from any resume. Key skills, competencies, experience, and achievements are essential inclusions. Employers will want to know that you can work well across departments, address employee engagement, drive change, and stay up to date with employment law regulations.
  

• Interview Preparation

  Interviews for HR, Talent & People roles are often split across several stages, with the first usually being a behavioral assessment with jobseekers. If that goes well, you will be invited for further meetings with senior management or key decision-makers within the company. These may involve psychometric testing, demonstrating computer skills, giving a prepared presentation, or delivering a mock training session.

• Educational Requirements

  Organizations often prioritize candidates who have relevant qualifications in business, employment law, or human resources management. Degrees in subjects like psychology may also be beneficial. For more specialized HR roles, postgraduate courses in HR improve your chances in the eyes of prospective employers.