HR managers have a lot of responsibility, and it is certainly not a job for those who crack under pressure. If you are keen to advance in your HR career – and want to know what it takes to make it to the top, keep reading this short guide. Below are four skills that every HR manager needs to lead their organisations to success. This guide will discuss what they are and the tools you can use, like HR software, to help you improve these skills.
Communication
Good communication is at the heart of what HR managers do. They must have strong written and verbal communication skills as they deal with many people daily. For example, they must liaise with employees, prospective candidates, and management. Some of the daily duties of HR managers include leading presentations and holding interviews. For these jobs, it is clear to see that communication is vital. All HR managers must be able to deliver a clear and concise message while ensuring company policies are met. Communication skills don’t come naturally to most people, which is okay. There are plenty of communication tips online that you can start putting into practice to help you improve and gain confidence along the way.
Analytics
HR managers have many vital responsibilities, such as recruitment and onboarding, engagement, and retention, to name a few. Analytical skills are critical in helping them fulfil these roles. Being able to analyse data can help their organisation drive better results. For example, analysing data to identify trends in what causes employee turnover can help HR managers make necessary changes to improve their organisation’s retention rate further down the line. If you struggle with analytics, acquire the use of HR software, like this tool from Myhrtoolkit, that can help you gain insights into valuable employee data. Embracing technology like this will help all HR managers make better decisions with reports.
Recruitment
Recruitment is an essential role in the job of an HR manager. Although they are not hiring managers, they often take on this responsibility to find the right people for the job. They need a vast knowledge of the recruitment process and how it works, to succeed. Your communication skills will also play a part here as HR managers need to liaise with recruiters to help them find prospective candidates. If you need to improve this skill, start networking with recruiters and read blogs to widen your industry knowledge.
Empathy
The majority of organisations would most likely describe their HR managers as trustworthy. This is because they have empathy and compassion for those around them. Not only do they encourage employees to feel safe, but they are also the people they turn to when they have concerns. As an HR manager, you have to deal with many employee concerns. Listening to them and acknowledging their feelings shows them that they are valued. We all have empathy, some more than others. If you need help improving this skill, read some guides to empathy online. You can find these easily with a quick Google search.
Ella Woodward is an entrepreneur who has built a career as a freelance writer and building a business from her skill with words and understanding of the needs of corporate readers.
