Looking into the impact of Covid-19 second wave, it is high time that organizations will need to overhaul the way they work and so will their workforce. According to Apparao VV, Chief Human Resources Officer, HCL Technologies– in the long-term, companies will have to shift to a hybrid model of work which would be beneficial for their employees as well as clients. To attain high productivity levels with remote working, a lot of effort on the human resources is the need of the hour.
In normal situations, the HR department is laden with the onus of hiring the most effective candidates. However, in today’s competitive environment, soft skills like communication and interpersonal are not enough to get into a good organization. HR professionals need to imbibe competencies related to managing information on the cloud and also engage with people on social media sites like LinkedIn. A good hold on technology can lead to a gripping career in HR and talent acquisition.
Some of the areas where human resource managers can think of upskilling themselves are:
- Getting acknowledged with Social Media platforms: Positioning yourself on social media websites like Facebook, Twitter etc accelerates business networking and recruitment process. Job postings and career updates reach out to more and more candidates looking for a job increasing the organization’s suitability of the right candidate.
- Knowledge of HRIS: Human Resource Information Systems help companies to keep and manage their data electronically and is a great help in routine tasks like applying for leave etc. It can further be used to fill questionnaires and saves a huge amount of paperwork. Automation of payroll through these systems successfully enhances the department’s efficiency. Digital retrieval of data is also an added advantage of these systems.
- Familiarity with Talent Acquisition Suite: It is a cloud-based solution which assists HR people to do effective hiring and selection. It provides the facility of tracking application status of the candidate and view their procedure in the selection process. It not only cuts down the administrative costs but creates a suitable shortlisting of the qualified candidates.
- Skilled in TMS: Talent Management System is best suited to streamline hiring, onboarding, training and looking after retention of employees. It enables HR managers to plan and organize their talent acquisition and achieve their long-term goals. It is also useful for tracking employee performance status and providing reviews and feedback to them. The data generated in a TMS can be used for future promotions and training needs of capable employees.
- Knowledge of Cloud Technology: To centralize and access data or information, Cloud-based systems are very useful and handy. Storing employee data in one location improves work efficiency and save the cumbersome implications of inter-department communication.
Gamification techniques: The wellness and happiness of the employees lies in creating a competitive yet fun-filled environment. HR professionals ensure that their employees are not only efficient, but engaged and productive. Themed quizzes and games are utilized to check a candidate’s suitability for the job as well as their fit for the company’s culture, values and environment. It also leads to enhanced learning and knowledge sharing, networking and simulations of real-life scenarios. It makes the employees more connected with the company which in-turn can lead to high motivation at the workplace.
At Jaipuria Institute of Management, it is a constant endeavor to impart all relevant skills related to industry and make our students imbibe them into their personality. As they say that development is holistic, so why not pursue a course where talent meets knowledge and skill meets the right opportunity!
Prof. Guneet Kaur
Assistant Professor
Jaipuria Institute of Management, Indirapuram, Ghaziabad
