What HR is looking for in new hires?

Rajeev Bhardwaj

With changing dynamics of workplace the HR perspective regarding new hires has also undergone a change over the years and it is imperative for job seekers to be aware of this. Here’s what the HR will be looking for in a job aspirant:

Tech savvy

The traditional role of an employee is changing and HR managers look for suitable traits in times of digitisation. A person looking for a job these days must have adequate computer friendliness and some skills for digital operation.

Career ownership

Employees are now being allowed to take ownership of their career graph in which organisations are asking the employees as to how much they will be able to deliver and employees can thus have even two or three promotions in a year depending on their achievements and results. The traditional approach of the employer to be protective towards their employees is also changing.

People skills

Whether is the technical department or marketing, when an employee is being hired, he or she is expected to have requisite people skills like interpersonal skills, team player and how to manage and get along with others in the  office set up. The employees who exhibit such traits (wherever applicable) are more likely to be selected. Organisations have started changing in the way they work. Individual contributor could have done well in the past but not anymore. More than individual contributors, an employee should be a team player and for the team to achieve the task and reach the given milestone, every team member must have the necessary team player skills. 

Understanding of financials 

HR managers are increasingly looking for  people who have an understanding of the financials and a little bit of accounting. This is to ensure that the overall goal of the company is jointly pursued by the employees.  Organisations are increasingly adopting a strategy in which they let their employees know the kind of revenue and profits that it is aiming for at the end of a quarter, six moth and annually. It then expects the employees to give their best. Hence an understanding of the financials among the employees is important.     

— The writer is VP, HR, Sun Life Financial Asia Service Centre