During the time I have been looking for The Job people have raised a number of questions with me, in essence the questions are similar to those asked at the start of an interview around how did you get here, why us, etc. Since this is the place where I have aired my thoughts so far it seems like this is the best place to continue the conversation. So here goes,
Why HR?
I did not see myself being in Human Resources growing up, it was not something I aspired to, actually I was more focused on Art and being creative but a couple of years into my University degree I looked at where it was taking me and found that my options were limited. It was then that I moved into ‘real jobs’ and started working in office environments and was surprised at how little the companies I was working at were doing to communicate with staff, encourage people and assist them in doing their jobs to their best ability.
It was at this time that I started studying HR and soon after landed my first HR role with a fantastic mentor and manager who reinforced to me why it was that I was interested in HR.
What is HR to you?
I believe that a lot of the areas that Human Resources focus on don’t have to be difficult or complicated or crammed full of jargon, a lot of HR is about solving problems for people. A manager calls and they have an issue, you listen to them, talk them through it and provide a solution. An employee calls with an issue, question, or query; you listen to them, talk them through it and provide a solution. Yes, it can be more complicated than this, but the problem solving, the researching, the providing solutions are all a part of why I love HR.
When I think about what has been most satisfying to me in my time working in HR it is receiving feedback from a manager that they were able to solve a problem, hearing from an employee that applying for maternity leave was easier because of the help I gave them and ultimately knowing that the assistance or service I have provided has made a difference, not just to the individual but to the business.
HR to me isn't just about policing and enforcing it's about offering something of value to employees and to the business, put simply to being able to contribute.
You keep going on about Deloitte, what’s with that?
Yes, that’s true, sorry about that. I have been going on a bit, and that’s because when I’ve spent the time to sit down and look at the companies I want to work for, I’ve talked to people, I’ve done the research I’ve found that Deloitte offers a lot of the things I am looking for. They are innovative, have strong values and a strong culture, and they also give back, they're aware that they are a part of a bigger picture.
In some of the companies I have worked in the catchphrase has been, ‘this is where you learn what not to do’. Well, by now I know what doesn't work, I know what type of behaviour alienates employees, and what makes people unhappy. Now I want to work somewhere where the catchphrase is, ‘this is where you learn what to do’. I think that Deloitte is the place where I would find that HR (People & Performance) is able to contribute to the business, create and build relationships with stakeholders and ultimately create a place where people want to work.
Isn’t it a bit idealistic?
No, I have no illusions. I realise that every job has ups and downs, there will be bad days and there will be great days. I’m just looking for something where the good outweighs the bad, where I’m able to learn, where I can work with people who are fired up about the work that they’re doing. I’m looking to make a career move, not just find A Job.
Do you really think this will work?
Maybe it will, maybe it won’t, but what’s the harm? I’ve weighed up the risks and the rewards and I think it’s worth the effort and worth the risks. If nothing else because I have taken this approach people that would have never heard of me have now seen my blog, seen how I talk, and found a bit more about me as a person and professional. As far as I can see this is a good thing.
I think that about covers it, are there any questions you would like answered?
Why HR?
I did not see myself being in Human Resources growing up, it was not something I aspired to, actually I was more focused on Art and being creative but a couple of years into my University degree I looked at where it was taking me and found that my options were limited. It was then that I moved into ‘real jobs’ and started working in office environments and was surprised at how little the companies I was working at were doing to communicate with staff, encourage people and assist them in doing their jobs to their best ability.
It was at this time that I started studying HR and soon after landed my first HR role with a fantastic mentor and manager who reinforced to me why it was that I was interested in HR.
What is HR to you?
I believe that a lot of the areas that Human Resources focus on don’t have to be difficult or complicated or crammed full of jargon, a lot of HR is about solving problems for people. A manager calls and they have an issue, you listen to them, talk them through it and provide a solution. An employee calls with an issue, question, or query; you listen to them, talk them through it and provide a solution. Yes, it can be more complicated than this, but the problem solving, the researching, the providing solutions are all a part of why I love HR.
When I think about what has been most satisfying to me in my time working in HR it is receiving feedback from a manager that they were able to solve a problem, hearing from an employee that applying for maternity leave was easier because of the help I gave them and ultimately knowing that the assistance or service I have provided has made a difference, not just to the individual but to the business.
HR to me isn't just about policing and enforcing it's about offering something of value to employees and to the business, put simply to being able to contribute.
You keep going on about Deloitte, what’s with that?
Yes, that’s true, sorry about that. I have been going on a bit, and that’s because when I’ve spent the time to sit down and look at the companies I want to work for, I’ve talked to people, I’ve done the research I’ve found that Deloitte offers a lot of the things I am looking for. They are innovative, have strong values and a strong culture, and they also give back, they're aware that they are a part of a bigger picture.
In some of the companies I have worked in the catchphrase has been, ‘this is where you learn what not to do’. Well, by now I know what doesn't work, I know what type of behaviour alienates employees, and what makes people unhappy. Now I want to work somewhere where the catchphrase is, ‘this is where you learn what to do’. I think that Deloitte is the place where I would find that HR (People & Performance) is able to contribute to the business, create and build relationships with stakeholders and ultimately create a place where people want to work.
Isn’t it a bit idealistic?
No, I have no illusions. I realise that every job has ups and downs, there will be bad days and there will be great days. I’m just looking for something where the good outweighs the bad, where I’m able to learn, where I can work with people who are fired up about the work that they’re doing. I’m looking to make a career move, not just find A Job.
Do you really think this will work?
Maybe it will, maybe it won’t, but what’s the harm? I’ve weighed up the risks and the rewards and I think it’s worth the effort and worth the risks. If nothing else because I have taken this approach people that would have never heard of me have now seen my blog, seen how I talk, and found a bit more about me as a person and professional. As far as I can see this is a good thing.
I think that about covers it, are there any questions you would like answered?
0 thoughts:
Post a Comment