Human Resources (HR) is an integral part of a business. The role helps so many parts of a company, from payroll and employee benefits to helping you with your next hire. They can be the in-between for yourself and your employees so you need to make sure you find the right person. How can you hire HR successfully? 

Insider Knowledge 

Oakleaf, who specialise in jobs in HR, created a survey to explore the recruitment process. They interviewed 476 senior HR professionals from different-sized industries. Some worked for companies with over 2,000 people, and others had less than 20 people in their department. They all worked across a wide array of sectors: private banking, property, media, and mining. Despite their differences, there was an overwhelming majority with the driving force behind a successful HR hire. 80% of those surveyed said a great culture fit was important. In other words: how well the person fits into the working environment. 

Commercial Fit 

The next reason behind successful hiring was the candidate was commercial, with 66% of people saying this was important. This is a buzzword that can get thrown around a lot but what does it mean for you and your company? Commercial can become an actionable personality trait. You want to ensure the person you’re hiring understands how your business works. Not only that, but also that they’re passionate about the industry. They’re excited about the role and what they could do in the company. 

Right for You

Alongside a culture and commercial fit, other popular traits became apparent. There was the ‘other’ category which included a variety of features. These included adaptability, learning agility, sector knowledge and resilience. There isn’t a one size fits all for a HR role. You need to figure out what your company needs and what kind of person would best suit the job. Write yourself a list and include this when advertising the role. A quality job description can sell the company for the right candidate. 

Hiring 

When it comes to the hiring process, meeting your candidates in person is key – even if the interviews have to be conducted online. A CV can be misleading. Did you know that nearly 40% of Brits have lied on their CV? When you’re hiring a person to deal with people, you need to see how they present themselves and handle conversation. It helps you get a better sense of who they are, and whether they’re the right fit for your company. Plan your questions carefully.

Your HR department is a driving force for your company to be cohesive. You want to do everything you can to find the right person to work for your team. What are your ideal traits for a HR candidate to have?

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