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6 Characteristics of an Effective HR Manager

StrategyDriven Professional Development Article |HR Manager|6 Characteristics of an Effective HR ManagerHR management is a strategic and coherent approach to managing an organization’s most valuable assets – its people. In general, the tasks of HR managers include recruiting, training and development, employee relations, and benefits administration.

To become an effective HR manager, it is vital to combine hard and soft skills. Hard skills can be quantified, such as experience in HR management. In contrast, soft skills, such as communication and people skills, are more challenging to measure but no less important. In this article, you will learn why possessing these characteristics is important to the role they play in an organization. The most successful HR managers share certain qualities and characteristics that allow them to excel in their roles. Here are 6 of them:

Strategic thinkers

To be effective, HR managers must be strategic thinkers, able to see the big picture and make decisions that will positively impact the entire organization. They must be able to develop and implement programs that attract and retain the best talent while also ensuring that all employees are productive and engaged. In addition, HR managers must be adept at handling employee conflict and managing change. With so much on their plate, it’s no wonder that HR managers are some of the most essential members of any organization.

Innovative

The job of an HR manager is constantly changing, so they must be innovative in their thinking and approach. They must be able to come up with new ideas that will improve the employee experience while also being open to trying new things and taking risks.
One of the latest trends in the HR industry is the use of recruitment technology. Some software programs involve a candidate tracking system which can help the HR team to keep track of job applicants and their progress through the recruitment process. With this innovation, finding and hiring the best candidates for the job has become more accessible.

Excellent communicators

Excellent communication skills are critical for HR professionals. They need to be able to clearly and concisely convey information to employees, as well as understand and interpret the communication of others.
In addition, they must be able to build strong relationships with employees. This requires effectively connecting with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Good communication skills allow them to build trust and respect, which are essential for maintaining a positive work environment. Excellent communication skills are vital for any HR manager who wants to be successful in their role.


Strong leaders

HR professionals plan, direct, and coordinate the administrative functions of an organization. They oversee the hiring and training of new employees, and they also work to improve the morale and performance of existing staff.
To be successful, they must be able to think strategically, handle multiple tasks simultaneously, and be excellent communicators. They must also possess a deep understanding of labor laws and employee benefits. Additionally, they must be able to build relationships with other departments within an organization to create a cohesive work environment.

Good at problem-solving

From handling employee disputes to creating company-wide policies, HR managers are responsible for solving many problems. And while it may not be the most glamorous job, there’s no denying that they are good at what they do. After all, solving problems is literally their job description. But what makes them good at their job?

In addition to having strong people skills and an ability to think creatively, HR managers must stay calm under pressure and quickly make decisions. With so much on their plate, it’s no wonder they are some of the most sought-after professionals in the business world.

Detail-oriented

HR managers are typically detail-oriented individuals. This means that they have a keen eye for detail and can pick up on even the smallest details. This attention to detail is vital in HR because it allows managers to identify potential issues and investigate them further. Being detail-oriented also will enable them to keep track of employee records and performance data. This data can be used to identify trends and make decisions about training and development. Ultimately, being detail-oriented is an essential skill for them as it helps them to be more effective in their roles.

The bottom line

Undoubtedly, HR professionals play a vital role in any organization. From candidate tracking to employee relations, they are responsible for various tasks. And while the job may not be easy, it is rewarding. So if you’re thinking about a career in HR, make sure you have the right skills and qualities. With the right mix of skills and qualities, you’ll be well on your way to becoming an effective HR manager.

The HR Guide: How To Find & Support Entry-Level SEO Talent

StrategyDriven Talent Management. Article |Entry-Level SEO Talent|The HR Guide: How To Find & Support Entry-Level SEO TalentWhen given a choice between an experienced professional and a complete newbie fresh out of the university, most HR managers would pick the former. However, finding a well-qualified employee can be a real challenge — especially in the SEO industry. For this reason, many C-suits decide to pick a different route, hiring inexperienced individuals and turning them into SEO experts themselves.

There are many successful stories centered around developing in-house talent and transforming a bunch of motivated young people into a skilled and well-functioning team. For instance, one may think about the Husky Hamster company when presenting examples of such a case.

Nevertheless, finding and supporting entry-level SEO talent also requires some time and effort. Searching for people with the right traits, providing mentorship, and creating an inclusive work environment are only a few of the things business owners have to address.

If you want to learn more, keep reading! Here are some of the most crucial steps to building a high-level SEO team from the ground up!

Search for People With the Right Traits

While the process of hiring entry-level SEO talent is not as complex as searching for a professional with many years of experience under their belt, it is something more than just snatching up candidates right out of college. The main factor to focus on here is potential.

People hired by the company should be willing to learn and be passionate about the world of SEO. Moreover, they need to have a good combination of soft skills and basic knowledge of the internet. This way, both the company and new workers can benefit from the arrangement.

Here is a list of some of the most in-demand soft skills in today’s market:

  • Focus — In today’s day and age, more and more people have problems focusing on the task at hand. Consequently, the ability to see a project through from start to completion became highly valued among CEOs and HR professionals.
  • Communication — Both written and verbal communication is essential to ensure an organization’s success. Without it, chaos takes the wheel. As such, it is one of the most sought-after skills for all positions.
  • Curiosity — A person who lacks curiosity may still find success at the workplace, but they will not be as successful as a curious one. Curious people make for better learners and can reach new heights faster than others.
  • Flexibility — The ability to find alternative solutions to different problems on the fly is one of the most valuable skills out there. It is especially vital when things do not go as planned.

Organizations can consult search experts or work with universities to learn which people they should hire. Besides, they can try outsourcing the recruitment of SEO talent, limiting their role to only making a few suggestions.

Write an Exceptional Entry-Level Job Description

Both internship postings and entry-level job descriptions require different kinds of treatment than regular job offers. Even though some practices remain the same no matter what kind of person one is looking for, there are a few unique elements that every SEO company that is looking for entry-level applicants should consider.

To resonate with young and talented people, the organization should explain what it expects from candidates and why it is a good place for young people to start their careers. Instead of sticking to a dull outline, making it more inclusive or simply more enjoyable to read might be a better approach. Additionally, the job posting should mention features that differentiate it from other brands.

The main aim is to help applicants visualize the experience of current employees. If the job description can engage a person, it fulfills its purpose perfectly!

Provide Mentorship

As mistakes are an intrinsic part of the learning process, entry-level hires are bound to make them as well. It can be frustrating not only for those who mucked up the job but also those in charge of the whole project. However, how can someone be angry at students’ errors if no one teaches them what to do?

Even newly created SEO companies should have a few more experienced staff members on board who are willing to take on a mentorship role. Otherwise, the enterprise runs the risk of collapsing right after beginning its operations. An alternative approach features making use of places that offer SEO mentorship.

Plus, there are lots of valuable SEO resources online. And while a good portion of them requires payment, paying for these materials is a small price considering how much money the company might lose because of rookie mistakes of its employees.

Create an Inclusive Work Environment

Another critical step in helping new hires to succeed is creating an inclusive work environment. Business owners should ensure that the atmosphere in their companies is as welcoming as possible. This way, they can attract talented individuals to become new team members and strengthen the bonds between their current employees.

Here are a few ways to do it:

  • Hiring people from different backgrounds.
  • Providing plenty of get-to-know-you opportunities.
  • Offering flexible work hours.
  • Encouraging more employee feedback.
  • Providing more feedback and recognition.
  • Implementing a buddy system in the workplace.
  • Organizing team-building events.

Relationships play as big of a role as other factors that determine business success. As such, employee assimilation should be on the top of the priorities list of every business — no matter in which niche it operates.

The Bottom Line

Even though it may not seem like it, talented people are everywhere — one must only know where to look. The same holds for the SEO industry, where companies can find many people with untapped potential.

By searching for people with the right traits and writing exceptional entry-level job descriptions, SEO organizations can fulfill their staffing needs with motivated people who are willing to learn. Next, all that is left is creating an inclusive work environment where entry-level hires can prosper and learn from the best. If more companies do just that — the future of SEO will look brighter than ever!