HR - what's in it for me?
Only a decade ago, this was primarily an administrative function as line managers held ownership of the key decisions in this area. However, as talent has become scarcer, and competition for it fiercer, especially within new economy organisations, recruitment has become of increasing strategic importance to businesses.
Recruitment can be a sizeable cost to many organisations, hence Recruiting Managers/Directors briefs can often be dominated by strategically structuring their function and supply lines of candidate and recruitment service into the most efficient manner, often working with the procurement function to negotiate group-wide and international deals with preferred search and selection outfits.
They will also have the role of promoting the business to potential employees, improving communication with universities; working with advertising agencies and the marketing function to develop innovative and eye-catching recruitment campaigns to attract applications and working to ensure that the interviewee experience is of quality to maximize acceptance levels from offered candidates. A good recruiter will have advanced interview skills, an excellent understanding of what makes their business tick and why individuals should join it.
This needs to be coupled with a thorough understanding of what the business seeks in terms of values and skills held by the people they desire to recruit. Additionally a high degree of commercial acumen and organisational ability are warranted here, as these roles can be frenetic. Recruitment is often a way into the HR function, with the desire to spread ones wings at a later date, but it can and does provide a long term career for the recruitment professional with the rewards to match.
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