In a new report on HR directors across Asia, global recruiting experts
Hays found that those at the top of the ladder have quite a lot in common. The group spoke to 500 HR directors about their backgrounds, experiences, businesses, careers, and interests to uncover what they call “the DNA of an HRD”.
Here are the five key insights from their report:
- HRDs come from different backgrounds
The survey found that HRDs come from diverse backgrounds. Only 16% HRDs in Asia actually hold a bachelor's degree in Human Resources. Thirty-one percent have their backgrounds in Business, Commerce, Finance, or Economics.
- Develop a broad base of skills
In order to keep up with the needs of the job, aspiring HRDs should develop a broad skillset. The top three skills to develop are strategic planning (%), stakeholder engagement/influencing (43%), and people management (41%).
- Be versatile and manage industry challenges
According to the report, HRDs face multiple challenges, relating both to their particular industry and their own career. Employee engagement (42%) and aligning strategic requirements with a firm’s operational budget and workforce (41%) are two of the main challenges HR directors will face over the next year. Currently, the main challenge of HRDs is navigating organisational politics (44%).
- Build a network and keep on top of industry developments
Successful HRDs are the ones willing to invest in building their network and keeping up with the latest industry and legislative developments. HRDs surveyed read free news sites (56%), subscribe to paid news sites (46%) or are members of professional associations (46%) to keep abreast with current happenings.
- Work-life balance
HRDs work long hours, often between 46 to 55 hours a week. Respondents agreed that in order to balance out these long hours, HRDs should set time aside for their personal lives too. Over 73% said their go-to means to strike a work-life balance is socialising with family and friends. On top of that, 59% like to play sports, and 48% make sure they travel frequently.
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