The human resources department at the average UK automotive firm is a busy place. Positions throughout the firm are open on a weekly basis, which means that thousands of applications pour into the department via post or e-mail. Candidates come in for interviews with HR personnel while current employees utilise HR departments to answer pension or sick leave questions. All of these activities are happening simultaneously, with HR professionals trying to juggle one job responsibility along with several others.
These professionals need a skilled HR manager in order to help them keep their automotive firm full of talented professionals. Automotive HR managers need to learn how to succeed in their jobs for a number of reasons. Exceeding expectations and performing in an exemplary manner will be noticed by automotive executives, especially in regards to a talented work place assembled by an HR department. As well, HR managers who are successful in their job ensure that their subordinates have the tools and confidence to succeed in their jobs.
In essence, the automotive HR manager's success provides a domino effect throughout the firm. The question then is how an HR manager can learn to succeed in the automotive industry. The first step for these management professionals is to assess their communication skills. Obviously, those who hired the automotive HR manager in question knew that they had the potential to be a great communicator. However, effective communication requires hard work and constant awareness of how different people need to be communicated with differently. By understanding how they communicate in various situations, an HR manager is aware of their shortcomings and may implement solutions to these issues.
As well, automotive HR managers need to exude confidence in everything they do. From hiring decisions to simple paperwork on behalf of an engineer, HR managers need to demonstrate that they are confident in their own abilities. Confidence is infectious in the workplace and will lead to a more competent HR staff. Finally, automotive HR managers throughout the UK need to be fully aware of the industry in which they are hiring. While an experienced HR manager may be familiar with general trends in the automotive industry, this is insufficient in finding the best talent in the marketplace. Indeed, the difference between a strong staff and a weak one falls largely on the ability of an automotive HR manager to find exceptional talent before their competitors do.
HR managers need to review trade publications and news sites in order to stay ahead of the curve on hiring needs in the industry.
Richard Taylor Edwards is the Managing Director of Talisman Executive, a specialist recruitment agency for construction careers and construction jobs in the UK and Europe.
