September 26 is #HumanResourceProfessionalDay.
Every day, HR professionals positively impact the lives of employees in workplaces around the world and contribute to the business strategy that allows their organizations to compete, grow and thrive.
We asked our bloggers to share their HR stories.
Why did you choose a career in HR?
I started my career in sales and was successful in it for almost nine years in India, coming from a big joint family in India, being with and amongst people comes naturally to me. My friend was working in the Personnel department at a manufacturing company and the work aspects/challenges he shared with me excited me and I gravitated towards HR. From the early stage of my career, I figured my strengths are in connecting and communicating with people, listening to the problems and coming up solutions, so, I thought HR might be a right choice. I wouldn’t say I chose HR or HR wanted me, it was a mutual love -- we both wanted one another and it’s working well for the last two years.
What has been the most rewarding part of your HR career?
I would share two things as the rewarding part of my job:
First: My work experience in the Middle East in Oman, a wonderful country to live and work. Anytime we move to a new country you expect a cultural transition or shock whichever applies to you. Due to the massive amounts of work opportunities for foreigners (then, it has changed dramatically now) and due to the attractive tax and earnings potential, Middle East attracts a diverse group of people from all over the world. In addition to learning the local customs, I also had the opportunity to learn from and work with people from different continents. This experience shaped and expanded my understanding of cultural nuances, the power of respecting others' viewpoints, and the value of diversity, which is much needed here and around the world.
Second: As many HR folks do, I started as HR Generalist and transitioned to the niche area of HR Technology and HR Tech consulting, which is challenging, exhausting but exhilarating in the end. Being able to work with different clients, addressing different complexities and offering solutions is very rewarding.
Why would you recommend a career in HR to students or those looking to transfer into the HR profession from another field?
The digitalization, gig economy, changing demographics and increased understanding of ‘Talent Management’ to the company. The opportunity to work with a cross-section of people and in an HR role that spans from transactional to strategic, facilitating, influencing, and being a voice of change, makes the HR profession compelling. In my view, there is no typical day in HR. Every day is new with new challenges and opportunities. If you love challenges and thrive under pressure, this is the profession for you.
What advice can you share with others who are planning a career in HR?
Understand the business. HR is much more than compliance and training. Understanding the business and its needs, and speaking the language of business will help the organization and its objectives. Be curious to learn new things. Focus on building meaningful relationships and building a coalition of partners within the organization you work. Being flexible is absolutely key for continued success.
Baskaran Ambalavanan, MBA has more than two decades of HR experience in India, Oman, and the U.S. with unique experience in both the functional HR and in the HRIS/HR Technology. He is the founder and Principal of Hila Solutions, LLC, a full-service HR Technology Advisory firm. He earned his MBA from Alliance Manchester Business School, U.K. and also certified in SPHR, SHRM-SCP, GPHR, and PHRca. He is based in Irvine, California and serving as the Programs Chair for PIHRA, member of SHRM Global Panel and Member at the California State University, Long Beach - HR Advisory Board.
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