#68: Beyond Excel and PPT - Jahangir Shaikh on the top HR skills employers are seeking

If there is anyone who has worked across almost every HR function, it is Jahangir Shaikh. With over 16 years of experience in the HR fraternity, Jahangir is currently the Associate Director of Human Resources at CMS Info Systems.

In this episode, Jahangir talks about:

• How HR has gone beyond Excel sheets and PPTs using today's technologies
• Top 4 Human Resources job skills employers are seeking
• How he collaborates effectively with his remote team of 20 people at CMS
• Spotting a dishonest candidate and avoiding a faulty hire in the shady new world of fake resumes

What are the skills that emerging HR professionals should possess to adapt to technological changes?

Back in 2005, proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint presentation skills were expected out of HR professionals. In the last decade, there have been drastic changes in technology adopted by the organization and used by HRs in their daily functions. Mr. Shaikh talked about a few essential qualities that every HR professional should possess today for a successful career.

Firstly, it is an HR analytics skill that needs to be acquired by HR professionals. It is about data analytics and processing data available within an organization and outside an organization in the best possible manner. In today’s world, where every function is based on data, HR analytics skills have become crucial for HR professionals.

Secondly, business acumen is another skill that HR professionals are required to acquire. Be it any role in an organization, business acumen is a basic skill that every business professional should possess. This skill is crucial for the overall development of an organization as a whole to achieve greater heights.

Thirdly, digital literacy is the need of the hour. Presently, every organization is transforming and becoming more digitized. As nowadays digital literacy performs a critical function in rapidly transforming business organizations. Digital literacy means the ability to discover and evaluate information through digital platforms.

How to handle misrepresented and fake Resumes?

Mr. Shaikh shared his experience handling such resumes and vocalised that one study claims that more than 70% of fresh graduates misrepresent and lie in their resumes to get a job. The prominent industries suffering from this problem are the financial service, leisure & hospitality industry, and IT that are blue-collar jobs. People generally misrepresent their degrees, date of employment, and job description. An HR professional gets an expert in handling these problems with experience, and background verification of candidates has to be done through professional agencies. Another tool for tackling this problem could be a social media check, checking references, and a behavioral check of candidates during the interview.

Is technology in HR function boon or bane?

Mr. Shaikh personally has mixed feelings about the role of technology in HR functions. Technology is playing a crucial role in HR sub-functions like recruitment, training, engagement, payroll, compliances, operations, etc. Mr. Shaikh said earlier he used to maintain excel sheets for a payroll of all employees. While he accepts that the technology has taken over mundane tasks of HR and makes tasks error-free, the core of HR function is human and emotional touch which is currently missing. Human touch and emotional touch are something that HR professionals cannot compromise on. Just like every coin has two sides, the same goes for technology in HR functions.

Follow Jahangir on LinkedIn

Produced by: Priya Bhatt
Podcast host: Yashwanth Jembige

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