Top technology skills you need to excel in HR and make a remarkable impact

Technology is changing the world we live in. This exponential growth of technology is changing the way we operate in businesses. The world is now in a VUCA world Volatile, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity where competition arrives from places where you don’t expect. These trends are changing the strategic agenda of several companies. The focus of organizations is now to stay innovative and always on their toes to make sure that they can adapt to rapidly changing market demands and emerging technologies.

In the domain of HR, it is noteworthy that the global market for human resource technology had a valuation of USD 32.6 billion in 2021 and is expected to experience substantial growth, reaching USD 76.5 billion by 2031, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.2% from 2022 to 2031. The adoption of HR technology brings numerous benefits to HR professionals and enables them to work more efficiently and effectively, ultimately resulting in an improved employee experience. The only way to keep up with these changing dynamics is through continuous improvement. HR professionals are responsible for managing a range of responsibilities, which include:

• Attracting and recruiting skilled employees.
• Facilitating the onboarding process and providing training for new hires.
• Addressing employees’ personal or professional concerns.
• Managing the termination of underperforming employees. And ensuring the retention of valuable employees when they provide notice.

Leveraging modern technology can significantly simplify the aforementioned processes. However, it is crucial to have a clear understanding of the appropriate tools and how to apply them effectively.

Best Technological skills for HR professionals to learn

Every HR professional must make it a goal to learn the following skills to keep up with this speedily changing work environment.

➙ Social Media Expertise

An HR professional with expertise in searching social media sites and reaching out to potential new hires, who possess the required skill set for a “hard-to-fill” job position, can provide a significant advantage to their organization.

Having a basic understanding of how social media tools and platforms work allows the HR function to screen potential job candidates, make cold calls to them, and review the background of new recruits, among other tasks. Additionally, HR professionals must know how and where to utilize social networking tools to support the HR function effectively, while being aware of the legal implications involved.

➙ Expertise in Application Tracking Systems (ATS)

In the current job market, where the number of job applicants is soaring, organizations are flooded with a multitude of CVs. To efficiently manage this situation, a team of HR practitioners who possess expertise in using Applicant Tracking Systems (ATSs) can quickly organize the resumes, particularly during major walk-in job drives or referral drives.

Many top enterprises no longer allocate time to thoroughly review the majority of CVs. Instead, they rely on ATSs, which retrieve data from the resumes and compare them against a database. This automated process enables the selection of only the most suitable candidates for a specific job profile.

➙ Understanding cloud technology

Understanding how to operate cloud-based applicant tracking systems, preselection platforms, or other HR software is crucial in today’s online environment. It enables businesses to centralize and manage HR and business data effectively, simplifying tasks from onboarding to payroll and feedback. Having candidate and employee data in one location reduces the need for excessive communication between departments, resulting in faster turnaround times. Cloud-based HR systems also enhance communication and transparency within the company, boosting employee engagement and retention. Additionally, hosting policies, performance metrics, and best practices on the cloud ensure consistency and easy access for employees. Overall, proficiency in operating cloud-based HR software offers streamlined data management, improved efficiency, enhanced communication, and strengthened consistency for organizations.

➙ Exposure to Payroll Software

All professionals involved in HR may need not actively engage in payroll processes, however, it proves beneficial for them to familiarize themselves with at least one widely exercised payroll software tool employed in various companies.

Being a competent HR professional entails being a strategic contributor, which is why gaining experience with such tools holds significance. There are numerous advantages, with the first one being cost savings, as it eliminates the need for an additional person dedicated solely to payroll tasks. Acquiring knowledge of payroll software streamlines paperwork and enhances reporting efficiency.

➙ Knowledge of programming languages

The HR team needs to have knowledge of SQL and reporting tools to access and extract data quickly. They should know where to locate specific data and how to present it in a format that meets the requirements of managers and higher authorities. Asking advanced queries using tools like SQL and report generators is crucial for generating effective metrics, including those that involve complex calculations.

Wrapping Up…

In the contemporary era, proficiencies in technology have transitioned from being an additional advantage to an essential requirement for every HR practitioner. Fresh innovations are being introduced nearly every day, thereby demanding HR exhibit heightened flexibility and adaptability. Concerning the aforementioned requirements, if you have not yet cultivated these imperative skills, it is high time to commence your journey! You can do so by earning HR certifications and enrolling in courses.