Shouldn’t an HR manager know all recruitment fields?

Caroline Mboijana

Besides human resources (HR) training, should human resources personnel not be knowledgeable about the fields they will recruit from or manage? For you cannot manage or recruit in an area you clearly cannot clarify if interrogated. Taking on an HR role means having a wider scope of the job description. Linda

Dear Linda,
The Human Resources (HR) Manager should have the knowledge and skill needed to manage a sound recruitment and selection process. This does not mean they must have the technical knowledge of the role that is being recruited. A good selection processes will not be based on the recommendation of the HR manager alone but will include a recommendation from a technical expert, who is responsible for determining whether a candidate has the technical competence.

The HR manager is responsible for the implementation of fair and comprehensive process. Furthermore they will be held accountable for ensuring the selected candidate has the behavioural competencies required for the role. Your argument and rational bears the risk of having a selection process that is biased towards technical competency, it’s likely to cause “ tunnel vision” when selecting a candidate, that is, you are likely to select a mirror job. More importantly, your rationale does not allow you to be open to selecting for new talent, thinking, attitude and mindset that is of value to the organisation.

Selecting the best candidate needs the assessment of both behavioural and technical competency, making sure there is equal balance between the two and that one is selecting for the future needs of the organisation. This is done by identifying a candidate who has both technical competency and who’ll bring a fresh mind, an alternative perspective and a new way of thinking to the organisation, helping the organisation transform itself for success.

Caroline Mboijana
Managing Director
The Leadership Team (U)
[email protected]