A3: As an HR Manager, I oversee all aspects of human resources in my organisation.
This includes recruitment, onboarding, training, performance management,
compensation and benefits, employee relations, and compliance with employment laws
and regulations. I work closely with management to understand hiring needs and ensure
we attract and retain top talent.
Q4: How long have you been doing this role for?
A4: I've been in this HR management role for 5 years.
Q5: How did you get to this point in your career?
A5: I started my career in HR as a recruiter and worked my way up to HR manager by
taking on additional responsibilities, getting an MBA, and proving I could effectively
manage the full scope of HR functions.
Q6: When it comes to remuneration, what are your three B’s? (Base, Bonus, Benefits?)
A6: My compensation package includes a base salary of $120,000, an annual bonus up
to 15% based on performance, and benefits like health insurance, superannuation
contributions, and annual leave.
Q7: I’m not going to ask you who you work for, but, what industry is your company in?
A7: I work for a company in the technology industry.
Q8: When it comes to work flexibility, is your work primarily office-based, fully remote, or a
mix of both? Which do you prefer? Does your company allow you to be flexible?
A8: My work is a mix of in office and remote. I'm in the office 2-3 days per week for
meetings and collaboration, and work from home the other days. I like having flexibility.
My company is very open to telecommuting options.
Q9: What does an average week or a typical day look like for you? Can you walk me through
your day? What time do you arrive and start at work, what are your main
tasks/responsibilities, who do you interact with, what meetings do you attend, etc.?
A9: On a typical day, I arrive at the office around 8am. I'll check emails and my calendar
to prioritise my day. My mornings are often filled with meetings, like interviewing
candidates or touching base with department managers. In the afternoons I catch up on
tasks like drafting job descriptions, researching compensation data, and working on HR
initiatives or projects. I also make myself available to employees who need support or
have questions.
Q10: What does a typical day look like when things are going well vs a more
challenging/stressful day?
A10: When things are going smoothly, my days are more project focused. When we're
understaffed or have employee relations issues, I spend more time reacting and
responding to immediate needs.
Q11: What skills or knowledge are most important for your day-to-day work?
A11: Important skills for my role include communication, problem solving, critical
thinking, multitasking, compliance knowledge, and emotional intelligence.
Q12: What are some examples of recent accomplishments or contributions you've made in
this role?
A12: Recently I researched and negotiated a new employee health insurance plan that
maintained coverage while reducing costs significantly. I also devised a new employee
referral program that improved our applicant pipeline.
Q13: Do you have a supportive manager and do you feel valued?
A13: My manager trusts me to handle my responsibilities independently but also
provides support and mentoring. I feel valued for the expertise I bring to the
organisation.
Q14: How much time do you spend collaborating with colleagues vs working independently?
A14: I'd say my time is evenly split between independent work and collaboration. I
interact closely with our leadership team as well as employees across the company.
Q15: Is there anything you wish you would have known before starting this role?
A15: I wish I'd known how much influence HR has over company culture. I'm passionate
about fostering a positive, inclusive workplace.
Q16: What do you hate most about your role?
A16: The most challenging parts of my role are disciplining employees and occasionally
delivering bad news like layoffs. However, these are important responsibilities.
Q17: What do you love most about your role?
A17: I love seeing great employees develop and advance in their careers here. It's very
rewarding to help make this a great place to work.
Q18: What’s the next role for you and when do you hope to achieve this?
A18: My next role is to be a Director of HR, managing a small team. I hope to achieve
this in the next 2 years.
Q19: Is your next role going to be with the same company or a different one?
A19: I plan to move into a Director role within my current company. There are
opportunities to move up here.
Q20: What’s one piece of advice you could give to someone who aspires to reach your
position?
A20: Never stop learning and developing your skills. Be proactive in seeking feedback
and self-improvement.
Q21: It’s Day 1 for someone in your role. What one piece of advice would you give them to
succeed?
A21: Ask questions, build relationships, and don't be afraid to lean on your coworkers for
help as you're getting up to speed. You'll do great!
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