Networking is the number one career development tool used by the majority of HR Directors (HRDs) in Asia, according to research by recruiting experts Hays.
The research, based on an extensive survey of 500+ HRDs across Asia plus in-depth face-to-face interviews with five top HRDs, has been released in the DNA of an HRD report to provide career savvy HR professionals with insights into what it takes to get to the top of their profession.
Plugging into their professional network to keep up with emerging trends was nominated as the top career development tool by 56 per cent of respondents. Of those, 73 per cent prefer networking events while 57 per cent use technical events to keep up with changing trends. Social media was used to network with HR peers by 41 per cent of respondents with 88 per cent nominating LinkedIn as their social channel of choice. A further 47 per cent use Facebook and 40 per cent WeChat. Of the respondents from Mainland China, 91 per cent are on WeChat.
Most of the HRDs taking part in the Hays research were either from Mainland China, Japan, Hong Kong, Malaysia or Singapore.
Continuing education was also nominated as an important way to keep across what is going on. A total of 97 per cent of respondents hold a bachelor’s degree, but 33 per cent have also pursued an MBA and 36 per cent additional HR qualifications such as those available through the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development the Human Resources Certification Institute or SIX Sigma.
“Plugging into every aspect of the business where they hold a senior role was also considered crucial to being a successful HRD,” says Tom Osborne, Regional Director of Hays Malaysia. “HR is an increasingly dynamic career choice and to truly partner with the business, HR leaders need to keep up with the constant changes taking place across most industries and professions in Asia, but also the world,” says Tom. “It’s not surprising that being ‘commercially aware’ was the number one piece of advice for up and comers offered by more than half our respondents.
“Tapping into the learning opportunities offered by gaining international experience was also recommended by HRDs, although only 29 per cent of our survey group had worked outside Asia during their career.” “Nearly half (45 per cent) of our respondents consider working outside your home country a must for career development and 47 per cent are currently considering working overseas. Of those who had worked overseas, 97 per cent found the experience beneficial to their career.”
The DNA of an HRD is the third in the Hays DNA series in Asia and follows the DNA of CFO and DNA of a CIO. For the full report please visit https://www.hays.com.my/HRD/index.htm
Source: Hays Newsroom
