11 answers
Nicole’s Answer
It depends on the job. I'm in HR Systems, so it's basically a cross between Human Resources and Information Systems. This requires me have a great attention to detail, work well with deadlines and project management and be able to effectively communicate with users.
In a more general sense, a good team mate in my opinion is punctual, easy to work with, responsive and respectful.
Robin’s Answer
I am in a corporate communications position where I manage people who develop member materials for a health care plan. Here are a few tips on the skills that have helped me and that I feel are needed to be in a similar position or to prepare yourself to earn or acquire such a position. Any given day requires most of these skills.
Organization:
It's important to be organized to manage other people and stay on top of the projects they are tasked to start and complete.
Because attending numerous meetings a week is a large part of my role, taking good notes is key. No one can remember every point spoken, every issue or every new topic or project shared without writing them down. There are numerous ways to stay organized, but you have to choose the methods that work best for you: hard copy notebooks, electronic software, Excel charts, etc. If you start your own system and adapt it as needed, you'll be ready when bigger and better opportunities come your way.
Teachable:
A "know-it-all" is not pleasant to work with and often lacks the attributes needed to do a job well and work well independently and corporately. We're all human so there's no shame in asking questions, taking notes, listening to the advise of those who know more than you, and admitting when you've made a mistake. Leaders need to know the people they are bringing onto their teams or part of their projects are less concerned with looking like they know everything and more concerned with learning and performing the job.
Adaptable:
Part of being a manager or good employee requires flexibility. Period. Situations often change at my job and require quick thinking, a shift in work priorities, and delegation if necessary . . . without complaint. Sure. It can be frustrating when you have a plan for your team or yourself and your leader or situation comes along that puts your plans on delay. But you must be a team player and help the people you're working with come to resolution of whatever emergency or "fire" that's taking priority at the moment.
Problem-solver:
In a leadership role, your team, your boss, and people from other departments will come to you for work guidance/advise and questions based on your expertise in your field. Just when you think your day is going well, up crops an issue you must help solve. Leadership isn't for everyone but everyone faces something in their jobs that requires problem solving. Even if no one reports to you, your leader will appreciate that you aren't complaining about everything that's challenging with your work or that you're willing to help her or him resolve an issue. But be careful. Don't try to solve everyone's issues or get in other people's "lanes" to solve problems you weren't asked to help resolve.
Communication:
This is key and goes both ways. You not only must convey expectations as a leader, but you must listen to your team as well. Your team or teammates can't read your mind. Communication is more than speaking. Good concise emails, instant messages and texts all play an important role with your team, teammates, and others outside of your work area.
Approachable:
Being a leader means you have people who report to you. When they have questions, be accessible to help answer those questions or concerns. Set up weekly or bi-weekly one-on-one meetings with each direct report to get project status, hear concerns, answer questions and learn more about the people who are on your team. Leaders lead best when they care about their teammates.
Mila’s Answer
As an individual who works in change management, I use the following skills regularly:
- Communication (verbal and written): being able to position messages to influence your audience, communicating in a clear and concise manner (need to keep it short and snappy so you don't lose your audience)
- Working With Ambiguity: you won't always know the full picture and you have to be comfortable with not having all of the details and being willing to adapt to changing circumstances
- Empathy: often times you're working with someone else's interest in mind so it's important for you to be able to put yourself in their shoes and think about the impact of decisions to that person/team and what their concerns may be so you can address them
Hope this helps!
Kathy’s Answer
I'm a Communication major, and I currently am a PR and Marketing Intern. My job requires conducting myself professionally, being reliable and on time, and being creative!
Simeon’s Answer
Archived’s Answer
These are the most important skills required for me to execute well in my position:
- Being a good communicator - it is very important that you 'sell your ideas', that you help colleagues to understand what we are trying to do in a project, that you provide timely updates on a project status, on team accomplishments, etc. And to be a good communicator, you have to understand the audience and be able to talk to them in the proper language style and level of details also.
- Logical skills and understand the big picture - understand why something has to be done, to achieve a long term vision is also very critical to ensure we help the organization to move in the right direction
- Being a good couch and team builder - take maximum value of your team, support team to address weaknesses and reinforce positive areas, utilize the right resource in the right activity is key to ensure successful team accomplishments
Ralph’s Answer
Hi Carmyn
Great question. Building a successful career in the communications arena requires that you speak clearly and eloquently, write compelling copy and exhibit strong interpersonal skills.
The first impression you give is very important, so you whether in writing or in person, you want to be deemed as a credible and honest person. Listening to those you work with and having your finger on the pulse of what's going on around you helps a LOT.
My job varies from day to day, but I definitely write something every day. Some days include video work and other involve managing big employee events such as town halls and health fairs. I try to be organized every day and give 100% of my attention to each and every business partner. It's important to make every partner feel valued and that you are aligned with their goals.
Using intentional collaboration is also a good piece of advice I'd offer. Do not wait for others to seek you out. Raise your hand and volunteer for projects where you can add value. As more and more of us work in dispersed locations and connect virtually, it's important to stay relevant and show people who you are and what you can do.
Kelley’s Answer
1. Adaptability - there are ebbs and flows to the human resources field. I think we saw that even more clearly with the pandemic. During the pandemic the human resources field was heavily leaned on. This means also learning new things, finding new resources etc. Human Resources is an everchanging landscape.
2. Communication - While it is quite obvious that this is top priority in human resources, it's important that you understand the different level of communication skills needed. You have to be able to appropriately and effectively communicate sometimes very sensitive topics. Communication skills with executives is also important - can you express yourself well in front of important people? On the international scale, this brings another layer of complexity. How do you effectively communicate with those from a different culture or sometimes even interpret their communication?
3. Resourcefulness - Like I said, HR is everchanging. How will you help carry the department forward?
4. Relationship building - Building relationships with the business partners is key. You are the expert in this field and they have to be able to trust your judgement, especially as you have to make more complex changes to align with newer trends, policies, or laws.
5. Empathy - You sometimes get to know employees more than their managers may ever know. As HR we have access to more sensitive information as we advocate for the employee and the business partner alike. It may be the case that you know about a sickness, a family death, financial troubles, etc. before the manager does. Or sometimes you have to be the person that represents the employee the manager when they are asking for time off or leave without revealing those issues. Overall, you're going to eventually get people's grief and go through hardships with them - in HR it's our job to be empathetic and advocate as well as we can for them.
Gloria’s Answer
I am an Instructional Designer. This is a Human Resources job that would have some name like Learning and Development or Training Department. I am a member of my corporate University team. I think that this link gives you a good sense of the skills that this role requires: https://elearningindustry.com/6-skills-to-look-for-in-an-instructional-designer.
I think that the most critical and difficult skill here is around people skills. Communication, both written and verbal, have to be very good. You have to be flexible since most people don't always say exactly what they mean. You have to be able to interpret what they mean which can require a lot of empathy. You have to be fearless in asking questions to make sure that you have completely understood. I am a consultant on good learning, so I have to be able to convey what good training looks like. Sometimes people think just telling someone what to do is good training. That's not the case. So I need to be able to teach my client how training should work and weave their vision with something that actually gets the results that the client expects. That takes practice. I would say that if you can practice your communication skills starting now, do so. Working well with people includes communicating well, no matter what job that you do.
Gloria
Andrea E’s Answer
You need to be able to truly listen to your coworkers, managers, and stakeholders because their time is valuable and you need to respect that and not waste it. You need to communicate clearly and provide an adequate level of information that answers the questions asked without adding information that could cause confusion. You need flexibility to change direction, add work, and rethink prior decisions when warranted. You need to own your work, apologize when you get it wrong, fix it quickly, and not take it personally. Do the right thing for the right reason and even if you're wrong, it's OK.