Rebound in demand for HR professionals fuelled by transformation in job role

Roles associated with HR saw a 20 percent rise in demand in October 2021 but declined by 4 percent in 2022 due to a slowdown in hiring by both major firms and startups, followed by mass layoffs.

The demand for human resources (HR) professionals bounced back in 2023, almost to the level in 2021, according to data put together for Moneycontrol by job portal foundit. Roles associated with HR saw a 20 percent rise in demand in October 2021 but declined by 4 percent in 2022 due to a slowdown in hiring by both major firms and startups, followed by mass layoffs.

However, the roles are in demand again, registering a 16 percent jump in October 2023. The reason for this significant increase is because HR is no longer seen as a job that just involves hiring professionals, experts say.

In the past, talent acquisition heavily leaned on in-person interviews. However, the introduction of a diverse talent management platform equipped with candidate scoring and skill assessment tests has ushered in a transformative era in recruitment and hiring. This shift has significantly enhanced the effectiveness of HR teams, freeing them up for other critical tasks.

According to Sekhar Garisa, CEO of foundit, HR now needs to acquire relevant certifications or qualifications and invest in training and courses to gain the necessary skills. He added that there are various emerging job roles that HR needs to be prepared for, including Gig Talent Manager, WFH Coordinator, Skill Design Leader, HR Data Director and Wellness & Cultural Head.

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Emerging roles

Gig Talent Manager: The evolving gig economy is reshaping work dynamics, leading to a growing preference for short-term contract employment among many individuals. As a result, the future of HR will witness an increasing number of employees in this category. Consequently, there will be a demand for professionals specialising in managing this segment of the workforce by crafting tailored policies and compensation packages to cater to their unique needs and expectations.

Work from home (WFH) Coordinator: This role will look into a complete overhaul of business operations to accommodate remote workflows and the automation of HR processes to enhance efficiency. It also involves development of dedicated work-from-home (WFH) policies and making necessary modifications to existing policies to ensure they align with the remote work model. This position is responsible for maintaining the motivation and satisfaction of remote workers, ensuring that they remain engaged and productive in the remote work environment.

Skill Design Leader: This role will play a pivotal part in the ongoing development of skills for a diverse workforce. It will involve enhancing existing skill sets and devising innovative strategies to anticipate future work demands. Emphasising innovations in learning, including gamification and performance measurement, is of paramount importance. This role will particularly concentrate on dedicated efforts for sales onboarding and continuous learning initiatives.

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HR Data Director: The role will involve aggregating data insights to enhance employee performance and overall experience. The position will be responsible for driving data analysis to improve business performance and productivity.

Wellness and Cultural Head: Employee well-being, encompassing emotional, physical, and mental health, is set to become a central focus in the future of work. This role will be particularly valuable for organisations with a dispersed workforce, emphasising the importance of holistic employee support and health initiatives.