It is no surprise that companies invest a lot to train their employees every year. As a recruitment company in Singapore, we understand a recruiter's need to upskill themselves consistently in order to keep up with the frequent market changes.
A survey conducted by The Straits Times, revealed that local firms focus on two key strategies in the wake of the pandemic. These include improving staff capabilities and reorganizing their workforces in readiness for the post-Covid-19 environment. Equipping employees with new skills came as a priority, with 37% of companies saying they will invest in this area while 41% intend to invest more in helping critical staff gain new skills.
This article will focus on skills that HR recruiters should have and should be trained on. In addition, there are many corporate training courses in Singapore that can help employees sharpen their skills.
Why Recruiters Should Undergo Frequent Trainings
Recruiters are mainly responsible for sourcing candidates online, updating job ads, and conducting background checks. They usually need experience in various job interview formats, including phone screenings and group interviews. This means that they need a lot of hard and soft skills to remain competitive in the industry. Skills like negotiation skills and presentation skills are also important for companies to focus on.
1. Negotiation Skills
Negotiation skills are crucial, especially in the HR industry, as recruiters often need to deal with both companies and candidates. They need to liaise with each party many times to go through the salary and recruiting process details. Good negotiation skills can contribute significantly to business success, as it helps build customer relationships and deliver effective solutions for the long haul.
Relevant courses (WSQ): Business Development (Business Negotiation)
Total Training Hours: 10–20 hrs (per module)
Objectives: Conduct negotiations for a range of business situations to achieve win-win solutions. After completing each competency-based training program, you will be awarded a Statement of Attainment (SOA).
2. Sales Skills
Sales skills are also important for HR recruiters, where they have to manage both B2B sales and B2C sales. Besides having to sell the position to the candidate, they also have to sell the candidate to the client. Sales skills are needed to get candidate leads, inspire and motivate candidates, and sign deals with companies.
Relevant courses (WSQ): Business Development (Sales and Marketing)
Total Training Hours: 10-30 hrs (per module)
Objectives: Understand the organisation’s products or services as well as business environment (both domestic and international). Develop and implement strategies to promote the sale of products or services. After completing each competency-based training programme, you will be awarded a Statement of Attainment (SOA).
3. Communication Skills
Recruiters need communication skills on a daily basis. This is because they always need to talk to people on the phone, meet clients face to face, and communicate via email. Moreover, they often need to collaborate with different departments like the administrative and marketing teams. This means that they are continuously needing to use their communication and collaboration skills. Only smooth communication with different parties can ensure that the team and company operates efficiently.
Relevant courses (WSQ): Business Management (Communications)
Training Hours: 10–20 hrs (per module)
Objectives: Develop and implement personal and corporate communication strategies, including public relations strategies and techniques to inform, engage, and support stakeholders in order to achieve desired organisational goals. After completing each competency-based training programme, you will be awarded a Statement of Attainment (SOA).
4. Presentation Skills
HR recruiters use this skill similar to sales skills. This is because recruiters often have to present to different parties, both in person and virtually. It is important to show clarity and confidence in their presentations and conversations. With the help of good presentation skills, good recruiters will be able to connect with their clients on a professional level that will be beneficial for the company. This skill is important to invest in as it leads to good relationships with clients to improve the company's future prospects.
Relevant courses (WSQ): Personal Management And Development Skills
Training Hours: 10–20 hrs (per module)
Objectives: Develops personal mastery competence to stay resilient and adaptive in trying times while keeping relevant and aligned with organizational goals. Both operational and supervisory levels are offered.
5. Customer Service Skills
Recruiters also have to focus on customer service. This is because the industry is built on reliable and trusted relationships built between the recruiter, client, and candidate. Most of the time, recruiters have to understand the candidate's underlying needs, be more responsive, and monitor the recruitment process. This is all part of customer service. Thus, it is crucial to be a confident, efficient communicator that is as customer focused as possible.
Relevant courses (WSQ): Certificate in Service Excellence
Training Hours: Not listed
Objectives: The WSQ Certificate in Service Excellence aims to groom service professionals with the skills and competencies to provide go-the-extra mile service with a service excellence mindset. It also equips service professionals with the skills to handle service challenges, workplace diversity and as well as contribute to service improvements through service innovation. Both operational and supervisory levels are offered.
6. Technology Skills
Technology is gradually becoming more and more important in all industries, including recruitment. Whatever tasks employees perform every day rely on different tools and processes. It’s essential to ensure the recruiters have the technical skills they need to perform their jobs successfully. With better technology skills, recruiters can solve problems, coordinate work with peers, and process large amounts of client data. By training them, better productivity can be achieved, which gives a company a more competitive edge over similar companies.
Relevant courses (WSQ): Information & Communication Technologies Skills
Training Hours: Not listed
Objectives: Introduces common terminologies used in computing; imparts skills and knowledge to use basic ICT tools, equipment and software to process information and generate different types of documents at the workplace. Both operational and supervisory levels are offered.
What are some skills and courses that every HR recruiter should have? Share them with us in the comments section below.
Read More: Understanding the Role of Talent Acquisition in Singapore