Career Research Report: Skills for HR Manager in Retail Industry

This report explores the career of an HR Manager within the retail industry. It begins by outlining the importance of choosing the right profession and then focuses on the retail sector, analyzing industry trends like globalization, technology, and sustainability. The report uses both secondary and primary research, including interviews with HR managers from Tesco and Marks and Spencer, to identify essential skills such as communication, negotiation, decision-making, leadership, and time management. It also highlights the required knowledge areas, including training and development, and administration and management. The evaluation section assesses the candidate's suitability for the role, emphasizing the opportunities for personal and professional growth. The conclusion summarizes the findings, emphasizing the impact of industry trends and the importance of the identified skills and knowledge for career success in HR management. The report also includes references and an appendix with interview questions.

Report that demonstrate awareness if the
knowledge and experience required by a recent
graduate to enter in a chosen area of
employment

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................2
Analysis and Application.......................................................................................................2
Evaluation..............................................................................................................................4
CONCLUSION..........................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES...........................................................................................................................6
Appendix................................................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
The aim of this report is to highlight the importance of choosing the right profession
after graduation. For that the chosen profession is retail, and I want to become a HR Manager
in retail firm. So the study will provide the general trend that affect the chosen industry and
provide list of skills and knowledge required to meet the aim.
Analysis and Application
To analyse the actual facts, both primary and secondary data are used in order to
determine the actual trend. Such that
Secondary study
General trend which impact the chosen profession
 Globalization: It affect the industry such that retailers are move from one country to
another for cheaper labour costs at foreign countries. So, retail industry development
and manufacturing will be influenced and as a result, face global competition.
 Technology: In this changing era, most of the companies uses advance technologies
which cause direct impact upon the business (Lice and Sloka, 2019). To stay ahead in
competition, companies are using range of tools and techniques in order to create
direct impact upon business.
 Sustainability: Retail industry make sure that companies are focusing upon the
sustainability and for that it uses recyclable products that do not cause negative
impact upon environment. Customers are also concern about the environment and that
is why, they did not purchase the product from those company who do not focus upon
sustainability (Tapado, Acedo and Palaoag, 2018).
Primary study
To determine the trend, primary research has been conducted in which 2 managers are
chosen, one from Tesco and another is from Marks and Spencer for interview purpose. So the
results indicate that there is a wide scope in HR profession. Such that both the interviewee are
agreed that investing time and money in this profession is good and in return will get output.
Hence, it is analysed that choosing retail industry over others is a good decision which in turn

assist to improve the professional and personal skills. Moreover, it is also examine that to
become a HR Manager there is a need to possess strong skills and must have a knowledge
that assist to improve the results in positive manner.
Skills and experience required
Skills:
 Communication skills: HR Manager must possesses strong communication skills
which in turn assist to communicate the necessary things to each other. Thus, talking
to others in order to convey the information effectively is necessary. Negotiation skills: They have to deal with entire office and that is why, they should
have strong negotiation skill that helps to convince others easily (Baruch, Bhaskar and
Mishra, 2019). Decision making skills: In an organization, HR manager have to make many decision
and that is why, they must have this skill. As it is a great part of HR’s role in order to
solve any difficult situation. Leadership skills: They have to run an entire company and that is why, having
effective leadership skills is mandatory. Therefore, they should organize the work
accordingly. Time management: A strong time management skills will assist the firm to improve
the results and meet the specific deadline of a work as well. Hence, it is necessary to
manage one’s own time as well as time of others (Essential skills for HR Manager,
2020).
Knowledge:
 Training and development skills: HR manager must possess strong knowledge of
T&D because it is the main key area which helps to improve the performance of
employees. Also, there is a need to comply all the principles of training so that
employees will enhance their overall performance.
 Administration and management: They possesses strong knowledge of business and
management in which principles are involved in a strategic planning, resource
allocation etc. They have to manage the entire work and that is why, it is necessary for
them to maintain the work so that the deadline are met (Moolman, 2017).

Evaluation
Through the primary and secondary research, it is evaluated that HR Manager in retail
industry helps me to meet the new person and gain new experience and that is why, investing
in this profession is a right decision which in turn assist to improve the results as well.
Further, I also evaluated that there is a job vacancy in the same field and the company also
required the same skills which I possesses. As I completed the graduation in management
degree and that is why, I think opting this option over others will assist to gain new
knowledge and this in turn improve the results. I choose my profession in HR Manager over
others because working in HR department of an organization gives a position of influence.
Also, they are able to influence its future through right recruitment and employee training
(Pheko and Molefhe, 2017).
Moreover, I also evaluated from the primary research that HR professional have a
unique chance of helping others and as a result, they have it one of their major responsibility
i.e. employee welfare. On the other side, working in this industry and the chosen professional
will help me to improve the skills and also learn new skills such that technological skills
which in turn assist me to develop new strategy by using effective skills. Moreover, it is also
analysed that from the secondary study, it has been evaluated that there are some factors that
affect the results but on the other side, it also creates an opportunity to the company in order
to improve the results. As the demand of people is keep changing by changing the market and
that is why, HR professionals should analyse the demand and then make the decision
accordingly which in turn improve the results and also take a business at further level of
success too.
Hence, from both primary and secondary study it has been evaluated that I preferred
this job role because of its emerging in nature and this in turn creates an opportunity for me to
grab better career opportunity in future as well (Suleman, 2016). Further, it is also related to
the potential choice of an industry such that I also possesses same skills and knowledge
which in turn assist to make me able to fit in this job profile over others. As there is a wide
scope in this profession and that is why, I prefer this job role over others. In addition to this, it
is also evaluated that working in this job post will help me to see the holistic view of an
organization and this in turn assist to achieve the set goals in future. Therefore, to become a
HR professional and explore my skills in this profession will help me to meet the define aim
and grab better opportunity for the future as well.

CONCLUSION
By summing up above report it has been concluded that globalization and technology
do affect the entire retail industry and it provide a chance of opportunity in order to improve
the results. Further the study also concluded through primary research that there is a wide
scope in this profession and it helps a candidate to groom themselves in the terms of personal
and professional manner. Also, report assess different skills and knowledge which are
required in order to determine the results in proper manner. Lastly, it has been evaluated that
to become a HR Manager and start a career in this profession will help to meet the career
point.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Baruch, Y., Bhaskar, A.U. and Mishra, B., 2019. Career dynamics in India: A two-wave
study of career orientations and employability of graduates. Personnel Review. 49(3).
pp.825-845.
Lice, A. and Sloka, B., 2019, May. Performance of vocational education in Latvia in
developing employability of graduates. In Proceedings of the International Scientific
Conference. Volume V (Vol. 222, p. 232).
Moolman, H., 2017. A conceptual competence-based framework for enhancing the
employability of graduates. The Independent Journal of Teaching and Learning. 12(2).
p.26-43.
Pheko, M.M. and Molefhe, K., 2017. Addressing employability challenges: a framework for
improving the employability of graduates in Botswana. International Journal of
Adolescence and Youth. 22(4). pp.455-469.
Suleman, F., 2016. Employability skills of higher education graduates: Little consensus on a
much-discussed subject. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences. 228. pp.169-174.
Tapado, B.M., Acedo, G.G. and Palaoag, T.D., 2018, January. Evaluating information
technology graduates employability using decision tree algorithm. In Proceedings of
the 9th International Conference on E-Education, E-Business, E-Management and E-
Learning (pp. 88-93).
Online
Essential skills for HR Manager. 2020. [Online]. Available through: <
https://in.topresume.com/career-advice/top-skills-for-human-resource-managers>.

Appendix
Interview
Questions Manager of Tesco Manager of Marks and
Spencer
How long you are
working in a
company?
I am working here from last 3
years
From last 3.5 years
Is there any scope in
HR Manager?
Being a HR professional, I gain so
many things which help me in
future. So there is a huge scope.
Yes, a wide scope in HR
professional because it
improve the personal and
professional skills.
Is there any personal
development in this
field?
I don’t think so because it is
completely based upon
professionalism.
Yes, it improver interpersonal
skills.
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