I have created my own network of friends and colleagues. And they want people with good follow-through. And they need professionals who do more than one thing well. In the old days specialists were in demand but with today s labor shortage, HR people are doing everything from compensation and benefits to training and recruiting. And, those policies should be well defined, clearly written and communicated and reflective of the company's culture.
Generalists are much more in demand, particularly with young, emerging companies.
And HR professionals need to think more in terms of making something work for a company rather than say it's not their policy. We are more flexible, less rule-driven, and more creative than ever before. We have created alliances that help us do our jobs better. For instance, if I m in an area that is not my expertise, I will consult with the client and bring in an associate who does have the expertise. If a particular lead doesn t fit me, I ll refer that client to someone else.