When I first started looking for jobs in human resources after college, the question that almost always came up was, “Why do you want to work in HR?”
“I’m a people person.”
Almost every single person I spoke to promptly informed me that recruiters hate that answer. That HR isn’t for people people – it’s about hiring and firing and moving papers around, and if you like working with people, you’ll be disappointed.
That’s bullshit.
I think a lot of people equate, “I’m a people person,” with social worker/guidance counselor HR. With babysitting adults. But that’s not it at all.
If you’re not a people person, I actually think it’s highly likely that you’ll suck at HR.
Great human resources is about removing obstacles. It’s about getting great people in the door and then helping them do amazing things. It’s about driving the business.
Business acumen is really important. But if you lack an empathy for people, you’ll never be able to execute business strategies in a way that truly inspires your people.
Why am I in HR? Because I’m a people person.
Article of the year, man. Those recruiters who are nothing but sharks should go. We need more of you — a people person — in HR. Nice work.
Thanks Frank!
Well Put. You said it with meaning!
When a candidate says that statement without any backbone behind it, then that’s when it’s just an answer with no meaning!
For the record: I hate people, I love people.
@BenjaminMcCall
Thanks Benjamin!
Hi Chris,
If you would tell me in a job interview that your strongest motivation is “I’m a people person” I would not hire you. I would advise you to work in a bar or in healthcare. In my opinion the essence of a good HR person is being curious, have the ability to identify yourself with other people. To see potential in people and stimulate that potential to unleash. And have the analytical skills to balance between individual needs and company goals. So your explanation would help, but I think is not covered by being a people person.
@Rik – Thanks for the comment! I’m not sure that what you described isn’t about “being a people person.”
…the essence of a good HR person is being curious, have the ability to identify yourself with other people. To see potential in people and stimulate that potential to unleash.
Sounds a lot like being a people person to me! I agree though, there’s more to HR than just being a people person. At the end of the day, it’s all about driving the business forward. But if you’re not a people person, I think you’ll fail hard in HR.
I consider it one of our core competencies!
Nice article!
It reminded me of a quote from an AHRI conference I attended earlier this year. One of the speakers said:
“We are people. We are the people people and we are business people.”
An affective HR function does require people who understand that the organisation is actually made up of people. So I’m glad that you don’t doubt for a second that you understand that you are one of the people people.
It will be a scary day if all of HR has lost sight of that.
Thanks Damon – nice quote!