In an increasingly automated and digitised world, HR careers as we know them are likely to change significantly in the future. Career success will depend on HR practitioners being principles-led, evidence-based and outcomes driven. Based on a recent CIPD seminar on careers in HR, here's our top five skills for the future.

1. Top five HR skills
for the future

2. Our take away from a recent
CIPD seminar on careers in
HR

3. 1. SITUATIONAL JUDGEMENT
Workplace bullying.
Sexual harassment
incidents. Warring
colleagues…..

4. 1. SITUATIONAL JUDGEMENT
HR has to deal with a
range of difficult issues,
so it’s important to
remain calm and clear
headed when dealing
with the situation at
hand.

5. Do you understand your
company’s business model?
Or the risks and reputational
challenges it faces? Do you
know the way your business
creates value?
2. COMMERCIAL AWARENESS

6. If you want to climb to the
very top of the HR career
ladder, understanding the
bigger picture of the
company and increasing your
commercial awareness is
essential.
2. COMMERCIAL AWARENESS

7. 3. Critical thinking
One of the most important skills for the future world of
work according to a World Economic Forum report. HR need
to develop the ability to question and challenge business
decisions.

8. 3. Critical thinking
It’s all about evaluating and analysing proposed strategies,
and coming up with new insights by making connections
between seemingly disparate ideas.

9. 4. DIGITAL LITERACY
Are you a technophile or a
technophobe? Research
suggests that HR have a big
role to play in the digital
revolution of the workplace.

10. 4. DIGITAL LITERACY
As well as embracing the
new generation of Cloud HR
software, they need to learn
how to use data to better
support decision making
within the business.

11. 5. MANAGING ETHICAL
DILEMMAS
You only have to look at the
headlines to see how difficult
organisations are finding it to
manage ethical dilemmas.

12. 5. MANAGING ETHICAL
DILEMMAS
The CIPD argues that HR need to
develop the skills to create
cultures where inappropriate
behaviour of all kinds is called
out. What can you do to create
this kind of environment in your
company?

13. With thanks to Ruth Stuart,
Head of Strategy Development at the CIPD.
Discover more about careers in HR at:
https://www.cipd.co.uk/new-hr-learning-
development/careers