“Candidates should keep in mind that a CV is not an autobiography,” says Rony Al Masri of Radisson Blu

Rony Al Masri is the Director of Human Resources at Radisson Blu Dubai, Media City. Radisson Blu is a part of Carlson Rezidor hotel Group, one of the world’s largest hotel chains. It has an expanding portfolio of 1,400 hotels, both in operation and under development, a global footprint covering 115 countries and territories, and a powerful set of global brands: Radisson Blu®, Radisson®, Radisson RED, Park Plaza®, Park Inn® by Radisson, and Country Inns & Suites By Carlson.

Rony has a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources from the American University of Technology, Lebanon and has been working in the HR field for more than 10 years now.

1. You career has spanned many countries. What has been your key to success?

Rony: Each country I worked in presented a set of adventures and challenges. Regardless of where you are, the key to success is acceptance and openness. In each country, you have to deal with different cultures, rules and regulations, and for you to succeed in any country and any line of work, you need to have an open mind and accept any change that may come your way and you will, in return, be accepted.

2. What is the secret to leading HR during a difficult time for the organization?

Rony: Having a clear vision of the future and implementing the right strategy are the most important factors to leading HR during difficult times. Add to that patience, and you’ll have a surefire recipe for success. Hiring the best candidates is also crucial to a company’s success. HR managers have to be attentive to the needs of their employees, and should invest time and effort in communicating with them on a regular basis and ensuring they are cared for in all circumstances.

3. Can you give us examples of some of the challenges you face while hiring? How do you overcome them?

Rony: Finding the right talent to recruit is by itself one of the biggest challenges an organization faces today. In fact, with the increasingly fierce war for talent and online revolution, top talents are being approached and lured in by so many top employers, and gaining a competitive edge against other companies has never been harder.

Candidates’ expectations in terms of remuneration and salary packages are another considerable challenge. From an employer’s point of view, the economic downturns we’re currently facing calls for shrinking the HR expenditure, in the same time, new businesses in the local markets are ready to pay more to attract experienced talents and keep them in.

Employer branding and flexibility are the answer to such challenges. Companies should know that their image is their first line of defense and a way to stand out in the war for talent. There are other competing strategies that have proved to be successful. Training and career growth opportunities, lateral development within the organization, and exposure and globalization all play a major role in attracting and retaining talents today.

4. What does your company do to give itself an edge over the competition in the war for talent?

Rony: Radisson Blu offers global exposure in terms of career development and growth, fairness and transparency, engaging our people in the strategic thinking and decision making of the organization, and ensuring that, at all levels, our team is happy and satisfied.

5. Job seekers are often told that they should practice answering interview questions prior to the job interview. In your opinion, what are the three most common interview questions?

Rony:

1. Why should I hire you? 2. What’s your 5-year plan? 3. What is your biggest weakness?

Conventional questions will often result in having the job seeker reciting what the recruiters want to hear rather than answering honestly. While interviewing, I am always looking for the candidate’s unconventional traits and characters, which aren’t written on a CV. Asking the right questions can unleash the candidate’s hidden potentials, and give the recruiter the chance to know the candidates better.

6. When should a job seeker seek help (e.g. CV Writing) from an outside source? Is it better to do so at the beginning of the job search process or should job seekers wait until it becomes obvious that they are having trouble finding a job?

Rony: Candidates should keep in mind that a CV is not an autobiography or chronicle of their academic and professional achievements. Instead, a CV is a mirror that should reflect a candidate’s potential, experience and eligibility for the job. A well-written CV and cover letter are key to standing out in your job search. Candidates must keep in mind that, nowadays, their CV are accessed and viewed by many potential employers. This is even more so with today’s cutting-edge technologies and advanced job sites, such as Bayt.com. In a competitive job market, such as the one in the Middle East, job seekers should look for all the help they can get to stand out and land their dream job.

7. Finally, how do you see the future of HR?

Rony: It is good to see that nowadays, more and more companies are recognizing the importance of the HR function as a strategic part of the organization, and not merely a support function. I expect HR to become an even more indisputable strategic business partner for any organization, with its roles and functions growing beyond the conventional or traditional frame.