Interview with Sameer PM, Senior HR Manager, Amlak

Mr. Sameer P. M. is the Senior Manager - HR with Amlak Finance PJSC. We asked Sameer a few questions regarding the current hiring situation and here is what he had to share with us.

Profile

I am a 33 year old HR professional with Masters Degree in Human Resources. I enjoy every aspect of the broad term “people”. I strongly believe that people are the building blocks of every organization and every human being can be influenced to derive the desired results. My interests include in depth observation and study of Human behavior, Organization Development, Strategic HR, Performance enhancement, Social work & Community development etc.


1. How is the current economy situation affecting the financial industry’s job market?
A: It’s a global financial crisis and it has an impact on every country and every business. However the degree of impact may vary from industry to Industry. The Financial industry’s jobs have also been affected adversely across the globe. But due to timely intervention and support from Govt. agencies, it is expected that the GCC regional job market may face lesser impact compared to other markets. However traces of global recession may reflect across GCC market for at least 12-18 months.

2. Has Amlak Finance slowed down your recruitments?
A: We are currently being watchful when it comes to hiring and the decision on increasing manpower would be based on analyzing the future business trend.

3. Do you foresee any changes in the salary structure due to the economy crisis?
A: I don’t think there would be any changes in salary structure due to economic crisis, now, however the percentage of increase in salary may fall in coming months due to surplus supply of manpower from other crisis hit markets and the salaries may cease to increase on short term . If the crisis persist for longer period, we may witness diminishing trends in compensation & Benefit scales.

4. If I want to join Amlak Finance, what are you looking for in a candidate? What about fresh graduates?
A: When it comes to hiring, we always endeavour to get the “best fit”. The major criteria are based on attitude, education, competence & skills, previous track record and ability to adapt to the organizational culture.

5. What is your coolest contribution to Amlak Finance?
A: I have been associated with Amlak since very early days when the company was formed and had the opportunity to set up the entire Human Resources function in Amlak. Few of my key contributions would include implementation of HR policies & procedures, implementation of compensation & benefits structure, performance management system, various organization development initiates.

6. What is more important – education / experience? How important is the CV?
A: Both education and experience are equally important in grooming a good professional. In the recruitment process, resume forms the first impression about the candidate and hence having a detailed and organized resume will definitely have a positive impact on the selector.

7. In a world without money, how would HR work?
A: We would probably go back to the barter system……..

The question reminds of the famous definition of money “money is what money does”. Historically money has existed in one or other form and it will never cease to exist even if the paper money vanishes as long as human beings exist.

Today’s corporate HR was derived from Social work & community development which played a key role in the development of societies through ages. So in a world without money, HR may go back to its roots.