Rajesh Kumar Singh is an HR leader with experience across sectors (Pharma, IT, Healthcare, Banking & Telecom) in setting up of HR processes, re-engineering them and leading complex assignments. He has led teams in entire gamut of HR (Talent management, Talent acquisition, Compensation & benefit, Plant HR, R&D, international markets). Having done Post Graduation from National University of Singapore on Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship, PGPEX from IIM Calcutta & GPHR, Rajesh designed and executed interventions to develop organization resilience & capability aligned with existing and emerging trends.
He has explored a variety of roles in a professional life of more than 20 years spanning Public sector, Government, Private Sector and Startup. Rajesh’s journey began with State Bank of India as Probationary officer and then he moved to Government of India through Civil Services in 2001, post which, he had a brief entrepreneurial stint as Co-Founder of OLITO before joining KPIT. Along with KPIT HR team, Rajesh Kumar Singh has won awards from World HRD Congress for transformative impact on retention.
In this piece, Rajesh Kumar Singh, Global Head-HR, KPIT puts forth his take on the changing shape of HR in India.
1. Can you tell us more about yourself and how did you pave your way into the HR industry?
Since my formative years I had aspirations of wanting to do services and the boarding school in which I did my Matriculation was a very prestigious institution that has produced its fair share of civil servants. I also joined civil services and I was working for the Ministry of Communication and IT. Because of the various changes that happened over the years, the restrictions in the sector got stricter. During this time, I also went to Singapore to pursue my Master’s in Public Administration and post my return, I was posted in the Department of Telecom and I could see some of the major changes that could happen in the coming decades. So, I resigned my job and decided to do my Post Graduation from IIM Calcutta and from the campus itself I joined Infosys in the HR department. Even when I joined IIM Calcutta, my move to HR wasn’t a planned move.
When I joined the company, I saw the immense scope the sector has to offer and I was managing one of the largest units of Infosys at that time. It was a great learning experience for me and we were able to design and execute various measure to improve the performance of employees as well as employee motivation. Then I moved toAlkon and then toAlkem Laboratories which were both product-based companies and even when it came to HR, many things were different including training, and talent management tactics to mention a few. Even when I was working for the government, I had aspirations of starting a business of my own and after gaining immense experience and expertise working in the IT and pharma industry, I thought that this was the right time to start my own business venture. That was when me along with some of my friends established OLITO which was based out of Pune. And as of now, I am the global head HR of KPIT.
Learn on a consistent basis and make sure that you are constantly updated with the latest trends so that you can always stay on top of their game.
2. What was the impact of covid19 in the IT industry when it jobs and skill development?
IT industry in India is growing in a consistent basis and even with the pandemic, if you look at the large IT companies, their hiring rate is now at an industry high. The growth and profitability of the sector over the last two years has been amazing. Still, some aspects of the industry including mobility has been adversely affected by the pandemic but looking at the bigger picture, the next two to three years are going to be good for the Indian IT industry. The pandemic has also helped the industry to push for more automation and this in turn has helped the industry to improve its operations. These are the sectors that are going to produce more opportunities and the industry has to align its skill development and offerings with the rising opportunities.
3. Post pandemic, what are some of the jobs that are going to be lost forever?
What aspiring job seekers and current employees working in the industry should do is, upskill themselves and with more and more automation being implemented in the industry, those who can constantly update themselves and evolve with the changing market requirements can thrive. The industry in general should look at the sectors that are going to succeed in the future and apart from IT, manufacturing is also going to make a big comeback in India with the advancements in technology.
4. What are the skills that today’s job recruiters look for? Also, how can job seekers improve their employability?
There is an evident gap between what the industry requires and what the gradates can offer and students should be careful when it comes to choosing the educational institutions owing to the fact that it can have a massive impact on your career prospects. Job seekers should also make sure that they are willing to work hard and be focused on the job in order to create a successful career. Have a clear understanding of what you want your career to be and work hard to achieve that. Learn on a consistent basis and make sure that you are constantly updated with the latest trends so that you can always stay on top of their game. People should also understand that the various options that they have in front of you and the repercussions each option have. This will help you to plan your career smoothly.
5. What are the skills that are going to gain prominence in the post-pandemic world?
Technology is improving on a consistent basis and an individual who wants to pursue a career in the IT industry should keep themselves abreast with the latest trends and requirements in the industry. People should also improve their learnability one should always have the ability to adapt to changes. Also, cultivate the habit of creating a network of mentors which will be of good help in your career growth. Be ready to face and overcome challenges and the pressures of the industry and develop your critical thinking and the ability to execute. Now, with online education easily accessible for students from all walks of life, you can learn at your own pace and at your own time and by increasing your knowledge base you will be able to expand your horizons. Personally, I believe that the healthcare, mobility and the renewable energy sectors will open up more in the coming years and there will be improved job opportunities in those areas.
6. What motivated you to constantly strive for improvement?
I believe that it is the responsibility of the parents to inculcate the right values in their children. My father had a huge impact in my life and he made me highly aspirational. The educational institutions that I went to, my friends and faculty, all had an impact on me but I always had a desire to be successful and to constantly improve myself on a consistent basis. More importantly, I had a desire to excel and to leave my mark.
7. What would be your advice to the upcoming generation?
People should work hard to be really good and I have never seen a good candidate struggling with a job. The problem now is, people are not that capable but their aspirations are so high. One should always focus on their competency development and one should be able and confident to have a positive impact and differentiate yourself from the rest and show other what value addition can you bring to the table.
