New to Leading a Recruitment Team: How Can I Delegate Tasks and Expand My HR Role?

Hi all,

I joined a company 3 months ago with the responsibility of leading the recruitment team, handling induction, and payroll. I have no prior experience in leading a recruitment team. I'm looking for guidance on how to divide responsibilities among my team members and how to structure the team. I currently have 2 members reporting to me.

One team member is responsible for shortlisting resumes and maintaining an Excel database without contacting candidates. I then speak to the candidates and coordinate interviews. The other team member, a junior with 1 year of experience, doesn't have a specific role assigned. I am seeking advice on how to delegate tasks effectively.

I aim to establish a systematic process to enhance our hiring system. Despite my 4 years in recruitment, I wish to move away from repetitive tasks and focus on higher-level recruitment duties. While I'm open to continuing my current tasks, I prefer not to do them continuously as I want to broaden my skills.

On my team, one member has 2 years of consultancy experience, and the other has 8 months of experience in the same field. I am looking for ways to manage, guide, support, and develop this team effectively.

Although I receive a good salary, speaking to 40 candidates daily by phone has become tedious after 4 years. I am comfortable conducting face-to-face HR interviews or HR rounds over the phone.

Currently, we are a team of 3, and we are hiring a senior HR manager for decision-making and strategic roles, as well as a Generalist HR for the night shift. I aspire to explore various HR functions beyond recruitment. How can I communicate this desire to my superiors, especially since my role was initially focused on recruitment and induction?

I am seeking suggestions and advice on how to navigate this situation effectively.

As you transition to higher-level HR duties and aim to enhance your recruitment team's effectiveness, consider the following steps:

1. Delegate Responsibilities: Assign specific roles to each team member based on their strengths and experience. Utilize the consultancy experience of one member for strategic planning and the junior member's fresh perspective for innovative ideas.

2. Implement Structured Processes: Develop standardized procedures for resume screening, candidate communication, and interview coordination to streamline the hiring process and ensure consistency.

3. Training and Development: Provide continuous training to your team members to enhance their skills and knowledge in recruitment practices. Encourage learning opportunities and mentorship within the team.

4. Effective Communication: Clearly communicate your career aspirations and interest in exploring broader HR functions to your superiors. Emphasize your commitment to the team's success while expressing your desire for professional growth.

5. Performance Evaluation: Regularly assess your team's performance and provide constructive feedback to help them improve. Recognize and reward their achievements to boost morale and motivation.

6. Seek Feedback: Encourage open communication within the team to gather feedback on current processes and identify areas for improvement. Implement suggestions that align with your goal of enhancing the hiring system.

7. Balance Workload: Distribute tasks evenly among team members to prevent burnout and ensure a productive work environment. Consider rotating responsibilities to provide variety and prevent monotony.

By following these steps, you can effectively manage your recruitment team, nurture their development, and pave the way for your transition to higher-level HR responsibilities.