TALENT ACQUISITION IS A TREASURE HUNT – NOT A SEARCH

A veteran with 26 years of industry experience, Harshvendra Soin, Global Chief People Officer and Head – Marketing, Tech Mahindra, is responsible for leading the company’s HR processes and policies. In an interaction with Dataquest, he talks about the impact of COVID-19 on hiring, the company’s talent acquisition strategy, including from Tier 2 and 3 cities, and transformation of the workforce to meet future needs. Excerpts:

- Shubhendu Parth

Reports indicate that tech Mahindra is planning to hire three times more freshers than the normal year. What has triggered this hiring spree despite the pandemic?

The pandemic has accelerated digital transformation projects for businesses, leading to an increased demand for professionals adept in digital or niche technologies. Our biggest focus for FY22 is on building skills and keeping our talent pool brimming with new-age technologies. We continue to hire in focused verticals like artificial intelligence (AI), internet of things (IoT), cyber security, deep tech and space tech, among others, and strengthen our leadership for the technology sector as well. We are also diversifying our talent pool by going global for talent acquisition as well as increasing hiring from Tier 2 Indian cities, especially at the ‘bottom of the pyramid’.

We have also introduced several employee-engagement initiatives to encourage associates to upskill and once they get deployed on projects requiring niche skills, they benefit financially as well.

While the company is focusing on hiring in new technology areas like aI, Iot, and space technology, what are the other key areas for which you may hire from the t-Schools?