COMPETENCIES OF HR PROFESSIONALS: A STUDY ON THE HR COMPETENCIES OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Abstract

The changes in HR operations changed the expectations from an HR professionals in the last decades. Today businesses need HR managers and professionals who can contribute strategically to the organization. As a result of these developments competencies are becoming more important in the selection process of new employees. The purpose of this research is to examine existing literature concerning HR competencies and to shed light on what competencies university students on the way to becoming HR professionals have. Also analyzing the perceptions of university students regarding HR competencies and the contribution of education. Additionally the relationship between competency level and gpa is tested. With this goal in mind a survey is conducted on 301 students of Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Biga Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences and the gathered data is analyzed. Via analysis 8 dimensions of competencies (credible activist, strategic manager, change manager, culture and structure architect, business knowledge, innovator, HRM specialist, manager and leader) is found. Also the data showed statistically significant differences between education contribution and competencies. No relationship between competencies and gpa is found.