Exclusive Interview | Vishesh Kumar, Lead HR, Radisson Red Mohali Chandigarh
/“In my view, passion towards your work is required to succeed in this Industry. It doesn’t matter if you are a Front Of The House employee or Back Of The House employee, you should be passionate enough for the happiness of your internal and external customers.”
Editor: Tell us about your journey. How did it all start?
I am a Post Graduate in Mathematics. I started my career as a Lecturer of Mathematics in College. After working for one year i.e. in 2002-2003, I found teaching a stagnant profession. So in 2003 I started to work as HR Assistant in a hydro Power project at Solan HP.
After learning few of the concepts of Personnel department in 2006 I got an opportunity to work in small pharmaceutical factory: JM Remedies in Solan. I worked there for 2 years and in 2008, I joined Allengers Medical systems Limited as Assistant Manager HR. I was taking care of the manufacturing unit at Derabassi. After one year I got promotion as Deputy Manager HR.
In 2010 I thought of giving my career a new twist and left the job. I started doing SAP. I wanted to become Functional Consultant of SAP HCM in IT company. I completed SAP, but unfortunately that time there was recession in the world and mainly IT sector was hit very badly. I didn’t get the job.
My hospitality career started with Hometel A Sarovar hotel, in 2010. In 2011 end I got the opportunity to work with Starwood ( Aloft ) as a pre opening Hr Manager. I worked there till 2014. Then I took PR of Australia and went to Adelaide with my family. Initially I worked there in a IGA Metcash ware house as order picker, but by God’s grace I was selected as HR Advisor there. Somehow my wife didn’t like to stay in Australia and in 2015 end we decided to come back to India.
After coming back to India I started my job as HR Manager with Park Plaza Chandigarh in 2015. In 2018 I was promoted as AGM and was given responsibility to run the hotel, which I assume I did very well till Dec 2020. In Dec 2020 the hotel was sold and closed for renovation. We all were paid our dues and told to leave. Because of Pandemic was not able to find the job.
In August 2021 I got opportunity to work with Wood Hospitality as Operations Manager in Valsad Gujrat. But I had to leave the job as my mother got brain stroke and she was hospitalized. Now presently I am working as Lead HR with Radisson Red Mohali since Jan 23.
Editor: What do you think it takes to succeed in this industry?
In my view, passion towards your work is required to succeed in this Industry. It doesn’t matter if you are a Front Of The House employee or Back Of The House employee, you should be passionate enough for the happiness of your internal and external customers.
Editor: Share some of your secrets in keeping an engaged, safe and happy team.
My moto is to treat everyone equally. Involve in all conversations with the colleagues. Provide them with the best available solution for every problem ( Personal or professional )
Editor: How are you using technology in Human Resources?
Now a days technology has loosen some of the burden of HR. Advanced biometric machines, Leave management systems, customized apps are playing very pivot role.
Editor: What is your favorite interview question & why?
My favourite question in an interview is “Tell Me about your family background“. After listening to the answer of this question I come to know about the background of the candidate. That background helps me to decide about the following :
What will be the attitude of the candidate after joining?
Is he really in a need of job or just want it for the sake of?
His sustainability.
