Fancy A Career in Human Relations? Read On...

An Interview with Kathy Allison, Head of HR at boohoo.com

How did you begin your career in HR and progress to your current position at boohoo?

Kathy Allison

Before joining boohoo, I worked in the hospitality sector as a People Development Manager at Radisson Blu Hotels. Throughout my time there I looked after Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool properties. My position at boohoo came after a friend encouraged me to apply – they had seen the role advertised and thought it sounded like a good role for me. It was a lengthy interview process but I was fortunate enough to get the job and become the first Head of HR at boohoo.

How would you describe a typical day working at boohoo?

My role is really varied so it is difficult to describe a typical day. I can be doing anything from a full day of interviewing senior candidates, supporting with people issues or attending and addressing director meetings. There is always plenty for me to do!

Do you think you need to have a degree in HR to start a career in it?

My degree wasn’t in HR but I have gained a lot of experience to develop my career in this field. Having said that, I do think it is great to have a HR degree as it provides a foundation and you then have the technical and theoretical knowledge about HR.

What advice do you have for anyone wanting to begin a career in HR?

It is helpful to know what industry you’d like to do HR in and then you can gain experience in that area. This isn’t essential though as your skills will be transferable. I do feel that being prepared to understand the HR function from the ground up is a good basis for career development. As with many competitive industries, it is really important that you prove your determination and demonstrate the skills you have that will make you stand out from the crowd.

Do you have any suggestions about how someone could sell their skills when applying for a role in HR?

Have a look at your CV and make sure it is concise. Start with highlighting your key achievements. Don’t make it long, and more importantly keep it focused to the particular role you’re applying for. A one size fits all approach doesn’t always work.

What do you look for in a candidate applying for a job within HR?

Candidates that stand out to me are those who can show how they will benefit the business if they are successful. Being able to work commercially and a real desire to deliver success through people is important. It is also great to see someone with a real passion and persistence to work in the industry.

Note: Thanks to Sasha Jones for providing this interview.  If you would like to know more about careers in HR, a good starting point is the Graduate Prospects website.