Kate Pearson APHRNZ

What led you to a career in HR/ the position that you are in currently? 

I studied Management at University and luckily my first job after graduating was an entry-level HR Admin job. This led to various roles mostly focussing on HR Advisory. Most recently, and my biggest achievement to date is I have just launched my own Virtual HR Management and HR Consulting business, In Balance HR. This is a new challenge for me but has been an exciting journey! I liked the concept of Virtual HR Management after hearing so much about Virtual Assistants and thought the same concept could carry over to HR. 

What do you love about working in HR?

I love building trusting relationships with all people across an organisation. Often people come to us in their most challenging times, and so I love being able to help make a really tricky situation as good as it possibly could be for that person. Whether that be during a restructuring process or simply if the employee is going through personal challenges, there is always a way we can help. 

What is an achievement so far in your career that you are proud of?

My biggest achievement so far would be my recent leap of faith in starting my own business. It’s taken a lot of courage and stepping out of my comfort zone but I’m learning so much and get a sense of satisfaction that I am able to make HR Advice more accessible to SMEs. 

What are your thoughts on the Accredited Professional Member process?

The Accredited Professional Member process was a great way for me to reflect on my career in HR and actually recognise the skills I have (which often I forget) and the impact we have in our HR roles.

Do you plan to now work towards becoming a Chartered Member?  

Yes, I do plan to work towards becoming a Chartered Member. It’s a great way to encourage my continued professional development, gain recognition for my mahi, as well as gives my client’s confidence in my abilities which I am learning is also a really important piece of the puzzle now that I’m working with external clients as opposed to being part of an organisation working internally. 

What are your next steps in terms of your career?

My next steps are to grow my business. I am passionate about employees being treated well in the workplace and empowering managers and business owners to support their teams, day-to-day as well as in the big picture. The more I grow my business, the more accessible this support will be.