what are the analytical skills required to develop a successful career in human resources.?

Answer 1

You will need literacy, so that you can scan CVs for exact word matches to the job description you've put out. (On that - you'll need superb rhetorical skill to spin out the 'quirky' bits of jobs no one wants to do.)

You need to have the sharpness to excise common sense and humanity from your being, and to evenly apply ridiculous and often misguided policies no matter how you feel about them, or the people they touch.

You need to very carefully dull your sensitivity to human suffering - you will need to learn to deflect the pain and weirdness of people who don't fit in their jobs, (or more than likely, anywhere) and the irritated responses of the normal people around them. Also - you'll have to learn to tell people who've devoted decades to a company that because of 'restructuring' they will lose their jobs and pensions, and then invite them to reapply for their old jobs.

You are, however, permitted a frisson when something 'dangerous' happens, like sexual harrassment. This also gives you the right to hold your chin 3" higher than everyone else, and to run 'sensitivity' workshops and/or 'mediation' sessions that you will force people to attend.

(All this a way of saying: get ready for a load of animosity...)

Answer 2

Dear Sonia,

In my experience, a successful career can be built on sound technical skills, followed importantly with:
A deep empathy for people who work for & with you.
A keen understanding of human psychology, based on their incumbent culture.
Patience, which seems to be in short supply these days.
An ability to integrate your HR skill with the organizations big picture.
Develop a system of 'Metrics', whereby you can assess yourself & determine if you are adding value to your organization.
The ability to showcase your achivements, in terms of value addition to the organizations, business plan.
Regards.
Capt A.Nagaraj
Bangalore-India