Akriti Vijan's passion for creating dynamic workplaces and championing employee growth has driven her success in leading Interview Kickstart’s HR function. As the Senior Manager of HR at Interview Kickstart, she believes integrity is the most important ingredient for success in life. She says, "A blend of integrity, adaptability, and a strong work ethic underpins my approach to both life and work."

Designing the HR function at Interview Kickstart

Akriti’s role in developing HR capabilities at Interview Kickstart has been instrumental in transforming the function into a strategic business advantage. "Crafting essential HR policies, processes, and systems that directly align with our strategic goals is vital," explains Akriti. Her focus on establishing a strong HR foundation has laid the groundwork for a high-performing HR team. She has created a more efficient and effective HR function by automating key functions and enhancing employee experience through AI.

Akriti is committed to continuously ensuring that HR remains agile and responsive to the evolving business landscape. These efforts have "streamlined operations and improved the employee experience," allowing HR to focus more on "strategic initiatives like talent development and engagement.”

Addressing HR challenges

In today's dynamic workplace landscape, Akriti identifies effective talent management amidst rapid evolution as one of HR's most critical challenges. Her initiatives to solve these challenges at Interview Kickstart include digital transformation through advanced HRIS systems and virtual platforms. By empowering talent development through personalised plans and upskilling initiatives, Akriti ensures employees thrive in a remote-first environment.

Moreover, Akriti champions diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), collaborating on strategies to attract diverse talent and foster an inclusive workplace culture. Leveraging HR analytics, she harnesses data-driven insights to inform talent strategies and organisational decisions, proactively addressing workforce needs.

Akriti’s insights into the evolving people and work landscape are also highly pertinent. "In 2024, a major insight about the changing workplace is the strong move towards empowering individuals and using technology to boost productivity and engagement," she states. Akriti envisions a future where HR becomes a strategic powerhouse, leveraging AI and technology to optimise processes and focus on initiatives that drive both employee and organisational success. She states, "My vision for HR in 2025 is to leverage AI and technology for increased efficiency, enabling more strategic initiatives that drive both employee and organisational success."

Experience with Are You In The List 2024 awards

Participating in the People Matters Are You In The List 2024, Powered by Aon Awards has catalysed Akriti's personal and professional growth. Over five months, she competed alongside top professionals and received guidance from esteemed jury members, significantly enhancing her HR expertise and leadership skills. "The assessment parameters used in the evaluation process helped me gain a deeper understanding of my strengths and areas for improvement," she reflects. She adds that this experience has bolstered her confidence, equipping her to navigate complexities more effectively in her role.

Akriti Vijan's journey as an HR leader is marked by a strong commitment to creating high-performing organisations through people-centric strategies. Her vision, combined with her ability to execute and adapt, positions her as an innovative HR leader scripting the future of work. 

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