Who got that job?

* Human resources manager, Energex NZ

Pocket CV

CV Name: Rick Mirkin

2002-2004: People relations manager, the Warehouse Group

2000-2002: Adjudicator/mediator, Employment Tribunal of New Zealand

1996-1999: Associate director, change & HR consulting, KPMG



Q: What were you doing before accepting your new position?

A: I had almost three years with the Warehouse and Warehouse Stationery, responsible for employment relations, health and safety, and HR policies.

Q: Why did you apply for the job?

A: I was looking for opportunities in manufacturing or engineering where I could work with senior management to determine the strategies for attracting the best people and then implementing the right policies and practices to enable those people to deliver top performance.

Q: What are the major challenges?

A: Energex has grown rapidly and this is a newly created position. The biggest challenge is to provide leadership in developing an integrated framework of strategies, policies, systems and procedures to manage people-related activities, while taking the rest of the business with me. Nothing is worse than initiatives from HR that are not supported by the business.

Q: What qualities do you bring?

A: Apart from the necessary technical competency, I think I will bring the wisdom of age and experience, and the ability to get along with people from different backgrounds at every level.

Q: What do you enjoy about working in this role?

A: As an establishment role, I expect to have something of a "clean slate" and the creative freedom to develop HR management practices that really suit the strategies of the business and enable the best people to give of their best.

Q: What does being human resources manager mean to you?

A: In most businesses it's the people factors that make the difference between success and failure, industry leadership or mediocrity. I am proud to be able to take the lead in creating the right conditions for our people to flourish.

Q: What else might you have done?

A: I had other opportunities in HR consulting and as a professional mediator, but I really preferred the long-term strategic outlook and management teamwork that go with being an HR manager.

Q: What do you do in your spare time?

A: I spend most of my time in activities with family and friends, and I also read to keep up with current affairs and sports. I also like cars, music and the arts.