Human resources: Sharon Jones

Name: Sharon Jones

Job: Human resources manager

Employer: Marks & Spencer

Area of work: Human resources (HR)

Qualifications: BA history and politics, University of Sheffield

I chose to work in human resources (HR) because of the variety of situations you deal with and the feeling that your work has made a difference to somebody’s life. After university I took a year out to travel and decide what my ideal career would be. I started work with my current employer as a commercial graduate, which gave me a really sound grounding in retail, but I particularly enjoyed the HR aspect of the role and decided that was the direction I wanted to take.

My job

My role involves recruiting, developing and training staff, resolving staff issues, managing risks, and implementing HR and equal opportunities policies at all times. I work with all staff at all levels to ensure that they feel motivated and happy in their roles. A typical day involves coaching and advising other managers as well as resolving people’s concerns and difficult situations.

Different scenarios

The most exciting aspect of my role is being involved in a wide range of issues and scenarios: I am constantly learning and developing my skills. The most challenging aspect is managing my time. A career in retail is challenging, exciting, fast moving and has plenty of diverse opportunities. The need to think ahead encourages innovation and change, which helps you develop both professionally and personally.