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‘If The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Gets Going’ Is Our
Strategy To Handle Recession, Says Mr. Hussain Ahmad,
Manager HR, Avanceon

Q.1. What makes your company an attractive employer for job

seekers?

Mr. Hussain Ahmad: There are many factors which make Avanceon an attractive place for
employment. Avanceon is the market leader of Industrial Automation in Pakistan. We have
offices in the three major cities of Pakistan, a regional office in Dubai as well as world
headquarters in USA. Our organizational structure is best at providing international career
opportunities and growth. Secondly, being a subsidiary of the famous Engro Chemical Pakistan
Limited, employees are moved within the group and are given diverse and challenging
developmental assignments. Another major factor is our competitive salary structure and a
friendly open voice culture.

Q.2. Due to rough economic situation and soaring price rise how does your company deal
with keeping itself cost effective and attractive for job seekers?

Mr. Hussain Ahmad: ‘If the going gets tough, the tough gets going’. This is the philosophy that
we have opted to challenge the global recession. No doubt recession has hit badly almost every
company from small medium enterprises to a giant corporate. Of course, we cannot overturn the
global recession, but what we did was a courageous stance of leadership that showed strong
commitment in employees. Last year there were record number of promotions in Avanceon’s
history and average increment was around 40%. Our belief is that if we have a committed and
focused work force, we can overcome any challenge.

Q.3. How would you rate the success and importance of online recruitment firms such as
ROZEE.PK?

Mr. Hussain Ahmad: Online recruitment firms such as ROZEE.PK are really helpful for
resource as well as recruitment. It is convenient to access and manage large audience through
ROZEE.PK’s services. However, the level of reliability could be low sometimes. Reason being,
there is a class in our country who is not aware of online recruitment or do not have access to the
Internet. They could be left behind to be a part of the place they deserve to. However, with time
online recruitment would be more successful, when everyone would know about it and would
equally be a part of it.

Q.4. Do you believe that Pakistani universities are creating an effective talent pool and
what is your company’s strategy to attract the best talent in Pakistan?

Mr. Hussain Ahmad: No doubt, Pakistani universities are producing enough graduates to fulfill
local requirements. But the ratio of brilliant graduates is quite low. Our academic institutions are
more focused on covering the curriculum rather than practical experience. However, what I have
observed during my career is that there are some factors which are more important than technical
skills and learning ability. Leadership traits, teamwork, integrity, honesty, operational
excellence, innovation and effective communication are key behavioral traits which draw a line
between a doer and a leader.

Hiring is a sensitive matter and plays a pivotal role in a company success. If you are able to hire
the right candidate for the job and a best fit in the organization then you do not have to spend
time one retention, motivation and performance issues. A well thought HR strategy aligned to the
corporate goals is the key. But it can only start the engine if you have the right resources to
complement your strategy. Avanceon places hiring at the top of all HR areas. We exercise almost
every recruitment tool to attract the right candidates. We advertise in country’s top news papers,
have headhunting facility, encourage referral hires and last but not least, we advertise almost
every job on ROZEE.PK.

Remember, selection comes after recruitment. If you are unable to attract the best talent then no
matter how smart your selection procedures are, they will not be able to create good talent pool.

Q.5. What is your policy on work-life balance and how do you achieve this balance
yourself?

Mr. Hussain Ahmad: Employees are our most important asset. Company’s work principles and
policies are drafted in such a fashion that keeps employee work-life balance intact. We have
proper 9 to 5 working hours with two days off in a week. Employees are given a good number of
annual leaves per calendar year. We also have a policy of compensatory leaves for employees
who work on holidays during critical assignments. Moreover, we frequently organize sports
events, movie gala, musical nights and day outs for employees and their families.

Q.6. What are the principles of your success?

Mr. Hussain Ahmad: The principal of my success is the concept of visionary leadership with a
commitment to invest in people.

Q.7. Human Resources are the first causalities of an economic slowdown. What is your
company’s strategy to deal with this challenge?
Mr. Hussain Ahmad: I am proud to say that during the period of economic recession there was
not a single layoff due to job cut in Avanceon. Our strategy is not to lose a single good resource
due the economic slump. Company targets are tough so are the individual targets and we believe
in achieving those tough targets rather to limit them.

Q.8. As far as industry linkages are concerned do you feel that industry will continue to
support academia?

Mr. Hussain Ahmad: I believe it would be very short sightedness if organizations to

discontinue supporting or even cut down funds for the universities. It is just like that a nation is
in war and the country itself cuts down their supply lines. If you want to compete in this tough
market conditions then you are majorly dependent on quality resource. It is the right time to
invest more in university to strengthen the supply line which will eventually help us in getting
out talent shortages in the market.

Q.9. How has ROZEE.PK helped your firm regarding recruitment i.e. Have you tried any
recruitment tools provided by ROZEE.PK e.g. Job Fairs/Job Postings/CV Search?

Mr. Hussain Ahmad: Almost all of the top organizations are subscribed to ROZEE.PK because
of the fact that it is user-friendly and helpful in having a right pool of candidates for the desired
vacancies in short period of time.We have recently subscribed to ROZEE.PK and found it a
useful and convenient platform for hiring. We have used a couple of recruitment tools provided
by ROZEE.PK i.e. the CV Search Engine and job postings, and found them very helpful.

Q.10. Tell us about your educational life?

Mr. Hussain Ahmad: After completing a 4-year bachelor’s degree, I went for higher studies to
Australia. I completed my post graduation in the field of Human Resource from University of
Western Sydney. During my stay in Australia, I worked as a Research Associate at Macquarie
University Sydney in field of Diversity. I also worked as HRIS consultant at a security company
in Penrith, Australia.

Q.11. What is your secret of success in life?

Mr. Hussain Ahmad: I do what I want to do and I believe that creates a difference. If you do
anything with full heart, it certainly reaches perfection. Nobody can compete with person, who
loves his/her job. Once you are on the right track, performance consistency and continuous hard
work leads to a sustainable career growth.

Q.12. What are the biggest turn-offs in an interview/a job applicant?

Mr. Hussain Ahmad: When I am taking a candidate’s interview, the thing which turns me off is
the lack of general etiquettes and self-confidence.

Q. 13. What do you look for in a candidate during a hiring interview session? Name 4 key
things?
Mr. Hussain Ahmad: Following are the things I look for in a candidate during interview
session:
• Leadership qualities
• Business acumen
• Innovation
• Self confidence

Q. 14. Any good advice you want to give for our job seekers who want to join HR field and
otherwise?

Mr. Hussain Ahmad: I will suggest to all the candidates to invest in themselves. Whenever you
work for a company, you should be a dedicated worker but do not limit yourself to the
boundaries set by company. Ideas do not have limitations, so think in general and customize your
ideas for the company you are working for. It will add value to yourself and to the company.