We'd like you to meet our newest HR consultant Nicole Craveiro who runs Crave HRO for outsourced HR services. We asked her a few questions over email about her and what she does as an HR consultant.
What do you consider your top 3 skills as an HR freelancer?
Employee relations, compliance, and policy development and implementation.
What’s been your Biggest accomplishment in HR?
I consider it an accomplishment any time I contribute my expertise and it results in a stronger workplace culture that better ensures employees are feeling recognized, appreciated, and valued within their organization.
Which project from your past work are you most proud of?
I am most proud of helping a successful start-up build their entire HR infrastructure “from hire to retire” and tripling the number of team members within their first year in business. They are thriving today.
Do you believe the HR space is poised for more freelancers?
Experts in my field need to be able position themselves as a leader working alongside business owners and managers. When HR is outsourced, it becomes more of a strategic partnership rather than an employee/employer relationship. When your HR person is self-employed and doesn’t solely rely on your business for income it eliminates any self-interest when it comes to making HR related decisions and driving results.
What types of HR projects would you love to work on as a freelancer?
Employee Handbooks. Most HR people find them to be an annoyance, however, I am passionate about being involved in the policy development process.
What's a fun fact you want people to know about you?
I have 3 fun facts!
What advice do you have for HR execs entering 2022?
Have your own set of core HR values. I will only work with companies who are genuinely concerned about the well-being of their workforce and truly desire to make the changes needed in order to foster a competitive and thriving work environment. This is what inspired me to create my small business CraveHRO, where I partner with other small businesses in need, providing them with outsourced HR guidance they crave - if they pass the professional vibe-check.
What’s a professional vibe check? My clients must meet the following criteria:
I am often asked by employees; “How do I know I can trust you?” My response is that although I work as a strategic partner to management, I wouldn’t want to put my professional reputation on the line by being associated with a toxic working environment. My intentions will always be to support the company while simultaneously improving the workplace for its team.