Abhijit Bhaduri

Day: May 20, 2025

  • Honored to Be Named Among SHRM India’s Top HR Influencers in 2025

    Honored to Be Named Among SHRM India’s Top HR Influencers in 2025

    Honored to Be Named Among SHRM India’s Top HR Voices 2025

    SHRM Influencer Report 2025

    Honoured to be Named in SHRM’s Top 20 HR Voices on International HR Day

    On the occasion of International HR Day, it is both an honour and a privilege to be named among SHRM’s Top 20 HR Voices—a recognition that holds deep significance, not just personally, but for what it represents across the HR profession globally.

    The SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) community is synonymous with advancing thought leadership, elevating people-first strategies, and driving real impact in workplaces. To be recognised as one of the top HR voices by such a prestigious institution is to be acknowledged as a custodian of the values that define the profession—empathy, transformation, people development, and strategic foresight.

    This recognition is more than a badge of honour. It is an opportunity. It means being seen as a voice that shapes the way organisations think about people and culture. It means influencing conversations that matter—from inclusion and wellness to AI readiness, leadership transformation, and the evolution of the future of work.

    In a world where change is the only constant, the role of HR has shifted dramatically—from support function to strategic partner, from policy enforcer to culture architect. SHRM’s list does not simply celebrate individual achievements; it recognises voices that inspire change, lead dialogue, and uphold the spirit of human capital leadership.

    To be in the company of seasoned professionals, change-makers, entrepreneurs, and HR futurists—each committed to the advancement of people practices—is both humbling and energising. Whether they are shaping employer brands, driving transformation, building inclusive workplaces, or mentoring the next generation of leaders, every name on this list reflects the dynamic soul of today’s HR world.

    International HR Day, observed globally on May 20, is a day to pause and reflect—not just on what we do, but why we do it. It’s a celebration of every talent acquisition leader who sees potential before credentials, every HRBP who listens before acting, every L&D champion who invests in future readiness, and every transformation leader pushing organisations to become more agile and humane. The latter is harder to do than the being agile.

    #SHRMTop20HRVoices #InternationalHRDay #FutureOfWork #PeopleFirst #HRLeadership #SHRM #HRInfluencers2025

  • The Disappearing First Job: Why Entry-Level Roles Are Vanishing — And How Gen Z Can Stay Ahead

    The Disappearing First Job: Why Entry-Level Roles Are Vanishing — And How Gen Z Can Stay Ahead

    Sketchnote_Entry Level Jobs gone

    AI has occupied the first floor of the building

    Across industries and continents, the first floor of careers is quietly disappearing. For decades, entry-level jobs were the first step on the ladder to success. They offered on-the-job learning, mentoring, and space to make beginner mistakes. But today, that bottom rung is eroding fast—especially in office jobs.

    Why? Because AI is automating the foundation layer of work.

    Junior coders once learned by debugging—now AI writes and fixes code.

    Paralegals reviewed documents—AI now does it in hours.

    Retail associates answered questions—chatbots do it instantly, 24/7.

    This isn’t just a tech-sector story. From fast food in the U.S. to banking in India to finance in Europe, early-career tasks are being handed over to automation.

    Let’s understand this shift through the Skills Pyramid

    I wrote about it here

    • At the base: Routine, rule-based work (most vulnerable to AI)
    • In the middle: Collaboration, pattern recognition, communication
    • At the top: Creativity, empathy, problem-solving, leadership

    AI excels at the bottom. That’s why entry-level roles—once the training ground—are being commoditized. The tasks still exist, but they’re increasingly done by machines.

    What does it mean for GenZ

    Not despair. Just a different route forward.

    Here’s how Gen Z can adapt and thrive:

    1. Stop thinking of the “first job” as task-based. Think learning-based.

    Choose roles that stretch you, not just keep you busy.

    2. Move up the skills pyramid early.

    Learn to frame problems, communicate ideas, and collaborate across teams. These are skills AI can’t replicate.

    3. Use AI as a co-pilot, not a crutch.

    Speed up the basics with AI, then focus on quality, judgment, and improvement. That’s what firms like KPMG and Macfarlanes are doing with their early-career hires.

    4. Build a portfolio, not just a résumé.

    Projects. Certifications. Side hustles. These matter more than job titles when everyone’s career is non-linear.

    5. Trade pay for growth if needed.

    A small salary cut today for a bigger learning curve tomorrow is a smart investment. 40% of Gen Z says they’re already willing to do this.

    6. Seek roles that teach adaptability—not repetition.

    Today’s world of work rewards agility. Don’t aim to be irreplaceable at the bottom—aim to be versatile at the top.

    The first job hasn’t vanished. It’s just been redefined.

    And those who treat it not as a step but as a springboard will rise faster than ever before.

    Let’s help Gen Z see opportunity—not scarcity—in this transformation.

    Would love to hear your thoughts. How are you redesigning early-career roles in your organization?