In this episode of Who Hired This Person?, host Kaitlyn sits down with Bandana Seehra, the Human Resources Director at Martello Group. With a strong background in HR and a passion for improving employee experience, Bandana shares her insights on hiring, team development, and creating a workplace where employees thrive. She discusses the challenges of recruitment in today's saturated market, the importance of onboarding, and the strategies that have strengthened retention at Martello Group.

Key Lessons Covered in This Episode:

🔹 Finding a Career in HR:

Bandana shares how her mother inspired her to pursue HR and how her journey led her to the property management industry, where she found the perfect intersection of her passion for people and real estate.

🔹 Balancing HR Responsibilities:

As an HR leader, Bandana wears many hats. She discusses how prioritization, realistic expectations, and seeking support are key to managing hiring, team development, and aligning HR with business goals.

🔹 Challenges in Recruitment & Staffing:

With an overwhelming number of job applicants, Bandana highlights the difficulty of filtering through resumes and the importance of finding candidates who truly align with job qualifications and company values.

🔹 The Impact of Hiring Decisions:

Bandana explains why hiring managers should wait for the right fit instead of rushing to fill positions. A wrong hire can disrupt team dynamics, while the right hire can elevate the organization.

🔹 Hiring for Culture vs. Qualifications:

Bandana prioritizes cultural fit over credentials, emphasizing that communication skills, adaptability, and teamwork are often more valuable than degrees.

🔹 Onboarding for Employee Success:

From pre-hire communication to personalized training methods, Bandana details how Martello Group ensures new employees feel supported and set up for success from day one.

🔹 Improving Employee Retention & Satisfaction:

As the first HR Manager at Martello Group, Bandana implemented initiatives such as employee surveys and open office hours to create a culture of open communication and trust, leading to stronger retention rates.

🔹 Advice for HR Leaders:

Bandana stresses the importance of mentorship and expanding professional networks to navigate the challenges of HR leadership.

🔹 Coaching Hiring Managers for Better Onboarding:

She highlights the need for HR professionals to coach hiring managers, ensuring they can effectively onboard and support new employees.

Key Takeaways:

✅ Prioritizing cultural fit can lead to stronger, more cohesive teams.

✅ Effective onboarding begins before the first day and should be tailored to each hire’s learning style.

✅ Open communication and feedback loops can significantly improve employee satisfaction and retention.

✅ HR professionals should actively support and train hiring managers to enhance the hiring process.

✅ Expanding your professional network and seeking mentorship is invaluable for HR leadership growth.

Links & Resources:

• Connect with Bandana Seehra on LinkedIn
• Website: https://www.martello.group/