We report on the recent World HRD Congress held in Mumbai, India, and find out what new talent is looking for and how HR can live up to their expectations.

For new talent, identifying with an organisation or network is important.

Over 840 Indian HR professionals and 100 foreign delegates attended the two-day World HRD Congress where Indian and foreign speakers provoked thinking among peers and encouraged interaction between international HR communities.

Every year the congress seeks to refine the strategic view of the HR field so that professionals can strengthen the role of HR in enterprises around the world. Following its theme, Getting to the root of competition - HR as a solution provider, this year's congress addressed several important questions around recruiting and retaining staff and HR's role in building a 'climate of performance'.

What do job seekers want?

The consensus was that young talented people want continuous excitement in their jobs, creative global projects to work on and regular travel.

They want a community to which they can belong to and an organisation or network they can identify with. They seek a good balance between their work and private life, flexibility in working hours and location, plus as little overtime as possible.

Is HR able to provide jobs that live up to these expectations?

"To be successful HR needs the power to shape jobs," said Linda Gratton, Associate professor of Management Practice, the London Business School.

Gratton, who has ample work experience across the globe, is convinced that there is little difference between students in New Delhi, New York and London.

"This future talent, in a global market, is equally well educated and informed," she said. "They are used to working on common projects in virtual networks which provide them with the right experience to work in global organisations."

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