Human resources (HR) professionals, who found new jobs in the second quarter of this year, received average salary increases of 10 to 15 per cent, according to recruitment firm Robert Walters.

The company's biannual market update found an increase in roles covering various HR functions, from management and training, to recruitment, compensation and benefits. HR generalists at different management levels are particularly in demand.

Many HR professionals have been actively seeking new opportunities after receiving bonuses, the report says.

The role of HR managers has expanded in recent years, as more companies expect them to work closely with line managers. They are also encouraged to attend meetings to better understand the business, and to advise on issues such as talent management and retention. 

Students get surgery for jobs 

Up to 80 per cent of Beijing's plastic surgery clients this summer consist of senior high school and college students hoping to improve their appearances and land better jobs, China Daily reports.

According to the China Medical Treatment Orthopaedics and Beauty Association, the proportion is expected to hit 90 per cent in the coming years.

Students believe having a better appearance increases their employment chances, says a researcher called Xu, who worked on the study.

Many parents, too, think surgery can boost their child's confidence in the job market. But human resources professionals question the mentality. Zhang Hui, director of Peking University's graduate employment instruction centre, says better looks do not guarantee better jobs, which should be earned by ability and hard work in school. 

Third of firms ignore coaching 

Nearly a third of businesses do not use coaching, blaming a lack of training and understanding about what coaching is, The Daily Telegraph reports.

A Henley Business School and Lane4 study has found that 28 per cent of companies did not use the development technique. One in three organisations say managers have not been trained in team coaching, while 31 per cent say managers have no understanding of its business benefits.

Coaching is a technique used to develop a person's skills and knowledge to enhance their job performance.

However, the study of 243 managers, mainly in Britain, reports that a quarter of managers are not confident about coaching their teams, and 13 per cent say some staff members have objected to being coached.

Of the businesses that do use the technique, 28 per cent say it has improved staff morale. Nearly a fifth say coaching has helped increase productivity.