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Northern Ireland
HR Interview Series: Katy Taggart
Published on: 29/05/2025
Issues Covered:
Personal Development
Article Authors The main content of this article was provided by the following authors.
Legal Island

 

 

Katy Taggart

Position & Organisation: HRBP, SHS Group

Remit: Ireland (All Island)

Number of Employees: 300


Give us an idea about your early life and career: 

I grew up in the beautiful town of Antrim. Most of my extended family also lived in Antrim and Ballymena along with strong ties to Belfast and Louth. My summers were a mix of adventures at the stunning North Coast and the serene County Louth, both of which remain two of my favourite places.

For my secondary education, I attended St. Louis until my GCSEs, then moved on to Slemish College for my A-Levels. My academic journey continued at Ulster University in Coleraine, where I immersed myself in a BSc Retail, Marketing, and Customer Service Management, enjoying every moment.

During my placement year I split my time between a luxurious five-star hotel as a HR Assistant and Tesco’s Monitoring Office, both of which were incredible experiences. In my final year, I secured a spot on Tesco’s Store Graduate Programme, which was a challenging yet rewarding experience focused on trading roles.

Following my placement year and ER modules at university I was determined to pursue a career in HR (then known as personnel). I dedicated myself to understanding the various store roles and how HR could add value. My persistence paid off, and after completing the training academy and placement, I was placed in the top-performing Extra store in Ireland. There's truly nothing like the buzz and rhythm of retail!


What are the key challenges you face in your role?  

I feel that the current challenges are not confined to specific roles. The geopolitical landscape and economic uncertainties have underscored the importance of HR leaders in guiding organisations to adapt and proactively navigate an increasingly polarised world. It's a responsibility I take to heart, knowing that our efforts can make a real difference in creating supportive and resilient work environments.
 

After a tough week, what’s your go-to for recharging and staying grounded? 

Getting outside preferably the Antrim Coast, but a beach anywhere will help in blowing the cobwebs away!  
 

What’s the funniest or most unusual thing that’s ever happened in an interview, and what did it teach you? 

As with all interviews it's crucial to help candidates feel at ease. The classic question, "Tell me a little about yourself?" often leads to some memorable responses. One that stands out is when a candidate revealed they had once been mistaken for a murder suspect due to a case of mistaken identity. Talk about an icebreaker!


What’s the most important piece of advice you’d give to someone aspiring to your role, especially in today’s fast-changing world? 

Spend time with your manager, learn from them. Understand their role, listen to how they respond to queries, and how they deal with difficult circumstances. I have been very fortunate in my career to have experienced amazing line managers who have been so generous with their knowledge and time. The other piece I would say is stay current and enthusiastic to learning, whether it is observing others, reading a reputable news source or meeting people at a networking event.
 

Imagine HR is a reality TV show—what would the title of your episode be?  

‘Hold the phone - I’m just gonna ask questions’
Disclaimer The information in this article is provided as part of Legal Island's Employment Law Hub. We regret we are not able to respond to requests for specific legal or HR queries and recommend that professional advice is obtained before relying on information supplied anywhere within this article. This article is correct at 29/05/2025
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