7/29/2019 Preparing for a Career in Human Resource Management

1/4

Preparing for a career in human resource management

Liking people is not the only qualification for pursuing a career in Human Resources. Ithelps, but it is insufficient for success. Human career continue to grow in sophistication

and the expectations of employers increase every year. Employee development, employee

retention, and a positive, motivating work environment are critical to business success.

In Human Resources, like any other career, some minimum requirements exist to enter

the field. But, you have the opportunity to continue to develop these skills andexperiences as you work in Human Resources and are promoted into higher level, more

responsible roles.

In smaller companies, one or a few HR staff members wear many hats and do HR

generalist work with responsibility for all aspects of HR. In larger companies, an HR

Director or Vice President might head up multiple departments led by managers who

specialize in areas such as training and development, compensation and benefits, or labor

relations.

Because of the variety of positions in the field called Human Resources, the opportunityto find a work setting that suits your skills and strengths, your preference for company

size or your desire to specialize or generalize, is great. The more of the following skills

and qualifications you possess, the more likely you are to be hired and later promoted inHuman Resources.

Degrees to Prepare for a Career in Human Resources

The Occupational Outlook Handbookpredicts that career and job opportunities will bemost available in Human Resources for people who keep these three key points in mind:

"The educational backgrounds of these workers vary considerably, reflecting the

diversity of duties and levels of responsibility.

"Certification and previous experience are assets for most specialties, and are

essential for more advanced positions, including managers, arbitrators, and mediators.

"College graduates who have earned certification should have the best job

opportunities."

Many colleges and universities have educational programs that lead to degrees in HumanResources, HR specialties such as training and development, or business. Depending on

the school you choose, courses leading to a career in Human Resources management will

be found in departments such as business, education, instructional design or technology,organization development, human services, communication, or public administration.

Coursework to Prepare for a Career in Human Resources

7/29/2019 Preparing for a Career in Human Resource Management

2/4

People who want to work successfully in Human Resources should take courses in

business, social sciences such as psychology and sociology, and finance.

The Occupational Outlook Handbookspecifically recommends:"Most prospective human resources specialists should take courses in compensation,

recruitment, training and development, and performance appraisal, as well as courses in

principles of management, organizational structure, and industrial psychology. Otherrelevant courses include business administration, public administration, psychology,

sociology, political science, economics, and statistics. Courses in labor law, collective

bargaining, labor economics, labor history, and industrial psychology also provide avaluable background for the prospective labor relations specialist."

Graduate Programs to Prepare for a Career in Human Resources

If you are considering a career in Human Resources, you need to know that many

professionals are also pursuing Masters degrees in Human Resources, Organization

Development, Business Administration (MBA), and other fields. A Masters degree will

eventually be required if you are in competition for the best jobs.

Some HR professionals say that the Masters is the new Bachelors degree in the field.And, because of the challenge of employment law, more Human Resources professionals

are obtaining law degrees or transferring into Human Resources from the legal

profession.

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook:

"Many labor relations jobs require graduate study in industrial or labor relations. A strong

background in industrial relations and law is highly desirable for contract negotiators,mediators, and arbitrators; in fact, many people in these specialties are lawyers. Abackground in law also is desirable for employee benefits managers and others who must

interpret the growing number of laws and regulations. A masters degree in human

resources, labor relations, or in business administration with a concentration in human

resources management is highly recommended for those seeking general and topmanagement positions."

Qualifications to Prepare for a Career in Human Resources

Some of the key skills and personal qualifications you will need to work successfully inHuman Resources include:

Effective interpersonal skills so you can interact successfully.

Knowledge of computers and information systems.

Effective spoken and written communication.

Comfort with diverse people who have various educational levels, cultural

heritages, religious practices, ages, work experience, and opinions.

Understanding of statistics and finance.

7/29/2019 Preparing for a Career in Human Resource Management

3/4

Conflict resolution skills.

Able to set and accomplish goals and work as a member of a team.

Demonstrate a high level of integrity, confidentiality, and fairness.

Experience to Prepare for a Career in Human Resources

It is difficult to break into a career in Human Resources above the entry level. Successive

positions at the HR generalist and manager level, or above, require the knowledge and

experience obtained in entry-level positions.

Occasionally, experienced individuals who have held managerial-type positions in

business, government, or the military might be considered for positions above entry level.They should consider obtaining certifications or taking coursework related to their

Human Resources area of interest in preparation.

If you are seeking an entry level HR position, try to obtain some experience while youare in college as an intern. Even part time work or an internship in other fields adds to

your potential as a candidate. Leadership roles in clubs, volunteer experiences, club or

college sports, and real world projects for a company add to your credibility as acandidate.

Human resource (HR) professionals are responsible for managing relationships betweenemployees and the companies they work for. They are also in charge of recruiting new

workers, training, compensation and benefits administration. The Bureau of Labor

Statistics expects the field to grow rapidly, provide job opportunities for professionalscurrently in the field, and college graduates looking to enter the field. Prepare for a career

in human resources by getting a minimum of a college degree, and learning everythingyou can about labor management.

7 STEPS TO PREPARE FOR A CAREER IN HUMAN RESOURCES

1. Get a degree. The education levels of human resources professionals vary by positiontitle and responsibilities. Obtaining a bachelor's degree or a higher level of education is

the best way to keep career options open.

Take classes in business management, psychology, law, finance, economics,

statistics, and public administration. There is no prescribed major, as long as yourcurriculum is well-rounded.

Pursue an MBA if you plan to work your way up to become a Human Resources

Manager, Director, or Vice President.

2. Develop excellent communication skills. You will be required to work with

employees at every level of a company, from the lowest paid worker to the CEO.

7/29/2019 Preparing for a Career in Human Resource Management

4/4

3. Plan to work with diverse populations. You will likely work with people from all

age groups, ethnic backgrounds, cultures, and religions.

4. Join professional organizations. The Society for Human Resources Management(SHRM) is a group that helps human resources professionals stay current in their field.

There is also the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD). Look for opportunities to become certified in human resources areas. Professional

organizations offer trainings, classes, and certifications for HR professionals.

Consider obtaining a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification from

SHRM. As you gain experience in your career, go for the Senior Professional in Human

Resources certification (SPHR).

Network with other HR professionals. The above mentioned professional

organizations offer a multitude of networking opportunities and other resources for

professional development.

5. Pay attention to developments in the field.

Read publications and subscribe to e-newsletters provided by SHRM and othergroups.

Keep up on current events concerning unemployment, hiring statistics, court cases

involving employment law, and other matters concerning workers or employers.

6. Consider whether you want to specialize. Most HR professionals are generalists.

Be a generalist if you would prefer to work for a small company and handle all

HR matters. This career path will allow you not only to learn about all HR functions, but

also to apply them on a daily basis.

Become a specialist if there is an area of HR that interests you more than others.

HR professionals can specialize in recruitment, training, employment law,

compensations, or benefits.

7. Obtain an internship, or entry level position in the HR department of a company .

This will help you understand the daily responsibilities of human resources professionals.

Develop relationships wherever you intern or work. This will help you when it

comes time to move up into a position with more responsibility, or look for another job in

a different company.