The human resources (HR) department is a vital element of any organization. Not only does HR keep employees engaged, but they also develop and maintain the firm’s culture. Human resource managers in a company oversee the recruitment, interviews, and hiring of new employees. They also consult with high-level executives on strategic plans and serve as an intermediary between management staff and employees. Additionally, human resources persons may also specialize in risk management, employee relations, compensation, talent acquisitions, and organizational development. The job outlook for HR managers is positive. It’s projected to grow by 7% from 2018 to 2028, which is faster than the average for all jobs.
Is Human Resources a good career? Yes, Human Resources is a good career option because it’s one of the fastest-growing occupations in the USA. Additionally, the career path comes with a high-earning potential and can be personally rewarding. It may even result in an executive-level position in a company.
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Human resource persons are responsible for planning, directing and coordinating administrative functions of a company. They work in almost every industry and are mostly found in offices. In order to pursue this career, a candidate may need a bachelor’s degree in Human Resources. Having a degree in finance, business management, IT or education may also allow one to enter the field. While a bachelor’s degree is usually enough to become an HR manager, some jobs require a master’s degree. Additionally, interested persons should possess strong interpersonal skills.
For those who are wondering, what’s the human resource entry-level salary? Why choose a career in human resources? Is human resources a good major? Is human resources for me? I have the information you need.
Is Human Resources A Good Career?
Working in the human resources field is worthwhile for a variety of reasons. The career comes with many opportunities for professional advancement and growth. They can range from collaborative work to private research, like when attempting to establish suitable compensation plans for staff members. Generally, HR is perfect for people with excellent interpersonal skills and a knack for identifying skills and performing interviews.
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Furthermore, human resources is a career path with minimal chance for automation Therefore, with correct training and skills, HR offers exemplary longevity in the ever-changing job market.
Human resources is a broad industry with numerous types of jobs for those who have an interest in it. Such roles include:
· HR specialists: They are responsible for recruiting new staff. In this role, they screen job applicants, schedule and perform interviews, and oversee the hiring process.
· HR managers: They oversee the whole recruitment strategy for an organization, assist in developing training for workers and oversee various administrative tasks.
· Benefits and compensation specialists: They develop a firm’s compensation and benefits programs, and choose appropriate retirement and healthcare plans for employees.
· Non-profit HR expert: In this role, the professionals may serve as recruiters, managers, executives etc. Non-profit human resource experts work for organizations that aim to make a positive impact in the world, whether through healthcare, education, arts etc.
· Human resource consultants: They make a lot of money wherever and whenever they want it. HR consultants might specialize in various field including benefits, labor incentives, company culture, recruiting and outsourcing. They assess an organization’s current situation and help deploy systemic recommendations to propel the company forward.
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· International human resources professional: Experts in this field get a chance to visit countries across the world and experience diverse people and cultures. International HR professionals are responsible for recruiting candidates for worldwide positions, training and developing standards for an international organization.
· HR executives: Human resource professionals can land top executive roles such as Chief HR Officer and Vice President of Human Resources. Such high ranks come with satisfying salaries.
· Training and Development Manager: For those who enjoy teaching, becoming a training and development manager is the way to go. Experts in this field help employees enhance their skills and career.
· Employee Education Consultant: It’s a role that combines teaching excitement with consulting freedom. The role is low-stress and mainly involves holding workshops, classes and conferences to help boost employees’ skills and knowledge.
Moreover, human resources jobs have a broad range of qualifications depending on the position. A person may qualify for some roles with a high school diploma and relevant work experience. However, most HR positions require a bachelor’s degree in HR management, business administration, accounting or industrial psychology. Human resource managers, especially at larger organizations, should possess an advanced degree to qualify. Additionally, all HR persons should have exemplary verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
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The Bureau of Labor Statistics in the United States reports that there’s a high demand for human resource workers. HR managers, specialists and compensation and benefits specialists are expected to enjoy a steady growth in the coming years. With the expansion of new businesses, there will always be a need for human resource professionals. Companies rely on their expertise and management skills to help them develop strategies, expand into new markets and retain talent.
Human Resource Entry Level Salary USA and the UK
The average entry-level salary of a Human Resource Specialist in the United States is $38,582 per annum. An entry-Level HR Generalist in the same country earns an average yearly wage of $44,873. Lastly, an entry-level Human Resources Manager takes home a salary of $49,745 per year.
Entry-level Human Resources Assistants in the United Kingdom earn £20,041 on average. On the other hand, an entry-level HR Manager with less than 12 months experience makes an average of £27,943.
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Why Choose a Career in Human Resources
People who love to work with others and find satisfaction in assisting others are an ideal fit for a career in human resources. HR is among the best jobs currently, because it offers high flexibility and creativity. Additionally, the levels of difficulty and stress in the occupation are manageable.
Corporations are aware that their competitive edge comes from innovation and customer service. Such elements rely on the quality of an organization’s workforce and level of employee satisfaction. Therefore, HR experts are a crucial part of any firm’s strategic management team. They help to gauge employee satisfaction, develop strategies to maintain staff enthusiasm and create communication channels between the workers and management.
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Moreover, the human resources profession comes with exciting opportunities for career progression. A junior HR professional might be involved in interviewing prospective employees, organizing job fairs, drafting job descriptions and handling promotional paperwork. Senior HR professionals may help in addressing grievances, running a leadership training program or participating in contract negotiations. With a background in human resources, a person can also become chief of HR for a corporation.
Furthermore, human resource persons enjoy flexibility in their career. They can choose to work for a small organization, where every member of the HR department has a significant role. Or, they can opt to work for a larger corporation with a more expansive human resources structure. Another choice is to work in a human resources company that offers consulting services to other organizations. Since most corporations have a human resource department, one could work virtually anywhere.
Is Human Resources A Good Major?
A major in human resources is ideal for personable, friendly people who love to spend one-on-one time with other employees. Such people are willing to assist employees in solving issues or addressing internal staffing challenges.
Choosing an HR degree can be tricky, seeing as there are several programs to select from. The most essential thing to remember is whether the program at hand is accredited. With accreditation, students are assured of the program’s quality.
Since human resources departments exist in business settings, most HR bachelor’s degrees fall under a college’s/university’s school of business. Possible subjects under human resources include:
- Compensation and benefits
- Employee relations
- Employment law
- Ethics
- The role of human resources in organizations
- Globalization
- Managing a diverse labor force
- Organizational development
- Metrics and measurement of human resources
- Recruitment and selection of employees
- Strategic human resources
- Training and development
- Planning and talent management for employees
- Health, safety and security at the workplace
For those whose hearts are set on majoring in HR, it’s important to get into people management roles early. Such roles include becoming a leader in a school club or managing part-time staff members in a retail setting. Getting real management experience may help to teach a student core human resource skills.
An HR major prepares learners in identifying and choosing the best personnel and retaining the best workers for a company. With a bachelor’s degree in HR, graduates are equipped to meet the requirements of corporations. They also know the impact of economic trends on recruitment, employment practices and company culture.
Is Human Resources For Me?
HR is a suitable career path for people who display the following signs:
- Approachable: Approachability is paramount in building trust and rapport with other employees in an organization. Employees need to feel at ease talking to the HR rep no matter how sensitive a matter may be.
- Don’t shy away from the research: HR experts play a huge role in their organization’s policies from hiring, firing, compensation and discrimination. Such activities are regulated by strict federal and state laws. Successful HR representatives do research and commit to continued training to prevent violation of employment laws within a company.
- People person: Fundamentally, human resource is about assisting people to be the best employees possible. It’s crucial for HR professionals to have a desire to learn about what motivates the personnel.
- Problem solver: Oftentimes, the most complex challenges fall on the HR team. Working in human resources requires knowing how to tackle tough issues regarding harassment, discrimination or disciplinary matters without bias.
- Not a gossiper: Employees in a company go to the HR officer for everything from medical problems to harassment from fellow colleagues. Thus, an HR professional should be able to compartmentalize and ensure he or she isn’t spreading everybody’s secrets.
- Sound decision-maker: HR personnel is constantly making decisions from selecting who to hire to analyzing benefits packages.
- Business savvy: Understanding business concepts gives one an advantage in the human resources field.
For those who can relate to some of the qualities above, pursuing HR may be worth considering.
