What Career Options Are Available in Human Resources?

Human resources are the core of any successful business organisation. Every company has a unique culture that includes values, ideals, working styles, and habits of people working together. As a Human Resources manager, your job is to manage this culture and the staff to keep the company running smoothly.

In the field of human resources, there are three types of professionals: generalists, specialists, and management. An HR generalist oversees a broad area within the department. An HR specialist usually focuses on one area, such as training new staff members. Which one interests you the most?

Daily Tasks of a Human Resources Employee

Most large companies have a few HR specialists and at least one generalist on staff. A small organisation may only have an HR manager. Typically as a human resource worker, your day will be pretty busy. Here are just some of the daily tasks that you will oversee:

  • Meet with company managers to decide staffing needs
  • Interview and hire new employees
  • Conduct background checks
  • Inform new hires of job benefits and duties
  • Conduct a new hire orientation
  • Process paperwork

Tasks of a Human Resources Manager

The manager of the HR department has a variety of duties to oversee every day. He or she is the link in the chain between the company’s higher-ups and the employees. The manager also directs and oversees the HR generalists and specialists in their departments. Many of the daily tasks that a manager performs include:

  • Resolving conflict between employees and management
  • Overseeing interviews and the hiring process for new workers
  • Directly disciplining of employees
  • Managing and overseeing payroll
  • Advising upper management on current policies, such as sexual harassment

What Qualifications Are Needed for a Job in HR?

To get an entry-level position in human resources, you will need the right knowledge and skills. A degree in business management or human relations is a great place to start. If a management position is something that you strive for, you will need to take a human resources management course. Many training centres and universities offer programs in this field.

You can complete a typical university degree in about three years. Or you can take specialised, focused classes at a corporate training centre. These specialised trainings focus on one specific skill and tend to last one to two weeks.

Many of these focused courses would benefit anyone in the HR field. Some typical training might include Strategic Human Resources Management, Performance Management, and Training and Development. While an HR specialist may want to sharpen his or her skills with a course to make him or her a better trainer, you can also focus on hiring the best employees with a course on improving your interviewing skills.

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