People are the most important resource for any organization. That means human resources professionals play a central and strategic role in organizational success.
This makes HR an attractive field if you’re highly relational and also motivated to make an impact where you work. It provides the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others and contribute significantly to a business’s flourishing.
But what does working in HR look like in practice? We’ll help you develop a vision for where you might fit in this exciting field by giving an overview of what human resources management is all about and describing several specific positions you might pursue.
What is Human Resources Management?
Human resources managers are responsible for helping an organization find, develop and retain great people who allow it to meet its operational goals and fulfill its mission.
People are complex; that means the role of an HR manager is complex, too. It’s helpful to think of the role in terms of several distinct domains.
Recruitment and Hiring
If you want great employees, you first have to find them. This area can include everything from formulating recruitment strategies to conducting interviews.
Training and Development
Whether through an onboarding process or professional development seminars, HR managers help ensure employees learn what they need to know to perform at their best. They oversee processes for performance evaluation and ensure staff members are serving in positions best suited to them.
Benefits
Part of retaining talent is ensuring employees receive competitive pay and benefits. HR managers help to plan and deploy benefits packages and work to promote employee wellbeing.
Conflict and Compliance
Conflict in the workplace can be problematic. HR professionals try to create an environment that minimizes it while overseeing processes for mediating it when it arises. They also ensure any laws and regulations that apply to the workforce are followed.
Consultation
HR managers are important conversation partners with senior leadership. They offer advice and insights about employee productivity and make sure management understands the interests and concerns of workers.
When you consider the impact each one of these areas can have on an organization you can see why human resources professionals are so important. They play a key role in every industry and in businesses of all sizes.
Now you know the big picture about what human resources professionals do. What are some specific positions you could fill as an HR manager? Keep reading for a description of some common roles.
5 Types of HR Management Jobs
Human Resources Manager
We’ll start with the broadest role. An HR manager takes responsibility and provides oversight for all of the areas we described above.
The nature of this role will vary depending upon the size of the organization. For small businesses, this person may be the sole HR professional or oversee a small staff. In settings with more employees, the role will involve supervision of those with responsibility for separate areas.
Recruiting Manager
This person takes ownership of the talent acquisition process. The role can include developing recruitment strategies and designing interview procedures.
Labor Relations Director
This specialization is generally found in large organizations and especially in industries where unions play a role. This person negotiates, drafts and oversees the implementation of labor contracts and manages discussions between labor and management.
Training and Development Manager
This role focuses on the domain of employee development. It includes planning and directing training and other forms of professional development to increase productivity and enhance job satisfaction for the workforce.
Employee Relations Manager
The focus here is on mediating conflict between employees and management as well as among employees themselves. There is also a preventive side to the work; this person helps managers build positive employee relationships and ensures compliance with laws, regulations and best practices for a healthy workplace environment.
Not All HR Management Jobs Are the Same. Here’s Why the Industry Matters.
Something to keep in mind when you consider these different roles is that company size isn’t the only thing that will affect the nature of the job. The industry in which you’re working makes a big difference, too — consider two examples to see why.
Example 1
You probably know that companies in tech like Google or Amazon put a priority on attracting young, smart and creative talent. These companies have built an expectation that the workplace will offer more than just a job. It will also be a stimulating place to work that gives a lot of room for personal and professional development.
When you’re working in HR for an organization like this, creating a certain kind of work environment and experience will be a key priority.
Example 2
Now think about companies in the construction industry. Here, you’re probably not going to have to book interesting speakers or spend a lot of time thinking about dining options offered to employees. You will, however, need to handle workers’ compensation claims and navigate stringent safety regulations.
The industry in which you work matters one other way, too. You will probably find your job more meaningful if you are contributing to an organization whose work and values resonate with your own.
Fortunately, your options are broad. HR professionals work in nearly any industry you can think of, including:
- Tech
- Healthcare
- Travel
- Manufacturing
- Government
- Nonprofit
- Higher Education
- Banking
- Insurance
- Construction
What Is the Human Resources Job Outlook?
If you’re considering entering a field, you’ll want to know how many opportunities are available and what you can expect to make.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts national job growth in human resources management to be a healthy 7 percent between 2021 and 2031. In California, positions are projected to increase by an impressive 20 percent.
According to the most recent BLS data, the median wage for HR managers is $126,230. The average wage in Los Angeles is $154,430.
Jumpstart Your Career in HR with an Online Professional Development Certificate from the Mount.
As you’ve seen, there are plenty of exciting opportunities in the field of HR management. To take advantage of them, though, a general business degree usually isn’t enough. Companies are looking for professionals who are knowledgeable about the changing world of human resources and have the skills necessary to do the job from day one.
We created our Professional Development Certificate in Human Resources Management with this need in mind. The program was developed with input from business leaders and incorporates real-world projects to give you hands-on experience in key areas.
Courses are delivered in a flexible, accelerated, online format perfect for busy professionals. With affordable tuition, the training you need to take a new step forward in your career is within reach.
Ready to start the process? Apply now!
Ready to learn more about the Mount’s Professional Development Certificate Programs? Download our guide today!
