In a world where company culture is key to attracting and retaining the most qualified and experienced employees, human resource management has never been more critical to the success of an organization. Across all industries, businesses are looking to employ HR professionals who are familiar with the best practices in human resources and have an ability to take a creative approach to cultivating a positive culture within the organization.
What Is a Human Resource Manager?
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), human resource managers are HR professionals who oversee and direct the administrative functions of an individual organization. They play a prominent role in developing and implementing hiring strategies that allow the organization to attract the most qualified applicants, hire the best possible candidates, and retain top employees within. Additionally, those in HR management work to coordinate, implement, and monitor workplace policies that create a positive culture and enable the company to remain in compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations for that industry.
Human Resource Manager Responsibilities
The job responsibilities of a human resource manager may vary based on the organization for which they work, but many HR managers focus on:
- Recruitment and hiring – Human resource managers rely on specific techniques in order to create recruitment and hiring plans that allow an organization to attract and retain top industry talent.
- Employee relations – Serving as a bridge between organizational leadership and the employees, HR managers often develop employee relations strategies that ensure that conflicts are resolved swiftly and effectively.
- Compliance – Human resource managers must be aware of all regulations and codes in place for the company and develop workplace policies that allow the organization to stay in compliance at all times.
- Training and development – HR managers often have the opportunity to establish training and development programs that help employees improve their skill set and grow within the organization. By investing in training and professional development, HR managers can help retain top talent.
- Compensation and benefits management – Human resource managers also play a pivotal part in developing compensation plans and managing employee benefits packages. They have to be able to strategically execute compensation and benefits strategies that attract and retain top talent while also accommodating the organization’s financial health.
Human Resource Manager Skills
As you build the foundation for your career in human resource management, you will want to focus on developing the specific skills that HR professionals need to succeed in the field. As an aspiring human resource manager, you must possess practical and technical skills as well as the core competencies required to work effectively with others.
Hard Skills
According to Certified Human Resource Management Professional, the technical and practical skills that HR managers need to have in order to be successful include:
- HR software proficiency – The HR field is increasingly dependent on advanced technology, requiring HR managers to become proficient in the leading industry software. In many cases, you will begin working with this type of software throughout your degree program and your internship programs.
- Policy development – Human resource managers must know how to leverage the best practices in the field in order to create and implement effective policies for any type of organization.
- Payroll management – As part of their role as a manager, HR specialists often oversee the payroll for the organization. They may work to select the payroll management technology that the organization will use and be required to troubleshoot should any issues arise.
- Legal compliance knowledge – Compliance is a critical component of HR management. HR professionals should have an advanced understanding of the laws and regulations in place for workplaces across all industries and sectors.
- Budgeting and financial planning – In many cases, HR managers are responsible for overseeing the budget for a human resources department, requiring them to have adept budgeting and financial planning skills.
Soft Skills
In addition to becoming familiar with the fundamentals of HR management and technical skills needed in the industry, human resource professionals should develop the core competencies needed to work effectively with others and lead a department.
The following are some of the most crucial competencies for HR management professionals to focus on:
- Communication – Communication is integral to human resource management, largely because HR professionals help create, develop, and implement policies that affect all employees. As an HR manager, you need to be able to use a wide range of communication tools to convey information about workplace policies and compliance in a way that is understandable to everyone within the organization.
- Conflict resolution – Human resource managers often serve as a liaison between employees and management, and employees are encouraged to report any issues they experience to the HR department. As a result, managers must have intuitive and effective conflict resolution skills to quell issues that arise and develop solutions that are beneficial to all parties.
- Leadership – In many ways, human resource professionals are considered leaders in an organization. As a manager, you need to set the example for integrity within the workplace and model the behavior you wish to see from employees.
- Problem-solving – Whether dealing with a compliance issue or navigating employee concerns, HR managers have to be able to quickly and effectively resolve problems.
- Empathy – While it's easy for those in human resources to focus solely on the policies, it is key to develop an empathetic approach to HR management. Through prioritizing empathy, you are able to better understand the perspective of employees and develop more effective resolutions when issues arise.
- Time management – Those in HR management have numerous responsibilities and are often required to multitask throughout the day. Developing effective time management skills allows you to improve your overall efficiency while reducing mistakes or errors in the workplace.
- Negotiation – Given that HR managers often develop the hiring strategy for an organization, it's crucial that they have expert negotiation skills. You may be required to negotiate with new hires as they finalize their compensation and benefits packages, and it's important to be able to do so both delicately and effectively.
Become a Human Resource Manager
If you enjoy working with people — and want to pursue a rewarding position in which you can have a significant impact on an organization — a career in human resource management might be ideal for you. Knowing how to become a human resource manager will help you take the steps necessary to pursue an entry-level position in the field.
Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resource Management
The best way to develop the foundation required to work in human resources is to earn a Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management. This undergraduate degree program provides an overview of the field as well as the best practices used in today's dynamic workplace environments. Coursework within this degree program covers a wide range of topics — including business management, marketing, talent acquisition, employee onboarding, workplace health and safety, and people analytics, to name a few. Throughout the required courses, you can develop the practical and technical skills as well as core competencies required to succeed in this realm.
Pursue an Internship
Either during your degree program or immediately following graduation, you may pursue an internship opportunity that enables you to gain hands-on industry experience. In some scenarios, you may be able to work with faculty members at your college or the student services department in order to secure an internship in the HR field.
Gain Experience
After earning your degree and completing an internship program, you can begin searching for entry-level human resource positions. Create a resume that highlights your educational background as well as your professional work experience, striving to set yourself apart from other job applicants.
Earn HR Certifications
According to the BLS, some human resource professionals pursue certification programs in order to earn additional qualifications, develop advanced skills, and specialize in specific areas of human resource management. By earning one or more HR certifications, you can become more competitive in the job market, as employers are often looking to hire the most qualified and experienced professionals for their open positions.
Consider a Graduate Degree
A graduate degree in human resource management can provide you with additional insight into this evolving field. In some cases, employers require human resource managers to have a master’s degree, making this an essential educational qualification for career growth and advancement.
For instance, at Champlain College Online, we offer a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership with Human Resource Management Graduate Certificate program that allows students to develop both the management skills and HR expertise required to advance in this field. In addition, our Master of Business Administration with a specialization in Human Resource Management gives you a chance to build the business acumen and human resource knowledge required to pursue higher-level positions in the field.
Career Outlook for Human Resource Managers
The fact of the matter is, nearly all organizations — regardless of size or industry — require the insight and expertise of qualified human resource professionals. According to the BLS, the job outlook for HR professionals is positive; the field is projected to grow by about 6% between 2023 and 2033. It is expected that there will be nearly 17,400 human resource management job openings available each year over the course of the next decade, meaning there will be positions available for the most qualified applicants.
Learn More About How to Become a Human Resource Manager at Champlain College Online
If you are interested in pursuing a career in HR management, consider selecting a degree program that equips you with the foundation needed for this dynamic field. At Champlain College Online, our Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management online degree program features a rigorous curriculum that focuses on the fundamentals of human resources and best practices for HR professionals. To get started today, request more information about our degree programs.
