Human resource managers are the backbone of any company. They make sure that employees are hired, trained, and motivated to work hard. But did you know that there is more than one type of human resources manager? There is a lot that goes into this career path, with many different roles to fill. Let’s look at how someone can become an HR manager and what they do on the job every day!

1. What Is a Human Resource Manager?

Human resource managers develop and manage the talent in an organization. This includes hiring, training, developing employees, and managing their career paths.

Human resource managers are responsible for the workforce within their organizations to ensure that it is efficient, motivated, and up-to-date with current business needs. They act as liaisons between the employees and the management regarding company issues and disputes and provide recommendations to solve these issues.

Human resource managers also help ensure that the company complies with federal and state labor laws concerning hiring practices, employee rights, and work standards. They must understand all requirements so they can assist employers in meeting them.

2. Career Options for Human Resource Managers

It’s not just about hiring and firing anymore. Human resource managers are in charge of helping employees with their career paths, making sure they are developing the skills to move up in the company.
HR managers are also needed in government organizations to ensure that policies are being met when it comes to work interactions and employment rules. This position requires an understanding of government laws for hiring practices and employee rights and responsibilities.

Some of the career options for human resource managers include

· Payroll or benefits specialist: HR managers help all employees with their paychecks and manage any benefits packages that the company offers.
· Employee relations specialist: This is a more specialized role required when looking into diversity and discrimination laws. This HR manager is more involved in managing employees’ daily work interactions and conflict resolution.
· Recruiting director: This HR manager works with staffing agencies to recruit talented individuals for the company. They usually head up a group of recruiters and must monitor and manage the recruiting team to meet their goals.
· Training manager: This HR manager leads training initiatives for the company. They develop employee skills by identifying which employees need further development based on their work performance and career aspirations. This includes developing leadership, customer service, and technical skills such as computer software applications.

3. Getting Your Degree

To get an HR manager position, you need a bachelor‘s degree in human resources or a related field such as business administration. Some companies only require an associate degree for an entry-level job. The best way to get your foot in the door of this career path is by earning your bachelor’s and then pursuing more specialized training and education through evening or online courses. HR managers must stay up-to-date on new laws and federal regulations in the workplace, so continued education is often required for this career path.

4. What Are the Daily Tasks of a Human Resource Manager?

A human resource manager may have to perform some or all of these functions daily

• Coaching, mentoring and training employees to grow their knowledge in their field of expertise. This also includes staff development and helping employees gain access to the skills they need to help them progress in their careers.
• Providing support to managers and employers with personnel issues such as staff turnover, absenteeism, and workplace conflicts.
• Preparing recruitment strategies and analyzing trends within the labor market.
• Administrating a performance management system and providing feedback to managers and employees.
• Conducting employee surveys and using the results to help identify problems within the organization.
• Assessing job applicants, testing potential recruits, and negotiating salaries with new hires.
• Working closely with HR business partners to ensure that they are fully aware of current business needs and meet them accordingly.
• Developing HR policies, collaborating with unions, and monitoring labor legislation.

5. What Are the Skills of a Human Resource Manager?

There are no set qualifications for becoming a human resource manager. However, employers may prefer university graduates with a business or an HR degree who possesses the following skills:

• Solid knowledge of current HR trends and best practices.
• Strong communication skills, primarily written and verbal communication. Having good IT skills is also an asset as it is necessary to use HR software applications in the workplace.
• The ability to analyze data and spot trends within it quickly.
• Time management skills, organizational skills, and the ability to prioritize tasks accordingly.
• Solid leadership skills can help them manage their teams effectively.

6. What Are the Salary Expectations for a Human Resource Manager?

The average salary for a human resources manager is $95,000, and the average hourly rate is around $46/hr or ~$100k annually. This varies by company and area of expertise.

A human resource manager will make an average salary between 60,000-110,000, depending on the organization’s size. This job requires an average of a bachelor’s degree from a certified university.

7. What Are Some Benefits of Being a Human Resource Manager?

– Good compensation. The median annual wage for human resource managers is $101,110(£65,313), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

– A stable and rewarding job. The BLS also reports that the projected employment growth for HR managers during the 2014-2024 period is 21 percent, which is much faster than average compared to other occupations in the American economy.

– Work in a variety of industries and functions. Since HR managers work closely with their teams and senior management, they often report and contribute to various decision-making functions within the business.

– A job that is beneficial to your career growth. A human resource manager can expect promotions as their experience grows.

8. What Are Some Challenges of Being a Human Resource Manager?

– Work in a highly competitive field. Many professionals vie for the same jobs as human resource managers, making this path one which is challenging but also rewarding if you succeed.

– Stress is caused by exposure to difficult people and situations, including disciplinary hearings, disagreements between management and staff, conflict within teams, or managing termination processes.

– Inadequate or slow salary growth. Despite the high pay and solid benefits, HR managers tend to earn less than their counterparts in other fields such as finance and engineering.

9. What Are Some Mistakes that Human Resource Managers Should Avoid?

– Taking shortcuts when it comes to hiring new staff members. Often, managers are tempted to take the easy route when it comes to HR recruitment and bring in new employees who fail to meet expectations.

– Failing to deliver value for the company. Managers often put their time, effort, and limb into projects that fail or go nowhere, waste resources, and erode their teams’ trust.

– Failing to build or maintain strong relationships with staff members. Though HR managers are in charge of overseeing their team, they must also work closely with them to understand and address any concerns.

– Refusing to keep up with new trends in the industry is another mistake that HR managers often fall victim to. They become too comfortable with their current methods, which frustrates staff members who have new ideas and alternative approaches.

– Ignoring or shying away from change is another common mistake that HR managers often make. This only creates unnecessary challenges for the team, which can lead to more mistakes being made in the

10. Where Does a Human Resource Manager Work?

A human resource manager can work at various levels within an organization. They may work as a general manager or director of a firm, serve as a vice president of HR for a giant corporation, or even function as the COO.

In general, however, they tend to be mid-level managers who play essential roles in the following departments:

• Operations
• Marketing
• Project management
• Finance and accounting

11. What Is the Job Outlook for Human Resource Managers?

The future looks bright for human resource managers as there are many opportunities available in this field. For those looking for a secure and stable job, this is one path you should consider.

The BLS reports that the employment of human resource managers is expected to grow by 21 percent from 2014-to 2024, which is much faster than average compared to other occupations within the American economy.

12. Top Recruiting Companies for a Human Resource Manager

The best-recruiting companies for a human resource manager vary depending on the location. However, some of the most popular companies are listed here.

The first company is Randstad. They are a large company that operates in 39 countries and specializes in recruitment and placement services, and they have over 4,600 branches worldwide.

The second company is Manpower Group. They are also a large company that operates in 80 countries and provides temporary staffing, permanent placement, outsourcing, and training services.

Third, on the list is Kelly Services. They are a Fortune 500 company that operates in 30 countries and provides staffing solutions to various industries, including information technology, medical, engineering, financial services, and more.

Fourth is Robert Half International. They are a Fortune 500 company that operates in 60 countries and provides staffing services and outsourcing, consulting, and training.

Fifth is Hays plc, a public limited company based in the United Kingdom. Its companies include Hays Specialist Recruitment Ltd., Hays Management Ltd., etc.

13. Best Colleges to Study Human Resource Management

Several colleges offer excellent programs in human resource management. The first is Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations, and they offer a comprehensive program that covers all aspects of HRM.

Another excellent option is the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business. Their program provides students with the skills and knowledge needed to be successful in HRM.

If you are looking for a more specialized program, the Harvard Kennedy School’s Human Resources Management Program may be a good fit. It offers in-depth courses on a variety of topics related to HRM.

Finally, the Pennsylvania State University World Campus offers an online program in human resource management that is perfect for those who want to learn from the convenience of their own homes.

Conclusion

The human resource manager career path can be rewarding and challenging. It requires a great deal of knowledge about the laws governing employment and skills in recruiting, training, and managing employee relations. If you are looking for a career that involves working with people and helping them reach their full potential, then a job in human resources may be perfect for you.