Human Resource Jobs / Career in Human Resources

Career Guide to Human Resources

Are you good with people?  Are you looking for a career where you can work with people and help them every day?

HR, or human resources, is a critical function in most organizations today. It helps maintain a constant supply of qualified workers to fuel the needs of the company. Human resource professionals include people from various organizations that hire, train, and if need arises, even fire employees. They take care of all personnel issues such as payroll, leave policy, and employee benefits.

Human resource is especially important for large companies where the employee numbers are large. It involves recruiting skilled and talented people who are capable of performing the assigned tasks within the company. Human resource personnel are also responsible for planning and execution of different training programs for new, as well as existing employees.

Selection and recruitment of employees is just one of the aspects of a human resource personnel’s job profile. Other key tasks include dealing with difficult situations such as employee disputes, sexual harassment cases or health care issues. It is the responsibility of human resources to ensure the welfare of all the employees in an organization.

Human resource professionals contribute to utilizing the skills and expertise of employees to an optimum level. They design employee benefit programs such as health insurance and pension plans. Human resource personnel maintain a record of attendance, leaves of absence, and regular performance appraisals of individual employees. They are also in charge of creating and maintaining harmony in order to maintain a pleasant and comfortable work environment.

If this sounds like something you’re interested in, then a career in Human Resources might be for you!

Every organization wants to attract the most qualified employees and match them to jobs for which they are best suited. However, many enterprises are too large to permit close contact between top management and employees. Human resources, training, and labor relations managers and specialists provide this connection. In the past, these workers performed the administrative function of an organization, such as handling employee benefits questions or recruiting, interviewing, and hiring new staff in accordance with policies established by top management. Today’s human resources workers manage these tasks, but, increasingly, they also consult with top executives regarding strategic planning. They have moved from behind-the-scenes staff work to leading the company in suggesting and changing policies.

In an effort to enhance morale and productivity, limit job turnover, and help organizations increase performance and improve business results, these workers also help their firms effectively use employee skills, provide training and development opportunities to improve those skills, and increase employees’ satisfaction with their jobs and working conditions. Although some jobs in the human resources field require only limited contact with people outside the human resources office, dealing with people is an important part of the job.

What Education/Certifications do you need for:
Human Resource Jobs / Career in Human Resources

Many colleges and universities have programs leading to a degree in personnel, human resources, or labor relations. Some offer degree programs in human resources administration or human resources management, training and development, or compensation and benefits. Depending on the school, courses leading to a career in human resources management may be found in departments of business administration, education, instructional technology, organizational development, human services, communication, or public administration, or within a separate human resources institution or department.

Other qualifications. Previous experience is an asset for many specialties in the human resources field, and is essential for more advanced positions, including managers, arbitrators, and mediators. Many employers prefer entry-level workers who have gained some experience through an internship or work-study program while in school. Human resources administration and human resources development require the ability to work with individuals as well as a commitment to organizational goals. This field also demands other skills that people may develop elsewhere—using computers, selling, teaching, supervising, and volunteering, among others. The field offers clerical workers opportunities for advancement to professional positions. Responsible positions occasionally are filled by experienced individuals from other fields, including business, government, education, social services administration, and the military.

Current & Future Job Outlook for:
Human Resource Jobs / Career in Human Resources

Job prospects. College graduates who have earned certification should have the best job opportunities. Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in human resources, human resources administration, or industrial and labor relations should be in demand; those with a technical or business background or a well-rounded liberal arts education also should find opportunities. Demand for human resources, training, and labor relations managers and specialists is governed by the staffing needs of the firms for which they work. A rapidly expanding business is likely to hire additional human resources workers—either as permanent employees or consultants—while a business that has experienced a merger or a reduction in its workforce will require fewer of these workers. Also, as human resources management becomes increasingly important to the success of an organization, some small and medium-size businesses that do not have a human resources department may assign employees various human resources duties together with other unrelated responsibilities.

 Employment change. Overall employment is projected to grow by 17 percent between 2006 and 2016, faster than the average for all occupations. Legislation and court rulings setting standards in various areas—occupational safety and health, equal employment opportunity, wages, health care, pensions, and family leave, among others—will increase demand for human resources, training, and labor relations experts. Rising health care costs should continue to spur demand for specialists to develop creative compensation and benefits packages that firms can offer prospective employees. not for medical service and health insurance.