Careers In Human Resource Management
10 Careers in Human Resource Management
Human resources management can be a rewarding career for people who enjoy helping others find satisfaction and fulfillment in their work. Effective human resources management is compliant with applicable employment regulations and helps create a corporate culture where employees feel valued.
Understanding the different functions and careers within human resources management can help you decide if it is the right career path for you. In this article, we define human resources management and provide information about 10 careers in the field.
What is human resources management?
Human resources management is the practice of identifying, allocating and coordinating the human capital needs of an organization. It includes hiring, compensating, training, developing and retaining an organization’s employees. Human resources management covers several functions, such as recruitment, classification, compensation, benefits and performance management.
How to become a human resources manager
Becoming a human resources manager requires obtaining experience, education and certification in human resources:
1. Pursue an education
Graduate from a four-year college or university with a degree in human resources or a related discipline. Research education requirements for human resources managers at your preferred companies to determine if graduate or postgraduate education is necessary.
2. Gain relevant work experience
You can gain initial experience in the industry as a human resources assistant or associate. This experience can help you decide if you want to pursue a career in human resources and expose you to the different specialties in the field. Since there are several specialties in the industry, you can choose to be a specialist in one area of human resources, or a generalist with basic knowledge in the different functions of the industry. Whether or not you choose a specialty, building extensive experience in the industry is the best path to becoming a human resources manager.
3. Earn professional certifications
Experience and education in human resources management are necessary to meet eligibility requirements for highly sought professional certifications, such as a senior professional in human resources. These accreditations increase your marketability as a human resources manager. Research different certifications to identify one that supports your career goals. When you meet the education and experience requirements, you can apply for the certification, then study for and pass the exam.
4. Lead or manage human resources projects
While in junior positions, seek opportunities to lead different human resources management projects for your organization. Recommend and manage small projects and tasks within a larger function to grow as a human resources management professional and demonstrate your abilities to senior managers in your organization.
5. Prepare your resume
You can include your highest level of education, technical or other related certifications, and your relevant work history on a resume. Your work experience section should consist of company names, the dates you worked there and a summary of your responsibilities, contributions and achievements. An effective resume can help you obtain the human resources manager job you want.
6. Apply to a human resources manager position
After earning education, certifications and experience, review the current job market for your preferred companies and geographic location. Select positions you are qualified for based on required years of experience as well as level and type of education. This step can ensure you optimize your job search and increase the likelihood that employers contact you for an interview. Use the resume you crafted as well as a personalized cover letter that summarizes your suitability for that specific role and company.
Here are some examples of careers in human resources management to help you choose the path that is best for you:
Human resources assistant
Employee relations manager
Benefits manager
Human resources manager
1. Human resources assistant
National average salary: $16.29 per hour
Primary duties: A human resources assistant is one of the entry-level jobs in human resources administration. Responsibilities in this job may include processing personnel and position actions in the human resources management system. Personnel actions are used to document personnel changes, such as hires, promotions, salary adjustments and terminations. Position actions document changes to positions, such as reclassification to a new job title, changes to the pay grade for the position or eliminating a position.
Human resources assistants may also be responsible for maintaining employee records, including filing all required documents and maintaining records by applicable retention schedules. As a human resources assistant, you will learn about salary administration as well as some aspects of payroll and benefits administration. You will also be exposed to the different functions of human resources to build experience and decide if you want to specialize in a specific area.
2. Benefits administrator
National average salary: $17.15 per hour
Primary duties: A benefits administrator is another entry-level human resources management position. This position is similar to a human resources assistant in that you are entering employee data in the human resources management system. However, a benefits administrator is primarily responsible for entering employee benefits elections for newly hired employees or employees who experience a significant life event, such as marriage or children, that require changes to their benefits. As a benefits administrator, you will learn about benefits administration and some aspects of payroll.
3. Payroll specialist
National average salary: $19.68 per hour
Primary duties: Payroll specialists are responsible for all aspects of payroll, including managing employee deductions as well as processing payroll by the organization’s payroll schedule and salary administration policies. Payroll specialists require a thorough understanding of the payroll process, including administration of income taxes, benefits deductions, allotments, other deductions and processing payment files with banking institutions. They also process files for retirement accounts, such as a company-provided pension plan, 401k accounts or other retirement plans.
4. Training coordinator
National average salary: $44,843 per year
Primary duties: Training coordinators develop and deliver employee training programs at the direction of a training manager. Employee training programs may include traditional, instructor-led classes as well as online education programs. Subjects cover various topics, including specific company policies, supervisor development, technology training, and professional and personal development.
5. Compensation specialist
National average salary: $61,456 per year
Primary duties: Compensation specialists manage an organization’s salary administration policies, including recommending and establishing pay and compensation plans for all job classifications in the organization. They also review and manage job descriptions to ensure classification and compensation for the job is appropriate for the work employees are expected to perform. Compensation specialists also research the labor market to ensure the organization is offering competitive salary and compensation packages.
6. Training manager
National average salary: $61,837 per year
Primary duties: The training manager is responsible for establishing the training and education curriculum for employees in an organization. They manage a team of training coordinators as well as volunteer instructors from within the organization. Training managers also manage resources for instructor-led-training, such as securing facilities, training materials and scheduling instructors. They administer the learning management system to enroll employees in training programs and deliver online training.
7. HRIS specialist
National average salary: $64,702 per year
Primary duties: An HRIS specialist is responsible for implementing, maintaining and supporting technology resources used for human resources management. This may include software like applicant tracking systems, performance management systems, payroll processing systems and content management systems for digital employee records. HRIS specialists research, recommend and implement technology solutions. They also train employees to use the system and provide support when employees have technical errors or other questions about using the system. Experience as an HRIS specialist is beneficial to learn about different functions of human resources management.
8. Employee relations manager
National average salary: $67,318 per year
Primary duties: Employee relations managers are responsible for managing conflict between employees within the organization. This includes addressing employee grievances, mediating conflicts between employees, conducting exit interviews and assisting managers with building employee relationships to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations regarding behavior in the workplace.
9. Benefits manager
National average salary: $68,895 per year
Primary duties: Benefits managers are responsible for designing and administering an organization’s benefits package. This may include health insurance programs, retirement options, life insurance, tuition assistance, employee assistance programs and wellness programs to encourage a healthy workforce. Benefits managers may be responsible for negotiating insurance plans and rates with vendors, coordinating resources for wellness programs like nutrition classes and transacting employee records with vendors.
10. Human resources manager
National average salary: $73,738 per year
Primary duties: Human resources managers coordinate, plan and oversee the various functions of human resources management to ensure an organization is compliant with applicable employment laws, provides competitive compensation and benefits programs, develops employees and manages employee relationships. Human resources managers have extensive experience in the industry and are educated in best practices and applicable regulations for hiring, developing and retaining the human capital in an organization.
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