You might not have thought of a career in human resources just yet, but if you're looking for a job that offers a lot of benefits, is challenging, and pays well, then it may be the right route for you. Human resource jobs are growing at a very fast rate, even faster than the national average for most other careers. The number of such jobs is also growing at a faster rate than the overall average for almost all other jobs. In the past, human resource departments were thought of as something that offering payroll services only. While this is still the case to a certain extent, the fact is that there are so many benefits offered by human resources departments that they are becoming an integral part of every business.
Many employers think of human resources professionals as being the administrators of the hiring process. They are the ones responsible for evaluating potential employees and hiring the best candidates for their positions. However, there are actually several different types of human resources careers available. While these different types of jobs do tend to correlate with one another, there are also numerous sub-specialties within these jobs that are not related to any other industry. For example, there are medical and legal resources, human resources management, business operations specialists, information technology, and a host of others.
It is important to have strong communication skills when working in human resource careers. Strong communication skills are important because human resource professionals are often involved with handling the personal and career side of the job. As an administrator, you will be responsible for screening, evaluating, interviewing, hiring, training, and firing employees. In addition to communicating your expectations for each employee, you also need to be able to effectively communicate your expectations for the company as a whole. Your communication skills will be tested by the nature of your job and the variety of tasks and responsibilities that may be involved.
One of the most common human resource careers involves working with the largest employers in your city or state. Large employers have the greatest interest in selecting individuals who possess a wide range of skills and experience. In turn, large employers have the most interest in selecting employees who can do a wide number of tasks and are capable of performing them with minimal supervision. Human resource professionals may work for large, medium, or small businesses. These businesses may be either large, mid-size, or small.
Most human resource careers require that you have strong leadership skills. If you want to work at the largest employers in your area, it is important to have an excellent degree in business administration, finance, or accounting. Many management positions require that you have completed an MBA or other graduate-level degree. You will be expected to be able to lead and motivate people in a variety of situations, both in the workplace and in the community.
You must have excellent communication skills in order to succeed in the workforce. Most human resources jobs involve meeting a variety of personalities and making a number of difficult decisions. Communication skills can help you overcome these problems and properly direct the actions of others. You may also need to possess strong computer skills and have a Bachelor's degree in business administration, finance, or accounting.
There are two general categories of positions in human resource management; full-time, direct-hire careers and part-time, commission-based positions. If you choose to apply for a position as a manager, typically you will be hired on a full-time basis. Because many companies prefer to hire an experienced manager, typically you will be required to complete an apprenticeship program and pass a master's degree if you want to become a full-time, on-the-job employee. Part-time positions may also be hiring managers but generally with a commission rate of around 30 percent.
When you decide to pursue a career as a human resource manager, keep in mind that the positions are not always the most pleasant. You will be dealing with unhappy customers and tough bosses, so preparation is important. Graduating with a Bachelor's degree will give you an advantage because it shows potential employers that you are qualified for the position.
