Pursuing a career in Human Resources (HR) can be both challenging and rewarding. They provide guidance and assistance to managers and employees alike. With the rapidly changing business environment, there is an increasing demand for HR professionals who possess a wide variety of skills. Those interested in pursuing a career in HR can choose one of the many available paths. In this article, we examine the top 7 HR roles to choose from when considering a HR career path.
Exploring HR Careers
It is well established that people are the key differentiator of success or failure within any organisation. A natural extension of that statement is that the effective and efficient management of people within an organisation is critical. From recruiting and onboarding new employees to administering benefits, an HR professional plays a critical role that touches every corner of an organisation. To ensure success HR professionals must ensure that they are up-to-date on the latest trends and practices, prospective HR professionals must have extensive knowledge and expertise in all areas of Human Resource management. This includes understanding payroll systems, employee relations policies, compensation plans, training strategies, employee retention methods and more.
An HR career can be both rewarding and challenging; however, deciding which type of HR role to pursue can be difficult. When considering a new career in the field, it’s important to know what kinds of positions are available and what each entails. Here we explore the top 7 HR careers to consider.
1. Recruiting Manager
Recruiting Manager is one of the most sought-after positions in Human Resources. For those interested in pursuing a career in HR, it can be an attractive option as it requires strong organisational and communication skills. Recruiting Managers are responsible for overseeing the entire recruiting process from interviewing candidates to onboarding employees. They ensure that all applicants are given fair consideration and work efficiently to fill open roles within their organisations.
Recruiting Managers must have excellent people skills and be knowledgeable about current trends in hiring practices, such as online recruitment platforms or social media recruitment campaigns. Additionally, they must stay up to date on legal requirements for employment including background checks and other screening processes. An ideal candidate should also have a strong understanding of different types of job roles across various industries to help identify the right talent for each position within the organisation.
Related post: How to Develop Good People Management Skills
2. Human Resources Specialist
A Human Resources Specialist is a critical member of any organisation. They are responsible for many different functions such as recruitment, employee relations and benefits administration. As an HR specialist, you will have the opportunity to work with a variety of people and be instrumental in helping the company reach its goals.
As an HR specialist, you must be able to communicate effectively with management and employees alike. You should also have excellent organisational skills and be able to prioritise tasks in order to manage your workload. It is also important that you have strong problem-solving skills in order to handle complex employee scenarios. A mastery of labour laws and regulations is another key requirement for this position. Above all else, it is essential that an HR Specialist maintain confidentiality while working with sensitive company information.
3. Compensation & Benefits Administrator
Of the many roles available in HR, a benefits administrator is one to consider for those who have an interest in employee benefits and retirement plans. This role involves managing, administering, and communicating company-sponsored benefit programs. Benefits administrators ensure that these programs are consistently updated to comply with changes in local laws and regulations. The position also requires excellent communication skills as they often interact with employees regarding their coverage needs or assist them when filing a claim on their insurance policies. Benefits administrators must remain up-to-date on all rules, regulations, policies, and procedures associated with the company’s benefit plan offerings while ensuring accurate information is provided to employees.
4. Employment Lawyer
Finding success in a career related to human resources requires an understanding of the complex laws and regulations that govern employers, employees, and unions. An employment lawyer specialises in these matters and can provide legal advice and guidance to ensure that businesses remain compliant with federal, state, or local laws. With a broad knowledge of the law as well as experience in negotiating contracts between employers and employees, an employment lawyer serves an essential role in any organisation.
Employment lawyers need to have excellent written communication skills as this is often used when creating legal documents such as contracts or policies. They must also be able to think swiftly on their feet during negotiations or other meetings involving stakeholders from both sides of the table.
5. HR Consultant
Working as an HR consultant is one of the top seven HR careers to consider. As an HR consultant, your job will be to provide consultation and advice on all aspects related to the people side of a business. This can include offering guidance on employee relations, recruitment and training, compensation and benefits, change management, performance management and organisational development.
You’ll need to have up-to-date knowledge of current laws and regulations governing labour practices in order to ensure your clients are in compliance with them at all times. Excellent communication skills are also essential, as you’ll regularly interact with clients from different backgrounds to understand their needs. Additionally, having an analytical mindset will help you solve complex problems quickly.
6. Training & Development Manager
A Training & Development Manager is an essential part of any organisation’s human resources team. This position is responsible for designing and delivering training programs that help employees develop their skills and knowledge, as well as increase productivity. It requires a combination of technical, managerial, and interpersonal skills: the ability to create a successful training program, manage its implementation, and communicate its benefits to staff. Training & Development Managers must be able to identify areas where employee development is most needed, and then design a plan that allows them to take advantage of such opportunities.
In addition, Training & Development Managers must have excellent problem-solving skills in order to address any issues that arise during the course of a training program. They must also be capable of researching new trends in learning techniques so they can stay up-to-date on best practices.
7. Compensation & Payroll Manager
For those looking to get into a Human Resources career, a Compensation & Payroll Manager is one of the top 7 positions to consider. This job involves managing compensation and payroll systems for an entire organisation, ensuring that all employees receive fair and accurate pay. It is essential that this role be filled by a person who is well-versed in wage laws and regulations, as well as the nuances of different types of employee compensation packages. The manager must also have strong communication skills and be able to work with personnel from all departments in order to create effective policies for salaries, bonuses and other forms of remuneration. In addition to managing payrolls, they are often responsible for benefits administration, worker’s compensation claims processing and the maintenance of employee records.
How to Become an HR Professional
Are you interested in a career in human resources (HR)? Working in HR can be an incredibly rewarding experience, with opportunities to help make companies successful and employees feel valued.
If this sounds like you the good news is that there are many different paths you can take when it comes to becoming an HR professional. You may need to earn a degree or certification, depending on your desired specialisation and career path. It also helps if you have strong people skills and a knack for problem-solving. With the right education, experience, and qualifications, you’ll be well-equipped to pursue any of these seven exciting HR careers reviewed in detail above.
Learnful offers a Professional Diploma in Human Resource Management. This programme will enable you to get HRM certified with an industry endorsed, globally recognised University Credit Rated Professional Diploma in HR Management. The programme is delivered online-live over 11 weeks.
Further Reading: