Working in human resources, or HR as it's usually called, would put you right at the heart of operations for a business, organization, or educational institution.
It's a rewarding career that involves helping your employer build the best-qualified team possible.
You'll also receive gratification each time you get to know an applicant, place them in a fulfilling position, and watch them thrive.
What is a Human Resources (HR) Managers?
HR managers oversee the office that recruits, interviews, and hires new staff for an organization.
What's more, they serve as the link between the company and its employees, managing training, payroll, benefits, vacation, sick leave, and other employee logistics.
HR departments serve as liaisons with health insurance companies and other benefit providers and also manage retirement fund accounts.
They also operate human resources information systems (HRIS) to maintain employee personnel files and other important data.
Becoming a Human Resources Manager
After gaining educational credentials to qualify you to work in human resources, you'll need to build skills and experience in various areas to make you a competitive HR manager candidate.
Some of the most highly valued skills for HR managers include organization design, succession planning, talent acquisition, and talent management.
Step 1: Earn Your College Degree
To become an HR professional, you can launch from a number of different academic fields, but you need at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
You can earn a degree through a traditional on-campus college experience or you can earn your degree through one of the hundreds of accredited online degree programs.
A few respected schools offering online HR degrees include the University of Arizona Global Campus, Western Governors University, Franklin University, or the Colorado State University Global Campus.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, you may earn an undergraduate degree in human resources or a related field like business, communication, or psychology.
All of those disciplinary skills are important, so even if you major in business, be sure to take courses in communication, psychology, and conflict management.
You're much more likely to find a relevant job upon graduation if you carry out a semester-long internship or field placement experience in the business world, especially working in human resources.
Some jobs may require a master's degree, which you may earn in human resources, labor relations, or business administration. A Master of Business Administration with a concentration in human resources management is ideal.
Step 2: Get Experience Through Entry-Level Positions
After you have your degree in hand, you'll need to gain job experience.
The fastest route to becoming an HR manager is to start off with a job on an HR team as a junior member or HR specialist.
You'll find that smaller companies and organizations will have only a handful of positions in their HR offices, while those for large corporations and institutions may have dozens.
During your first few years, you'll want to gain an understanding of the various aspects of human resources management such as:
- interviewing
- federal, state, and local employment laws
- compensation and benefits plans
- human resources software
Take every opportunity to network with other HR professionals since the more widespread your professional contacts are, the more likely you'll be remembered when other HR departments are looking for top-quality hires.
Step 3: Earn Certification as a Human Resources Manager
Certification as a human resources manager is optional, not required.
However, becoming certified will give you more credibility, enhance your job prospects, and make you a more competitive candidate.
Some employers may only look at candidates with certification when they are hiring.
Several professional associations that offer certification programs are:
- Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
- HR Certification Institute (HRCI)
- WorldatWork
- International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans
Step 4: Apply for HR Manager Positions
When it comes time to apply for managerial-level jobs, you'll hopefully have a few years of experience under your belt and also have earned your credentials.
You should also be actively networking and enjoying membership in HR professional organizations, as well as reading trade publications to learn about which companies are the best employers.
You may be able to apply for a promotion in the HR department where you currently work. If not, keep an eye on HR manager openings at companies that interest you.
If you're currently employed with a company but would like to be hired into a higher position at another company, you can discreetly let members of your network know you're interested.
You might apply directly to the HR departments of targeted companies, or you could use online HR jobs sites like Indeed.com.
By now, you should be an expert at resume-writing, interviewing, and making a great impression.
What is an HR Manager's Salary?
Across the United States, the average salary for HR managers in 2023 is $80,294 according to Indeed.com. This varies by state, with Connecticut paying the highest average salary.
Learn More about Becoming a Human Resources Manager
At Best Accredited Colleges, our goal is to provide help and resources for people like you who are exploring ways to build a career.
If you would like more information about becoming a human resources manager, be sure to reach out to us.
