Human resources is the department that's responsible for managing a company's human resources—the employees.
To become a human resource professional, you need a degree and experience. You also may want to consider certification. We've broken down all the steps below to help you on your new career journey.
What Is a Human Resource Professional?
Human resource professionals are the buffer between companies and their employees. They're responsible for managing the human aspect of the company machine.
Human resource professionals may have job duties like:
- assist with or run employee orientation
- maintain employee records and paperwork
- mediate employee disputes
- process employee termination
- provide information to employees on things like benefits and job duties
- screen, interview, and hire new candidates
Depending on the size of the organization, there may be many human resource professionals that focus on a specific area.
For example, some human resource professionals, called recruitment specialists or recruiters, specifically focus on finding and hiring new talent.
While there's no singular path to becoming a human resource professional, in general, you'll need education and experience.
Below, we've detailed a basic pathway to becoming a human resource professional.
Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree
Most employers require their human resource professionals to have at least a bachelor's degree. A bachelor's degree is an undergraduate degree that typically takes four years to earn.
Some schools specifically offer human resources degree programs. These may be majors in human resources or concentrations within a business degree.
These programs often cover topics such as:
- compensation
- employee benefits
- employee training and development
- management information systems
- staffing
Sometimes these degrees are available online, allowing you to gain an understanding of human resources from wherever you are.
Other common majors for human resource professionals include:
- business
- communications
- management
- psychology
Step 2: Gain Experience
Before you can be hired as a human resource professional, some employers may expect you to have experience in the field.
An internship can be a great way to gain this experience. While internships aren't feasible for everyone, especially if they're unpaid, it can be a good way to get your foot in the door.
These programs often allow you to shadow established human resource professionals and see how things in the industry work.
Your bachelor's program may provide resources to help you find internships or other opportunities for human resource experience.
Step 3: Earn Certification
While certification isn't a requirement, holding certification in human resources can boost your career.
Certification proves that you have the knowledge and skills required to be an excellent human resources professional.
There are two primary bodies in the United States that certify human resource professionals: the HR Certification Institute and the Society for Human Resource Management.
HR Certification Institute
The HR Certification Institute (HRCI) is a credentialing and learning organization for human resource professionals. It offers training, development, and certifications.
Certifications are offered in three categories: knowledge, professional, and strategic.
Knowledge Certifications
The knowledge certifications are for human resources professionals who are just starting their careers or for individuals looking to switch into a human resources career.
Two certifications are available: Associate Professional in Human Resources and Associate Professional in Human Resources–International.
To earn your certification, you'll need to pass a certification exam. There are no prerequisites to this exam.
Profesional Certifications
Professional certifications are meant to advance your career as a human resource professional. It requires meeting the prerequisites and taking an exam.
To be eligible, you must meet one of the following conditions:
- have at least one year of experience as a human resource professional and hold a master's degree or higher
- have at least two years of experience as a human resource professional and hold a bachelor's degree or higher
- have at least four years of experience as a human resource professional
Three certifications are available at this level:
- Professional in Human Resources
- Professional in Human Resources–International
- Professional in Human Resources–California
Strategic Certification
There are three strategic certifications offered through HRCI, all of which require passing an exam:
- Senior Professional in Human Resources
- Senior Professional in Human Resources–International
- Global Professional in Human Resources
The Senior Professional in Human Resources certification is for human resource professionals with strategic and policy-making backgrounds. To be eligible, you must meet one of the following conditions:
- have at least four years of experience as a human resource professional and hold a master's degree or higher
- have at least five years of experience as a human resource professional and hold a bachelor's degree or higher
- have at least seven years of experience as a human resource professional
The Global Professional in Human Resources certification is for those with expertise in multinational human resources responsibilities. To be eligible, you must meet one of the following conditions:
- have at least two years of experience as a human resource professional and hold a master's degree or higher
- have at least three years of experience as a human resource professional and hold a bachelor's degree or higher
- have at least four years of experience as a human resource professional
Society for Human Resource Management
The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is an international group dedicated to elevating human resource practices.
It offers two certifications: Certified Professional and Senior Certified Professional. Each requires passing an exam.
The Certified Professional is for those who are starting out in their careers or who perform general human resources duties.
The Senior Certified Professional is for individuals that have at least three years of performing human resources duties. This includes at least 1,000 hours per calendar year of HR work.
Become a Human Resource Professional
To become a human resource professional, you need to gain education and experience. Certification is optional but helpful. Follow the steps above to become a human resource professional.