HR professionals carry the heavy responsibility of recruiting, vetting, training, and maintaining the nation’s largest workforce.
A 2018 LA Times article revealed that California is now the world’s fifth largest economy, surpassing the UK and ringing in an annual GDP of $2.7 trillion. Featured Programs:
California’s unemployment rate of just 4.1 as of August 2019 both bolsters and stands as an example of the strength of the state’s economy. In fact, according to a March 2019 CNBC article, California alone was responsible for nearly three-quarters of all jobs added to the U.S. economy in February 2019.
We all know that California is an economic powerhouse, so it doesn’t come as any surprise that the Golden State is also a national leader for its total number of human resources professionals in all classifications.
Job projections from the California Employment Development Department and salary stats from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) make it clear that HR management and specialist jobs in California are increasingly abundant and lucrative, and the field isn’t showing any sign of slowing down:
Is Human Resource Management the right career for you?
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.
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.
Human resources management careers
Here are some examples of careers in human resources management to help you choose the path that is best for you:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
FAQ
What are the careers of HRM?
- Human resources assistant.
- Benefits administrator.
- Payroll specialist.
- Training coordinator.
- Compensation specialist.
- Training manager.
- HRIS specialist.
- Employee relations manager.
Is HR a good career choice?
Because HR plays a crucial role in helping companies run smoothly, it’s no wonder that it’s become one of the fastest-growing fields in the United States. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts an additional 70,000 HR jobs will flood the industry by 2030.
What is the highest paying job in HR?
Sometimes referred to as the Chief HR Officer, the VP of Human Resources is the highest HR position in a company. They are the general overseer of all HR functions in the company.
