Last Updated on April 25, 2023 by asifa
When it comes to standing apart from competitors and creating a great culture, HR and talent management professionals play a critical role in any company. Working closely with company leadership, they focus on attracting, developing, managing, and retaining the most talented people.
The role played by an HR professional is no longer merely administrative. It now has a significant impact on an organization, recognizing how organizational success is founded on its employees and they in turn must be attracted and motivated to work for the organization.
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Are you suited to an HR career?
A career in HR is a good choice for someone who enjoys helping people with a variety of tasks. It requires empathetic behavior, the ability to organize and multitask, and the skill of evaluating people. The outlook is robust with the role growing to encompass strategies for better productivity and talent management, ultimately impacting the bottom line.
What responsibilities do HR professionals handle?
The tasks taken care of by HR and talent management professionals are multidimensional. They include recruitment, training and development, engagement, performance evaluation, payroll, health and safety, and others too. The workforce plays a significant role in keeping operations profitable and sustainable, and it is important to recruit the best candidates and help them develop their skills and talents.
What career paths are available?
Depending on the size of the company and the way work is organized, an HR professionalcould be working on one of the following paths:
- Generalist: Commonly seen in smaller companies, the person here performs a variety of tasks in the course of an HR career. From recruitment to training and compensation as well as compliance and policy development, one person works on many different aspects. This gives a chance to learn about many different dimensions of the role.
- Specialist: Often seen in larger companies, people working in HR handle specialize in particular areas and dimensions of HR work, dedicated to recruitment, training, labor relations, or other, for instance. They tend to have a higher level of knowledge and technical skills in the particular areas, and get to work in more depth and learn more about their chosen field.
What are the expected salary levels?
In the US, according to Salary.com, the average salary for professionals in the HR field is USD 105,161, with the range being USD 93,451-117,667. For an Associate HR director, the average salary is USD 138,918, and the range is USD 123,778-156,171.
How do you start an HR career?
To get into an HR job at the entry level, an aspiring HR and talent management professional typically must have a minimum level of education. Along with this, some experience is also required, which can be obtained through temporary work positions, part-time jobs, or internships with companies. Such experience helps the person to realistically understand the field, and they are often able to convert the temporary arrangement into a full-time, permanent position as an HR assistant or at any other entry-level role.
Often, a person working in a different field wants to become an HR professional. This field could be administration, for instance, or the person may choose to take up one of the best HR certifications in India and US or other courses before entering the field. It helps to have a degree in business, psychology, or sociology. For instance, someone with experience in maths and science may be hired for a position in compensation or employee benefits, or a law graduate could work in labor relations.
The important thing is to experiment and explore within the HR field. Identify the compelling and exciting options and specializations, and work toward positions in these fields.
What are the important considerations for a first HR job?
Getting the first job in HR is critical. Here are the things to consider:
- Work experience
- Experience or mentorship by an established person in HR
- Short-term work for students in HR offices
- Administrative roles
- Soft skills such as collaboration, curiosity, and decision-making
- Passion, grit, and perseverance toward long-term goals
- Qualification: aside from academic qualifications, try to pick up one of the best HR certifications in India and US. An HR certification shows an employer the person has the latest skills and knowledge, and is capable of taking on greater roles and responsibilities in HR.
How do you determine your suitability for an HR role?
The following questions can help a candidate determine suitability for an HR career:
- Strategic thinking: adapting to changes and knowing what comes next for the organization
- Compartmentalizing information: maintaining confidentiality where needed
- Solving problems: essential to handle difficult situations
- Decision-making: by considering all relevant points; also delivering it with compassion and authority
- Business savvy: knowing the bottom line and business basics
- Approachability: essential to build a rapport and trust
- People person: make connections with people
- Data- and research-driven: to ensure the decision is the best for all
Read More: Ways of writing a Compelling Business Plan
Conclusion…
HR and talent management offers flexibility, variety, meaningful work, and growth potential. It is a big but a rewarding responsibility, affecting the lives of numerous workforce members.
Apart from that, if you are interested to know about 3 Interesting Jobs That Pay Well then visit our Business category.
