Have you always thought that being a part of the Human Resources employment field would be exciting and a great way to be near the very nucleus of any company? Most people know human resources employment as being the department within a company that deals with health insurance, dental insurance and vision insurance. Most people also know human resources employment as being the department responsible for hiring and firing as well as being responsible for educating employees of the company on 401K and retirement information and details. Human resources employment is so much more than this. Human resources employment is the staff that operates a company.
Description for Human Resources Employment
There are oftentimes different human resources employment positions within a company. Human resources positions will vary depending upon how big the company is and how many employees the company has. For example if the company is very large and has several hundred employees there may be a Human Resource Director as well as a Human Resource Manager and several assistants underneath the Director and Manager. Human resources employment positions are the liaison between the employees and the company executives. Generally the human resources employment positions are responsible for hiring, recruiting, organizational development which oftentimes means ongoing training and education for the employees, communication, training, leadership, employee relations, team building, salary, benefits, policy recommendation, conflict resolution, performance management, coaching and many other job responsibilities and career duties. In regards to hiring the human resources employment position is oftentimes responsible for pre-screening, background checks, reference checks, screening and recruiting as well as setting up all the interviews. Unfortunately, the human resources employment position is usually also responsible for firing or being present when one is fired from a company.
Education needed to be a part of human resources employment is a degree in Human Resources or a related field. Some organizations and larger companies prefer their human resources employees to have an advanced degree such as a Master’s in Human Resources or a Master’s in Business Administration.
An individual interested in human resources employment must possess several skills and characteristics necessary to be successful in this field. This person should be strategic, firm and resourceful. The human resources director, manager or staff person will oftentimes be responsible for contributing to the executives’ agendas as well as sharing strategic partnership responsibilities with the executives. In order to work well with executives the human resources employment position requires a person that can prove his worth to the executive team. A human resources director not only needs to know the ins and outs of the human resources aspect of the company, they also need to know everything about the accounting department and finances as well as the logistics and organizational aspects of the company.
Human Resources Employment Career
The typical career path of the Human Resources employment position will start with an undergraduate degree in Human Resources or related field. After obtaining the undergraduate degree an individual may choose to join the industry and work in the human resources field. The individual may also opt for continuing their education immediately. It is always advisable to intern or work throughout the years of schooling. A Human Resources employment position can begin in a small company. After working several years with a small company one can take his resume and experience to a bigger company. Once you get into a larger company you can begin to climb the corporate ladder.
Salary and Benefits for Human Resources Employment
Salary and benefits for human resources employment while varying are extremely good across the board. Benefits for human resources employment professionals are always exceptional. Human resources employment positions usually begin with a salary of around $35,000 per year. This starting salary would be for a recent college graduate (undergrad) in a mid-size company as one of a few human resources employees. A seasoned human resources director or manager in a mid-size to large company over time can make upwards of $80,000.
Opportunities for Human Resources Employment
Human resources employment has proven to be recession-proof. As long as there are companies who are hiring, firing and recruiting there will be a need for human resources employment. Most companies with 40 or more employees will inevitably have the need for a human resources department. Companies with more than 100 employees will most likely have the need for more than one human resources position. Oftentimes companies with more than 100 employees will have a Human Resources Director and human resources manager. In larger companies with 250 or more employees there will be human resources employment for several assistant-type positions. These human resource assistants will oftentimes be in charge of different departments. In some law firms for example there are human resources employment positions for the information technology department, the accounting department, the associates, and a separate human resource staff person for the paralegals and legal assistants. Oftentimes the human resources position will also oversee other divisions such as office manager.
Agencies and Resources for Human Resources Employment
There are agencies throughout the country that recruit Human Resource Directors and staff persons for companies. When looking for a human resources employment position you may consider doing it through one of these agencies. Some of the agencies used by companies in the United States are www.HR-jobs.TheLadders.com, www.iHireHR.com, www.axcetHR.com.
Human resources employment is competitive. Although there aren’t a lot of people looking for a position in human resources employment; the lack of positions in a company is what makes it competitive. The human resources position has the least amount of possible openings compared to other positions in a company.
Conclusion for Human Resources Employment
Human resources employment professionals are among the most knowledgeable and diplomatic in the company environment. Your first priority once you decide a career in human resources is the path you want to take will be your education. The most important attribute you can offer a company is an undergraduate degree in human resources or a related field. Opt for an internship while in undergrad as well. For professionals that are strategic as well as resourceful, you could have a recession-proof road to success paved for you in human resources employment.
