How to Become a HR Manager and Have a Successful Career
The Wall Street Journal’s recent report ranks Human Resource (HR) among the most promising careers of the forthcoming decade. Additionally, another survey report stated that there would be substantial growth in the jobs offered by the HR industry in India. Therefore, job prospects for Human Resource (HR) professionals are looking stronger than in the last decade.
The ever-growing industry has its origins in administration. However, with time, HR became a people-oriented industry that works for the betterment of employees.
An HR professional’s day-to-day activities include many tasks and duties like recruiting, training, compensation, employee management, HR law, and others. So, if you are interested in knowing how to become an HR manager, here is all you need to know.
What is a HR Manager?
An HR manager oversees an organization’s human resources functions, ensuring efficient management of personnel. Key roles and responsibilities include recruitment, hiring, and onboarding of employees, as well as developing and implementing HR policies. They manage employee relations, resolve conflicts, and ensure compliance with labor laws. Additionally, HR managers handle performance evaluations, training and development programs, and benefits administration. Their role is crucial in fostering a positive work environment, enhancing employee satisfaction, and contributing to the organization’s overall success.
Eligibility Criteria to Become an HR Manager
An HR manager is someone who heads the HR department of an organization. They are responsible for recruitment, training, career development, employee relations, employee laws, and other business functions. You need to score at least 60% or more in graduation or any equivalent course to become an HR manager. You can also undertake certificate courses in human resource management to get in-depth knowledge about the industry and its operation.
How to Become an HR Manager?
After ascertaining that you have the educational qualification to become an HR manager, the next step is to follow the below-mentioned steps. Below is a step-by-step guide to becoming an HR manager.
1. Qualifications of HR Manager
In India, an HR manager’s qualifications typically include a bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field. Advanced qualifications such as an MBA in HR or specialized certifications (e.g., SHRM, CIPD) are advantageous. Experience in HR roles and knowledge of labor laws are also essential. Some professionals also grow into the role of HR manager from other fields. In such cases, transferable skills form a core part of the qualification of an HR manager.
2. Experience and Expertise
Any professional need a significant amount of experience before applying for the position of HR manager. So, it is advisable to start work as an HR trainee, HR associate, Junior HR manager, and others to gain work experience related to the occupation. Many successful industry leaders started their careers as a trainee and climbed up the ladder of success. Exposure to different HR processes like recruitment, appraisal, HRBP, and employee retention policies can be the best way to gain HR qualifications.
3. Build a Resume for HR Manager
The next step is to apply for the position of manager and for this one needs a HR manager resume. To build an HR manager resume, highlight relevant qualifications such as a degree in Human Resources or Business Administration. Emphasize experience in recruitment, employee relations, and HR policy implementation. Showcase achievements, certifications (e.g., SHRM, CIPD), and key skills like communication and conflict resolution. Tailor the resume to the specific job description and make sure you capture specific experience and skills.
4. Upskilling
As an HR manager, you need to be evolving and learning constantly. Certification courses can help you gain in-depth knowledge about the industry. Emeritus offers a number of such courses that help you gain a competitive advantage over your contemporaries with its world-class curriculum. So, if you are looking forward to pursuing a certificate course in human resource management, glance through the human resources courses on Emeritus’s website.
What Are the Skills Required for Becoming an HR Manager?
HR managers have a wide range of responsibilities – from recruitment to compensation. Therefore, HR managers need to have a variety of skills. Here are some of the skills required for becoming an HR manager.
1. Agility
As an HR manager, you might run into difficult scenarios often; therefore, you must be adaptive to changes. For instance, an employee decides to quit the company, or another employee asks for a raise. Whatever the issue is, you need to be prepared and flexible to the constant changes.
2. People Analytics
People analytics in HR involves leveraging data analysis to improve workforce decision-making. It helps in identifying trends, enhancing recruitment processes, managing performance, and increasing employee retention. By analyzing metrics such as employee engagement and turnover rates, HR can make informed decisions to drive organizational effectiveness and strategic planning.
3. Empathy
The role of an HR manager includes handling employees and their grievances. They are supposed to have empathy and compassion to solve the problems of employees and boost their confidence. Furthermore, a good HR manager is a good listener. Interestingly, many HR managers have an open-door policy, which means employees can come to meet them anytime with prior appointments or notifications.
4. Ethics
The HR manager has access to some of the most sensitive information of an employee. Hence, they must follow high standards of discretion and work ethics to not sabotage an employee’s career by unveiling their personal information to the wrong person.
5. Communication
HR managers need to have good interpersonal skills because they need to communicate with diverse individuals daily. Therefore, it is beneficial if an HR manager has strong written and verbal communication skills as it avoids miscommunication.
What are the Benefits of Pursuing a Career in HR?
The need for HR professionals is expected to amplify in the forthcoming years, and India may spearhead it. So, if you are keen on learning how and when to become an HR manager, now is the time. Here are some benefits of becoming an HR manager in recent times.
- The average income of HR professionals is comparatively higher than in other fields.
- HR is evolving, so a professional working in this field will always be up to date about the trends and updates in all industries.
- HR is an omnipotent industry. Therefore, an HR professional can get a lucrative job opportunity in any part of the world.
So, if you want to begin planning a career in human resources management, then consider enhancing your resume by taking an online certificate course in human resource management with Emeritus.
Emeritus offers short-term and certification courses in human resources and many other domains in partnership with renowned institutes like the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), S.P. Jain School of Global Management, the Indian School of Business (ISB), and others to offer world-class and affordable certificate courses.
