Is Human Resources A Good Career Path? Job Outlook

Is human resources a good career path? With the essence of managing people and property, human resource is a career that can offer many job opportunities.

Although the job market is competitive, many opportunities are still available for those with the right skills.

Is Human Resources A Good Career Path?

Human resources is a great career path for people who enjoy working with people and want to help them reach their potential.

The key is identifying the right skills and qualifications to help you stand out in the job market.

Let’s start from the junior-most to the senior-most positions:

1. Human Resources Officer:

It’s the most junior position in HR. Human resources officers are responsible for various tasks.

These can include:

– Handling employee records

– Conducting interviews, and

– Administering payroll.

Human resources officers work in an office environment and report to a senior HR manager.

It is important to have strong communication and organizational skills.

They earn a median salary of $56534 per year (Glassdoor).

2. Senior Human Resources Specialist:

Senior human resources officers are responsible for more complex tasks.

These can include:

– Training and development

– Employee relations, and

– Recruitment and selection.

Senior human resources officers typically have a few years of experience.

And, like human resources officers, they work in an office and report to a senior HR manager.

They earn a median salary of $74203 per year (Glassdoor).

3. Talent Acquisition Specialist:

A talent acquisition specialist is responsible for recruiting employees.

They work with hiring managers to identify staffing needs. And they use a variety of sources to find qualified candidates.

Talent acquisition specialists:

– Post job openings

– Conduct initial screenings

– Schedule interviews

– Participate in job fairs

Most talent acquisition specialists have a bachelor’s degree in human resources, or business.

They also have several years of experience in recruiting or human resources.

They earn a median salary of $53597 per year (Glassdoor).

4. Human Resources Business Partner:

A human resources business partner is a strategic partner. They align human resources programs with an organization’s business goals.

They work with employees and managers to identify and solve problems. Some of their duties include:

– Providing coaching and counseling

– Investigating complaints

– Implementing policies

They aim to create a positive work environment that attracts and retains employees.

They earn a median salary of $96,547 per year (Glassdoor).

5. Organization Excellence Specialist:

An organization excellence specialist helps an organization run smoothly. They develop policies and procedures to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

Some of their duties include:

– Conducting audits

– Identifying process improvements

– Writing reports

The median salary of an Organization Lead is $102732 per year (Glassdoor).

6. Organization Development Specialist:

An organization development specialist helps an organization change and grow. For example, they may help with strategy, culture change, or leadership development.

Some of their duties include:

– Conducting research

– Creating change models

– Implementing changes

They earn a median salary of $68565 per year (Glassdoor).

7. Human Resources Manager:

Now comes the management role in human resources. A human resources manager manages an organization’s human resources department. This includes duties like:

– Budgets

– Hiring

– Training

– Employee relations

The median salary for a human resources manager is $80040 per year (Glassdoor).

8. Human Resources Director:

The human resources director is at the top of the food chain. The human resources director handles all aspects of an organization’s human resources department. This includes duties like:

– Policy development

– Budgeting

– Hiring

– Training

– Employee relations

The median salary for a human resources director is $104011 per year (Glassdoor).

So these are some of the job positions in the human resources field. The human resources field is a great career path for those who want to help others.

They make a difference in their workplace. There are many different job positions in the human resources field.

Reasons Human Resources Is A Good Career Path – Pros

There are many reasons why human resources is a good career path. Here are some pros of a career in human resources:

1. Helping Others:

One of the most rewarding things about working in human resources is the ability to help others.

As an HR professional, you will assist employees with various issues.

You will be the person they turn to when they have questions about their benefits.

Or when they are having problems with a coworker. You will be there to help them navigate through difficult situations.

2. Making A Difference:

When you work in HR, you can make a real difference in employees’ lives. You can help create a fair and respectful positive work environment.

You can help employees grow and develop in their careers. Or, you can be a sounding board for new ideas.

And you can help create an environment where employees can do their best work.

3. Variety:

Every day is different in HR. For example, you could be working on employee relations one day.

And the next day, you could be working on recruiting and hiring. You could be working on benefits and compensation one day.

And the next day, you could be working on employee training and development.

This variety can make HR an exciting and interesting career.

4. Opportunity To Make A Difference:

In HR, you have the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of employees. And you are responsible for the success of organizations.

You can help employees find jobs that are a good fit for them. You can help create an environment where employees can do their best work.

Also, you can help resolve conflicts between employees. And you can help create a benefits package that meets the needs of employees.

HR managers often say that they get a lot of satisfaction. They know that they have made a positive difference in the lives of others.

5. Good Job Security:

In today’s economy, job security is a major concern for many people. Fortunately, HR is a field with good job security.

Companies will always need someone to help them with their employees.

Even during tough economic times, companies must hire and train new employees. They also need help with benefits and other HR issues.

When companies are downsizing, HR managers often help with the process. For example, they work to make sure that employees are treated fairly during layoffs.

Reasons Human Resources Is Not A Good Career Path – Cons

Let’s face it: HR isn’t for everyone. Let’s find out why.

1. Not Enough Salaries:

The human resources industry doesn’t offer good salaries compared to other industries. Most HR jobs have low starting salaries.

Even experienced HR professionals earn less. The median salary for an HR manager is just $80,000 a year.

Other industries, such as finance and accounting, offer much higher salaries.

2. Not Much Room for Advancement:

There is little room for advancement in the HR field. Once you become an HR manager, there are few places to go.

You can either be a director or a vice president, but that’s it. In other industries, there are many more management positions available.

For instance, you can become a branch manager in the banking industry. Or you can be a regional manager or even the CEO of a bank.

3. You Have To Work With Difficult People:

In the HR field, you have to work with difficult people. For example, you have to deal with employees who are constantly complaining.

You have to deal with managers who are micromanaging. You have to deal with HR policies that are difficult to change.

Also, you have to deal with the stress of being responsible for the well-being of your employees.

So these are some things you should consider before you pursue a career in HR.

Skills You Need To Succeed In HR

Let’s find out what skills you need to succeed in HR.

1. Communication Skills:

The most important skill you need for a career in HR is communication. You have to be able to communicate with employees, managers, and other stakeholders.

You have to be able to explain HR policies to employees. And you also have to be able to resolve conflicts between employees.

And you may be dealing with sensitive issues like sexual harassment. Then you must handle the situation with tact and diplomacy.

2. Organizational Skills:

As an HR professional, you have to be organized. You must keep track of employee records, benefits, and other HR-related data.

You have to be able to create systems that will help you keep track of this data.

Also, you have to use systems for hiring, firing, and promoting employees.

3. Interpersonal Skills:

Another important skill you need for a career in HR is interpersonal skills. You have to be able to build relationships with employees.

You also have to be able to deal with difficult situations. For example, you have to be able to counsel employees who are going through personal problems.

When there is a conflict between two employees, you have to be able to mediate the situation.

4. Soft Skills:

In addition to interpersonal skills, you need to have soft skills. These are the skills that help you deal with people.

You need to be able to communicate effectively. But you also need to be able to listen carefully.

Also, you need to be patient and understanding. You also need to be able to give clear instructions.

5. Analytical Skills:

You need to be able to gather data and information. You also need to be able to analyze this data.

And need to be able to make decisions based on your findings.

When you’re looking at data, you need to be able to see patterns. You also need to be able to find trends.

Also, you need to be able to understand complex problems. And you need to be able to find solutions to these problems.

Educational Requirements For A Career In Human Resources

You can take a few different educational routes to become qualified:

1. Bachelor’s Or Master’s Degree:

You could earn human resources, business administration, or labor relations degree.

You could also get a degree in psychology, sociology, or another related field.

Some employers may prefer that you have a master’s degree in human resources, business administration, or labor relations.

2. Get An Internship & On-The-Job Training:

You could get an internship in human resources. Some internships are paid, while others are unpaid.

Some employers may offer on-the-job training for human resources positions.

This training could last several weeks or months. And it would give you a chance to learn about the various aspects of human resources.

3. Get Certified:

You could get certified as a professional human resource (PHR). Or you could get certification as a senior professional in human resources (SPHR).

These are voluntary certification programs offered by the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI).

To get certified, you must have worked in human resources for several years and passed a written exam.

Final Word:

So is human resources a good career path? It depends on what you’re looking for.

Human resources is a great choice if you want job security, good pay, and the opportunity to advance.

But if you’re looking for excitement and variety, look elsewhere.

No matter what, you’ll need to be good with people if you want to succeed in human resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Let’s look at some frequently asked questions about careers in human resources.

1. Is Human Resources A Good Career Path In The Future (2023)?

Human resources is generally a stable and secure field. So it is unlikely to experience major changes or disruptions in the next few years.

As per BLS, Human Resources will grow to 8% in jobs from 2021-2031.

2. What Is The Highest Paying Job In Human Resources?

The highest-paying job in human resources is that of a Human Resources Director. They make a median salary of $104011 per year.

When it comes to human resources, there are many different types of jobs and roles that you can pursue.

Last Updated on 6 months by Shahzaib Arshad