Careers in Human Resources -- Why, where and what do they do?
Dressed for Success?
Why a Career in Human Resources (HR)?
I have worked over 33 years in the human resources/personnel field. During that time I worked in three different states, two different federal agencies and one not-for-profit private sector organization and also two locations in Europe.
To work in HR as a professional, you normally need a degree in a related field to start as an intern. You can find positions as either interns or in the clerical area of HR. Obviously, the intern/trainee position will have faster salary escalation than a clerical position and will entail more complex tasks. However, it is very common for clerical employees with good problem solving skills to eventually work into an HR specialist or manager position with higher pay.
HR work is a customer service position within a company (sometimes an HR service provider for others) that provides all the products/services required for the workers. These include; recruitment, hiring, in-processing paperwork, providing benefits service (benefits are normally handled by other companies, but you provide local assistance), compensation administration, training and staff development, discipline and work rules advice and service and union interface. Depending on the employer and labor issues these may be expanded and you may find yourself only working in some specialized areas.
Your primary role is to provide these services on behalf of your employer for the employees. The management is the primary customer and has the right and ability to change HR rules, however, your role is to make sure rules are applied consistently in order to ensure fairness for all employees. This role is important in order to defend the employer against possible law suits from disgruntled current or former employees. If the employer did not follow their own rules consistently, they can be sued for discrimination or have to pay unwarranted unemployment claims or workers compensation. You as an HR person are a partner with management to help control HR costs in these area
Employee benefits include; retirement, life insurance, health insurance, personal, work travel, training/education paid for by the employer, workers compensation and unemployment benefits. These benefits are usually only partly provided for temporary or part time employees if provided for them at all.
Typically, an HR person works in an office environment with managers and employees coming to them for help, but it is also important to get out into the workplace and be seen by staff as much as possible to build positive relationships and be more aware of the work of the employer as this information is critical to your HR role.
You will work with a lot with people and their information. So it is critically important to protect private information and ensure others without a specific need for it do not see or overhear personal information. People skills are important as well as communication and problem solving skills. I have found that the variety of issues in HR keep the job very stimulating and keeps you on your toes. You will also have staff members and sometimes managers upset with your actions or decisions, but if you are follow rules and standard practices you will have the high ground and should be supported by your boss.
HR/personnel jobs can be found in virtually every job sector there is. Large companies and governments normally have their own HR offices. Some smaller companies will use an HR service provider for recruitment, paperwork, benefits and compensation administration and only does their own interviewing of candidates and employee direct interactions with all other tasks done by the HR service provider.
So, how does a person get hired in HR? First, make sure you really want to do this type of work. Take some HR courses if possible and find a local HR office (hospital, government or other employer) who will allow you to interview them about the field and give you a tour and overview. HR people are normally extroverts who enjoy talking about their career fields so this may be easier than you think. If you still feel you would like to purse a career in HR, either find an entry level position with a company in the clerical HR area where you will be most involved with paperwork and get paid less. If you want to work in higher levels of HR you can either work your way up or look for intern/trainee vacancies. As said before, these often require degrees in HR or other related area like Public Administration or Personnel Administration but many employers will also accept degrees in psychology, sociology, business management, english, history and may other degrees.
Know how to look up jobs on-line including:
http://www.careerbuilder.com/
http://jobsearch.monster.cohttps:/
/www.usajobs.gov/m/jobs/http://us.jobs/
http://www.craigslist.org/about/sites#US
Also look on your state's employment site and bookmark it! Then be ready for an interview. To do this you should always have a resume handy (electronic version) to use or update for particular jobs. Tailor to the job you are applying for and don’t sell yourself short. Remember to include your interests, hobbies and volunteer experience if it is relavent. Work on your interviewing skills which include: speaking clearly, being self-confident without being cocky (don’t be smug or say you are an expert at anything), dress as those who you see working there would (no, don’t come in a uniform), sit up straight, listen to the questions, ask questions at the end or if you need clarification and show an interest in the type of business they are engaged in.
To work in HR as a professional, you normally need a degree in a related field to start as an intern. You can find positions as either interns or in the clerical area of HR. Obviously, the intern/trainee position will have faster salary escalation than a clerical position and will entail more complex tasks. However, it is very common for clerical employees with good problem solving skills to eventually work into an HR specialist or manager position with higher pay.
HR work is a customer service position within a company (sometimes an HR service provider for others) that provides all the products/services required for the workers. These include; recruitment, hiring, in-processing paperwork, providing benefits service (benefits are normally handled by other companies, but you provide local assistance), compensation administration, training and staff development, discipline and work rules advice and service and union interface. Depending on the employer and labor issues these may be expanded and you may find yourself only working in some specialized areas.
Your primary role is to provide these services on behalf of your employer for the employees. The management is the primary customer and has the right and ability to change HR rules, however, your role is to make sure rules are applied consistently in order to ensure fairness for all employees. This role is important in order to defend the employer against possible law suits from disgruntled current or former employees. If the employer did not follow their own rules consistently, they can be sued for discrimination or have to pay unwarranted unemployment claims or workers compensation. You as an HR person are a partner with management to help control HR costs in these area
Employee benefits include; retirement, life insurance, health insurance, personal, work travel, training/education paid for by the employer, workers compensation and unemployment benefits. These benefits are usually only partly provided for temporary or part time employees if provided for them at all.
Typically, an HR person works in an office environment with managers and employees coming to them for help, but it is also important to get out into the workplace and be seen by staff as much as possible to build positive relationships and be more aware of the work of the employer as this information is critical to your HR role.
You will work with a lot with people and their information. So it is critically important to protect private information and ensure others without a specific need for it do not see or overhear personal information. People skills are important as well as communication and problem solving skills. I have found that the variety of issues in HR keep the job very stimulating and keeps you on your toes. You will also have staff members and sometimes managers upset with your actions or decisions, but if you are follow rules and standard practices you will have the high ground and should be supported by your boss.
HR/personnel jobs can be found in virtually every job sector there is. Large companies and governments normally have their own HR offices. Some smaller companies will use an HR service provider for recruitment, paperwork, benefits and compensation administration and only does their own interviewing of candidates and employee direct interactions with all other tasks done by the HR service provider.
So, how does a person get hired in HR? First, make sure you really want to do this type of work. Take some HR courses if possible and find a local HR office (hospital, government or other employer) who will allow you to interview them about the field and give you a tour and overview. HR people are normally extroverts who enjoy talking about their career fields so this may be easier than you think. If you still feel you would like to purse a career in HR, either find an entry level position with a company in the clerical HR area where you will be most involved with paperwork and get paid less. If you want to work in higher levels of HR you can either work your way up or look for intern/trainee vacancies. As said before, these often require degrees in HR or other related area like Public Administration or Personnel Administration but many employers will also accept degrees in psychology, sociology, business management, english, history and may other degrees.
Know how to look up jobs on-line including:
http://www.careerbuilder.com/
http://jobsearch.monster.cohttps:/
/www.usajobs.gov/m/jobs/http://us.jobs/
http://www.craigslist.org/about/sites#US
Also look on your state's employment site and bookmark it! Then be ready for an interview. To do this you should always have a resume handy (electronic version) to use or update for particular jobs. Tailor to the job you are applying for and don’t sell yourself short. Remember to include your interests, hobbies and volunteer experience if it is relavent. Work on your interviewing skills which include: speaking clearly, being self-confident without being cocky (don’t be smug or say you are an expert at anything), dress as those who you see working there would (no, don’t come in a uniform), sit up straight, listen to the questions, ask questions at the end or if you need clarification and show an interest in the type of business they are engaged in.
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