Selecting the Right Human Resources Jobs
Making up the foundation of some of the most successful companies and organizations is a highly rewarding career in human resources. Companies wishing to excel their workforce and promote a higher level of productivity look to those holding human resources jobs in their company to plan and implement strategies to achieve this goal. Finding human resources jobs in today’s job market can be tough if you aren’t prepared to enter the workforce with the right skills and understanding to perform the tasks of this job.
What are Human Resources?
When a company reaches a certain level of growth and success, they will often open a new branch within their organization termed human resources. This branch has a primary function of maintaining and promoting a productive work force for all employees. Emerging as a new career field around the 1960’s, the need for people to fill human resources jobs came when companies and organizations saw a need to help motivate their employees and create strategies that would encourage workplace productivity.
Those working in human resources handle various responsibilities related to maintaining a healthy workforce. Such responsibilities include:
- Hiring New Employees
- Handling Employee Disputes and Problems
- Maintaining Employee Confidentiality
- Creating Programs to Increase Productivity
- Monitoring Productivity and Keeping Records
- Enforcing Employment Laws and Standards
- Creating and Implementing Employee Training Programs
These are only a few expectations of someone who might be considering human resources jobs as their ideal career. Almost all of the responsibility associated with the career requires handling and managing employees. Someone considering this career will want to have strong communication skills and a good degree of professionalism in the work place. Creativity is also a plus for potential candidates of this career path since this job requires motivating people to increase their productivity at work.
Where Can I Find Human Resources Jobs?
Landing a career in human resources may be easier than your think! Today, almost every company and major organization has some type of human resources department to oversee the work force. In fact, there are human resources departments in places you may not have considered before. Below is a quick list where people commonly find human resources jobs.
- Corporations
- Law Firms
- Colleges and Universities
- Police Departments
- Government Agencies
- Banks
- Development Firms
- Large Non-Profit Organizations
- Large Retail Chains
Is There a Degree Required?
Human resources jobs do not always require specific degrees before you can be hired. Of course, some jobs do prefer or require a degree to be considered for employment; therefore it can be difficult to know how to prepare yourself for this particular job market. Having a degree will give a competitive advantage to potential applications for human resources jobs, even if the position doesn’t require one. Employers will look to degree holders as having more qualifications and skills necessary to do the required tasks. It is recommended that you obtain a relevant degree or certification before you begin your job search.
The type of degree you earn can be just as confusing as whether or not you should earn one in the first place. Perspective students can choose from an Associate’s Degree, a Bachelor’s Degree, an MBA, or even a Doctorate level degree. Many colleges, including online schools offering flexible schedules, offer degree concentrations in human resources. Other colleges can prepare you with a generalized degree in business management, which people often use when working in human resources.
What’s the First Step?
To get started on your human resources career, you will want to make sure you are comfortable with the job expectations and then willing and ready to consider earning a degree or certification in the field. When you’re ready to begin your journey, there are valuable resources available to help you.