No organization can run without proficient employees. A company’s workforce is its biggest asset.
But, where do companies or employers find the most suitable candidates for various job profiles?
There is a dedicated department in almost every organisation for this job – the HR or Human Resources department. In small companies, the hiring process is usually handled by the owner, but an HR manager handles the recruitment process in multinational organisations and other associated things.
If you want to know how to become HR in India, their skills, etc., keep reading till the end of this article.
What is a Human Resource Manager?
Before you ask how to become a human resource manager, it is vital to understand the role.
An HR manager runs the HR department in any organisation. Their primary focus is a company’s employees, their welfare and productivity. The responsibilities of an HR manager go beyond merely recruiting candidates. When there is a vacancy in a company, HR managers must hire proper candidates for the post. The HR manager plays an influential role, from interviewing candidates to selecting them.
Along with hiring new employees, an HR manager is pivotal in enhancing the employee-employer relationship. They also ensure that the working ambience in the organisation is safe and amiable. Other functions of an HR manager include managing existing employees, creating development and training programs, guiding other HR professionals in the team, planning compensations and benefits, educating employees on HR best practices, etc.
An HR manager provides the right direction and leadership to employees to ensure the smooth functioning of all business operations. They have extensive knowledge of various HR-specific areas like payroll, employee benefits, safety compliance, labour laws, budget, etc.
Duties and Responsibilities of a Human Resource Manager
If you want to know how to become an HR manager, you must know their responsibilities and duties. Enlisted below are some duties and responsibilities of a human resource manager:
- Management of recruitment and selection process.
- Bridging the gap between employers and employees by addressing various demands and grievances.
- Fostering an open and positive work ambience.
- Leading and training a team of junior HR professionals in the department.
- Collaborating with other departments to understand job profile needs, developing job advertisements, and finding the right candidate for the designation.
- Creating, implementing, and managing training and development programs for new and existing employees.
- Implementing various employee benefit programs and informing the employees about them. Guiding employees to redeem the benefits.
- Providing complete support to organisational leaders for creating and managing compensation packages which are fair and at par with market standards.
- Efficiently handling workplace investigation of any case along with disciplinary and termination procedures.
- Ensuring complete compliance with all labour standards and laws, including occupational health and safety.
How to become a human resource manager?
- Completion of 10+2 or equivalent examination
If you want to earn a Bachelor’s degree or a diploma in human resource management (HRM), you must complete a 10+2 examination or something equivalent. This is the minimum requirement for the course. To enter this field, you can have any subject in your 10+2. For admission to undergraduate programs or diploma courses, you require a minimum of 60% marks in your 10+2. - Getting a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
The initial phase of any human resource program or course is completing a diploma in HRM. After that, you can pursue a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA). Some candidates also show interest in pursuing a dual-degree program like BBA-MBA. - Getting a Master’s degree
HR managers must have a Master’s degree in human resources, business administration, or labour laws. If you want to take your HR career to a new level, you can pursue a doctoral program in Human Resource Management after completing your Master’s degree. With a doctoral degree in HR, your salary structure will be enhanced significantly. - Completing a Certification Course in Human Resource
While certifications are not mandatory for becoming an HR manager, they are commendable add-ons to your resume, showcasing your expertise to potential employers. Certifications help you learn through real-world experiences in an interactive learning environment. - Start applying for jobs
You will need industry experience to qualify for an HR management post. Look for jobs according to your work experience level and career goals.
How to become HR – Skills that an HR manager should have
Every HR manager needs to have some unique skills to fulfil their job requirements successfully.
- Excellent communication skills
No HR manager will be successful without good communication skills. A Human Resources Manager must communicate and interact effectively with business stakeholders, employees, department heads, and other professionals. As an HR manager, you must be able to resolve various organisational disputes, interview and appoint new candidates for vacant positions, and develop effective communication skills. - Problem-solving abilities
HR executives or even employees seek help from HR managers to deal with various kinds of organisational conflicts. HR managers must have efficient problem-solving abilities for solving workplace issues. - Organisational skills
HR managers must have excellent organisational skills to balance different teams and multiple tasks. They must strive to increase employee productivity through proper planning and organisation in the workplace. - Time management
HR managers have to juggle multiple tasks daily. For example, they might work on recruitment and training programs, employee benefits, or other HR-related issues. HR managers should be able to prioritise tasks and accomplish them through excellent time management skills. - Empathy
An HR manager must work closely with people with varied personalities. The manager should have strong interpersonal skills and empathy to manage various personalities. An empathetic HR manager must understand the problems of employees and try to solve them. Having empathy as a skill helps managers build a strong rapport with employees. - Negotiation
An HR manager must have excellent negotiation skills for tackling varied business scenarios. For example, an HR manager uses negotiation skills when discussing compensation packages with candidates. The problem of conflicting employees is not new, and with negotiation and communication skills, the HR manager can arrive at a mutual consensus. - Decision Making
Employers often hire HR managers with good decision-making abilities. When there are conflicts in the company, the HR manager can make confident and logical decisions. The target is to ensure the benefit of the organisation. It has been seen that HR managers with good decision-making skills have high critical thinking and analytical skills.
