- According to the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), human resource careers, in the beginning of the twentieth century, were considered an administrative function rather than an integral and strategic component of a company's management process. However, in the twenty-first century, human resource professionals are positioned as key thought leaders, as their actions and policies directly affect an organizations' success in employee relations, business development and revenue generation. See the Resources section below for a link to SHRM.
- Human resource professionals staff and organize the workers within an organization. Most importantly, the role of all human resource professionals are to hire, retain, motivate and promote great employees and remove ineffective workers out of the organization. Human resource professionals work together with the marketing department to issue the edicts and organizational strategy of the CEO and other C-level executives. More than just hiring and firing employees, several human resource careers involve a working knowledge of labor practices, benefits, compensation, counseling, training and development.
- According to the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, there are four distinct categories of human resource careers: employment and placement, compensation, benefits and job analysis, training and development and employee relations. Recruiters, employment screeners, employment relations representatives and human resource coordinators positions manage the process of screening, hiring and firing of employees. Compensation managers, job analysts and benefit managers manage the employee benefits and determine an accurate wages for all employees within the company. Training managers and corporate trainers plan, develop and execute skill development, workshops and staff development for an organization. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) officers and labor relations managers, in conjunction with the organizations' legal department, negotiates labor and employment agreements.
- Most human resource professionals, in larger corporations, have college and professional degrees. However, recruitment and training are two areas of human resources where college degrees are not required. People with administrative and sales backgrounds thrive in recruiting and training because of their experience in people management or public speaking. To prepare for a career in human resources management the following college coursework is recommended: psychology, management, employment law, economics and statistics.
- Human resource careers offer many opportunities for certification. Professionals certifications include the Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBP), the Professional in Human Resources (PHR), Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) and the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). The income range for human resources managers in May 2006 was between $37,000 and $135,820, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook.
