How to Become a Great Human Resources Manager

You can be a great HR manager with the right direction and a few years of experience.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Get your degree. A bachelor’s degree is required but a graduate degree will put you a couple of steps ahead of the competition. If you cannot manage to get the advanced degree now, make sure to start night classes as soon as possible, and check on any tuition reimbursement programs at your company.

2. Gain some experience as a supervisor. Even a small management role in retail is valuable to a future HR executive. It would be difficult to give valuable advice and guidance to managers if you have never dealt with performance problems yourself.

3. Be as creative as your existing job allows. If you are lucky enough to get a job in an HR department, develop ideas around new incentive programs or employee wellness or benefit plans that will enrich the workforce and increase the bottom line.

4. Practice your communications skills frequently. You need to be comfortable giving presentations and handling employee discord in order to be an effective HR person. Practice does make the difference.

5. Hone your writing skills. Writing is half the job. You will often be asked to write memos, employee communications, policies and announcements for the management team. The more opportunities you have to do this early in your career the better. Take writing courses if needed to practice your language skills.

6. Uphold your reputation. Image is everything. People watch what HR managers are doing all the time. Practice impeccable work habits on the job. Never talk bad about anyone in the workplace and dress like you really believe in yourself. Others will see you as a solid leader and contributor.

7. Be willing to take calculated risks. HR management is an important function in any company. Often you will be negotiating with unions or groups and your persuasiveness and sales talents are needed to be fully effective. Sales work early in your career is also valuable.

8. Maintain professionalism. You should understand that you cannot be friends with your subordinates. You will need to keep secrets and do some of the things everyone hates to do, like terminating employees. People will sometimes hate you and all that you stand for. If you cannot deal with this hard truth, find a different career.

[sockmonkey]

on 2/18/2009 Great article. I've often thought an HR position would be rewarding. Though there are some down sides- like the firing of employees.

[choicearizona]

on 2/23/2008 www.arizonahomeownerinsurance.biz/arizona_auto_insurance.php
If you ever get an opportunity to get into HR, do it!

[choicearizona]

on 2/23/2008 www.arizonahomeownerinsurance.biz/arizona_auto_insurance.php
It's a great job and one that will offer alot of potential and only will grow. If you have an opportunity to get an HR job, take it.

[djoki]

on 2/4/2008 the most important part of HR manager character is to be strong man in applying laws and firm instructions equaly to personnel and all the employees of orgnaization and must treat people carefully like father to his sons and accept to hear all complainants even though are illegal demands

[choicearizona]

on 2/1/2008 Having a degree is probably required nowadays. But I have heard that HR positons pay well, especially if you work up to a supervisory position. And they are only going to increase in popularity and need. http://www.arizonaautoinsurance.cc