Want to Work in Human Resources? Here’s What You’ll Need to Know

Working in Human Resources can be incredibly rewarding, especially if you’re the type to really care for the wellbeing of your colleagues. That said, there are a lot of misconceptions about what an HR role is and what it isn’t. Today we’d like to clear up some of those misconceptions with this guide to human resources careers.

What’s it Like to Work in Human Resources?

Ask ten different people what HR does and you’ll get ten different answers. Some people will tell you that they make hiring and firing decisions. Others will talk about workplace conduct. A few might even say it’s their job to organise the office parties. All of these descriptions are more or less right but they’re hardly a concrete definition.

At its core, working in HR is about managing people. That includes employee wellbeing, performance management, and workplace policies. In some ways, it’s a bit of a catch all department but it nonetheless requires a specific and well trained skill set.

Why Do We Have Human Resources?

One of the biggest misconceptions about HR is that they exist solely to protect the company. While they certainly have to consider the needs of the business, a good HR department should also act as a support system for employees.

In some respects, the role of an HR department is to act as a check on the powers of individuals within a company. Almost any workplace has a hierarchy and as people climb that hierarchy, they’re not always conscious of the ways their behaviour affects those lower down.

This isn’t just about making people happier in the workplace either- although that should always be a priority. When companies allow abuses of power, the consequences can be dire. In the long run it’s beneficial for everyone to have an HR department that is genuinely focused on the wellbeing of each employee.

HR Skills & Qualifications

To work in HR you need strong social skills. You need to be good at applying empathy and communicating with different types of people. On top of all that, you need to be very well organised while having a strong head for paperwork.

A degree is definitely helpful, though not always essential if you have the right experience or work your way into the role. Getting a job in HR requires many of the soft skills that just about any degree will teach you. You need to be independent, organised, and good with written communication.

On top of that, there are some hard skills an HR specific degree can provide such as a detailed knowledge of the legal frameworks surrounding employee wellbeing.

With that said, you can find job opportunities in human resources without a degree. Management experience is ideal because you’ll need to be comfortable delivering information to people and even giving instructions. It’s a job that demands a lot of responsibility and a level of discretion. Above all else, in a job interview your potential employers are looking to see that you’re reliable and trustworthy.

Career Opportunities

People often think of Human Resources as a career all by itself but the truth is there’s a long list of career paths you can follow in this field.

Entry-level roles include HR assistants and HR Administrators who help with recruitment, employee records, onboarding, and general office-based tasks. In terms of salary you’re looking at around £24K as a starting point. From there the standard progression would be to become an HR manager at around £40K while director salaries can go even higher.

There are many job titles within HR although it’s worth noting that many of them are essentially synonymous. Every company’s HR department is a little different so depending on where you work your responsibilities can change a lot and that might not directly correlate to your title.

Furthermore, an HR role can be a springboard to other office-based careers. Working in HR looks really great on a CV because it shows all the skills we talked about earlier: responsibility, organisation, communication, and independence. It also gives a lot of insight into the internal workings of a company. All told, that’s a lot of transferable knowledge that’ll be useful in any future job.