Job Descriptions for Human Resources

Curious as to what exactly you’d be doing in any of the various human resources careers? Let this job description for human resources, be your guide when searching for the ideal human resources job.

You can specialize in a whole lot of fields within the HR career. Regardless of where you end up, you’re always going to be managing people in some way. In the case of human resources, you’re going to be managing a company’s staff.

What Does a Human Resources Professional Do?

Every company relies on the success of its employees for its own success. A human resources professional develops and nurtures systems that enable employees to perform at their best.

To do this, a human resources professional designs and implements systems that nurture the habits, norms, ideals, values, and the working terms of a company. Combined, these are what make up a company’s culture. Every company’s culture is unique and it’s the duty of the human resources manager to nurture that culture.

Specific job description for human resources professionals:

• Recruiting new hires, right from sourcing all the way to training.
• Managing payroll and benefits systems.
• Staff training and development.
• Managing and mediating disputes and conflict.
• Implementing workplace code of conduct.
• Liaising between top management and employees.

How Do You Qualify as a Human Resources Professional?

When you chose a career in human resources, the first step is to earn a degree – associate or bachelor’s – in human resources or business administration. Many employers currently require a master’s degree for some HR specialist or managerial jobs. Gaining a human resources specialist certification gives you an edge but it’s not a requirement for most jobs especially at entry level.

At mid and managerial level, work experience is required, on top of a formal qualification. As an HR professional, you’re required to be detail-oriented and also have reasonable computer knowledge, especially how to use Microsoft Office, Outlook, and at least one CRM software.

Your growth in a specific HR role might eventually determine the type of HR professional you become. The most common specializations include:

• Recruitment, talent acquisition, and planning specialist
• Training and development specialist
• Employee relations specialist
• Performance and rewards specialist
• Human resources director

How Much Does a Human Resources Professional Earn?

Wages for HR professionals vary a great deal depending on the industry, region, experience, and education level, among other factors. According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Statistics and Labor, HR specialists earned a median annual wage of $59,180 as of May 2016. At the bottom 10th percentile, the average wage was $34,770 whereas HR professionals in the top 90th percentile earned an average wage of $101,420 annually.

Your actual paycheck is going to be determined by several other factors, particularly the industry in which you work. HR professionals in the Federal Executive Branch, for instance, had the highest annual mean wage at $83,310, according to 2016 data from the Bureau of Statistics and Labor. Specialists in the management, scientific, and consulting industry also earn higher wages than the national average.

What is the Future Outlook for a Career in Human Resources?

There are many encouraging stats on the current state and future outlook of HR jobs. So now is a good time to invest in a career in human resources. A low unemployment rate of HR specialists (2.2%), an improving economy, and an increasing demand for HR specialists are all encouraging factors for HR prospects.

People with a bachelor’s degree in human resources management or a related field will have the best job prospects. Investing in a quality degree now is guaranteed to pay off in the near future. Adding a certification gives you a much-needed advantage and can greatly improve your pay package.

Job Descriptions for Human Resources-  Summary

There’s a well-defined path to attaining HR professional status. The best start is to earn a degree in a relevant field and then backing it up with a certification. As you gain experience, your job prospects as well as a salary increase.

According to data from the Bureau of Statistics and Labor, the future is bright for aspiring HR professionals regardless of what you see in various job descriptions for human resources.

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