Human resource managers have a great deal of responsibility. They plan, direct, and coordinate administrative functions of an organization and are responsible for hiring new staff, helping executives with strategic planning, and helping foster positive communication between an organization’s management and its employees. [1] X Trustworthy Source US Bureau of Labor Statistics U. S. government agency that collects and reports labor-related information Go to source One positive thing about being a human resource manager is that the job is always in demand. Nearly every type of business or organization needs a human resources manager. The average annual range is, nearly $100,000 per year. [2] X Trustworthy Source US Bureau of Labor Statistics U. S. government agency that collects and reports labor-related information Go to source The demand for human resources managers is expected to grow over the years. It may be easier to find employment as time goes on. [3] X Trustworthy Source US Bureau of Labor Statistics U. S. government agency that collects and reports labor-related information Go to source
Take classes in business, marketing, and economics. You may also want to take classes in psychology as you’ll need to be able to work with people. Some background in psychology can give you input into how people think. Seek out leadership positions in high school. This can look good on a college application and help you start gaining experience that can help you land internships in colleges. Be the captain of a sport’s team. Get a position on student council. Volunteer at local non-profits and charities, seeking positions of power. Study hard in school and maintain a high GPA. Strive to do well on any standardized tests, such as the ACTs and the SATS, as high scores combined with good grades can help you get into a good college or university.
If your school has human resources management as a major, this is probably the best option. Other relevant fields of study include business and finance. A minor in something like psychology can also be helpful as you’ll be working with people as a career. [4] X Research source Try to stock up on relevant courses for electives. Take advanced business courses, management courses, and marketing courses not required for your degree path. This could potentially impress an employee. [5] X Research source
Any job that requires working with people is great for a human resources management position. Look for sales position, marketing jobs, and other part time work that requires a lot of face-to-face interactions with customers and clients during college. [6] X Research source As you reach your junior and senior year, look for internships. You can talk to a career counselor at your school about where to look for internships. You can also let professors and fellow students know you’re on the lookout for internship experience. They might pass the information on to you. [7] X Research source
Formatting in a resume should be consistent. If you use bullet points to explain your experience for one job, use bullet points to talk about the next job. Keep font sizes and choices consistent. Go for easily legible fonts over flowery, cursive types. [8] X Research source Make sure you include your e-mail, address, full name, and a link to your personal website if you have one. [9] X Research source Word your experience is an impressive terms as possible. If you worked as a sales associate at Macy’s during college, for example, don’t say, “Helped customers pick out clothes. " Instead, say something like, “Advised customers on a wide array of stylistic options provided by the Macy’s corporation, providing polite and informative feedback on product choices. " You can find a list of resume buzzwords online that can help you phrase your resume. A fun resume design can help set your resume apart. You can look up lists of creative resume designs online for inspiration. If you’re applying for a job in a more creative firm, a fun resume can really bolster your chances of landing an interview. Take advantage of the resources at your college while you’re still a student. Have a career adviser look over your resume and give you feedback. Go to any resume workshops provided by your college.
Go to any job fairs offered by your college. Be sure to hand out your resume to any recruiters. Networking is often key to finding a job. [10] X Research source Talk to past colleagues. Tell your old supervisors from work and internship experience you’re looking for a job. Talk to old professors. Let fellow graduates who’ve found work know you’re on the job hunt. Job boards, such as Indeed. com and Monster, also post job listings on occasion. Consider applying to some work through these places as well. You may be less likely to hear back, however, as many people apply for jobs through these means.
Always dress up for interviews. For women, wear a conservative blouse and dress pants or a professional dress or women’s suit. For men, a suit and tie is best. Make sure your shoes are also business professional. It might be a good idea to conceal any tattoos or piercings. [11] X Research source Use solid non-verbal communication. Make eye contact with the interviewer. Smile and nod to show you are listening. Stand up straight to convey confidence. Offer a firm handshake at the beginning and end of the interview. [12] X Research source Research the company before going in for an interview. You want to show that you’re invested and interested in the potential job. Spend some time browsing the company website learning about the company’s mission, ethics, and history. [13] X Research source Always ask questions at the end of the interview. Do not simply ask logistic questions, such as the pay or when you can expect to hear back. Instead, ask broad, open-ended questions like, “What is your company’s culture like?” and “What do you like about working here?"[14] X Research source
For certain specific fields of human resource management, such as labor or industrial relations, a master’s may be required. There are a variety of fields in which you can get your master’s to advance in the field of human resources management. [15] X Research source You may be able to simply get a master’s in human resources management. However, a master’s in business administration can also help. Talk to human resource managers you know have master’s degrees and ask them for advice and recommendations. This can help you make an informed decision. [16] X Research source
Use connections from your college, internship, or graduate program or search general job listings for open positions. If you’re currently employed somewhere, you might be able to apply for jobs within your company in the human resources department. Most company’s are more likely to hire an employee who already works for them rather than hiring an outsider.
You can apply to take the exam through a variety of certification programs. The best program for you depends on your state and career goals. Fees and the application process vary but most certification programs require a master’s degree and at least a year of professional experience. You can find a certification handbook for the exam you choose online. This handbook will provide an extensive overview of the exam process and procedures. It will also provide a study guide you can use to take the certification exam.
