4 answers
Zephyrus
Student
Santa Clara, California
3
Questions
Asked
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How is it like working with others on a deeper level as a Human resources manager?
What kind of work do you do and how should I prepare if I became a Human resources manager?
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4 answers
Tim Jones
Strategy, Learning & Organizational Development
3
Answers
St. Louis, MO
Updated
Tim’s Answer
Regina has a great point that HR can be a very broad path. Many HR professionals choose between a technical path and a more general one. A generalist will work across a variety of areas, including recruiting, payroll, employee relations, onboarding, etc. There are also very specific HR roles where a person selects a specialty (most common in larger organizations). Technical paths in HR frequently include: compensation, recruiting, training, safety, DEI, and organizational development.
I would highly recommend reaching out to different professionals and see what roles might be of greatest interest. Some HR roles are very similar to customer support and others are more strategic in nature. There are a variety of different roles, personalities, and opportunities in HR. If you can, intern with multiple organizations to broaden your HR exposure and discover what you might enjoy best.
Many HR professionals might spend time in one field like "recruiting" before trying something else like "employee relations" or HR management. There is no single right path in HR but it is a great place to explore a career while helping others. Build great empathy, communication, and data skills and they will translate across any HR career.
I would highly recommend reaching out to different professionals and see what roles might be of greatest interest. Some HR roles are very similar to customer support and others are more strategic in nature. There are a variety of different roles, personalities, and opportunities in HR. If you can, intern with multiple organizations to broaden your HR exposure and discover what you might enjoy best.
Many HR professionals might spend time in one field like "recruiting" before trying something else like "employee relations" or HR management. There is no single right path in HR but it is a great place to explore a career while helping others. Build great empathy, communication, and data skills and they will translate across any HR career.
TRAVIS UPCHURCH
Federal Contract Admin
78
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
TRAVIS’s Answer
I did recruiting mostly while working in HR. Records keeping, budgeting, conflict management and confidentiality are important for any role in HR.
Thank you so much for the advice.
Zephyrus
Diane Schwantes
Senior HR Partner/Generalist at AT&T Mobility
13
Answers
San Diego, California
Updated
Diane’s Answer
HR covers many areas, for example recruiting, benefits, general HR work, payroll, and more. So, you can find an area that interests you most and grow in that specialization. As an HR Business Partner I work closely with my clients on strategic planning to ensure that we have the resources we need to meet our objectives, and those resources have the right training and experience to perform the essential functions of the job. It is exciting because I get to participate in long-range planning and in the development of our business plans and our people. Gaining the trust of your client and establishing yourself as competent in business and finance are key. No two days are alike. You should prepare yourself to understand the regulations and laws related to HR, be comfortable with financial analysis and basic business principles and to be able to quickly pivot and accurately multitask.
Regina (R.Y.) Swint
HR Specialist
4
Answers
Louisville, Kentucky
Updated
Regina (R.Y.)’s Answer
Keep in mind that HR management is very broad, depending on the needs of the organization, but the anchor of successful HR at all levels is building, nurturing, and sustaining authentic relationships, while meeting guiding others toward meeting the intent/mission/goals of the organization’s leadership through their own respective roles. To prepare, do any kind of work that helps you to build and cultivate relationships, e.g, customer service, retail, food service, teaching, coaching, etc. Take opportunities that teach you how to network, and to reach people on a personal level.
In HR, working well with others is achieved through cooperation not competition. It’s always best to make genuine connections, and seek to meet common goals, and do not just go through the motions, i.e., just collecting a paycheck, or use others as a stepping stone to the next job promotion.
Like any management position, keen HR management is more than just showing up. It is also being present, and without micromanagement. It is being aware of the organizational climate, personnel needs, and remaining engaged to help promote a healthy climate, and a high quality brand for the organization. HR managers are very much like brand ambassadors.
Working well with others means making a conscious effort to be mindful, thoughtful, value-added, and always respectful, without overstepping.
As an HR specialist or HR manager, you might be responsible for all manners of either performing or supervising personnel actions and administrative tasks, such as records keeping, recruiting, onboarding, intra and inter-office correspondence, payroll, travel, scheduling, or even filing, to name a few. You might also expect to attend and/or lead meetings, among other related tasks as assigned. You may manage small or large teams; but as long as you are an effective communicator (skills that can be learned and developed over time), and you have a genuine interest in helping people to be successful, and in helping the organization be successful through the best possible talent management of its human capital, then you can thrive and grow in the HR field. Just as HR recruiting and onboarding are the first impression of the organization, HR management is the organization’s as well as its continuity. Good HR is the foundation of a good organization, and people’s experience with the HR professionals will typically set the tone for how people feel about the organization.
In HR, working well with others is achieved through cooperation not competition. It’s always best to make genuine connections, and seek to meet common goals, and do not just go through the motions, i.e., just collecting a paycheck, or use others as a stepping stone to the next job promotion.
Like any management position, keen HR management is more than just showing up. It is also being present, and without micromanagement. It is being aware of the organizational climate, personnel needs, and remaining engaged to help promote a healthy climate, and a high quality brand for the organization. HR managers are very much like brand ambassadors.
Working well with others means making a conscious effort to be mindful, thoughtful, value-added, and always respectful, without overstepping.
As an HR specialist or HR manager, you might be responsible for all manners of either performing or supervising personnel actions and administrative tasks, such as records keeping, recruiting, onboarding, intra and inter-office correspondence, payroll, travel, scheduling, or even filing, to name a few. You might also expect to attend and/or lead meetings, among other related tasks as assigned. You may manage small or large teams; but as long as you are an effective communicator (skills that can be learned and developed over time), and you have a genuine interest in helping people to be successful, and in helping the organization be successful through the best possible talent management of its human capital, then you can thrive and grow in the HR field. Just as HR recruiting and onboarding are the first impression of the organization, HR management is the organization’s as well as its continuity. Good HR is the foundation of a good organization, and people’s experience with the HR professionals will typically set the tone for how people feel about the organization.