How to Become an HR Manager?

The personally rewarding and economically enriching career path of HR managers inspires many. Most of us have seen HR managers overseeing recruiting, payroll, training, development, and conflicts in our professional lives.

They direct, organise, and plan the administrative activities of an organisation. Seeing them juggle organisational tasks like pros may have you wondering, “How to become an HR manager?” 

This guide breaks down the step-by-step process of becoming one, including the courses and experience needed. We’ll also enlist some skills that can help boost the chance of earning a spot as an HR manager in the human resource department.

Who are HR Managers and what do they do?

HR managers lead the human resource department of organisations. They supervise the organisational functions that cater to the needs of employees. 

While the specific duties may vary per company, the core responsibilities of HR managers remain consistent across the board. 

Some everyday tasks of HR managers may include;

• Overseeing the work of people working in the human resource department. 

• Advising business leaders regarding HR issues. 

• Tackling disciplinary and sensitive issues around the workplace. 

• Managing recruiting, interviewing, and hiring. 

• Boosting employee productivity through strategic planning. 

• Planning employee benefits programs to enhance employee morale. 

Human resources managers can also be leaders of the HR staff, including generalists and specialists in development courses, benefits, and employer-employee relations. 

In addition, their focus may shift alongside the company’s priorities involving new policies.

Steps to become a Human Resource Manager

Educating yourself and gaining experience is the first step to becoming an HR manager. While you can take several paths on your journey to becoming one, the basic requirements remain the same. 

So, here’s how to kick-start your career as an HR manager.

Go for a Professional HR Management course 

Studying HR before taking up a professional position boosts your confidence and lays the groundwork for a successful career. The knowledge and skills you learn during a professional HR course are universally relevant. So, regardless of the business type or organisation you join, you’ll apply your learning. 

A professional course also boosts your chance of advancement and promotion in your career. So, those starting at entry-level positions can expect to climb the ladder to a much higher role within a short time. 

Further, the people management skills honed through an HR course can be transferred to countless roles in the management position. 

Also, there’s nothing more frustrating than being clueless and uncertain at your workplace. Completing a professional HR management course eliminates confusion and improves job satisfaction. 

You won't find yourself at sea when tackling employee recruiting, training, and development. Instead, you’ll have the skills to handle challenging and unexpected situations like an expert. 

You’ll proactively spot the challenges around recruiting, compensation, and performance management and use your knowledge to build strategies and plans to address them timely.

Complete an internship 

This enables students to apply their practical knowledge in the real world and learn from their seniors. 

Internships allow you to see how the field works from the inside out. In addition, they enable potential HR managers to spot, polish, and develop their communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills. 

An internship allows you to identify where you lag and what you need to improve to become a successful HR manager.

Gain relevant experience 

Studying HR and enlightening yourself isn’t enough to land a suitable HR management job. Companies want to see experience on your resume. Plus, you need one to demonstrate your skills at the workplace and handle several responsibilities. 

Typically, managerial roles in organisations are not entry-level. Therefore, it is crucial to have relevant experience and lead the workforce. 

While an internship also allows you to gain experience, you can volunteer for HR positions at non-profit organisations, museums, or other companies. It will help you acquire professional knowledge before stepping into the company you desire to pursue your career. 

Besides, taking a role in a small agency is better before shifting to a larger organisation. Tackling numerous responsibilities in a smaller business will give you the confidence to handle major tasks in larger agencies. 

You can always move to a new workplace, but the key is to do it strategically.

Hunt for jobs 

Once you fulfil the basic requirements to land a suitable job, it’s time to search for reliable employment opportunities.

Job searching is common among all job seekers; what’s uncommon is how they do it. Simply put, not all job seekers search for jobs the right way. A few apply for positions that do not align with their skills and experience. 

Nothing turns off the hiring managers more than stumbling across irrelevant job applications. Therefore, it is crucial to filter jobs and consider those that match your skill set.

Apply!

Once you find the relevant jobs, it’s time to set your resume and write an outstanding cover letter. Make sure you structure your resume per the job requirements and highlight your skills and experience more than certifications. 

Your job application must stand out against your competitors to get you noticed. Hiring managers only take 6-7 seconds to check your resume. Ask yourself, “Have you written something worthwhile to capture their attention in a limited timeframe?” 

The key is customising your resume and keeping it as relevant to the job post as possible. It’ll demonstrate your professionalism and create a positive impression on the hiring manager. 

They’ll feel you took the time to structure your resume and make it more appropriate for their job posting. It also shows your dedication, enthusiasm, and commitment.

Skills needed to become an HR Manager

Leading and directing the routine functions of the human resource department is not a walk in the walk. A considerable amount of struggle, effort and determination goes into nailing every task.  

While your certifications and experience play a significant role in determining your success as an HR, employers seek soft skills to handle workplace conflicts and complicated situations more efficiently. 

Here are some skills your potential employer would like to see in you as an HR manager.

Attention to detail 

Having keen attention to detail makes you more influential in the workplace. Not only does it boost your productivity, but it also inspires employees to work diligently. 

When you pay close attention to day-to-day tasks, you reduce the likelihood of committing errors. Because the quality of work of HR professionals significantly relies on attention to detail, you must enhance your focus to complete daily tasks efficiently.

Conflict resolution skills

Are you capable of reading another person’s body language? Do you remain calm during tricky circumstances? If you are emotionally intelligent and can think before you act, you have the much-needed conflict resolution skills. 

As an HR manager, you’ll unavoidably run into conflicts and complications. The key is to remain calm and handle the situation tactfully. 

This requires you to look at the brighter side of the situation, maintain a polite tone, prioritise conflict resolution over being right, and let the other person explain themselves.

Communication skills 

Communication is among the most frequently mentioned skills for HR managers, and for good reasons. HR professionals are employees’ activists and employers’ representatives. 

This requires them to communicate with almost everyone in the organisation, from new hires to old employees and employers to the company's CEO. 

You must have sound communication skills to create a difference in the workplace. 

The better communication skills you have, the better you connect to others in the company. As a result, you increase the likelihood of a positive work culture and a more productive workforce.

Proactive attitude 

A proactive attitude is more of a personal trait than a skill. Nonetheless, regardless of its nature, you can develop it over time. As an HR manager, you maintain a connection between employees and employers. 

Proactivity helps you identify potential issues that may escalate due to inaction. You can address them to the authorities and take steps on time before the situation worsens. 

Remember, a proactive HR manager is preferred over a reactive one. Make sure you stay informed about the existing and emerging work culture, technology, and human resource department trends. 

This will help you initiate training courses to help employees grow, learn, and advance. 

Analytical skills 

HR managers with better analytical skills are more likely to contribute to a business's success. They have the ability to gather and analyse information before taking action. 

They approach each problem tactfully and make decisions using their problem-solving skills. 

You won’t see them making irrational decisions or making ineffective plans. 

In other words, HR professionals with analytical skills get to the bottom of the problem and dig deeper to find an answer and present a solution. 

Analytical people are more likely to climb the ladder as HR managers than those who aren’t.

Active listening

Do you listen to understand? If yes, you have one of the most important qualities needed for the position. The employees and employers will reach out to you occasionally to ask for advice and help. 

You must listen to them without judging and create a safer environment for everyone to share what’s bothering them. 

If you lack active listening skills, you’ll find it challenging to handle sensitive matters related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. Consequently, you’ll struggle to coach fellow HR peers and employees. 

FAQs

Is it difficult to become an HR Manager? 

Becoming an HR manager shouldn’t be an uphill battle so long as you have the certifications and experience to land a suitable job. Besides, your effort, determination, and willingness determine your success by the end of the day. 

How much do Human Resource Managers make? 

The average salary of HR managers in Ireland is €52,000+ annually. This can, however, vary depending on the organisation and your experience.

UCD Professional Academy Diploma in HR Management

Kick-start your career in human resources with a UCD Professional Academy Diploma in HR Management.  Throughout this HR course, you’ll come to grips with essential HR topics such as workforce planning, recruitment, onboarding, learning & development, change management and, the future of HR. Become an effective manager of people and understand how to keep every member of a team engaged, productive, and feeling valued.