A human resources department is crucial for any company, and the staff at human resources provide essential assistance for the employees as well. Dispute resolution, policy clarification, and information on benefits are just a few examples of everything that a human resources department does. Understandably, many people are excited about joining the team at human resources and working as a recruiter is often how new professionals get started. Fortunately, getting a job as a human resource recruiter isn’t as difficult as it may sound.
Education and Certification
Many universities offer degree programs for human resources. You’ll often see it called human resources management or another similar term. Some of these universities fold the certification process into the program itself, while you may have to pursue any certifications separately at other institutions. A bachelor’s degree is usually the baseline education that’s required for an HR position, and preference is generally given to people with a degree that’s specifically in the field.
However, that doesn’t mean that you’ll automatically be excluded if your degree isn’t specifically in human resources. Experience is also considered, and any applicable experience may be valued even more than formal education. If you’re looking to advance even further and take on a management or director position, you may consider a graduate degree. A graduate degree isn’t always required for more senior roles, but it could help to put you ahead of the competition.
Experience and Training
There’s really no substitute for hands-on experience. The business world is fast-paced, and it’s likely that at least some of what you picked up at college will be outdated before or shortly after you enter the field. As you know, labor laws and other regulatory considerations are always subject to change. Each time a new administration enters office, there are several different policies that will be implemented, eliminated, or adjusted. That’s perhaps one of the most exciting things about working in human resources. It keeps you on your toes.
Recruiters for HR jobs must be even more well-versed on the intricacies of human resources, but recruiters in other areas have to stay on top of their industries as well. Whether you work in medicine, IT, or any other highly-specialized field, ongoing education is essential. Never be afraid to seek out additional training.