Think of human resource management, commonly referred to as HR or HRM, as the backbone of a company. This department manages everything from recruitment to policy administration and safety.
Human resource management is currently transforming, partly due to the changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. More employees are working from home on either a temporary or permanent basis, and new hires are being brought on through an entirely digital hiring process.
There is also an ongoing cultural shift within many companies, with new workers from Generation Z entering, and baby boomers nearing retirement. With this change, technology, such as artificial intelligence and virtual reality, are being incorporated into the daily work routines of HR professionals.
If you are excited by the possibility of working in a job that combines people skills and technology, human resource management might be right for you.
What Is Human Resource Management?
Human resource management is the process of recruiting, interviewing, and hiring employees, as well as ensuring their welfare within the organization once they are brought on board. It covers areas such as orientation, employee appraisal, training, and development.
It is the HRM team that ensures that employees are treated in accordance with the labor laws in a particular jurisdiction. They also handle negotiations between employees and employers.
What Is Human Resource Management Used For?
The human resource management team ensures that the employees can fulfill their duties while meeting the company’s objectives. HRM organizes performance evaluations, creates training and reward programs, develops and manages payment structures, and sets compensation and benefits.
Types of Human Resource Management
Most companies have a dedicated human resources department. Below is a breakdown of the three primary functions of an HRM team.
Staffing
This is one of the most crucial functions of any HRM department. It involves selecting, interviewing, and hiring new employees.
Training and Development
Staffing is just the first stage of the human resource management process. Next come training and development. An HRM professional needs to make sure that both new and existing staff are up to date with changes within their respective departments.
Motivation
Employees often need more than just job-specific training to thrive. It is the job of the HRM team to make sure that employees feel appreciated and motivated, and don’t get overworked. This is where development seminars and tangible benefits come in.
Learning Human Resources Management
You do not have to be certified to get an HR job. On the other hand, a well-known certification could set you apart from other job applicants. In the US, both Society for Human Resources Management Certified Professional and Senior Certified Professional certificates are recognized across the industry.
How Long Does It Take to Learn Human Resource Management?
To become an HR professional will take between four and five years as a bachelor’s or master’s degree in human resource management is required. You may also choose to pursue a degree in human resources management, business administration, or a related field.
In addition, you will need to gain professional experience to develop communication, organization, leadership, and technology skills.
How to Learn Human Resource Management: Step-by-Step
Let’s review how you can get started in human resource management using a step-by-step guide.
- Pick your college major and degree level. You do not need to study HRM in school to have a career in human resources. But you should take a major with a curriculum that covers social sciences, liberal arts, and behavioral studies.
Additionally, you will need to take courses in labor law, business, marketing, economy, statistics, and sometimes accounting. This comprehensive guide lists different types of human resources degrees and the best schools to attend to get one. - Develop your technical skills. Human resources management systems, also known as human resources information systems, are becoming more advanced, as is HR software. The more comfortable you are with using cloud-based or internal platforms, the better.
HR departments rely on data for much of their work. Make sure you are familiar with HR analytics technology as well as growing trends in AI, virtual reality, and robotic process automation. - Get an SHRM certification. After getting your bachelor’s degree in human resources or a related field, you may want to get your SHRM certification. SHRM is a membership association for human resource professionals that promotes the careers of HRM professionals in the US.
It provides education, networking opportunities, and certifications to human resource personnel, and lobbies Congress on labor management issues. - Buy the SHRM Certification Guidebook. The SHRM Certification Guidebook will give you more than just educational advice. It will provide career advice that will help you advance in your field. Read it before you choose an online HRM curriculum or pick a major for your undergraduate or graduate program.
The Best Human Resource Management Courses and Training
You can take human resources courses in a classroom setting, or online. The online option is perfect for people who want to work and study at the same time. If you want to take a more traditional route by pursuing a degree in human resources, you might want to look into these top human resource schools.
Best In-Person Human Resource Management Classes
You have many options when it comes to in-person HR classes, particularly if you are completing a degree program. But there are also classes out there for experienced managers and executives who want to fine-tune their skill set and expand their network.
Just be mindful that due to COVID-19, many in-person degree programs and courses have been moved online for the time being.
Stephen M. Ross School of Business, University of Michigan
- Course: Advanced Human Resource Executive Program – Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Time: July 12, 2021 to July 23, 2021
- Prerequisites: Senior HR executives and general managers
- Price: $24,500
This two-week program is aimed at senior management team members. In it, participants will learn how to link their HR strategy to the company’s overall business strategy while delivering value to employees, customers, and investors. It offers a combination of group discussions, lectures, team exercises, case studies, and class projects.
American Management Association
- Course: Fundamentals of Human Resources Management
- Time: March 17, 2021 – March 18, 2021 (Chicago, Illinois)
April 22, 2021 – April 23, 2021 (New York, New York)
June 7, 2021 – June 8, 2021 (Atlanta, Georgia)
June 24, 2021 – June 25, 2021 (San Francisco, California)
- Prerequisites: Senior HR executives and general managers
- Price: $2,345 (non-members), $2,095 (AMA members)
This course will give you the fundamental tools you’ll need to be successful in today’s HR landscape. It does not matter whether you are completely new to the field, or have been recently appointed HR manager. You will get to develop your skills in talent acquisition, assessment, and development. You will also learn how to create an action plan for your organization’s HR department.
Best Online Human Resource Management Courses
Online human resource management courses are a great way for professionals to upgrade their skills. Below are some of the best online HR courses out there.
AIHR – Academy to Innovate HR
- Course: People Analytics | Certificate Program
- Time: 12-month access; enrollment open November 24, 2020
- Prerequisites: None
- Price: $1,120
In this course, you will learn how to use data and metrics to make “better, fact-based, people-decisions.”
Coursera
- Course: HR for People Managers Specialization
- Time: 6 months (3 hours per week)
- Prerequisites: None
- Price: Free
This is another amazing HRM course for professionals who want to learn alternative methods of leading a human resources department.
eCornell
- Course: Human Resource Essentials Certificate
- Time: 2 weeks (3 to 5 hours per week)
- Prerequisites: None
- Price: $3,600; $650/month
In this online course, HR professionals will learn how to identify human resource problems and find solutions related to their respective industries.
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Best Free Human Resource Management Courses
Are you unsure if human resources management would suit you? Or maybe you are not working directly in the HR department, but are tasked with some HR-related responsibilities at work? In this case, signing up for a free online course to get a grasp on the essentials of HR is a good idea.
LinkedIn Learning
- Courses: Management Tips, Unconscious Bias, Human Resources Foundations
- Prerequisites: None
- Price: First month free
LinkedIn offers some awesome HR courses that tap into the opportunities and challenges faced by modern HR departments.
For example, the courses cover how to manage anxiety in the workplace and unconscious bias, and how to easily onboard new hires. Whether you are an HR generalist or specialist, you are bound to find a course on LinkedIn Learning that you like.
Alison
- Course: Introduction to Human Resource Concepts
- Prerequisites: None
- Price: Free
This course introduces students to the most common responsibilities of a human resource manager, plus basic practices and procedures. Specifically, you will learn about recruiting, orientation, training, and development. If you are looking to become a human resources assistant, you should bookmark the link to this course.
Best Human Resource Management Books
Books are always a great resource if you want to stay on top of new trends and ideas. Below are Career Karma’s top human resource management book picks.
Culture Decks Decoded: Transform your culture into a visible, conscious and tangible asset, Bretton Putter
Join start-up company culture expert Bretton Putter as he takes an in-depth look at the concept of company culture. What is it? How do some of the country’s most successful companies think about culture?
Putter analyzes how workforces are managed at well-known companies like LinkedIn, Etsy, and Netflix, plus more obscure ones like HotJar, Next Jump, and Valve.
The Culture Map: Breaking Through the Invisible Boundaries of Global Business, Erin Meyer
Professor Erin Meyer of the business school INSEAD decodes how cultural differences impact global businesses daily. She uses plenty of entertaining examples to show how, for instance, positive and negative feedback are perceived differently in various parts of the world. She offers practical advice on how to avoid making mistakes when working as part of an international team.
Human Resource Management Certifications
Usually, it is not a requirement to obtain a certification in HR, although it can differ depending on where in the world you are seeking work. Still, some employers might want you to have a certificate as well as a degree and work experience.
Do your research to find out what the company you want to work for is seeking in an HR candidate.
Graduate Certificate in Human Resources Management from California State University, Fullerton
This is the only graduate certificate in human resource management offered by an accredited business school in Southern California. The certificate, which is linked to the CSUF College of Business and Economics, is ideal for mid-career HR professionals looking to advance their careers, or leaders looking to create change in the workplace.
To receive the certification, you must complete three courses: seminar in organizational behavior, organizational development and change, and seminar in human resources management.
Best Online Human Resource Management Resources
SHRM’s HR News
SHRM’s news portal is updated daily. It consists of articles written by staff or links from external sources concerning anything HR.
Overall, it is a great resource if you want to keep track of the latest HR news. The coverage may include organizational and labor developments, as well as any global news or events that may affect the HR world.
Deloitte Insights: Human Capital
Deloitte is at the forefront of HR thought leadership. They regularly conduct research in HR. The organization presents its findings and also posts noteworthy articles tackling current HR issues and trends.
The group offers reports on the future of work, diversity and inclusion, behavioral economics, public policy, and millennials. In addition, they have created a report that looks directly at the impact of COVID-19, titled “Workforce strategies for post-COVID-19 recovery.”
It also has a podcast that they use to interview financial industry leaders, covering topics that anyone interested in HR will enjoy. For example, a recent episode looked at the confidence gap between men and women in the workplace.
Should You Study Human Resource Management?
The global human resource sector is going through a transitional phase, with technology playing an increasingly important role. Many HR professionals are already using AI, VR, and robotic process automation in their everyday work. That said, HR employees must also still have traditional HR skills and experience.
It is an exciting time to become a human resources management professional, especially as the role and responsibilities will continue to evolve. Skilled HR staff are in high demand, so if you start earning now, you can soon be helping a company boost employee engagement and overall growth.
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