Human resources (HR) is a great career field for driven individuals who are organized and have a desire to help businesses succeed in reaching their goals. Nearly all companies have some form of HR department, and as the development of human capital becomes a greater focus, good HR professionals are in demand. An HR manager often performs several roles while leading a small team of employees. An effective HR manager has several key qualities, the development of which will make you a great HR manager yourself. Here are 5 common qualities of effective HR managers.
Leadership
Employees often look to HR managers for answers and leadership. The nature of many HR professional positions is that you’ll be seen as an expert on broad variety of topics related to the company. This means you’ll need to be knowledgeable and confident enough to take charge in certain situations or to simply provide insight when needed. A good leader inspires their employees and gets the best out of them. Study the ins and outs of your company and its policies plus the ways you can effectively play your part.
Organization
The ability to stay organized is one of the most important qualities an HR manager can have. This includes having time management skills and efficiency in completion of tasks. A typical day will have you balancing different tasks, ranging from hiring and firing to creating recruiting strategies for open positions. Work on your ability to devote time to various tasks at hand and completing them effectively, especially under pressure.
Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Facilitating communication between employer and employees is another key function of the work of an HR professional. Sharpen both your oral and written communication skills so you can get important points across effectively. Also master negotiation, as it can be a key part of the hiring process.
Education
Most companies prefer an HR manager with a Bachelor’s degree that includes a balanced curriculum of business and labor law, behavioral sciences, English, accounting, and statistics. A master’s of organizational leadership can be beneficial, as it entails management skills that can be transferred to HR management. If you are a student you should not only fulfill the necessary curriculum but also get experience and opportunities through clubs, internships, etc.
Ethics
The HR department of a company often serves as its conscience. Because of this you’ll need to have a keen sense of ethics when it comes to company policies and confidential information. Earn the trust of your company employees and executives so they can effectively do their job. Honesty and discretion are valuable qualities to build on.
An HR manager plays a crucial role in a company’s culture and operations. They make key choices in terms of personnel and have to facilitate communication between employer and employees. The combination of leadership, education, ethics, communication, and organization make for effective HR management.
