Becoming a human resource manager requires a unique set of skills, but the most important are human management skills. In this guide, I will be showing you those skills that qualify you as a human resource manager and, of course, how to become a great one.

Who is a Human Resource Manager?

A workplace or organization is made up of different individuals with different backgrounds, attitudes, beliefs, and norms. These individuals make up the lower-level members of the organization, who are the employees. A human resource manager, on the other hand, is a middle-level member of the organization who oversees the administrative and organizational effectiveness of the company. His major role is to ensure that the company’s human resources are effectively managed for the company’s desired result.

Other roles include:

• Interviewing, recruiting, and hiring new staff
• Handling employee relations
• Ensuring safety and health on the job
• Supervising disputes and overseeing disciplinary procedures
• Managing employee benefit and compensation programs

Before going into how you can become a human resource manager, which is the main purpose of this article, I’d like to list out the unique set of skills that you need to qualify as a human resource manager.

Key Takeaway

If you want to become a great human resource manager, you need to naturally possess the ability to manage humans, then back it up with certifications , degrees and technological skills. That’s all it takes

5 Unique Skills of Human Resource Manager

In this chapter, I will be listing and explaining the skills you need to become a good human resource manager. Come with me

#1. Communication skill

Communication is a skill that every leader should have, and in the case of the HR manager, it’s a must-have. As an HR manager, you must have good verbal and written communication skills to successfully convey information and connect with a variety of individuals and business partners. You must also be able to effortlessly establish and manage employee relationships, negotiate, and resolve certain issues.

Furthermore, an HR’s job responsibilities include interacting with plausible new personnel and onboarding. This, too, requires communication. When it comes to delivering sophisticated HR data to stakeholders and overseeing HR teams, the HR manager must be extremely familiar with and skilled at articulating oneself.

I stumbled on this video of Steve Jobs and people management at Apple’s Inc.

#2. Interpersonal skills and empathy

As a human resource manager, you must be able to empathize with employees and manage them effectively, utilizing their experience and judgment to manage diverse relationships and personalities. A great deal of emotional intelligence and listening skills allow you to respond appropriately and candidly, regardless of the situation.

#3. Strategic thinking

If you cannot think strategically as an HR professional, you’ll be overwhelmed with matters arising within the organization. Strategic thinking is a crucial skill that allows HR managers to analyze situations and implement the best course of action that will benefit the business. For instance, in the hiring process, you can use your strategic planning and thinking abilities to select exceptional prospects who have the skills and potential to fulfill long-term company objectives. 

Aside from the hiring process and organizational culture, strategic thinking also helps you come up with strategic practices that will give the company an edge against competitors.

#4. HR Software awareness

Tech, this is the intriguing one. Of course, if you want to be a human resource manager, particularly a professional one, you must be technologically savvy. Every human resources manager must know about HR and recruiting software, such as payroll solutions, personnel tracking systems, and performance management tools.

These solutions track and manage the complete employee life cycle, manage the workforce, automate recruiting processes, and generate critical reports to assist the company in achieving its long-term objectives.

#5. Organizational skill

Managers of human resources are responsible for numerous tasks. Handling conflict resolution, employee disciplinary hearings, conducting performance reviews, creating onboarding procedures, managing talent acquisition strategies, creating professional development programs, and producing departmental reports and evaluations are just a few of these.

As an HR manager, you must be extremely well-organized and possess exceptional time management abilities to prioritize your job, complete it methodically, and consistently keep the needs of the company in mind.

Before I go on, I would like to share with you my experience as the human resource manager in a firm where one of the employees shares a close relative with the CEO. So, the employee handbook states that no employee is permitted to be absent for more than three working days. In other words, the maximum duration of absenteeism is just 3 days.

I had declined a letter from this employee reminding her about that section of the employee handbook, which she obviously had forgotten about or probably never read at all. Instead of complying with the mail, she went straight into the CEO’s office later on to explain to him why she should be granted a week’s off.

Now, this is where it gets interesting; the CEO referred her back to me, not minding that they were related, and told her that I alone have that authority as HR. I remember her walking back into my office, looking all guilty, seeing that she had neglected me in the first place.

Here’s my question: how are you going to handle this situation as a human resource manager? Let me know in the comment section, and in return, I’ll share how I handled it.

How to Become a Great Human Resource Manager

Here we are! If you want to become a great human resource manager, you must know the following:

#1. Acquire the appropriate level of education

To begin the journey toward becoming a human resources manager, the first and obvious step is to acquire the appropriate education. Earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a field that is connected to the industry can provide a solid foundation.

You will be equipped with a comprehensive understanding of important HR principles if you earn a degree in human resources. These principles include employment legislation, compensation and benefits, recruiting and selection, organizational behavior, and employee development. Additionally, it provides possibilities to acquire information in a variety of fields, including strategic human resource management, labor relations, and human resource technology.

#2. Acquire qualifications in human resources

The acquisition of human resources credentials can be quite advantageous for several reasons. First and foremost, they validate your knowledge and expertise on the subject. They provide evidence to potential employers that you have satisfied particular requirements and that you have achieved a particular level of expertise in human resource practices and principles.

The second benefit of obtaining qualifications is that they can improve your credibility and marketability as a human resources executive. You can separate yourself from other candidates in a competitive job market or within your firm by demonstrating your dedication to professional growth and ongoing education through the use of these certifications.

It is important to note that certificates frequently necessitate continual professional development to be maintained and renewed. As a result, you will be able to provide your organization with useful insights and recommendations since you will be able to stay current with the most recent HR trends, legislation, and best practices.

#3. Have a vision.

If you want to become an exceptional human resource manager, don’t wait around for your organization to clarify what your role is. You should know that the leadership of your organization will most likely require you to bring your ideas and practices to the table. Reading a series of HR books and taking HR courses online have both provided me with several insights, and this is one of them.

Furthermore, the administration of human resources is a critical one; thus, you must discover a vision for yourself, your department, and the entire organization together. The next step is to take the initiative to make it a reality by putting forth your ideas, training yourself in new abilities, and experimenting with new methods.

#4. Show that you can manage and lead.

Remember when I said that an organization is made up of different individuals from different backgrounds, beliefs, attitudes, and cultures? This is where it gets challenging. Because you will be responsible for leading this group of employees as HR Manager, you must possess strong leadership and management skills.

Having the ability to explain ideas straightforwardly, actively listen, and adapt your communication approach to the needs of different stakeholders are all important skills. In addition to this, you need to cultivate strong relationships and possess the ability to handle problems within your team as well as throughout the firm as a whole.

How to Start a Career in HR

How Much Do HR Managers Make?

Just in case you’re wondering how much a human resource manager earns, the average pay for HR managers is $130,000, and the top 10% of earners receive salaries exceeding $200,000. Of course, that figure changes according to your position within the organization, experience, and location.

What Does a Human Resource Manager Do?

The human resources (HR) manager is responsible for directing an organization’s employee-related policies and procedures. The following areas could be under the management of an HR manager, depending on the size and structure of the organization:

• Benefits and insurance plans for employees
• Pay scales
• Strategies for hiring and placing employees
• Performance management and employee training
• adherence to legal requirements
• Relations between employees

In addition to ensuring that all policies and procedures adhere to local, state, and federal laws, an HR manager also coordinates employee programs with the company plan.

How do I get hired as an HR Manager?

Employers often need job candidates to have several years of HR experience, including HR administration, recruitment, employee relations, and management skills.

Is HR a viable career path?

In addition to having strong earning potential, a career in human resources can be personally fulfilling and long-lasting. It may even lead to an executive-level position within an organization.

Is HR Job for Introverts?

The human resources job involves communication, mostly. Also, it requires you to meet and interact with different people every single time. So, if you ask me, I can tell you that it is not a job for introverts. But hey, don’t let that stop you.