
How To Become An HR Manager
How to Become an HR Manager
Are you a natural with people? Do you find it easy to deal with conflict? Do you have an eye for detail and love organisation? If the answer to all of the above is yes, a career in HR may be calling your name. The fast-paced world of human resource management could offer you the challenging and fulfilling career you’ve been looking for. But do you have what it takes to succeed?
Within this guide, we will cover the basics of how to become an HR manager, what key HR skills you will need, the qualifications you could gain, and more. So, if you want to know how to become a good HR manager, here’s what you need to know before you dip your toes into the water.
What does an HR Manager do?
HR Managers head up the department that oversees employee relations and onboarding of new staff members. Should you land this role, you will likely be responsible for managing a small team of professionals. Your day-to-day tasks may include the following:
Put simply, your role as an HR manager is to ensure smooth employee relations all around. That means that you will need to have a good grasp of modern employment law.
You will need to implement the industry best practices at all times. For that reason, HR professionals have a duty to sharpen their skills and learn new things continually.
How much does an HR Manager earn?
Before you take the first steps in your career, you’re going to want to know how much money you could make. Becoming an HR manager could mean that you take home a decent salary.
According to the National Careers Service, the average HR manager salary in the UK is between £28,000 and £50,000 per year. Of course, the salary you make will depend largely on your skill-set and the experience you bring to the table. The longer you work within the realms of Human Resources, the more pay you can expect to take home each month.
Another factor to consider is where you choose to look for work. An HR manager’s salary in London might differ from that in another part of the UK, as many national and international companies have large HR teams in the capital, so you may find that there are more HR manager jobs in London with lucrative and competitive wages.
If you’re asking yourself the question, “how do I find HR jobs near me,” the good news is that there are HR manager jobs all over the country. Searching for HR manager vacancies, as well as researching local companies that manage large workforces, would be the best way to find them.
While the hours of work will vary from company to company, a full-time HR manager tends to work between 37 and 39 hours a week. The hours you work will likely be between 8 AM and 6 PM.
When you’re applying for roles, you can enquire about the hours. These days, many workplaces are offering a hybrid approach. You may be required to work remotely for some of the week and work in the office as well.
What qualifications are needed to become an HR Manager?
So, how long does it take to become an HR manager, and is the process complicated? There are many different pathways when it comes to qualifying as an HR manager. First things first, you will need to have some high school qualifications to get started. These will typically be 5 GCSEs (A*-C grades), including Maths and English. Once you have completed these, you can move on to gaining industry-centric qualifications.
While there’s a myriad of HR courses out there, you should look for certificates that directly apply to your existing experience. Taking online CIPD courses is a great step, or you can look at more general online HR courses, or online learning and development courses.
The truth of the matter is that there are many routes toward becoming an HR Manager.
You may want to go down the university pathway or simply gain a junior role in an HR department and work your way up. These professionals come from a range of different backgrounds, so it’s all about finding the right fit for you.
Of course, if you want to take your career to new heights, you may want to gain a master’s degree. Should you already be working in the sector, you may find that your company offers you the opportunity to study for a degree while you work.
What skills are needed to become an HR Manager?
Think you have what it takes to become an HR professional but are unsure of how to become a successful HR manager? To get ahead in this career path, you need to have a certain skill-set.
As you embark on your HR career, you should make sure that you have gained these key HR manager skills, which you’ll likely find in the requirements for most job descriptions:
Management skills
Excellent interpersonal skills
Great communication skills
Understanding of data protection
Decision making
High level of organisation
People management
Strategic planning
Performance management
Keep in mind that this is by no means an exhaustive list of the skills an HR professional needs. However, if you have all of the above, it’s certain to put you in the right position to get started gaining experience in this exciting and fast-paced environment.
Does becoming an HR Manager need any work experience?
Work experience matters in the HR sector. When you have completed your qualifications, you may be able to gain an entry-level position in a human resources department. It may be a case of starting at a junior level and working your way up the career ladder. Starting out as an HR assistant and becoming an HR executive will help you understand the work environment.
You may find that there are progression opportunities or initiatives that help you get ahead. The more years of experience you gain, the easier it will be to apply for HR management positions. As you start to develop your HR skills, you will have a good shot at these roles.
Career prospects for an HR Manager
Ahead of landing your dream role as an HR manager, you’re going to want to know what your career prospects are. What does the future hold for you? When you have gained a management position, there is still room for improvement. If you have many years of experience in the sector, for example, you may be able to take on the role of HR director.
Ready to get started in your career in HRM? Now that you know all there is to know about becoming an HR manager, what are you waiting for? Take a look at the available courses now.
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