HR Managers head up the department that oversees employee relations and onboarding 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: 

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, HR managers earn 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. 

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.

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. For example, you could complete the CIPD Level 5 Intermediate Diploma in HR Management or the CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in HR Management online. However, it’s worth keeping in mind that you can also undertake a bachelor’s degree with a focus on HR or business administration. 

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, and 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.

Think you have what it takes to become an HR professional? 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 ticked the following boxes:

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. 

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 assistant or 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.

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.