No organization can run without proficient employees. A company’s workforce is its biggest asset.
But, where do companies or employers find the most suitable candidates for various job profiles?
There is a dedicated department in almost every organisation for this job – the HR or Human Resources department. In small companies, the hiring process is usually handled by the owner, but an HR manager handles the recruitment process in multinational organisations and other associated things.
If you want to know how to become HR in India, their skills, etc., keep reading till the end of this article.
What is a Human Resource Manager?
Before you ask how to become a human resource manager, it is vital to understand the role.
An HR manager runs the HR department in any organisation. Their primary focus is a company’s employees, their welfare and productivity. The responsibilities of an HR manager go beyond merely recruiting candidates. When there is a vacancy in a company, HR managers must hire proper candidates for the post. The HR manager plays an influential role, from interviewing candidates to selecting them.
Along with hiring new employees, an HR manager is pivotal in enhancing the employee-employer relationship. They also ensure that the working ambience in the organisation is safe and amiable. Other functions of an HR manager include managing existing employees, creating development and training programs, guiding other HR professionals in the team, planning compensations and benefits, educating employees on HR best practices, etc.
An HR manager provides the right direction and leadership to employees to ensure the smooth functioning of all business operations. They have extensive knowledge of various HR-specific areas like payroll, employee benefits, safety compliance, labour laws, budget, etc.
Top reasons why the role of an HR manager is important?
Helps in the structured and strategic management
Leaders in HR have experience and skills involved in the strategic management of the organisation. These leaders engage in corporate decision-making. Mainly, they are involved in analyzing current-employee evaluations and estimate for the future needs of the employees.
Salary, Benefits, and Wages
HRs scout to find new talent which helps the organisation grow. The HRs are responsible for setting up realistic salaries and compensations which help in acquiring good talent for the organisation.
Moreover, it is the HRs responsibility to work with the organisational leaders to set up and reinvent the policies and manage wages, and benefits and keep up with the industry trends.
Benefit Analysis
Professionals having their expertise in benefits analysis help the organisation in reducing the costs that are associated with turnover, attrition, hiring replacement, etc.
They can negotiate on the group benefits packages for the employees which lie under the organisation’s budget. This way, the company can limit the over necessary expenditure.
Recruitment process
The HR professionals work closely in collaboration with the managers to hire good talent. They work to get candidates tailored to the organisation’s specific needs.
They also work in sync with the managers and the hiring candidates. They are the ones setting competitive salaries to acquire good candidates. After the whole process, the company extends the offers to the candidates.
Safety and risk management
HR professionals are the ones who are responsible for maintaining a safe working environment for the employees. The HR professionals maintain compliance with the policies so that no employee is at risk of their rights being compromised.
Various individuals having the doubt about how to become an HR must first begin by learning about the importance of being an HR professional.
Explore our Popular Human Resource Courses
Duties and Responsibilities of a Human Resource Manager
If you want to know how to become an HR manager, you must know their responsibilities and duties. Enlisted below are some duties and responsibilities of a human resource manager:
- Management of recruitment and selection process.
- Bridging the gap between employers and employees by addressing various demands and grievances.
- Fostering an open and positive work ambiance.
- Leading and training a team of junior HR professionals in the department.
- Collaborating with other departments to understand job profile needs, developing job advertisements, and finding the right candidate for the designation.
- Creating, implementing, and managing training and development programs for new and existing employees.
- Implementing various employee benefit programs and informing the employees about them. Guiding employees to redeem the benefits.
- Providing complete support to organisational leaders for creating and managing compensation packages that are fair and at par with market standards.
- Efficiently handling workplace investigation of any case along with disciplinary and termination procedures.
- Ensuring complete compliance with all labour standards and laws, including occupational health and safety.
Read our popular HRM articles
How to become a human resource manager?
1. Completion of 10+2 or equivalent examination
If you want to earn a Bachelor’s degree or a diploma in human resource management (HRM), you must complete a 10+2 examination or something equivalent. This is the minimum requirement for the course. To enter this field, you can have any subject in your 10+2. For admission to undergraduate programs or diploma courses, you require a minimum of 60% marks in your 10+2.
2. Getting a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
The initial phase of any human resource program or course is completing a diploma in HRM. After that, you can pursue a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA). Some candidates also show interest in pursuing a dual-degree program like BBA-MBA.
3. Getting a Master’s degree
HR managers must have a Master’s degree in human resources, business administration, or labour laws. If you want to take your HR career to a new level, you can pursue a doctoral program in Human Resource Management after completing your Master’s degree. With a doctoral degree in HR, your salary structure will be enhanced significantly.
4. Completing a Certification Course in Human Resource
While certifications are not mandatory for becoming an HR manager, they are commendable add-ons to your resume, showcasing your expertise to potential employers. Certifications help you learn through real-world experiences in an interactive learning environment.
Preparing for an upcoming HR interview? Arm yourself with knowledge by exploring our comprehensive guide on HR interview questions and answers and stand out as a well-prepared candidate.
5. Start applying for jobs
You will need industry experience to qualify for an HR management post. Look for jobs according to your work experience level and career goals.
Now that you have a clear understanding of how to become HR manager, let’s move forward.
How to become HR – Skills that an HR manager should have
Every HR manager needs to have some unique skills to fulfil their job requirements successfully.
1. Excellent communication skills
No HR manager will be successful without good communication skills. A Human Resources Manager must communicate and interact effectively with business stakeholders, employees, department heads, and other professionals. As an HR manager, you must be able to resolve various organisational disputes, interview and appoint new candidates for vacant positions, and develop effective communication skills.
2. Problem-solving abilities
HR executives or even employees seek help from HR managers to deal with various kinds of organisational conflicts. HR managers must have efficient problem-solving abilities for solving workplace issues.
3. Organisational skills
HR managers must have excellent organisational skills to balance different teams and multiple tasks. They must strive to increase employee productivity through proper planning and organisation in the workplace.
4. Time management
HR managers have to juggle multiple tasks daily. For example, they might work on recruitment and training programs, employee benefits, or other HR-related issues. HR managers should be able to prioritise tasks and accomplish them through excellent time management skills.
5. Empathy
An HR manager must work closely with people with varied personalities. The manager should have strong interpersonal skills and empathy to manage various personalities. An empathetic HR manager must understand the problems of employees and try to solve them. Having empathy as a skill helps managers build a strong rapport with employees.
6. Negotiation
An HR manager must have excellent negotiation skills for tackling varied business scenarios. For example, an HR manager uses negotiation skills when discussing compensation packages with candidates. The problem of conflicting employees is not new, and with negotiation and communication skills, the HR manager can arrive at a mutual consensus.
7. Decision Making
Employers often hire HR managers with good decision-making abilities. When there are conflicts in the company, the HR manager can make confident and logical decisions. The target is to ensure the benefit of the organisation. It has been seen that HR managers with good decision-making skills have high critical thinking and analytical skills.
Scope for HR professionals in India
The scope for HR professionals is a lot in the country. There are various job roles offered to them in the market. Some of them are mentioned below-
- HR Manager (Talent Acquisition)- They are involved in planning, developing, managing and overseeing the entire recruitment processes and strategies.
- HR Manager (Compliance)- They are responsible to address all the compliance and statutory issues and make sure that the company is complying with legal provisions and policies.
- HR Manager (Training)- These professionals are aimed at providing effective training to the employees so that their productivity and performance standards are always high.
Other various job roles offered in the field of HR are –
- HR Specialist
- HR Generalist
- HR Manager
- Recruiting Manager
- Senior Recruiter
- Subject Matter Expert (Consultant)
- HR Analyst
- HR Assistant
- HR Coordinator
- Benefits Analyst
The average salary procured by an HR manager is 6.5 lakhs per annum. The salary ranges from 2.8 lakhs per annum to 18.0 lakhs per annum. Although the salary figure may vary owing to various factors, such as, company type, designation, location, experience.
Conclusion
Now you have a fair idea of how to become a human resource manager.
If you have a knack for this profession, you must start quite early with a professional course. However, make sure to enrol in a trusted and reputed institute that’s accepted and accredited globally.
upGrad’s Human Resource Management Programmes are the best
Many candidates often come with the question of “how to become HR”.
Along with following the steps mentioned above, it is essential to enrol in a Human Resource Management program to understand the subject better. upGrad’s Executive Post-Graduate Programme in Human Resource Management is a great option for aspirants. With this prestigious certification from LIBA, you will learn HR analytics, people management, performance and reward management, etc.
The course offers 300+ hours of learning and 30+ hours of live sessions. In the course, candidates have practical hands-on Capstone projects and more than eight case studies and assignments to complete. The program also offers weekly doubt clearing sessions, 360-degree career assistance, and 24/7 student support. It covers subjects like Human resource Analytics, Strategic Human Resource Management, Training and Development, Performance and Reward Management, and Industrial Relations.
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Is Human Resource Management a promising career in India?
Over the years, human resource management has developed as a core business area, and the demands for such professionals are high. HR jobs promise job satisfaction and good career scope.
Is having an MBA degree mandatory for HR?
It is not mandatory to have an MBA degree to become an HR. You must have a valid Bachelor’s degree to land an HR role.
What is the salary range of an HR manager in India?
The salary range of an HR manager in India spans between INR 3 lakhs to INR 18 lakhs, depending on the experience and proficiency of the candidate. The average annual salary is approximately INR 6.8 lakhs.
What are HR qualifications?
The qualifications of an HR include graduation in the field of HR or an equivalent course. Moreover, some in-depth knowledge in the field of the profession such as Master’s etc.
Does HR pay well in India?
Yes, HR does pay well in India. Having strong set of skills along with good education. The average salary for an HR professional is 6.5 lakhs per annum.
Which degree is best for HR in India?
MBA in HR is the best choice for candidates in India. As HR specialisation in MBA will open doors for them and give them better employability opportunities.