There are a number of different working requirements for the job of a human resources manager. HR managers are responsible for various, very important duties within a company and, in order to accomplish them successfully, they need to have great organizational, decision-making and speaking skills. They also need to have interpersonal and leadership skills to be able to complete their every task with flying colors.

Human resource managers are responsible for maintaining employee records and managing the hiring process of employees, as well as their evaluation and labor relations. They are also responsible for employee benefits and managing recruitment programs.

Every human resources manager must stay up-to-date with policies regarding employee rights, to ensure the working force performs at its best. If you think you have what it takes to become a human resources manager, read on to find out what steps you need to take in order to do so.

Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

Earning a Bachelor’s degree is the first step towards becoming a human resources manager. It is the basic and most common requirement and the whole process can and will provide you with numerous business practices that can teach you all about human resources processes and procedures.

With a Bachelor’s degree, you can learn about employee compensation and employee development, as well as labor management and employment law. You can also learn about statistics and accounting, as well as take classes in information technology. Thus, there are two different degrees you can earn. Namely, a Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resources and a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources.

Consider Completing an Internship

Many Bachelor’s degree programs offer internships that can provide you with a great opportunity to practice what you have learned during your classes in real life. Likewise, many large companies offer student internships to help them out in gaining practical skills and enhancing their knowledge.

Completing an internship is not a must for becoming a human resources manager, but it can certainly be extremely beneficial to you, as it can prepare you for your job and help you gain all the knowledge you need to become successful.

Gain Work Experience

To obtain an entry-level job, you need to have at least one year of experience in the field. If you have completed an internship after you have earned your Bachelor’s degree, then you have an opportunity to become a human resources assistant or a human resources specialist. However, you need more experience if you want to be able to work as a full-time human resources manager.

You can consider joining a professional organization, as that can not only provide you with a great opportunity to practice your skills and gain more training and knowledge, but it can also open a lot of doors for meeting new people and creating a number of business connections, which can be extremely beneficial for your future career.

Get a Certificate

It is usually not necessary to get a certificate, but many employers prefer to hire certified employees. Having a certificate can help you showcase your knowledge and expertise to your future employers and show them that you actually have credentials and are a professional in your field of work. You can obtain two different certificates. Namely, the Professional in Human Resources and the Senior Professional in Human Resources.

Of course, you need to pass an exam first, which requires at least two years of experience along with a Bachelor’s degree (if you happen to have a Master’s degree as well, only one year of experience is required) for the Professional in Human Resources certificate. An exam for the Senior Professional in Human Resources certificate requires at least 4 or 5 years of experience, depending on the degree you have earned.

If you happen to be working a full-time job, but want to earn a degree in the human resources department, you can go for a part-time program, as that can help you stay on track in your career while you earn your degree. We highly recommend you try the Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School, since they will provide you with the best education you can get. Choose one of the many JHU Academic Options and become the best human resources manager out there.