How To Become an HR Manager

Steps to Become a HR Manager

1. Earn a high school diploma.

   To become a human resource manager, you'll need to obtain a high school diploma or an equivalent qualification, such as a General Education Development (GED). This education teaches you a few basic skills necessary to get started in the workforce, such as communication, computer knowledge, and mathematics. While earning this diploma, you may also take advanced classes such as finance, business administration, or economics if they're offered at your school.

2. Earn an advanced degree in a field such as business administration.

   • Associate's degree. Getting your associate's degree in human resources will take approximately two years to complete. You may earn an associate's degree in business, management, communication, or a related field.
   • Bachelor's degree. A bachelor's degree may teach you about the legal implications, theories, and practices necessary to give you a comprehensive understanding of human resources. Consider earning your bachelor's degree in business administration, human resources, business, economics, or a similar topic.
   • Master's degree. Many human resource managers complete a Master of Business Administration degree, focusing on human resource issues. You may earn an MBA in human resources or a similar field.

3. Consider an HR specialization, such as finance.

   Consider specializing your education towards human resources by taking specific courses for the field. You can choose to specialize in areas like training and development, compensation and benefits, recruiting, organizational leadership, or financial management. For example, you could earn a Master's in Business Administration with an emphasis in finance. However, if you wish to pursue a wider variety of career options, a general education degree may be a better fit.

4. Earn an HR certification.

   While it's not required, consider earning a certification from recognized human resource organizations. There are various certifications available, such as the Associate Professional in Human Resources (APHR), the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certificate, or the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Certified Professional certification. Earning any of these certifications will make you more valuable as an employee and may increase the odds of finding better job opportunities. Many employers prefer to hire those with certifications and frequently offer them higher positions, so you'll reach your human resource manager role more quickly.

5. Apply for HR manager jobs.

   • Interpersonal skills such as clear communication and team leadership will help you work well with people at your job. You'll need to be able to effectively deliver presentations, make strong decisions, and define expectations.
   • Organizational skills will help you stay on course while finding potential employers, interviewing them, and keeping track of employee paperwork.