Source: Intelligenthq.com

After the HR nightmares at Uber and Google, and the business world facing the disastrous impact of halt put by COVID-19, the need for a robust HR department has never been felt so strongly.

Over the years, Human Resource Professionals have come to acquire a central position in a company. They have become central to fostering the work culture. Whether or not your employees are motivated to come to work, or if you retain your best talent, have come to be heavily dependent upon HR and talent managers.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts the demand for Human Resource Managers will grow by 7% in the next 8 years.

Are you looking to capitalize on high-impacting and in-demand HR career?

Here is a rundown of degrees, skills, and certifications that will help you capitalize on a high-profile career in HR. No matter, you are in a junior position looking to level-up, or are a new entrant aiming to get an HR job in a top company!

Degrees – To get started. 

Specialized degree program in human resources can be pursued after high-school if you are sure about embarking upon an HR career. However, getting a specialized degree isn’t compulsory in HR. Most disciplines at Bachelor’s level can lead you to a successful career in HR if you have the focus and passion for it.

A bachelor’s in human resource specialization will be beneficial in a manner that it will give you the know-how of generalist and specialist strands in HR. The latter focus on an HR niche, apt for those looking to specialize early in their career. The bachelor’s in HR will give you a direct entry to an HR career right after college.

However, you can opt for other disciplines as well in your bachelor’s. Other disciplines in direct relation to human resources, but are not exactly HR, include industrial or organizational psychology, business, or core psychology, and more. They will also directly help you in your career.

If you plan to attain top HR positions in the best of companies, an MBA degree or specialized masters in HR will also serve you well. It’s best to opt for advanced education after some years of work experience when you become sure about your career choice and are also better versed with the intricacies involved.

Global Certifications – Get recognized as a professional!

Certifications are the best way to prove your seriousness toward the profession. HR and talent management certifications are provided by third-party certification bodies who assess candidates on international standards in HR and talent management profession. According to BLS, certified professionals have a better chance of scoring jobs than non-certified candidates. Furthermore, certified professionals earn better premiums than professionals without any certification.

Among some of the best HR and talent management certifications, three of the most popular ones are provided by the HRCI and SHRM in human resource discipline, and by the TMI in talent management. More on each of them is given below.

Certifications in HR

  • HR Certification Institute (HRCI)

HR Certification Institute (HRCI) is one of the oldest certification body in HR, and offers two HR certifications, namely Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). The former is provided for junior-level HR professionals, and the latter is provided for senior-level HR professionals. Eligibility for both differs as per the education level and work experience in HR functions.

  • Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)

Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) also majorly offers two certifications – one for junior pros, i.e. SHRM-Certified Professional (SHRM-CP), and another for senior HR professionals, namely SHRM-Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). Like in HRCI, the eligibility criterion for SHRM also differs with education level and work experience.

Certifications in Talent Management

  • Talent Management Institute (TMI)

The Talent Management Institute (TMI) is one of the pioneering certifying bodies in talent management discipline. Talent management is the new and more focused approach to human resource management. It concentrates on developing the strategies and methods for acquiring the best talent, retaining in-house talent, and keeping the pulse of company’s future and present talent needs. Its more predictive than prescriptive, and more practical than theoretical in nature. For high-profile companies, people and talent management form a core element of HR departments.

TMI offers Talent Management Practitioner (TMP) certification for young professionals seeking a career in talent management, and Senior Talent Management Practitioner (STMP) certification for senior professionals. It also offers residential fellow programs for both junior professionals and experienced people that in-part takes place at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and are steered by the Wharton faculty. TMI is one of the world’s best and only certification bodies evaluating human resource professionals on talent management parameters, other than traditional HRM aspects.

Skills – Act like a professional!

Other than education and credentials, skills for obvious reasons differ one professional from others, and due to the subjective nature of the vocation form the most important part of determining a successful HR career. Top professionals with years of experience in human resource and talent management reflect following hard and soft skills.

Hard Skills

  • Know-how of international business norms and regional labor laws.
  • Understanding of policies related to employee benefits – pension, health benefits, and others.
  • Payroll procedures.
  • Technical talent acquisition and management tools (software, job advertising platforms, etc.)
  • Develop policies for the company related to talent management and retention
  • Onboarding skills.
  • HR analytics.
  • Knowledge of the company’s operations and industry placement.
  • Conflict management and mediation.

Soft Skills

  • Problem-solving
  • Empathy
  • Strong communication.
  • Multi-tasking
  • Discreet

The job of an HR can be challenging, and it can be even more taxing in times of uncertainty. Affirm your position in the company with an industry recognized certification – no matter where you are in your career – trying to secure a job, looking to move laterally to people management functions, or are seeking a promotion.

Stand out as an HR and talent management professional!