How to Become a Great HR Manager

Want to become an HR manager? Like becoming an HR director, becoming a distinguished HR manager involves hard work.

Human Resources Managers excel in identifying talent, and organizational skills, coordinating employee incentive programs, staying up to date with labor laws, managing employee feedback and wellbeing, and coordinating miscellaneous administrative functions.

Handling human resource management requires a particular set of capabilities and knowledge.

After several years of working with exceptional HR Managers, I noticed that the best professionals in this role have three things in common:

  • They master the capabilities of each HR function.
  • They have powerful interpersonal skills and general speaking skills.
  • They think and act strategically.

Fully conquering the HR manager career path requires effort, resources, and time.

There are a few ways you can set yourself up for success in becoming an HR manager at your desired company.

1. Be Customer Centric

It is Human to help. Viewing internal stakeholders and their teams as internal customers is a healthy way to engage the workforce and a big step in the right direction to improve the brand of HR. Consult, be proactive, be generous, and market your HR function to your internal customer regularly.

2. Study Labor Laws and Legal Compliance

Several laws and regulations protect employees. These regulations cover hiring processes, compensation, employee safety procedures, performance appraisals, and labor relations.

Legal and labor management is one of the biggest challenges in human resource managers’ jobs. Unlike entry-level positions like human resources assistant, a human resources manager has a significant responsibility. Meaning that it is crucial to invest time in mastering regulations. After all, one missed point can result in a massive lawsuit.

3. Maintain the passion

HR managers represent the rules and needs of the organisation. That’s why they appear as dry, cold, and distant most of the time. When you rediscover your passion, you’ll overcome that flaw. Your own drive will inspire the people you’re trying to recruit, as well the current workers in the organisation.

4. Negotiation

There are often two or more opposing views, and the successful HR pro can find an acceptable middle ground. Remember, the goal of negotiation is to end up with two parties that are satisfied with the outcome, and that’s not often easy to achieve.

5. Be Transparent

Successful companies are not just websites and business plans but a group of human beings who are productive and collaborative through mutual trust. HR teams are vital in cultivating trust through addressing underperformance openly, encouraging authenticity at all levels and having transparent measures in place across the business. Again this is a key pillar in building and solidifying a culture that provides a foundation for effective relationships and work results.

HR manager is just one stop on your human resources career path. Successfully becoming an HR manager means you’re already on your way to the top.

It all starts with receiving your first HR certificate and getting a job.