How To Become An HR Manager

So why is HR important, and what are the responsibilities of an HR manager? HR Managers head up the department that oversees employee relations and the onboarding of new staff members. Should you land this role, you will likely be responsible for managing a small team of professionals. Your day-to-day tasks may include the following: 

Before you take the first steps in your career, you’re going to want to know how much money you could make. Becoming an HR manager could mean that you take home a decent salary. 

According to the National Careers Service, HR salaries in the UK range between £28,000 and £40,000 per year. Of course, the salary you make will depend largely on your skill set and the experience you bring to the table. The longer you work within the realms of Human Resources, the more pay you can expect to take home each month. 

Another factor to consider is where you choose to look for work. An HR manager’s salary in London might differ from that in another part of the UK, as many national and international companies have large HR teams in the capital.

If you’re asking yourself the question, “how do I find HR jobs near me,” the good news is that there are HR manager jobs all over the country. Searching for HR manager vacancies, as well as researching local companies that manage large workforces, would be the best way to find them.

While the hours of work will vary from company to company, a full-time HR manager tends to work between 37 and 39 hours a week. The hours you work will likely be between 8 AM and 6 PM. 

When you’re applying for roles, you can enquire about the hours. These days, many workplaces are offering a hybrid approach. You may be required to work remotely for some of the week and work in the office as well.

So, how long does it take to become an HR manager, and is the process complicated? What is the best way to start your career in human resources? There are many different pathways when it comes to qualifying as an HR manager. 

First things first, you will need to have some high school qualifications to get started. These will typically be 5 GCSEs (A*-C grades), including Maths and English. Once you have completed these, you can move on to taking HR courses and getting an HR certification.

CIPD courses are one of the best routes to becoming an HR professional. When you’re thinking about what employers look for when hiring HR professionals, an HR CIPD qualification should come to mind. 

A CIPD Certificate or CIPD Diploma are good options for those who are looking to get an overview of the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in HR. Typically, certificates give you a strong understanding of the main principles of HR and L&D, whilst diplomas can be wider-ranging. 

These two options are ideal for beginners who want to broaden their knowledge of HR and are keen to find entry-level or mid-level roles.

Undergraduate CIPD courses are ideal for those who are aspiring to take on higher-level or managerial HR positions. If you’re keen to build out a long-term career in this area, this level of qualification is for you.

This is also a great option for anyone who’s currently working in HR and wants to rise up to a higher or senior level within a business or head up an HR department.

Think you have what it takes to become an HR professional but are unsure of how to become a successful HR manager? To get ahead in this career path, you need to have a certain skill set. 

As you embark on your HR career, you should make sure that you have gained these key HR manager skills, which you’ll likely find in the requirements for most job descriptions:

Keep in mind that this is by no means an exhaustive list of the skills an HR professional needs. However, if you have all of the above, it’s certain to put you in the right position to get started gaining experience in this exciting and fast-paced environment.

Human resources and L&D are similar, but someone working in L&D will be entirely focused on developing and managing talent within a company. Someone working solely in L&D will be expected to understand different types of learners, be able to implement and work around varying methods of learning and help employees get the training they need. 

HR professionals can sometimes have some oversight into L&D, and usually, L&D sits within HR teams within a company, so there is some crossover. However, if you’re keen to focus mainly on L&D as a career path, taking online Learning and Development courses would be the best option for you.

Work experience matters in the HR sector. When you have completed your qualifications, you may be able to gain an entry-level position in a human resources department. It may be a case of starting at a junior level and working your way up the career ladder. Starting out as an HR assistant and becoming an HR executive will help you understand the work environment.

You may find that there are progression opportunities or initiatives that help you get ahead. The more years of experience you gain, the easier it will be to apply for HR management positions. As you start to develop your HR skills, you will have a good shot at these roles.

Ahead of landing your dream role as an HR manager, you’re going to want to know what your career prospects are. What does the future hold for you? There are lots of great reasons to start a career in human resources, namely the variety of industries and companies it can open you up to. When you have gained a management position, there is still room for improvement. If you have many years of experience in the sector, for example, you may be able to take on the role of HR director.