The HR industry hasn’t been known for changing at the drop of a hat, and can be quite slow to adapt sometimes. The industry should change that though, because HR offers people-oriented workers opportunities to enhance their own careers while also helping businesses thrive and workers find their professional niches. Empathy and the ability to adapt to quickly shifting circumstances are “must-have” qualities for successful HR professionals.
That also means that HR professionals also have to be life-long learners. What’s tough is the industry isn’t “sexy” – no one really dreams of being in human resources as they image their career path as children. People often think when they go see HR that they’re in trouble, so it is not really a fun topic to discuss.
Prospective HR workers should obtain certification from the Society of Human Resource Management, a professional organization devoted to promote good human resources practices. These certifications tell potential employers that they are experts in HR concepts and requirements, and they also can apply that knowledge appropriately.
One of the reasons to go into a career in human resources is to have opportunity to grow within the organization. Today, HR leaders work with the upper echelon of a company’s top executives and take part in the strategic planning process, so this is an area for people interested in working on a company’s strategic plan.