Human resources qualifications include obtaining a college education in a subject complimentary to the field of human resources and organizational behavior. Other qualifications include knowledge of and experience with payroll, compensation management, and laws that affect employees and the workplace. Recruitment is a vital part of human resources and having the ability to properly screen and interview candidates are desirable attributes.
A bachelor's degree in human resources or a related field is often one of the most important human resources qualifications. Although some entry-level jobs do not require a degree, it is likely that a college education will be needed in order to advance in the career. Working in this field may also require an individual to learn about the different specialties within human resources; this knowledge can be obtained by completing an undergraduate or certificate program.
The field of human resource management is extremely diverse, and individuals can add payroll, compensation management, and labor laws to their cachet of knowledge to make them more competitive than the job market. Having an understanding of labor law is a crucial component of human resources and is one of the human resources qualifications that employers will typically look quite favorably upon. It is possible to obtain knowledge about current laws in labor and issues that affect the safety and security of employees without attending a degree program; this knowledge can be obtained through work experience.
Compensation management is another qualification that could increase competitiveness in the field. Mathematic and analytical skills can be helpful when creating and managing compensation structures for a business or company. In small companies, an individual working in the human resource department may need to have a variety of qualifications because he or she may be the only are one of a few employees completing human resource tasks.
The work of human resource professionals also may require interviewing and screening candidates for employment. Having interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively interview and screen candidates is one of the human resources qualifications that can greatly impact the company's staffing dynamic. Being able to properly select staff for a business is vital to the success of that business; conversely, making poor hiring decisions could be a detriment.
Sought-after human resources qualifications also include the ability to conduct thorough research. It is not only important for human resource professionals to stay current on the latest advances in the field, it is also vital for companies to have staff with the ability to research trends in pay and employee benefits. Human resource departments should remain aware of how their company stands up to national averages and competing companies.
