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Why is being a HR manager one of the greatest jobs?
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Why is being a HR manager one of the greatest jobs?
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Online editor Robert Scally writes: “Last week we had an unprecedented response to our poll question, ‘Is being an HR manager really one of the greatest jobs?’ More than 1,100 people
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Why is being a HR manager one of the greatest jobs?
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Why is being a HR manager one of the greatest jobs?
posted at 4/24/2006 4:08 AM EDT
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*Moderator*
Posts: 7
First: 5/29/2002 Last: 10/12/2010 |
Online editor Robert Scally writes: “Last week we had an unprecedented response to our poll question, ‘Is being an HR manager really one of the greatest jobs?’ More than 1,100 people took the poll—a record number. The poll question sprang from Money magazine and Salary.com’s list of the 50 Best Jobs in America, which ranked human resource manager as the fourth-best job. As of April 24, 66 percent who responded to our poll disagreed with that conclusion. So now, we’d like to hear more about what you think of the HR profession. What do you like about your job? What do you dislike?” |
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Why is being a HR manager one of the greatest jobs?
posted at 4/25/2006 1:24 AM EDT
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Posts: 5
First: 9/8/2005 Last: 2/20/2007 |
When college students tell me they want to go into HR because they love people, I tell them that HR is not for them. You go into HR because you are good at WORKING with people, not because you like them. After one week of work in HR, you will begin to strongly dislike 'people'. The most irritating thing about my profession is how often I feel like a babysitter for our employees. I'm not adverse to helping employees. In fact, I generally enjoy doing that. It's the people who think that I am here to hold their hand and do whatever they want and break or bend any rule to get it. It's stressful and I usually end up being the bad guy. However, there are the moments when someone really thanks me for the help that I provided and they appreciate the coaching that I give them. That usually makes a bad week great.
I do really enjoy the fact that I have to use my brain each day. Everything that comes across my desk is different and requires me to think creatively and stratigically in order to help make the organization I work a better place. The fact that HR doesn't turn out tangible goods and mostly provide only customer service can be very stressful. I read the article by Money and while I love my job and I am thankful each day that I get to do it, I do not rank is as low stress. Compared to a broker, it's probably considerably lower than that, but by no means for the faint heart. A tough skin, a patient soul, and a quick brain are needed to do anything in Human Resources. |
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Why is being a HR manager one of the greatest jobs?
posted at 4/25/2006 1:38 AM EDT
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Posts: 1
First: 4/25/2006 Last: 4/25/2006 |
I don't know about "best". I do know that the job poses challenges like no other: first the commitment to work endless hours; the commitment to constantly learn and be a functional expert on incredibly vast topics from disability management to recruitment, T&D, competencies, labour relations, Employee Assistance, OSH and on and on. Of course, there's the critical strategic partnership piece as well. Importantly, HR Managers must exude all aspects of "leadership" and must operate, and be perceived to operate, by a higher standard of ethics in order to have credibility/influence and must set the example in the organization for making values based decisions. Bottom line: we must be on top of organizational strategic goals, needs, objectives, understand our client's business/operations and possess in-depth knowledge of HR statues, regulations, polices, case law etc. and align all of our services and advice accordingly. I haven't even addressed the transactional side of our shop...
I for one love the job,including the pressure, pace and expectations of senior management; I'm not convinced however, that "best" describes it. |
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Why is being a HR manager one of the greatest jobs?
posted at 4/25/2006 2:20 AM EDT
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Posts: 3
First: 4/25/2006 Last: 8/9/2007 |
I like the fact that I'm good at helping people make good decisions especially when they're not sure of the decisions that are best for them. I like that everyday I come to work my job is something new and it offers me the opportunity to develop and grow.
People rely on my expertise to help guide them in the right direction allow them to see what their choices are and the potential consequences of the decisions they make. Although I work many, many hours each week, it's worth it when you've given good counsel and are instrumental in helping develop employees into achieving their personal and professional goals. |
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Why is being a HR manager one of the greatest jobs?
posted at 4/25/2006 2:21 AM EDT
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Posts: 3
First: 4/25/2006 Last: 5/3/2006 |
HR is like any other position. It is what you make it. The diversity you get with this responsibility is that each day presents something different. I work for a fabulous company and look forward to coming to work every day. I have been in HR for 17 years now. I experienced a difference that not many others have. I used to take care of most of the same responsibilities I have now for $10.00 an hour. I left the workforce, went to school, achieved my Bachelor's degree and immediately found a position in HR with MUCH greater pay! For some reason, the degree is respected by companies much more than if you did not have one. Employers will take from those who allow it. The changes you make, such as going to school, gain you better leverage. What is even better is that bigger companies offer you re-imbursement for college tuition. I plan to utilize that fully. A master's, even a doctorate will gain you even higher pay. It is what you put into it. Complaining will rub off on employee's and lower morale. I have personally found that arriving at work with positivity in your voice, on your face and in your mannerisms, is catching and eventually, your work peers will move into that slot with you. Get that degree! It teaches you great people skills on top of everything else you receive from it! |
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Why is being a HR manager one of the greatest jobs?
posted at 4/25/2006 2:24 AM EDT
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Posts: 35
First: 1/17/2006 Last: 6/5/2007 |
I love being responsible for creating a workplace that makes people go home to their partners, families, housemates, and say "I've had a great day at work today."
I love being responsible for creating leaders that are able to touch, influence, and affect in a memorable and lasting way their direct reports. I love being responsible for getting executives and CEOs to realise that it's not necessarily cost-cutting and endless reporting that makes an organisation successful, but the dedication and engagement of the people within it. What don't I like? Nothing. Working in HR is a privilege that I love every day. If you're struggling in your endeavours to engage your employees, and you'd love being in HR more so if you could, download my complimentary e-book "The 4 Key Elements of Employee Engagement" by logging on to www.jamesadonis.com and clicking on the "With Compliments" icon. Best regards, James Adonis www.jamesadonis.com |
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Why is being a HR manager one of the greatest jobs?
posted at 4/25/2006 2:25 AM EDT
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Posts: 3
First: 6/28/2005 Last: 9/28/2006 |
I really enjoy HR. It is a difficult job and you never get bored. I do agree with the others, that I feel sometimes as if I am a babysitter or the mother hen. Working with diverse individuals and various personalities is challenging. Getting heard and understood is a very difficult challenge I face at my job. Realizing what needs to be done to improve the overall performance of the company and to improve the "bottom-line" and not being heard or shot down is very tough. You do not go into this job because you like people. You need common sense, must be able to control your emotions, and have a strong disposition in order handle the tough parts of the job, and must be able to handle various situations. |
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Why is being a HR manager one of the greatest jobs?
posted at 4/25/2006 2:36 AM EDT
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Posts: 50
First: 4/28/2005 Last: 4/12/2007 |
HR is often regarded as a "cost center." HR professionals are developing innumerable metrics to rationalize the business necessity of their existence. Here's the reason why:
I worked for a Fortune 500 company who's CEO & Chairman went on record that "any manager can do what HR does." This was followed by a systematic effort to eliminate HR from the business. It wasn't long before people were hired and not getting paid; relocated without notifying the receiving facility of the effective date. Promotions occurred without regard to qualifications. In general, substantial organizational deterioration occurred. The effort to eliminate HR stopped but the attitude never changed & many HR professionals were lost. This may be an exception but it clearly demonstrates that HR's contribution is not seen as value added in terms of the product or service. The fact is many company's, mostly smaller ones operate without a formal HR professional. Like all professions, if there is a genuine appreciation for effective HR management, then HR is a great job. When viewed as a costly necessity that must be limited, it is pure hell. |
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Why is being a HR manager one of the greatest jobs?
posted at 4/25/2006 2:48 AM EDT
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Posts: 34
First: 8/2/2000 Last: 6/22/2011 |
What I love: the diversity of the job; being able to make a positive contribution both to company policy and to individual lives; the ability to make important decisions in areas that seriously impact employees like health care, education, and work/life balance. What I dislike: contantly battling to keep a workable balance between the company's bottom line and what's best for its workers, not always easy in this world of global economy.
A career in HR is always interesting and challenging and frequently rewarding -- but low stress? Not a bit. |
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