Human Resource Management (HRM) – Need, Opportunities and Careers

By Dr. Harvinder Soni

Human Resource Management has become the most challenging field in contemporary times as the success or failure of an organization is largely dependent on the effective utilization of all other resources by the human resources.

Human resources are the most vital forces for the success of an organization. An organization may be rich in financial resources, infrastructure, and technology but if it does not have the right people to make optimum use of these resources, it cannot enhance its profitability and market share.

HRM is the organizational function that deals with or provides leadership and advice for people issues in organizations. HRM, as such, deals with Job Analysis and Job Evaluation, Recruitment and Selection, Compensation, Performance Management, Organizational Change & Development, Safety, Wellness & Benefits, Employee Motivation, Training and Development, Industrial Relations and HRD.

HRM also plays a strategic and critical role in people management and developing organizational climate and culture. Effective HRM enhances employee engagement and organizational commitment leading to high organizational performance thereby having a positive impact on its market share and profitability. The HRM function is expected to add value to the strategic utilization of employees and to ensure that employee programs recommended and implemented impact the business in positive measurable ways.

HRM's Changing Focus  

Organizations in contemporary times have become relatively more dynamic, vivid and customer-centric in order to survive in this highly competitive market. This has made the role of an HR manager more challenging because the sustenance of any company is dependent on the performance of its human resources and also the apt utilization of all other resources by them.  The traditional role of HR managers was confined majorly to maintaining employee records, managing employee compensation and other administrative work. But the demands and challenges for this profession have vastly changed in the past few years. In the present scenario, the HR function has become more strategy-driven and the HR manager is now expected to play a vital role as a strategic partner.

The organizations have started perceiving HR management as a business and a strategy driven function involving a thorough understanding of the organization’s bigger picture and contributing in formations of key policies and decisions. HR Professionals are expected to think like business people, know finance and accounting and become accountable and responsible for cost reductions and the measurement of all HR programs and processes. Similarly, managers in Marketing, Production, Finance and other departments are expected to possess Leadership skills, knowledge of Performance Management and HR issues and People management skills to head their departments in an effective manner.

The responsibility of HR professionals has attained greater significance due to globalization. People with diverse cultures, languages, national and ethnic backgrounds are working in the same organization resulting in a diverse workforce which has to be handled optimally with the twin objectives of both employee and organizational growth. Also, talented employees need to be identified, retained and developed to meet the opportunities and threats posed by the global competition which organizations are confronting presently. Hence, diversity management has become a critical factor for the success of any organization in the present scenario which has become a formidable challenge for the HR professionals and they need to be highly competent to meet this challenge.

Today, not only attracting the talent pool to the organization but also retaining the star performers has become imperative. The employees also need to regularly upgrade their skills and competencies if an organization has to enhance its market share by delivering high-quality products and services. This requires a skilful training needs analysis by the HR Manager and design of appropriate training programs for the employees. The objective of Training and Development Programs is no longer restricted to polishing the technical skills but also behavioural, attitudinal and ethical training have become equally important. Moreover, the trend has changed from an annual performance appraisal to continuous performance management of the employees which again requires Performance management skills and high Emotional Intelligence on the part of HR professionals.

Papers studied at MBA/ PGDM level under HRM specialization

• Human Resource Management
• Performance Management
• Training and Development
• Leadership Skills and Change Management
• Employment Laws
• Strategic HRM
• Recruitment and Selection
• International Human Resource Management
• Organizational Change and Development
• Competency Mapping
• HRD
• HR Analytics
• Industrial Relations
• Compensation Management
• Counselling Skills for Managers
• Human Resource Planning

Careers in Human Resource Management 

Human Resource Management is one of the most challenging and growing careers today, with employment of human resource managers projected to grow 9% from 2014 to 2024 which is faster than the average for all occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Students specialized in HRM have a variety of interesting and challenging career options. Some of the job profiles are as follows:  

1. Human Resources Manager
2. Human Resources Director
3. HR Consultant
4. International Human Resources Professional
5. Human Resources Executive (Chief HR Officer or Vice President of Human Resources)
6. Labour relations Director also called Employee Relations Manager
7. Payroll Manager
8. Recruiting Manager
9. Training & Development Manager
10. Employee Education Consultant
11. Executive Recruiter
12. Human Resources IT Specialist       
13. Employment, Recruitment, and Placement Manager
14. International Human Resources Associate
15. Compensation and Benefits Manager
16. People Analytics Director
17. Employee Engagement Specialist
18. Talent Manager
19. Manager/Director of Learning
20. Diversity Officer

With the enrichment of the career path in HRM, the duties and responsibilities of professionals in HR roles have also become challenging. For having a successful career in HRM, people management skills need to be developed along with knowledge of the technical aspects of HRM. An HR professional should be possessing:

• Business Management & Leadership Skills
• Human Capital Development Skills
• Communication & Interpersonal Skills
• Strategic Thinking & Planning Skills
• Workplace Culture Development Skills
• Conflict Resolution Skills
• Problem-solving
• Team building Skills
• Analytical and Critical Thinking
• Negotiation Skills
• IT knowledge
• Emotional Intelligence and
• Change Management Skills

A focus on developing these core competencies and skills in HR can pave a way to a lucrative and interesting career option in HRM.

About the Author:

Prof. (Dr.) Harvinder Soni

Prof. (Dr.) Harvinder Soni is working as a Professor in Taxila Business School. She has an academic and administrative experience of more than 21 years and has previously worked with management institutes including IMS Noida and Pacific Business School, Udaipur. She has authored two books entitled ‘Performance Management’ and “A Comparative Analysis of Staff Turnover Intention of Employees in Chain and Non- Chain Hotels in Udaipur District”.  She has published more than 60 research papers in National and International Journals and also presented in conferences.

Dr. Harvinder Soni is a registered Ph.D Supervisor. Five scholars have been awarded PhD under her supervision. She is a Certified Trainer in Transactional Analysis. Her interest areas are Organizational Behaviour, Human Resource Management, Training & Development, Performance Management, Leadership Skills & Change Management, Strategic Human Resource Management, Transactional Analysis, Emotional Intelligence, Self-Management, Happiness Management, Personality development and Behavioural skills.

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