A career in human resources is as rewarding as a career can get. Good growth opportunities, as well as the prospect of being in the board room, make HR a promising career. The U.S Bureau of labor statistics suggests jobs in human resources will grow at 7% annually.

Additionally, a career in HR is lucrative. The average salary of an HR professional is $113,300, which is more than the average salary in other careers. Moreover, human resource professionals are increasingly getting important for organizations as they realize the value of HR function in strategic business development.

Organizations increasing focusing on diversity and inclusion, employee learning and development, and turning human resources from an administrative function to a strategic function is making HR professionals indispensable.  What makes you a good HR professional?

What skills do you need to get into HR?

HR professionals need a gamut of skills including administration and communication skills. Here are some skills that are mandatorily sought in HR professionals.

1. Communication and interpersonal skills -- HR professionals are required to communicate to employees on behalf of employers. Therefore, they are expected to possess good communication skills. At times, individual employee interaction is required, which requires professionals to be empathetic.
   
2. Strategic execution skills – Human resource officers are now expected to be strategic partners in the growth of organizations. It’s important for them to see how their responsibilities add to the growth of their companies. Additionally, HR professionals may have several tasks on their plate at a given time. So it is necessary for them to be good at strategic planning and execution.
   
3. Labor and employment laws – Compliance with national and international labor laws is mandatory for the smooth functioning of an organization. It is the responsibility of HR professionals to ensure that their organization is compliant with labor laws.
   
4. People Analytics – Human resources function across organizations are adopting data-driven approaches for strategic execution. So employers are seeking HR professionals with good analytics skills. Having strong analytical, therefore, gives you an edge over other professionals.

How to get into an HR job?

To get into an HR career, you necessarily need to have a bachelor’s degree. It is not necessary to mandatorily have a degree in human resources, but it will be a better option. As long as you have a bachelor’s degree you will be eligible to get an entry-level job in HR.

Further, an HR certification can help you get your foot in the door. SHRM, HRCI, and TMI are some popular certification bodies for HR professionals. These bodies offer entry-level as well as senior-level certifications for professionals. Considering that certified HR professionals are more efficient in their work, well-regarded employers often seek HR professionals who have taken certifications.

Human resource is an indispensable function for businesses. However, unlike yesteryear, companies today are seeking more HR professionals than administrative skills. Even though barriers to an HR job are low, getting an HR job requires an extensive set of skills. So if you want to start an HR career, start by learning the above-mentioned skills.