Human resource professionals are crucial to an organization. They help it achieve its corporate strategy and goals by recruiting, developing and managing employees. A career in human resource management can bring you both financial rewards and job satisfaction.
Most people enter HR because they love people. They quickly realize that the HR profession is not for them. Your job will be to maintain fairness to both employees and employers.
This is a difficult place to be as many business decisions determine the need for human resources within an organization. It is possible to have to fire several people from your career.
Before you decide to invest in a career as a Nigerian HR professional and start your journey, make sure to understand the roles of HR professionals so that there are no surprises.
According to SHRM, there are six key functions for HR according to the Society for Human Resource Management
Human Resources – The most valuable asset of an organization is its employees. The HR function must be able to identify the type of people that an organization needs in order for it to succeed. This includes understanding how many and when. Human Resource Planning is not just about the present needs of an organization, but also the future.
Every HR professional who is worth their pay can plan strategically and be proactive.
Talent Acquisition. The organization’s brand is key to attracting and selecting the right people. It is important to position your company as a desirable employer. This is a key function of HR.
Total Rewards. To attract the best people, a solid compensation and benefits system is essential. The ability of the organization to attract quality talent will be affected by how it structures its benefits and its salary scale.
Learning and Development. The company’s future readiness is dependent on its employees being trained, developed, and oriented. HR professionals set the budget for learning, development, and strategic career plans to increase productivity and value employees bring to the company.
Performance Management. HR professionals should clearly define the purpose and procedure for performing evaluation. Leadership, goal-setting and results tracking are key components of good performance management.
Employment Law. Every organization should have policies and legislation to protect the rights and needs of employees. These policies must be created and followed by the HR Professional. Employees must feel secure and protected at work.
While most HR professionals prefer to concentrate on one or two of the core functions, others are more generalists. Below are the top 5 highest-paid HR roles in Nigeria.
Most likely, you will start your career in HR at an entry-level position and earn significantly less than your more experienced colleagues. It is not an easy transition to a career in Human Resource management. If you are faced with this situation, there are some things you can do to help your transition and make the most of any opportunities.
You might have a variety of soft skills you already possess that you could transfer to a career as a Human Resource manager. It is important to make a list of the skills you already have that fall within this category. These skills can include communication skills, how you handle confidential information and projects, interpersonal skills, and how to resolve conflict.
Here are four things you should do to get into the HR industry
Manage Your Expectations – Be prepared to pay your bills and do the low-level jobs.
Find internship opportunities to get some experience.
Get certified – Invest in professional certifications, both local and international.
Build relationships/Network – These will be handy throughout your career.
Learn to be a businessperson – Know the business operations and its needs.
We have listed the top HR training courses in Nigeria at the top of this page.