You’ve thought about working in HR (human resources), but you’re having a hard time picturing it. After all, your own interactions with human resources up until now have been pretty limited. Pair this with the fact that you don’t know anyone personally who works in HR, and it’s no wonder you have doubts about whether this career would suit you.
But HR departments are famously misunderstood. For instance, working in HR entails a bit more than hiring, firing and blasting out emails about mandatory employee training programs.
The truth is, human resources departments balance a lot of conflicting prerogatives. HR manages employee relations (the working arrangements that exist between companies and their staff members).
As employees themselves, human resources faculty tow the company line while representing organizational policies. Suffice it to say working in HR means wearing many different hats—often at the same time.
So, how do you know if you’ll enjoy working in the human resources department?
We analyzed the latest industry data and spoke with HR professionals to identify some of the top benefits of a human resources career.
12 reasons you just might love working in HR
From developing talent acquisition strategies to conducting employee performance reviews, no two workdays are the same when you’re a human resources professional. Read on for a glimpse of what makes working in HR so rewarding.
1. You’ll change people’s lives
There are countless ways human resources professionals change others’ lives every day. For instance, hiring new employees is about more than filling job openings; it could mean the difference between a family keeping their home or being foreclosed on. And discussing the benefits package with a new hire might help that person’s family finally be able to afford quality healthcare.
A great HR professional can have a profoundly positive impact on people and even change the course of their future.
2. You’ll work alongside—and network with—leadership
HR is one of the few departments that makes it possible to engage routinely with corporate leadership. As an HR professional, you’ll play a key role in company-wide initiatives, including:
- Hiring and onboarding new talent
- Developing/updating corporate policies
- Managing recruitment and retention strategies
- Reviewing employee engagement initiatives
- Organizing team trainings and development programs
Depending on the size of your employer, you could work with business owners and partners, as well as the C-suite. So, when you look for new opportunities, you’ll have an expansive network to leverage. And some impressive references, too.
3. You’ll have a say in important company decisions
When you work in HR, recruiting top talent and maximizing employee engagement are among your main priorities. Company leadership looks to you for recommendations and feedback on how to attract, engage and retain high-performing employees.
That means you have the opportunity to help create and fine-tune key policies that define your organization. Just think—your work could make the difference that leads to somebody finding their dream job.
4. You’ll have some significant staying power
By now, technology’s been integrated into just about every industry. And with the rise of AI (artificial intelligence) programs, job displacement is a growing concern.
Yet, HR appears to be well-situated to withstand technological disruption. It’s true that human resources information systems (HRIS) have automated some of the duties traditionally associated with HR roles. Nonetheless, there are simply too many aspects of HR leaders’ work that call for living, breathing people for AI to pose much of a threat.
“Software takes the ‘human’ out of human resources,” says Lynda Spiegel, an HR veteran and career coach. Spiegel says the profession requires intuition and common sense, something technology just doesn’t have the capability of effectively emulating.
5. You can help develop the people around you
The work you do in your HR role to support employees goes a long way. For instance, providing additional training and continuing education programs to upskill your staff helps open new career path options for them, both within the organization and in a broader context, as well.
In addition, human resources practices like conducting performance reviews and exit interviews allow you to collect valuable information. Using this data, you can help spearhead important performance improvement plans for your company and, ultimately, help to create a better working environment.
Whichever way you look at it, working in human resources allows you to contribute in a meaningful way to both your organization and each employee you interact with.
6. The field is experiencing steady growth
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects employment of HR specialists to increase at a rate of six percent through 2032, which is faster than average for all occupations.1 In other words, HR departments aren’t going away any time soon! Companies should continue to have a need for recruiting, talent management and maintaining employee records.
Plus, organizations look to their HR professionals to help maintain compliance with employment laws. For instance, ensuring employees receive information about compensation packages—and benefits employers are required to provide, like health insurance—is another HR duty.
7. HR professionals are praised for their problem-solving abilities
Do you ever feel like you see trouble coming before everyone else does? In an HR job, spotting and addressing a problem area is going to pay off. HR pros are on the frontlines of employee problem-solving. Because of this, they have the opportunity to smooth out organizational kinks before they become company-wide knots.
“It’s really gratifying to see employees go from being frustrated because they’re having a problem with their manager to feeling productive and appreciated,” Speigel says.
8. You’ll be a trusted resource for new employees
“Onboarding is an often-overlooked aspect of HR that I always found satisfying,” Speigel says. “I love making new hires feel welcome and ready to join the team.”
The first day of any job can be daunting. There’s a host of new places, people and processes to learn, not to mention the nuances of getting accustomed to a new company.
But with proper HR support, employees can hit the ground running and find immediate job satisfaction with your company. As part of the HR department, you’ll help define the onboarding experience to ensure new hires enjoy a smooth transition to the organization.
Your onboarding responsibilities may include everything from discussing compensation and benefits to informing new hires about training schedules and performance expectations. Making this effort helps each new team member find their footing as quickly as possible, which, in turn, allows the entire organization to thrive.
9. There’s never a dull moment when you’re an HR professional
Nothing keeps you on your toes like working in the HR department. One day, you may be helping an employee compare retirement plans. The next, you could be coordinating a training for mid-level managers. Or you might just find yourself taking disciplinary actions to address team members in violation of company policies.
The world of HR and employee relations is a vast, fast-paced environment, and new challenges are constantly manifesting right before your eyes. Your time management, problem-solving and communication skills will be put to the test! But, one thing’s for certain: you’ll never get bored when you work in HR.
10. You’ll get to guide others in their careers
Not all entry-level employees have long-term career plans. Lucky for them, HR professionals are there to guide, and, occasionally, nudge staffers towards new opportunities.
“A lot of people think they know what they want but then figure out it doesn't go with their life goals,” says Janice Chaka, author and HR consultant. “As a mentor, I get to help them find what works for them.”
When you work in an HR department, there are many ways you may find yourself supporting others’ career growth. For example, conducting employee performance reviews might help you identify hidden talents or skills in your organization’s employees. With additional training—which you can arrange for—you just might help your staffers climb the ladder to their dream jobs.
11. You’ll put your people skills to use
It’s no surprise that HR professionals work with people every day—after all, there’s a reason why it’s called human resources! With that in mind, the best employees in an HR department are the ones with the strongest “people skills.” In other words, if you’re a strong communicator and an effective leader with high emotional intelligence, then you just might find you’re well-suited for most HR jobs.
The day-to-day duties of HR professionals constantly revolve around interacting with people, whether it’s conducting job interviews or assisting current employees with complaints or questions.
12. You can help create a more diverse, equitable workplace
One of the most important roles of an HR professional is to carry out diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. From identifying bias in the hiring process to promoting transparency and respect throughout your organization, you could help establish a positive, inclusive work environment.
Ensuring people at your company feel seen, understood and supported not only benefits the business; it also helps ensure people from all different backgrounds have the opportunity to pursue—and achieve—their career goals.
Making an effort to improve diversity among employees at your company can have a ripple effect throughout each department, the organization as a whole, your industry and, most importantly, the local community. Diversity and representation aren’t just topics of conversation; they are the means through which we create a more understanding, welcoming culture.
Considering a career in human resources?
You now have a whole host of reasons why human resources is such a fulfilling field. From playing a part in reaching a company’s strategic goals to helping others, it’s no wonder why HR professionals find so much joy in this career path.
There’s just one question left: Is HR the right field for you?
If you can see yourself in this career, there’s no better time than the present to begin taking steps to land your first HR job. Learn more about the skills, education and experience you may need to get started. Check out our article “ Everything You Need to Know About Working in Human Resources.”
Still have questions about pursuing a bachelor’s degree in HR? Make sure you don’t miss our article, " Should I Be a Human Resources Major? Everything You Need to Know to Decide," where you can find even more information about the human resources major for undergrads.
And if you’re interested in pursuing your HR degree online, check out the Human Resources and Organizational Leadership programs at Rasmussen University.
Related Articles:
- The HR Professional's Guide to Diversity and Inclusion Jobs
- Everything You Need to Know About Becoming a Human Resources Specialist
- MBA vs. MHRM: Which Master's Degree Is Right for You?
- What I Wish I Knew Before Working as a Recruiter
1Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Human Resources Specialists, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/human-resources-specialists.htm. (visited February 2024) Information represents national, averaged data for the occupations listed and includes workers at all levels of education and experience. This data does not represent starting salaries. Employment conditions in your area may vary.
