A dedicated human resource department is the defining feature of a successful business. HR managers strive to create a safe and efficient workplace by balancing the organizational needs with employee demands. Their job duties comprise conflict mediation, benefits management, applicant interviews and staff training.
Certificate courses in human resource management trains HR managers to carry out their roles and responsibilities effectively, and to make the business thrive. Companies should make sure that HR managers are equipped with the essential skills to efficiently handle workforce management.
Top 14 Essential Skills of Human Resources Manager
Whether you’re an entrepreneur seeking the perfect HR manager or a working HR manager interested in career advancement, this list of skills is a must-have:
1. Communication skills
Communication is undeniably the most important skill an HR manager should possess. A competent HR manager should display strong written and verbal communication skills to handle the daily task matrix. Here are some examples of HR responsibilities that require exemplary communication skills.
- Salary negotiation
- Conflict resolution
- Benefit explanation
- Company presentation
- Employee handbook updates
Non-verbal communication skills are vital for an HR manager to determine whether employees are uncomfortable or confused during presentations or conversations. These skills are helpful when a prospective employee undergoes a job interview or a current employee files a discrimination suit.
2. Organizational skills
HR managers should be equipped with impeccable organizational skills to effectively manage the needs of employees and top management. Organizing skills are of paramount importance to HR people as they act as a bridge between the employee and the management. Their primary responsibility is to manage, organize and make sure that all departments are working efficiently.
XLRI Human Resource Management (HRM) curriculum emphasizes the importance of various organizational skills such as time management, records management and calendar management. Some ways to enhance your organizational skills are:
- Schedule all meeting and important seminars using tools
- Prioritize your duties accordingly
- Analyse the time needed for each task to be completed
3. Confidentiality skills
Confidentiality skills are vital for HR professionals as they know discreet information regarding employees and organizations. Management professionals should imbibe the principles of ethics and foster a culture of trustworthiness in organizations.
The ways to enhance your confidentiality skills are:
- Having a fair company policy
- Following company guidelines
- Storing confidential information securely
4. Adaptability skills
Change is inevitable in a business organization. Being adaptive to change in the work environment is the foremost trait that HR people need to possess. Certificate courses in human resource management empower business professionals by focusing on adaptability skills such as management change, self-assessment and improvisation.
The ways to improve your adaptability skills are:
- Keeping track of metrics
- Analysing the before and after effects
- Improved networking
- Taking employees’ feedback consistently
5. Being Tech-savvy
Gone are the days where HR managers draft performance reviews by hand. Majority of the HR professionals rely on digital spreadsheets and visual planning softwares to complete their job. A tech-savvy HR manager can create powerful PowerPoint presentations, update company blogs and follow workplace analytics.
Also Read: Become an effective HR professional with this HRM course
6. Negotiation skills
HR managers should display robust negotiation capabilities to do well in their job. An offer of employment is a sensitive area, where the HR manager has to balance the best interests of both employees and the company. HR professionals who know individual behaviour and organizational outcomes can achieve a mutually acceptable solution for both candidates and the organization.
7. Flexibility
The framework of HR management requires a lot of flexibility. Job duties change daily and unforeseen issues may arise at any time. All of this requires a calm and flexible personality.
8. Performance Evaluation
The needs of the employees and management have to be balanced by the HR managers. The performance improvement process is challenging and is viewed as a rewarding role which can place the HR manager in the orbit of higher management.
When the evaluation is done productively, the roadmap towards further employee development is positively framed. HR professionals can learn valuable inputs from XLRI HRM curriculum on conflict management skills that help to understand the problem from both sides.
Also Read: Why is it Important to Study Human Resource Management?
9. Training and Development
HR managers should possess the expertise to develop training programs which take care of employee performance aspects and result in good benefits to the organization. To produce quantifiable results for the organization, the HR department should be equipped with instructional design skis, presentation abilities and the best training programs.
10. Business Insight
The HR management has to manage the objectives, budgets and employees of the organisation. The good functioning of the HR management involves an in-depth understanding of the organization’s strategic plans. A good understanding of the responsibility of each department and how their performance is measured is required from HR executives.
11. Compensation and Benefits:
HR professionals are entrusted with developing an efficient compensation structure and benefit systems. To recruit and retain the top talent in the organization, HR managers are required to possess key insights into the prospective employee’s future productivity to the organization. Certificate courses in human resource management help HR managers to integrate analytics, negotiation abilities and problem-solving skills in their daily job role.
12. Fairness
HR managers are expected to implement organizational policies fairly toward all employees. Clear communication across all organizational levels is the key objective of the HR department.
Also Read: Roles & Responsibilities of HR Managers in Growing Organizations
13. Dedication
The core skills of the HR professionals are to coach, assist and develop the employees. HR professionals are expected to be trendsetters in continual skill enhancement, remediation and innovation. HR managers should make use of technology and constantly update themselves to improve the functioning of the organization.
14. Strategic orientation
HR managers should display forward-thinking and assist the leader to achieve the strategic goals. HR skillsets that directly affect the business growth are recruiting effective employees and arriving at competitive compensation outlines.
Conclusion
The HR department is crucial for a company and requires more skills than traditional management. HR professionals with perfect skills push the organization to the top level. Aspiring HR managers need to develop these skills in their early career stages to fast track their career. XLRI HRM curriculum provides the necessary learning to HR managers to become indispensable assets to the organization.
More Information:
What Skills Does a Good HR Manager Possess?
The Ultimate Guide to HRM: Covering the Basics