Quick Summary
- A company should have 1.4 HR staff per 100 employees.
- 28% of HR decision-makers rated their current onboarding program as excellent.
- The average HR manager salary in India is ₹ 247 per hour.
- 70% of HR manager salaries range between ₹ 14 lakhs to ₹ 50 lakhs.
Table of Contents
The HR manager full form is a human resources manager. his profession operates based on the principles of human resource management (HRM), which involves the practice of recruiting, hiring, and managing an organization’s employees. Sometimes, people refer to HRM simply as HR.
A company’s HR department plays a crucial role in creating and implementing policies that govern all employees, from entry-level staff to senior executives. An HR manager handles both administrative and organizational functions within a company.
Roles and Responsibilities of an HR Manager
There are many roles and responsibilities of HR manager. It depends on the specific organization or the industry in which they work. Yet, the most important responsibilities include:
Talent Acquisition
Hiring candidates is an important role of HR manager. They shortlist candidates and conduct interviews for various positions. These responsibilities also include:
- Recruitment involves sourcing, interviewing, and selecting candidates to fill job vacancies. This involves creating job descriptions and posting job ads. An HR manager may also conduct interviews to find the best fit for the organization.
- Onboarding: Introducing new employees to the company culture and their specific roles. This includes orientation sessions and training programs to help new hires integrate successfully.
- Offboarding: Managing the exit process for departing employees. This includes conducting exit interviews and ensuring the return of company property. The process also helps the company handle administrative tasks to conclude the employment relationship.
Employee Relations
HR managers must also resolve all conflicts and grievances in organizations. This involves:
- Resolving Conflicts: Mediating disputes between employees and management to maintain a harmonious work environment.
- Addressing Grievances: Handling employee complaints and issues to ensure they feel heard and valued within the organization.
- Ensuring a Positive Work Environment: Promoting a culture of respect and engagement through various initiatives and regular feedback.
Performance Management
Organizations rank employees based on performance. This evaluation also lies in the hands of HR managers.
- Setting Goals: Collaborating with employees and management to establish achievable performance objectives.
- Conducting Appraisals: Reviewing employee performance through formal evaluations to assess progress and recognize achievements.
- Providing Feedback: Offering feedback to employees helps them develop their skills and expertise. This enhances their performance and promotes growth and improvement.
Learning and Development
HR managers train and teach employees about the rules of an organization. Here’s how:
- Designing Training Programs: Identifying training needs and creating programs to enhance employee skills and knowledge.
- Implementing Training Programs: Coordinating and facilitating training sessions, workshops, and e-learning opportunities. This helps ensure employees receive relevant education.
Compensation and Benefits
All employees must know about the compensations, bonuses, and benefits that they get from an organization. An HR manager organizes these tasks by:
- Managing Payroll: Ensuring timely processing of employee salaries, wages, and bonuses.
- Administering Benefits: Overseeing the provision of employee benefits. Examples include health insurance, retirement plans, and leave entitlements.
- Ensuring Compliance with Labor Laws: Staying up-to-date with changes in labor laws and regulations ensures the organization’s policies and practices remain fair.
HR Policies and Procedures
Everyone is bound to follow the rules and regulations of an organization. That is why HR managers are involved in:
- Developing Policies: Creating and refining policies related to recruitment, employee relations, performance management, and other HR areas. This includes providing guidelines and setting expectations.
- Implementing Procedures: Ensuring that HR policies are communicated and applied throughout the organization.
- Monitoring and Updating: Reviewing and updating policies and procedures to reflect organizational changes and best practices.
Essential Skills and Qualifications for HR Managers
HR managers play a critical role across various industries. They manage the workforce and use the company’s human capital to achieve organizational goals. You must also have some other essential skills. These HR manager skills include:
1.Communication Skills
HR managers require strong written and verbal communication skills. This helps them convey information to and interact with several people and business partners. They must build and maintain employee relations and negotiate certain matters.
The professionals also need to be extremely comfortable with expressing themselves. Their job responsibilities include liaising with new hires, onboarding, and presenting complex data.
2. Interpersonal Skills
One of the most importantqualities of HR manageris the ability to empathize with employees, enabling them to manage the team in productive ways. HR managers interact with a diverse range of individuals and must leverage their experience and judgment to navigate relationships and personalities.
Their emotional intelligence and listening skills help these managers handle conflict management processes.
3.Leadership
HR managers are effective leaders who can guide employees to fulfill their potential and create solutions to problems, steering the workforce toward success.
Great leaders also possess excellent decision-making skills, enabling them to take ownership during times of change and instability. This ability allows them to anticipate problems quickly before they arise.
4. Decision-making
An HR manager plays an essential role in a business’s success, which is why they must be able to make informed decisions. This responsibility encompasses overseeing the management and development of both the company and its employees.
Furthermore, these professionals must engage in continuous development to ensure the ongoing prosperity of the business.
5. Problem-solving
Every organization and its employees may face certain issues at times. The role of HR manager during this time is to assist everyone in dealing with the situation. This professional must know how to devise solutions to help people solve their organizational woes. For instance, they can help resolve a dispute between an employee and the organization. This helps maintain a peaceful environment and allows people to continue with their regular work.
6. Organization and Time Management
conduct several tasks, including developing talent acquisition strategies and designing onboarding processes. They must also conduct performance reviews and handle employee meetings. That is why they must possess high-level organizational and time management skills, enabling them to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
Some skills of HR professionals are universal and essential across industries, yet certain industry-specific HR manager qualifications. Pursuing the following educational paths and certifications can enhance expertise:
- Earn a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related fields.
- Consider an internship with a reputable organization.
- Pursue an HR certification course with any organization. Examples include certification for Professionals in Human Resources (PHR) and Senior Professionals in Human Resources (SPHR).
HR Manager Salary in India
The average HR manager’s salary in India depends on several factors. These include the company size, experience, industry, and location. Yet, the average annual salary for most HR managers in the country is as follows:
| Experience Level | Average Annual Salary (₹) |
| Entry-level HR Manager | 404,866 |
| Mid-level HR Manager | 616,544 |
| Senior HR Manager | 1,400,000 |
How to Become an HR Manager
Let us learnhow to become HR manager as we have discussed their skills and qualifications. Following these steps will help you pursue the profession with ease.
1.Get a Relevant Degree in HRM or a Related Field
You need to have certain educational qualifications to apply for the HR manager role. This includes holding a bachelor’s degree in human resource management. Alternatively, you can pursue a degree in business management or a related field. Sometimes, interested individuals also pursue a master’s degree in HRM to gain more expertise in the field.
2. Gain Experience Through Internships or Entry-level HR Roles
You cannot become an HR manager directly after completing your education. This position requires experience, which you can gain through various means. The first step is to take an internship. This will help you earn a certificate and also acquire essential HR skills.
Another way is to start with entry-level HR roles. This will provide you with opportunities to learn more about the profession and gain valuable experience. Later, you can apply to any organization for an HR manager role.
3. Pursue Relevant Certifications to Enhance your Knowledge and Credentials
Earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree may not be enough for some professionals to learn about HRM. That is why we advise doing a certification course to learn more about the role of HR manager. Several organizations already offer courses like PHR and SPHR that help you learn HR manager skills.
4. Network With Other HR professionals and Attend Industry Events
You must have good communication skills to become an HR manager. This involves meeting other HR professionals and discussing their expertise. You may also attend important industry events to learn about HR manager qualifications and other experience.
5. Continuously Update Your Skills and Knowledge to Stay Current with Industry Trends
Learning never stops for HR professionals. You must keep this in mind and stay updated about the latest industry trends. This will help you get job opportunities in several organizations across industries. The process also helps update your skills and knowledge in HRM.
6. Seek Out Mentorship and Guidance from Experienced HR Leaders
You can approach your seniors and other experienced HR leaders to learn about HRM. This will help you learn more about theroles and responsibilities of HR managers. This mentorship and guidance may also help you resolve important issues. It applies when you work within an organization. This may relate to employee conflicts, payscale issues, and more.
Becoming an HR Manager in India
An HR manager is an integral part of every organization. This professional handles and manages all talent acquisition and management-related operations. Individuals interested in this profession must understand the roles of HR managers. This knowledge will enable them to work in any organization with ease. They must also possess the qualifications and skills necessary for the profession, which involves obtaining a bachelor’s degree or completing a certification course. We have already discussed how to become HR managerin this guide, so you can follow these steps and pursue this dream job right away!
Also Read:
HR Interview Questions for Freshers (Detailed Guide with Answers)
How to write an Amazing Email to send Resume to HR?
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the difference between an HR manager and an HR generalist?
An HR generalist is an employee who reports to an HR manager or director in a company. These professionals handle daily HR functions. The most important functions include recruitment, employee relations, and compensation. HR managers are senior professionals who handle human resource operations. These senior professionals oversee the management of the department.
What are the biggest challenges faced by HR managers today?
HR managers face several challenges in today’s world. These include managing remote and hybrid work environments, ensuring employee well-being in complex environments, and addressing mental health. This work-life imbalance may leave HRs stressed because of extensive pressure. Balancing the demands of employees and the workplace often takes a toll on their health.
What are the best resources for learning more about HR management?
You will find several resources to learn more about HR management. You may choose online courses from reputable providers. They always cover aspects of HR practices. You can also read books from experts who talk about the role of HR manager and other qualities. Later, you may consider an internship at a reputed organization. This helps you learn more about the HR management process.
Is an MBA necessary to become an HR Manager?
You may get a job in HR without an MBA or PGDM. Yet, the problem is that you may not get a good salary package in the organization. Most bigger MNCs hire people for HR roles only if the candidate holds an MBA. So, you cannot land at large MNCs if you don’t have an MBA.
What is the career growth potential for HR Managers?
An HR manager has a good career prospect. Their role is critical to organizational success. It involves several responsibilities that may lead to advanced positions. It means you can advance to senior roles in the future. You can be an HR Director or Vice President of Human Resources. All you need to do is enhance your skills as you complete your HR manager qualifications.
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