The Importance of HR
Ok, for a moment, think about this. You are fresh out of college and have gotten your first job. You are very excited about starting this new phase of your life, you dream about making mountains of money and fulfilling every need and dream that you have ever had and ever will have. But then a month passes, and then another, and you begin to despise the work that you do. Your managers and boss speak in a condescending tone and regularly demotivate you, some of your fellow employees pick on you, you work for hours on end, you are not given sick leaves, or paid holidays. Your mental health is in shambles and your confidence and productivity has gone downhill ever since you joined.
Sounds horrible, doesn’t it? “This can’t be real.” You may be thinking, “There has to be someone who makes sure that this doesn’t happen in a work setting, right? “ and you would be right. That someone is an HR Manager. They make sure that the workplace environment is safe and productive for all employees. But they do more than that, they also help organizations in hiring, developing and retaining top talent, as in today’s competitive world, companies don’t merely require excellent products - they require excellent people.
With the flourishing economy of India, growing startups, and multinationals establishing base, demand for professional HR professionals and HR managers in India has never been greater and as a result of this, HR is one of the most prospective careers in India today if you’re interested in working with human beings and bringing real change.
How to Become HR
You may be thinking “How to become HR in India?”. Well, it is very easy. First of all, you can pursue HR Courses irrespective of whatever stream you may opt for post 10th grade. If your school offers Psychology, it is recommended to study it to build a strong foundation as Human Resources comes under the many fields of Psychology.
1. What Undergraduate Degree to Choose?
On your journey to becoming an HR Professional, you can opt for the following HR Courses at the undergraduate level to build a strong foundation in HR concepts and skills:
- BA in Psychology
- Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
2. Building on your Postgraduate Studies
Once you are done with your bachelor’s, you can either start working at a firm that hires candidates with bachelor’s degrees, or you can study further by pursuing the following HR Courses, which will enhance your expertise and open up better career opportunities:
- M.A. in Human Resource Management
- MBA in Human Resource Management
- PG Diploma in Human Resource Management (PDGM HR)
3. Internships
Pursuing internships in HR related fields goes a long way in increasing your prospects in the field. This allows you to get a taste of the ground reality of the job prior to starting your own in your learning stage, and pick up skills and knowledge that will help you when you inevitably apply for your first job.
4.Professional Certifications
A way you can strengthen your resume as a budding HR Manager is by earning certificates from reputed HR associations. By doing so, you can learn and develop the necessary skillset required to become a successful HR Professional. Some well-known HR Certifications given out in India are:
- By the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). They give out the Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) and Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) certifications.
- By the Human Resource Certification Institute. They give out the Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR), Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certificates.
- Certified Human Resource Manager (CHRM) and Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP) certifications are given out by many accredited universities in India.
Earning these credentials makes you a recognized expert in the field, greatly increasing your earning potential.
Key Subjects
- Recruitment & Talent Management
- Organizational Behavior
- Compensation & Benefits Management
- Employee Relations & Labor Laws
- HR Analytics
- Data Management
- Training & Development
Job Opportunities for HR Professionals in India
- HR Manager
- Recruitment Specialist
- Payroll & Compensation Analyst
- Training & Development Manager
- Employee Relations Specialist
- HR Consultant
Top Indian Institutions
- Symbiosis International University, Pune
- Jamia Milia Islamia, New Delhi
- Indian Institute of Management, Ranchi
- Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), University of Delhi
- Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), New Delhi
- Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies(NMIMS), Mumbai\
- Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai
- Xavier Labour Research Institute (XLRI), Jamshedpur
Qualities to be an HR Manager in India
To become an HR Professional, and then an HR Manager in India, you must excel in the following skills:
- Good communication skills are required to communicate effectively with employees at all levels.
- Problem-solving skills are a requirement since you'll have to deal with workplace disagreements.
- Empathy and Emotional Intelligence enable you, as an HR Manager, to empathise and respond to the concerns of employees.
- Attention to detail is crucial as HR Managers need to deal with legal compliances, payrolls and employee records.
- Whether it’s recruiting top talent or resolving conflicts, a great HR professional must possess leadership and negotiation skills to manage workplace issues effectively.
- Strategic Thinking is a must have for any HR Professional as it is their duty to align the business’ goals with a safe and productive work environment.
Lastly, a good HR Manager needs to be adaptive to observe and embrace the changes happening in methods, trends, practices and technologies in the field.
Is HR a good career in India?
You might be thinking “is HR a good career in India?”. The answer to that question is yes, yes it is. HR Professionals and HR Managers in India start off with an annual salary of ₹3 to ₹6 Lakh, gradually increasing to an average salary of ₹10 Lakhs per year.
What does the future of HR in India look like?
There’s no doubt that the field of HR is rapidly transforming in India, moving from administrative work to strategic leadership. With businesses that prioritize people-first policies, HR professionals are in high demand. Moreover, with increasing awareness on Mental Health and its impact on performance, more and more workspaces are striving towards increasing productivity, and HR Managers are a must to lead them into this new age. Thus, if you are someone who enjoys problem solving and working with people, a job in HR offers a dynamic and rewarding career path in India’s ever evolving job market.
