How to Become an HR Manager

Key takeaways

• Human resources managers are advanced professionals. This role typically requires around seven years of experience and a college degree.

• An HR manager at a smaller company often has a wider range of responsibilities than someone at a bigger company who likely focuses on an area of HR management.

• A successful HR manager typically has a people-oriented personality, strong communication and analytical skills, empathy, diplomacy, and ethical judgment.

Learn more about how to become an HR manager. Afterwards, build your skills in human resources with the HRCI Human Resource Associate Professional Certificate.

How to become an HR manager

Before becoming a human resources manager, you must meet specific education and experience requirements. While your exact responsibilities will vary from position to position, depending on the company you work for and the size of the HR department, some qualifications are typically universal.

Earn a bachelor's degree. 

A bachelor's degree is typically the minimum requirement to become an HR manager. According to Zippia, 67 percent of human resources managers have a bachelor’s degree [1]. However, some employers prefer candidates with a master's degree in human resources management or a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in HR.

Gain experience.

HR managers typically have at least five years of professional experience, according to BLS [2]. Zippia raises that number to seven [1]. You can gain experience by starting out in an entry-level HR role and advancing to become an HR specialist, HR generalist, or HR analyst, among other titles.

Strengthen your skill set.

Beyond HR experience, HR managers need an advanced skill set that includes leadership, strategic planning, stakeholder management, and analytics. Consider building or strengthening your skills in the following areas:

• Team management

• Decision-making

• Strategic thinking

• Change management

• Verbal and written communication

• Active listening

• HR laws and regulations

• HR analytics

• Benefits administration

• Recruitment processes

• Policy development

• Budget management

• Data analysis

• Emotional intelligence

Consider earning a certification.

HR certifications may also help enhance your resume and validate that you have the skills necessary for the job. Some companies require popular certifications, such as:

• Professional in Human Resources (PHR) Certificate is offered by the Human Resources Standards Institute and focuses on mastery of skills related to the technical and operational functions of HR management.

• Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD), offered by the Association for Talent Development, provides additional skills and knowledge for HR managers who work in employee learning and performance.

• Associate Professional in Talent Development (APTD), offered by the Association for Talent Development, is for HR professionals who work in talent management.

• Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), offered by the Human Resources Standards Institute, is for senior management or HR directors who want to advance their skills and training to the next level.

• Senior SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP), offered by the Society for Human Resource Management, prepares professionals to become leaders in HR management and focuses on employee performance and efficiency.

Career advancement for HR managers

Once you have been an HR manager for at least a few years and further strengthened your abilities and knowledge, you can begin pursuing advancement. Some of the titles you may want to consider moving on to include:

• Talent acquisition manager: You'll oversee the entire recruitment process, from workforce planning and employer branding to candidate sourcing and selection. You'll work closely with hiring managers across departments, manage a team of recruiters, and leverage data analytics to optimize hiring strategies.

• HR director: You'll oversee the entire HR department, develop long-term HR strategies aligned with company goals, and work closely with executive leadership to shape organizational culture and policies.

• VP of organizational development: You'll focus on improving organizational effectiveness and employee performance. In this role, you'll also work to align people strategies with business objectives to enhance overall organizational performance.

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