What is Human Resource Management?
Human resource management, or HRM, is defined as the process of managing the employees of an organisation.
Human Resource Management focuses on principles, methods, and technologies that are used to improve the productivity of an organisation.
What 3rd level courses are available?
Universities and colleges in Ireland are offering courses in Human Resource Management in the following subject areas:
- Human Resources Management – This programme is suitable for those who wish to gain knowledge, skills and competence in human resource management principles.
- Human Resources – This course will create diverse employment opportunities for graduates interested in directly entering the workplace.
- Certificate in Personnel Management and Human Resources – This course covers key HR legislation, communication skills, factors that influence workplace conditions and culture, basic supervising cultures, recruitment and induction processes, planning and conducting staff training and much more.
- Human Resources Project Management Diploma – The course project is aimed at providing you with the confidence and ability to take on and create human resources project management strategies for any organisation.
- Human Resources Course – Learn the skills and knowledge you need to become a successful human resources manager.
Studying Human Resource Management
There are many courses in Human Resource Management that may take place over a few days, weeks or even 1 year to 4 years depending on the course and modules selected. There are also part-time courses and night courses available so you can be sure to fit in your studies no matter what your schedule is like.
Courses will cover theory work through lectures, assignments, tutorials and taught modules. Assessments will take place on a continuous basis with written examinations and practical assignments combined in order to achieve a qualification.
You could also consider work experience or a work shadow in the industry. You can improve your chances of working in human resources (HR) by gaining work experience involving dealing with people in organisations. Take on positions of responsibility in order to develop your interpersonal skills. You should also look for opportunities to manage other people in a paid or voluntary work environment. Relevant work experience is a good way of demonstrating a genuine interest in the field and is regarded favourably by employers.
Work Experience will not only give you the opportunity to obtain a deeper knowledge and understanding of the industry, but it will also give you a chance to do some essential networking with other industry professionals and gain valuable contacts for the future.
Career options
After completing a Human Resource Management course you will be able to get started in a career that uses specific knowledge of the effective use of staff in an organisation.
As an HR officer, your aim is to ensure that the organisation you work for employs the right balance of staff in terms of skills and experience and that training and development opportunities are available to colleagues to enhance their performance and achieve the company’s business aims.
HR officers are involved in a range of activities whatever the size or type of business. These cover areas such as conditions of employment, equality and diversity, negotiation with external work-related agencies, pay and rewards, recruitment and retention and working practices. It’s possible to work in either a generalist role, covering the full range of HR work, or to become a specialist in a particular area.
Working hours will depend on whether you are self-employed, employed by a company with set business hours or if you are contracted to various businesses or companies. You will generally work a standard 37-hour week, Monday to Friday, but hours could sometimes include shift or weekend work. There may also be a requirement to work extra hours to meet deadlines.
Related jobs include:
- Human resources officer
- Office manager
- Occupational psychologist
- Training and development officer
- Arbitrator
- Business adviser
- Careers adviser
- Civil Service Fast Streamer
- Equality, diversity and inclusion officer
- Health service manager
- Life coach
- Management consultant
- Mediator
- Operational researcher
- Recruitment consultant
- Sales executive
- Talent agent
- Trade union research officer
Further study
After completing a course in Human Resource Management you may choose to pursue further study in a specialist field to increase your knowledge base and skill set. Postgraduate study can also be used as a means to change career focus or to gain professional qualifications required to practise in certain career areas such as diversity and inclusion, employee engagement, employee relations. employment law, training and development, organisation development, recruitment and talent planning.
FAQ
What skills could be helpful for a career in Human Resource Management?
Depending on your role and the size of the company for which you work, your tasks might focus just on one area or multiple ones. The following are some of the most common tasks for HR departments:
- Address concerns expressed by the employees
- Hire top talent & oversee the departure of current jobholders
- Create career development programmes
- Evaluate individual and overall work performance
- Implement reward systems
- Solve conflicts and other issues (e.g. sexual harassment, bullying)
- Provide guidance and help employees identify their strengths and weaknesses
- Design and evaluate strategies to increase the retention of personnel
- Create a positive and enjoyable work environment
- Build and maintain the company’s culture
- Create and implement programmes that reflect the core values of the organisation
To fulfil these tasks there are some important qualities you should have or work on that would be helpful in becoming an HR professional:
- Problem-solving way of thinking – skills such as analysing, evaluation and creating new ideas or alternatives.
- Collaborating with various people – Language skills and adaptability, as well as having the ability to be collaborative in a multicultural environment.
- Social intelligence – HR people understand what different target groups want and what motivates them to take action.
- Insight into new media – Think videos, blogs, podcasts and infographics instead of static PowerPoint presentations.
Where can I study Human Resource Management?
Explore your options here
Did You Know?
- The word “boss” comes from the Dutch word “baas”, the standard title for the captain of a ship.
- The United States is the only advanced economy in the world without government-mandated paid vacation time for employees.
- A study has shown that 76% of job applications are discarded due to having an “unprofessional-looking” email address.
- On the 3rd March 2021, the UK’s Office for National Statistics released data showing that sickness absence was resting at just 1.8%. This is the lowest it has been since 1995.
- According to Deloitte Australia, inclusive teams outperform their peers by 80%. This means that diversity is worth more than just satisfying a quota – it delivers better results, too.
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