What is a qualified Human Resources Professional?

by Jacquelyn Thorp, MSHR, SPHR, PHRca

Unless you are a qualified HR professional, you probably don’t know the answer to the question, "What does HR do?"

There are a number of periodicals that have dissed Human Resources such as Fast Company. Clearly, they have no idea the positive impact that a qualified HR professional can have on an organization. 

There are some organizations that don’t think they need an HR professional. There are others who put someone in the job who is not qualified as a transactional paper pusher and call them HR. Those organizations are just hurting themselves and wasting their dollars.

Key Qualifications of a Successful HR Professional

A qualified Human Resources (HR) professional typically possesses a combination of education, experience, and certifications that demonstrate their expertise in managing an organization's human capital. Here are the key qualifications and attributes of a qualified HR professional, structured around the six core functional areas:

1. Business Management/Leadership and Strategy

• Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree: Typically, in human resources, business administration, management, psychology, or a related field.

• Master’s Degree: Optional but beneficial, particularly a Master's in Business Administration (MBA) with a focus on HR, or a Master's in Human Resources Management (MHRM).

• Certifications:

• Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) from the HR Certification Institute (HRCI).

• Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) or Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).

• Experience:

• Experience in strategic planning, aligning HR practices with business objectives, and leading HR initiatives.

2. Talent Planning and Acquisition

• Education:

• Courses or degrees in talent management, recruitment, or related fields.

• Certifications:

• Talent Acquisition Specialty Credential (TASC) or similar.

• Experience:

• Practical experience in recruitment, workforce planning, and onboarding processes.

• Skills:

• Proficiency in applicant tracking systems (ATS) and recruitment marketing platforms.

3. Learning and Development

• Education:

• Degrees or certifications in training and development, organizational development, or adult education.

• Certifications:

• Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP) or similar.

• Experience:

• Experience in designing and implementing training programs, performance management systems, and career development initiatives.

• Skills:

• Ability to assess training needs and measure the effectiveness of training programs.

4. Total Rewards

• Education:

• Studies in compensation and benefits, finance, or business administration.

• Certifications:

• Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) or Certified Benefits Professional (CBP).

• Experience:

• Experience in managing compensation structures, employee benefits programs, and reward systems.

• Skills:

• Analytical skills to design competitive and fair compensation packages.

5. Employee and Labor Relations/Employee Engagement

• Education:

• Courses or degrees in labor relations, industrial relations, or conflict resolution.

• Certifications:

• Employee Relations Specialist (ERS) or similar.

• Experience:

• Experience in handling employee grievances, fostering employee engagement, and ensuring compliance with labor laws.

• Skills:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to mediate conflicts and promote a positive workplace culture.

6. Labor Law Compliance

• Education:

• Studies in employment law, labor relations, or related fields.

• Certifications:

• Employment Law Compliance Specialist (ELCS) or similar.

• Experience:

• Experience in ensuring organizational compliance with federal, state, and local labor laws.

• Skills:

• Thorough understanding of labor laws and regulations (e.g., FLSA, ADA, FMLA, EEOC guidelines).

• Ability to conduct internal audits and develop compliance policies.

General Skills and Personal Attributes

• Interpersonal Skills: Ability to interact effectively with employees at all levels.
• Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication abilities.
• Analytical Skills: Ability to analyze data and make informed decisions.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Competence in addressing and resolving workplace issues.
• Organizational Skills: Effective time management and ability to handle multiple tasks.
• Integrity: Maintaining confidentiality and ethical standards.
• Empathy: Understanding and addressing employee needs and concerns.
• Adaptability: Ability to handle change and thrive in a dynamic work environment.

A qualified HR professional leverages these qualifications and skills across these six functional areas to effectively manage and develop an organization's workforce, ensuring compliance with laws and regulations, and contributing to the overall success of the organization.

If you are not a qualified HR professional but would like to be, Train Me Today offers a variety of classes to prepare you to take certification classes, recertification classes, and Human Resources Professional classes.

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