6 Human Resource Management Skills That Will Make You Stand Out from the Pack

The human resource field is evolving. Your skills should, too.

Human resource (HR) management is an expanding field. Traditionally, HR professionals primarily manage the benefits and policies that affect an organization’s employees. Nowadays, they also focus on personnel strategy and how they can contribute to the overall business goals by making data-driven decisions.

If you’re in HR, here are a few skills to perfect for today’s workplace.

Business management skills

HR professionals play an important role in business. From your involvement in the recruitment process to building healthy organizational culture, you need to understand exactly what goes on in your organization outside of the HR department.

“Nowadays, HR professionals should have broader business knowledge. They must understand things such as finance and how that works within their organization. HR is more of a strategic partner rather than a supporting one,” said Bora Kwon, assistant professor of management at Sacred Heart University.

If you are particularly interested in obtaining business management skills for a career in HR, universities like Sacred Heart offer opportunities to expand your human resource expertise. Through the MBA program, you can concentrate your studies in strategic human resource management.

Understanding stakeholders

As the role of HR is expanding, professionals are increasingly engaging with more stakeholders outside the organization, such as customers, other individuals in the community or government officials. You may work with these people directly or indirectly as an HR professional. You may need to attend meetings or help your organization’s public relations team write a public or media statement, which means you need to understand the stakeholders’ roles in your organization.

“At Sacred Heart, we cover all kinds of topics of HR functionality including stakeholder relationships,” said Kwon. “With this knowledge, our students have a better understanding of HR’s role to help the organization to interact with people and community inside and outside the organization.”

Analytical skills

For HR professionals to do their jobs successfully, they must understand how their role contributes to the organization as a whole. It is their responsibility to work with everyone in the organization and to understand how their role contributes to the role of each individual.

Analytical skills provide professionals with the ability to process information and develop rational and creative solutions. With these skills, HR leaders can contribute to the higher-level decision-making processes of their organization.

Decision-making skills

There are numerous instances where you will need to demonstrate decision-making skills as an HR professional. For example, during the recruitment and selection process, you play a significant role in deciding who to hire. Identifying the ideal fit for a position demands thorough assessment, strategic planning and experience.

Decision-making skills become crucial during challenging times, such as when your organization needs to downsize. In this situation, you have the responsibility to communicate effectively and efficiently to those in the organization who are affected. It is critical to have a carefully crafted message explaining the decision. This includes providing a well-reasoned rationale for the decision.

Interpersonal skills

The HR profession centers around interacting with people and understanding human behavior. This necessitates effective communication, active listening and problem-solving. Interpersonal skills like these will help you manage a team of employees and ultimately lead to success in the HR field.

“Both analytical and interpersonal skills are crucial for understanding various situations. Factors influencing employees’ attitudes and behaviors can vary, making it essential for HR professionals to grasp this complexity,” said Seung Whan Ryu, assistant professor of management at SHU.

Coaching skills

Employees look to HR professionals as leaders and advocates, guiding the company to success and championing employee interests. As an HR professional, you guide employees and help them identify and leverage their strengths, overcome challenges and achieve their career goals. This guidance is instrumental in empowering employees to contribute effectively to the organization’s success, while also facilitating their personal and professional growth. Through these efforts, HR professionals help employees unlock their maximum potential.

What sets Sacred Heart’s MBA program apart?

The University recognizes that the work of a human resources professional is expanding and has provided a way to gain the skills needed for future growth in this field. Earning an MBA, with a concentration in strategic human resource management, from Sacred Heart will give you the expertise you need to advance your career and foster healthy, people-centered work environments.

Sacred Heart also has a chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management to provide graduate students with professional development and networking opportunities as they prepare for future careers. The chapter organizes various activities, such as company tours, student conferences, resume-writing workshops, interviewing workshops, fundraisers, internship programs and social events. These activities allow students to learn more about human resource management while building relationships with local professionals and other students.

Are you interested in studying human resource management at Sacred Heart University?

Learn more about SHU's MBA program, as well as its concentration in strategic human resource management by scheduling a meeting with Ed Nassr, reaching out to nassre@sacredheart.edu or calling 203-396-6877.