Is HR a Good Career?

Human Resources (HR) is a crucial part of any organization, one which is always changing and evolving to help drive business success.

As a leading provider of professional CIPD HR qualifications, we can confidently say that HR professionals play a hugely important role in shaping company culture and achievements through a clever mix of skills and strategies.

From hiring and development to employee engagement and benefits, HR influences a company's performance in more ways than you can count.

If you're wondering if a career in HR is right for you, this article will explore the pros and cons that come with the territory. Whether you're just starting out or considering a switch, we’ll answer the question: is HR a good career?

Is HR a good career?

The short answer: Yes! If you’re looking for endless opportunities to expand your expertise, pick up new abilities, and work across lots of different branches, HR is the career for you.

Companies always have a high demand for HR professionals, making it an excellent choice for those looking to switch fields or advance in their current position.

What is HR?

HR is fundamental for business success because of its diversity, and it's all about managing a company's most valuable asset - its people.

Long gone are the days when HR was only responsible for handing out wage slips! As workplaces have evolved, so has HR, and today's HR professionals are strategic partners who build company culture, drive success, and keep employees engaged.

Understanding what HR is truly about will help you see why they're the real heroes when it comes to avoiding workplace dramas and creating thriving environments!

Career paths in HR

HR managers are the ones creating policies, mediating disputes, overseeing legal compliance, and supporting fairness in the workplace. They’re the backbone of workplace culture, making sure employees feel valued, supported, and motivated.

Some common HR roles include:

• Finding the right candidates for open jobs by matching their skills with the job requirements and assessing their fit with the workplace vibe.
• Assessing and guiding employees to help them grow and excel in their careers.
• Designing competitive salary packages and benefits to attract and retain top talent.
• Addressing workplace issues, managing conflicts, and fostering a positive environment.
• Making sure employees have the tools and knowledge they need to succeed and progress in their roles. If this sounds like your thing, you might be interested in exploring our professional Learning & Development qualifications!

What are the top HR career paths?

If HR sounds like the path for you, that’s great! The good news is that there are lots of different ways to specialise within HR, so your career could look completely different from someone else’s.

Here are some of the top career paths available within HR:

HR Generalist

If you’re keen to get involved in all aspects of HR, then a career as an HR Generalist might be for you. You’ll work across departments, from recruitment and retention to rewards and employee relations.

This is a fantastic choice for those who want to get as much broad experience as possible, or even work toward a management role.

Average salary: £40,000

Recruitment Specialist

As a Recruitment Specialist, your job is to attract, screen, and interview the very best candidates for any vacant positions within your organisation.

Essentially, you’re responsible for finding the right people for the job. As a Recruitment Specialist, you can progress onto more senior positions, like Talent Acquisition Manager, or even Head of Recruitment.

Average salary: £40,000

HR Data Analyst

If you’re interested in the data-focused side of HR, working as an HR Data Analyst could be the perfect career path for you. On a day-to-day basis, you’ll collect, analyse, and interpret HR data to provide valuable insights about company and employee performance.

Data Analysts are vital for supporting data-driven decision making, whether it’s at employee, department, or board level.

Average salary: £35,000

Learning & Development (L&D) Specialist

A crucial part of any successful business is the ongoing professional development of its employees.

Learning & Development specialists excel in identifying skill gaps, anticipating the future skill demands of a business, and designing dynamic learning & development opportunities to upskill their teams to match the needs of the organisation.

Anyone aspiring to this role needs to be well-equipped with skills and expertise of their own – and our Learning & Development CIPD certifications are the perfect solution. Our modules are designed to set you up with everything you’ll need to become a first-rate Learning & Development pro!

Average salary: £40,000

Essential HR skills

As we’ve mentioned, HR is all about people, so HR professionals need a blend of transferable skills to connect with employees and drive business success.

Which skills should every HR expert have?

Communication – Being able to talk clearly and really listen are essential skills for anyone. However, as HR managers often act as intermediaries for Executive Boards and staff, it's especially important for them to communicate effectively to keep everyone on track.

Empathy - It's normal for employees to turn to HR when they need help; understanding others' thoughts and emotions builds trust and creates a secure environment for everyone.

Problem-solving - HR professionals need to be quick thinkers who can find solutions to problems as they come up, whether it's resolving conflicts or uplifting the workplace culture.

Organisation - A significant part of the job involves managing records and data. Since HR professionals often deal with sensitive data, organisation is a crucial ability to have in their roster. 

Strategic thinking - A HR department needs to work in line with the goals of the business, which can involve keeping an eye on industry trends and adapting accordingly. It's not just about filling jobs and preventing arguments; it's about staying ahead by predicting future needs and preparing for them in advance.

Common challenges in HR

While having the right skills is important, navigating HR challenges can sometimes feel like a maze! HR professionals face many hurdles, including:

Dealing with change management

Companies often go through policy or structural changes, and it's HR's job to help employees adapt. Resistance to change can cause stress, so being able to handle it smoothly is crucial.

Keeping up with technology

With new software tools always emerging, HR departments need to stay in the loop. The right technology can help streamline processes, but using too many can complicate things and make productivity worse.

According to Asana, employees lose 1.5 days per week navigating wokplace tools - so being able to choose the right ones is so important!

Maintaining employee engagement

Employee engagement is crucial for companies, especially with the rise of remote and hybrid work models. Some teams don’t see each other often, making it harder to create a sense of camaraderie - because of this, HR pros need to think creatively to keep people connected despite the distance.

Overcome HR challenges with MOL

At MOL, our CIPD Human Resources courses are designed to help HR professionals overcome challenges like these (and more!). Our certifications provide all the skills and knowledge you’ll need to expertly navigate any ups and downs that come your way.

The future of HR

The HR field is bound to keep changing – but don’t panic! We're on-hand to guide you through advancements in new tech, trends, and shifting workforce demands.

At MOL, our professional HR qualifications cover areas like talent management, keeping employees engaged, and organisational structure - preparing you to thrive in a dynamic role, no matter what it ends up looking like.

HR is a rewarding path which demands a unique mix of digital ability, business knowledge, and people skills – so you’ll never have a boring day. If this sounds like you - and you’re ready to make the change - explore MOL’s CIPD Level 3, Level 5, and Level 7 HR qualifications, and get enrolled with MOL today!