Human Resource Management Degrees Tips

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What is a degree in human resources management?

Bachelor's Degree in Human Resource Management

The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources Management prepares students for supervisory positions in human resource departments. Studies focus on such topics as building effective work teams, compensation and benefits, legal issues that face human resource managers, employee training and development, and labor relations. This program will prepare the student for careers such as Compensation Manager, Director of Human Resources, and Professional Recruiter. Additionally, students can earn professional resume-building certificates along the way toward earning their degree. These certificates will show future employers a level of expertise above and beyond the bachelor's degree.

   

Professionalism In The Virtual World

Is it time to update your resume? Have you considered creating personal business cards as a means of expanding your network of professional associates? Picture this: You're a corporate recruiter for a top accounting firm in the United States and you're perched behind the booth at a top university, scouting for new talent. A couple of soon-to-be grads make their way to the booth, both of them with resumes in hand. They smile, ask a few pertinent questions, chat up their skills and abilities, and hand you their personal cards/resumes. You add them to your pile, and continue on with the rest of the day.

Later on, after the doors have closed and the last of the refreshments have been eaten, you take a look at the resumes. For the most part, they look great. Skills are top-notch. Grades are stellar. Information is professionally presented. Or is it? You take a closer look at the first email address: beerdrinkingfool. The next resume isn't much better with a contact email listed as: Ilikecheese.

If that's how you want your friends and family to contact you, that's fine. Professionals should come across as professionals, so make sure to update your contact information to something appropriate. Simply using your name, designation, or diploma choice as an email account name would be considered acceptable. Unless you want your resume to wind up in the shredder, make sure you come across as a serious professional applicant.

   

The Not-So-Different Leap From University To Work

There are people who absolutely thrive in university or college classes. They've got a rhythm going and understand where to focus their strengths, and when to let go of their weaknesses. Some students have complete confidence in the classroom setting, aren't afraid of being tested, writing papers, and studying. Then graduation comes and the student is suddenly no longer a student. All of a sudden, it's time to look for work and all of their natural confidence blows to the curb.

What happened? While surrounded by the walls of academia, you're constantly reminded of your scholarly experiences. Your skills are on paper, in ink, with grades to validate your worth. Out on the streets, employers just want to know what you can do, how well you can do it, and how you can prove it. For some graduates, that's a scary prospect. Preparing yourself for the job market is an important skill to develop long before you graduate. Here are a few tips to make the transition from the classroom jungle to the employment zoo a little easier:

  • Keep a list of your valued skills at the top of your resume and read it often.
  • Remember to match your skills with an employer's expectations.
  • Buy new clothes. It's time to ditch the denim and opt for professional attire. Your new look will give you instant confidence while reminding you that you're no longer a student.
Remember that competition is inevitable. Not getting an interview isn't necessarily indicative of your skills. Don't give up!

   

Handling A Big Deal Business Degree

There's nothing more exciting than getting the “you got the job” phone call. You've spent years studying, honing your skills, networking, building a skills base, pounding the pavement, and networking like crazy. Now, you've finally got the job you've been looking for. As a young graduate, it's sometimes hard to remember that you're the new kid on the proverbial block. Businesses don't always operate according to the text-book, and the workplace culture in real-life is often quite a bit different than scholarly theory predicts.

As a new employee, the last thing you want to do is alienate new colleagues and co-workers with sudden and unexpected ideas for change. There'll be lots of time for that after you've proven yourself in the workplace. It's important to respect and appreciate the years of experience your new colleagues have. Some will have more education than you, and some will have less.

Take the time to absorb the details and challenges of your new position before becoming critical. Be positive. Keep busy and mind your own business. Don't hit the ground running while asking for more benefits and a raise in the same breath. You've got to earn your dues, just like everyone else. With the right pace and strategy, your colleagues will soon trust you with your opinions, considerations, and advice.

   

Choosing The Appropriate Work Environment

Now that you have your business degree or diploma, have you considered where you'd like to work. It's one thing to narrow down a specific industry or sector, and another thing to drill down even further into specific niche areas. But there are so many other things to consider when looking for an appropriate work environment.

If you're the kind of person who thrives on adrenaline-pumping deadlines and decibel shattering commotion, you probably wouldn't be happy working in a library. On the other hand, you may be the kind of person who can sit in solitude for hours, strategizing, analyzing, or working on a database of information.

It's important to understand the workplace atmosphere and culture that's going to fit your needs and personality. Some people work best in solitude while others thrive as leaders in large group settings. There are always going to be challenging workplace situations that you're not comfortable with. That's just part of being a professional adult in the workforce. How you work on a regular, day-to-day basis, is going to have significant impact on your physical and mental health.

Not feeling well suited to your job could culminate in extended stress/sick leave, depression, anxiety, and physical complaints directly related to stress including headaches, digestion problems, insomnia, weight loss, weight gain, etc.

Do yourself a favor, make sure that crisp new diploma takes you on the career path that works for you.

   

Temping Your Way To A Permanent Position

There are numerous and well-known temp agencies that can bridge the gap between university graduation and full-time employment. A temp agency can help pay the bills, and the student loans, while you're in the market for a life-long career. There are pros and cons to temp agencies, however, including the following:

PROS :

  • Expands your network of business professionals
  • Increases your skill base
  • Helps you determine which areas of industry you'd like to work in
  • Provides temporary income
CONS :

  • May not show off your top skills
  • You could become too wrapped up in temping to keep your eye on your future goals
  • May become discouraged by constant changes in work environment and culture
  • Lower salary
There's nothing wrong with working for a temp agency, provided you keep your eye on the ball. Specifically ask for positions that highlight your best skills. Always maintain professionalism in the workplace, no matter what job they've assigned you. Gradually build up a network of professionals and contacts who can help you land a career, not a short-term job.

As you continue to temp, make sure to update your resume accordingly, noting all of the new work experiences you've encountered. It all adds up!

   

Unemployed - But Not For Long

A noted medical journal recently noted that the risk of having a heart attack doubles with a sudden job loss in individuals over the age of 50. Finding yourself suddenly unemployed can bring about great negative changes both physically, physiologically, and mentally. It's important to consider the reasons behind the unemployment, while looking to the future.

Change is inevitable, and the only thing you can do is manage it poorly or manage it wisely. Think about your previous employment and ask yourself the following questions:

  • Was the job inspiring me?
  • Did I feel my best while at work?
  • Were all of my skills and talents put to good use?
  • Was I valued for my skills and talents?
Answering negatively to any of these questions could mean you were actively disengaged from your work. This period of unemployment could be the perfect catalyst to a new profession through continued education. To assess the best career direction, consider the services of a career counselor. Visit a university or college, or do some research on the Internet, taking into account the things that inspire you the most. Before you know it, you could be sporting a brand new degree or diploma, and an exciting new career to go with it.

   

A Certificate Or Certification - What You Really Need

There was a time when a high school diploma or equivalent was enough to get you a decent job. Oftentimes, it got you into a great entry-level position where you grew with the company, tumbling into promotions, and working your way up the ladder. These days, a high school education should really be your launch into further education. An entry-level job with just a high school education these days is most likely to end up as a dead-end job.

The question is, do you really need a business degree or diploma? Do you really need to spend the next five to ten years in university, plummeting further into debt, to realize a goal that only meets someone else's expectations?

There's nothing wrong with considering a community college; in fact, there are great career choices to be made with a community college education. Whether you're interested in the high-tech computer industry, the hospitality industry, or a career in the health care industry as a Continuing Care Assistant or Licensed Practical Nurse, a community college diploma can take you a long way.

Without a lot of work experience, starting out with a community college diploma is a great way to become established in your chosen profession. As you build on your work experience, you may decide to continue your education at a later date. It all depends on where you want to go, and what you want to do with your career.

   
What skills does a person considering a career in human resource management require?

Obtaining a Human Resource Management Degree

Having a degree in human resources management opens the door to a variety of opportunities including management positions in large corporations or organizations. Individuals who successfully complete a masters program online can pretty much write their ticket to a lifelong career, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Careers in this particular industry are predicted to grow at an unusually fast rate straight through to 2014. The reason for this is due to growth and development in compensation packages, insurance policies, occupational health and safety policies and procedures, etc.

People who've completed a masters program online with a concentration in human resource management, find employment working with companies to oversee their compensation packages, manage employee files, participate in hiring procedures, and work directly with union relations, to list just a few of the myriad responsibilities.

Professionals in this field must be able to speak and write clearly, demonstrate problem-solving skills under pressure, and maintain absolute confidentiality, discretion, and tactfulness in dealing with employees. This is a job where two days probably aren't the same, where there is high interaction between employer and employees, and where stressful situations can arise suddenly. It takes a special set of skills, along with that masters program online, to be a successful human resource manager.

   
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