Careers Succeeding at Work The Basics of Working in Human Resources Share PINTEREST Email Print Succeeding at Work Human Resources Management Careers Job Search Resources Hiring Best Practices Glossary Employment Law Employee Motivation Employee Management Management & Leadership Employee Benefits By Susan M. Heathfield Susan M. Heathfield Susan Heathfield is an HR and management consultant with an MS degree. She has decades of experience writing about human resources. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on 07/19/21 Working in HR takes a special type of person who is comfortable solving problems, improving processes, measuring achievements, developing systems, dealing with an organization's culture and, most importantly, working with people. Whether you're thinking about a career in human resources or simply want to understand what HR employees do, here's everything you need to know. Human Resource Management Basics pixelfit / Getty Images Human resources (HR) is a huge career category with multiple job titles, functions, and responsibilities. Here's everything you need to know about HR jargon, practices, acronyms, and abbreviations. In addition, take an in-depth look at what people who work in human resource management really do and how HR departments are organized. What Does a Human Resource Manager, Generalist, or Director Do? pixelfit / Getty Images A human resources generalist, manager, or director plays a wide variety of roles in organizations. Depending on the size of the organization, these HR jobs may have overlapping responsibilities. In larger organizations, the HR generalist, manager, and director have clearly defined, separated roles in HR management. Sample Human Resource Management Job Descriptions Caiaimage/Paul Bradbury / Getty Images Are you interested in writing human resources job descriptions or just curious about what the employees in HR do? These sample HR job descriptions provide a comprehensive look at what HR staff members do in each of these roles. You may be interested to learn the diverse responsibilities that HR provides in organizations. Why Human Resources Leaders Need Degrees PeopleImages / Getty Images Human resources leaders need degrees. If you are considering a career in HR or trying to advance your current career, a bachelor's degree and even a master's degree will assist you in achieving your goals and dreams. What You Need To Know To Begin an HR Career shapecharge / Getty Images Many people are eager to start careers in human resources because it is a fast-growing field with many lucrative opportunities for people who work in the field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 10-year job outlook for HR jobs—specifically HR specialists and managers-is faster than average and the median annual income can range from $63,000 to over $120,000, respectively. You'll find information here about starting a career in HR and transitioning into HR from another career field. Find Jobs in Human Resources—Fast filadendron / Getty Images Finding jobs in human resources presents a special challenge. Too many HR job searchers apply for the too few available jobs. Employers' expectations of professionalism from people who apply for HR jobs are sky high—with reason. Whether you planned an HR career from the beginning or are transitioning into HR from another field, you can speed up your HR job search by following some best practices. Can You Immigrate for Jobs in HR? Ken Seet/Corbis/VCG / Getty Images Anyone who wants to remain permanently in the U.S. must obtain an immigrant visa regardless of the field in which they want to work—and human resources is no exception. Applicants must petition U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to request permission to apply for an immigrant visa. They're most readily available for individuals who are immediately related to a family member living in the U.S. Employer-sponsored immigrant visas are also available for foreigners who wish to become U.S. residents. Do you have additional questions about working in the field of HR? Find out the answers to frequently asked questions about HR.