Jobs in human resources need to evolve as quickly as the industry itself. With changes to federal rules and regulations, not to mention health care and legal documents, those in the HR profession know it's vital to stay current on all things involving human resource.

The same can be said in locating careers in human resources. There are many more portals to locate current information than in previous generations; sometimes it may seem overwhelming to digest all the snippets available. Before you dig through any online information regarding human resources jobs news and trends, consider the following:

1. Participate in HR job boards online through blogs.

2. Subscribe to HR employment publications or peruse the information online.

3. Follow careers in human resources by reading through websites.

Action Steps for Finding the Best Candidates for Human Resources Jobs
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Locate online sites to discuss careers in human resources

Seize any opportunity you can to chat with other HR professionals. This can be a big step to further your career in the human resource field. Oftentimes, these sites provide a perfect opportunity to help with your human resources job search.

I recommend: Check out the KnowHR Blog that boasts it cuts the HR jargon and that communication is at the heart of anything human resource-related. You can subscribe to its RSS feed and receive emails whenever the site is updated. If you're searching for small business HR news, look to EffortlessHR. As with the previous blog, you can sign up for the RSS feed to stay informed.

Obtain subscriptions to publications that feature jobs in human resources

If you rely on agencies to help you find a career in the HR industry, then take it into your own hands and educate yourself. Subscribe to HR publications and read through the human resource job listings, as this can help you stay current with any trends or changes that affect the market.

I recommend: The Society for Human Resource Management publishes a monthly magazine called HR Magazine. On its site you can search through previous issues or discuss hot article topics with other HR enthusiasts. For senior HR executives, consider subscribing to Human Resource Executive. On the website, you can read through some advice given by columnists or dive into the special reports about HR.

Read about HR positions on websites

If you want to further your career in the HR field or if you're searching to fill jobs, then pay attention to any HR changes on websites. Check out HR staffing agencies as well as human resource job listings.

I recommend: Stay in touch with trends and changes as well as career guides and job postings at The Riley Guide. Through HR-Guide.com, you have access to numerous career guides and articles as well as job analysis and software information. For staffing agencies, consider HR Personnel Services. Whether you're working with other human resources recruiters to locate an ideal candidate or looking for job search tips, you can find help on its site.

Tips & Tactics for Filling Your Human Resource Jobs

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Check out social networking sites such as MySpace or Facebook to locate others interested in jobs in HR. You can stay current with any changes in the industry that you may not be aware of or network with potential employers.

It wasn’t too long ago that human resources jobs were viewed as having a more passive influence in organizations—a necessary cost center for hiring, firing, and employee advocacy. In an increasingly global economy where competitive pressures have raised the bar for solid recruitment, benefits management and compliance initiatives, careers in human resources have been elevated to the top management level.

Human resource jobs span many functions, and professionals who have sought out careers in human resources may have very specialized backgrounds—sometimes specific to one area. Top level managers equipped to manage the entire function of the human resources job will need to have solid backgrounds in recruitment, compensation, evaluation and management, compliance, employee relations, and finance to effectively address the needs of small and large enterprise alike.

As pressures are expected to continue to mount over labor and talent shortages, the role of the human resources job will become vitally important to organizational stability, and businesses need to know how to recruit top level talent to fill these positions. Inside this guide, you’ll learn:

1. How to find qualified professionals seeking jobs in human resources and what tools are available for those seeking information on HR careers.
2. Best practices for negotiating salary and benefits with savvy professionals who have long-term careers in human resources.
3. The basics of how to check credentials of applicants applying for human resources jobs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Locate top talent for HR Jobs

Recruiting strategies for filling jobs in human resources may include database research, Internet sourcing, executive search firms and the utilization of a national network of professional organizations. Organizations should consider some form of electronic recruitment to effectively reach a large audience of qualified candidates in HR careers.

I recommend: Talent management solutions offer an effective way to integrate the reach of online career sites into a company's recruitment strategy for HR jobs. Taleo and Authoria are leading providers of solutions in this arena for small and large businesses alike. HR.com and the Society for Human Resource Management both offer career centers for linking qualified professionals to careers in human resources. Other resources for recruiting can be found at the Business.com directory on employment agencies.

Effectively negotiating to fill and retain professionals in HR jobs

While salary plays a major role in securing the best candidates for human resource jobs, companies should consider other tactics including signing bonuses, relocation assistance, and benefits options for HR careers. Bringing in experts and consultants can help bring a fresh approach and new ideas for negotiating to fill jobs in human resources.

I recommend: Culpepper and Associates conducts worldwide salary surveys and provides benchmark data for compensation and employee benefits programs. The organization also provides resources on negotiating for management level talent through its monthly e-bulletin, delivering best practice insights that can aid companies in recruiting top talent for human resource jobs. Salary.com also provides on-demand compensation data, software and services, offering the expertise of a team of certified compensation professionals that can help companies fill management and executive level human resources jobs. Companies will also want to take advantage of the information provided at Business.com’s directory on salary tools.

Accurately checking the credentials of professionals applying for human resources jobs

While specialized credentials are available through professional organizations for such functions as compensation or benefits management, most professionals seeking long-term careers in human resources obtain certification as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) or Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM). Companies seeking to fill HR jobs may want to screen candidates for credentials as well as conduct some form of background check.

I recommend: Checking the credentials of applicants for jobs in human resources can easily be done through professional organizations such as the Human Resource Certification Institute. Requests should be faxed to 703-535-6474. For background screenings, US Search and Premier InfoSource are two of many reputable companies. Further information can be found at the Business.com directory on employment screening.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  In a tight labor market, companies need to be proactive with recruiting strategies for HR jobs, employing non-traditional mediums of recruitment that include some form of electronic talent search.
• •  Companies trying to recruit top talent for human resource jobs without the budgets for large salary requirements need to be creative when negotiating potential contracts.
• •  Take advantage of background screenings and reference checks available through many reputable providers to ensure that the most qualified candidates are chosen.

Careers in human resources are plentiful, if you look in the right direction. As most companies require at least one employee in the HR department, securing the best training and education can put you one step ahead of the competition.

There are a number of facilities where you can obtain further education regarding jobs in human resources. From online courses to professional organizations, try to advance your career while garnering more experience. Before you dig through all the information about getting training for human resources jobs, consider the following:

1. Get a degree geared toward human resources recruiters from an online college or university.

2. Obtain certification through professional organizations to help secure jobs in human resources.

3. Secure certificates to advance your career through HR positions.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get a degree from an online school catering to those who want to be HR recruiters

A number of online universities and colleges offer degrees in human resources. Most businesses require at least a bachelor's degree, but consider furthering your education by getting a master's in a specialized aspect of HR. Additional education can help you advance in your human resource career.

I recommend: Look to Columbia Southern University and its online course to obtain a degree in human resource management. Penn State offers an online program to help you receive a master's of professional studies in human resources and employment relations.

Pursue memberships through accredited human resources recruiter organizations

Keep current with the HR industry by garnering memberships through professional organizations. Some of these membership benefits include searching through HR job boards and networking with other professionals. Attend seminars sponsored by the association, which can be a wealth of knowledge and potential HR employment possibilities.

I recommend: The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is the world's largest professional organization for HR management. With more than 575 chapters worldwide, you can network with many other SHRM members throughout its site. The National Human Resources Association organizes meetings and events for other members to attend. As a member, you have access to its resource center, which includes links to tools for HR members and HR job boards.

Secure certification for advancement in human resources employment

Certification is a prestigious honor to share among other HR professionals. Although it's voluntary, it's preferred by most companies to have certification as well as membership to professional organizations. Check with your department head: certain companies reimburse for study guide and certification fees.

I recommend: The Human Resources Certification Institute offers four different certifications: professional, senior professional, global professional and professional or senior with a focus of California laws. It works with SHRM as its crediting agent. HRcertification.com provides online training to become familiar with such programs as COBRA, HIPPA, FMLA and OSHA.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Certain people begin their careers in human resources through internships. Obtaining one of these is a tremendous training tool--you can learn through firsthand experience.

Human Resources is a dynamic, diversified field. Some entry level HR positions require the ability to read payroll data while others depend on the ability to perform a variety of clerical functions. Senior level HR staff, from managers to vice presidents, are known for their expertise in managing employee relations and formulating company HR policy. Here are some key concepts and terms that provide insight into these various Human Resources positions:

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Hiring manager

A hiring manager can work alone or as part of a selection committee to recruit qualified employees.

I recommend: About.com identifies the roles and responsibilities of a hiring manager that works alongside a selection committee. Find out what guidelines a hiring manager can be expected to base his decisions on and how much exposure he has to job applicants.

Human resources assistant

The human resources assistant in any company provides clerical support to the entire HR staff.

I recommend: Visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics website to find out what specific job duties a Human Resources Assistant must perform, how to prepare for this role, the salary range and whether the job prepares an individual to fill higher positions.

Compensation and benefits managers

Compensation and benefits managers are familiar with the company's total rewards. They enroll new hires in the benefits programs and keep employees informed of compensation matters.

I recommend: To get a real sense for the job duties of a compensation and benefits manager, check out Degrees Info. It also explains the kind of prior training necessary for the position, expected salaries and job growth.

Payroll clerk

Payroll clerks work in HR departments chiefly to access and manage payroll data.

I recommend: To find out the specific duties of payroll clerks, see Career Planner's description of the record review, data entry, data transfer and report generating functions that payroll clerks perform.

Payroll specialist

Payroll specialists keep track of payroll data, prepare reports for the accounting department and also assist payroll clerks.

I recommend: The job description for a payroll specialist at PayMaster explains the distinguishing characteristics of this position as opposed to other payroll functions in an HR department. You'll also get a sense for the knowledge and skills expected of payroll specialists and the minimum qualifications necessary to succeed in this role.

VP, Human Resources

The VP, Human Resources position is at the senior level of management. These HR professionals stand out for their excellent leadership skills.

I recommend: Consider the long list of primary responsibilities of a VP, Human Resources at HR Village. You'll also learn about the specialized experience these positions require in the fields of strategic planning, change management, contract negotiating and employment law.