Human Resources Organizations

Choose Human Resources professional organizations that fit your career path and focus Human Resources professional associations range from national groups to local chapters. The purpose is to promote ethical HR management practices, facilitate the development of the profession and establish industry standards.

I recommend:  Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is the world's largest professional Human Resources association devoted to management of human resources, with close to 600 affiliate chapters throughout the US. SHRM's website allows you to sign up for upcoming conferences and look at past conferences. National Human Resources Association (NHRA) supports HR professionals with programs and services around the country. The NHRA supports you from intern level to executive. Sign up for affiliate events online, such as a conference on maximizing the impact of employee development.

Pay an annual fee to join your peers in HR associations Human Resources professional organizations charge a range of fees to become a member. The criteria to join HR organizations is relatively loose--you can become a member at any stage in your career, such as partner, Vice President of HR, President, Personnel Assistant, Director of HR, Supervisor, HR Generalist, Specialist or Representative.

I recommend:  Join Cleveland Society for Human Resource Management (CSHRM) for a fee up to $200, depending on membership level. Northern California Human Resources Association's (NCHRA) goal is to advance the HR profession and build a strong community of members. NCHRA's annual membership fee activates a web account so members have access to all services. Receive a price break if you sign up for more than a year at a time. Sign up with Human Resources Association of New York (HRNY) and access a number of benefits for a minimal yearly fee.

Expect the benefits of HR professional organizations to be both professional and personal HR organizations offer you the chance to build a network with diverse HR professionals. You'll exchange thoughts, ideas, experiences and information as you grow as an HR professional. Tangible benefits include the ability to attend workshops, seminars and conferences.

I recommend:  Non-profit HR professional associations such as The Human Resource Planning Society (HRPS) represent a balanced membership of small firms, global HR consulting firms and prominent researchers. Join HRPS at the individual or enterprise level. Membership includes forums, workshops, conferences and teleconferences. The Northeast Human Resources Association (NEHRA) has 3,500 HR professional members. Membership benefits include meetings, conferences and publications. Select the workshops you're interested in on the membership form. Join Colorado Human Resource Association (CHRA) to access to monthly programs, the job center, leadership opportunities and professional development groups.