Hiring to Fill Human Resources Jobs

In an increasingly tight job market, companies need solid recruiting strategies
By Selena Chavis, Owner SC Communications, LLC 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.

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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.

• 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.