What Are Top HR Skills And Qualifications?

HR skills can be divided into two main categories: Hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills consist of technical abilities that can be measured and quantified, whereas soft skills focus on social abilities and how one connects to others. Let's dive in.

Hard Skills Required to Work in HR

Businesses' approach to HR has changed drastically throughout the years, and out of all HR skills, hard skills are now in demand more than ever. An HR who has acquired these hard skills is already on the next level to the rest of the competition, and these skills will help businesses adapt to changing market conditions and remain competitive. There are four primary hard skills sought in HR generalists: finance, business management, technology, and legal knowledge. However, remember that these required skills can vary from business to business, and it depends heavily on the size and stage of the company. 

Business Management

One of the main hard skills HR professionals must have is business management. Business management is the organization and supervising activities of a department or all departments within a business. With this, HR professionals oversee activities and help employees increase their productivity. They supervise activities, manage work, and work on operational objectives. 

Finance Skills

Another key HR skill in each organization is the ability to manage finances. By gaining skills in different areas of finance, such as budgeting, planning, and forecasting, HR generalists become more insightful of the business's current situation and come up with strategic plans for the long run to keep the organization competitive in the industry. HR professionals must possess this skill to manage payroll, employee benefits, and other activities.

Legal knowledge

Employment laws and company regulations change regularly, no doubt. It's crucial to stay updated and in coordination with the law. A vital HR qualification is their knowledge of the state's regulations and changes in laws. HR professionals ensure the company complies with the federal laws and implements regulations within the workspace. The regulations handled by HR relate to employee compensation, safety and health, discrimination and harassment, and labor rights.

Digital Skills

HR professionals have many softwares and programs in their hands, and more are added to the list daily. Learning and utilizing these softwares can make HRs handle tasks seamlessly and more productively and provide new opportunities and areas for the general growth of the business. As John Munn, the Managing Director of Global Digital Week, puts it, 

"The world of HR is moving extremely fast with new technological innovations entering the industry daily. It is difficult to keep on top of all the new developments, as well as separate the genuinely useful tools from the time-vacuums. A high level of curiosity will keep you abreast of the latest developments as well as make sure you ask the right questions to the right people - both critical to stay ahead of the competition."

Soft Skills Required to Work in HR

In addition to the hard skills required to work in HR, soft skills are equally important - if not more. Some critical HR soft skills include communication, leadership, teamwork, strategic thinking, and decision-making.

Communication Skills

Communication is the most important qualification for HR professionals. Communication skills are of utmost importance amongst all other skills, both hard and soft ones. Effective communication increases productivity and prevents misunderstandings amongst team members. Whenever a conflict occurs in the organization, HR steps in to understand it, resolve it, and create a positive environment throughout the workspace. There are many aspects of communication skills covered by HR professionals, some of which are:

• Active listening
• Storytelling
• Clear writing
• Conflict management
• Trustworthiness
• Giving credit
• Ethics

Leadership and Management

The HR department links the employer with the employees; therefore, leadership skills are one of the crucial HR skills. HR professionals use their leadership skills to guide employees, increase productivity, and help them become leaders themselves. HR leads the organization to its goals in the most efficient and productive way possible.

Strategic Thinking

Strategic thinking allows companies to improve processes, increase efficiency, and move smarter within their industry. HR generalists know the strategic needs of the business at all of its growth stages. They possess deep knowledge of how the company can remain competitive through investing in its employees. 

Decision-Making

HR professionals need to make many decisions on a daily basis. It requires HRs to think objectively, weigh different options and use strategic thinking to make the best decisions. It is especially seen in the recruitment process, where HR needs to recognize the best talent and decide if a candidate is a good fit for the company's needs. According to Max Wegman, HR Manager at Sellics, decision-making is the most crucial tool HR professionals need to possess.

"Focusing on decision-making skills can be a huge benefit to those who are interested in or studying HR. Human resources is a field with a huge focus on soft skills, and the ability to make tough decisions will take you far."