Insights From The Event: Careers in Human Resources

The Job Forum focus on Careers in Human Resources (HR), provided insights

The volunteers discussed methods to help in effective job search for job seekers and professionals in the field.

Here is who among The Job Forum volunteers was advising job hunters at this session:

Jeff Fanselow, Learning and Org Development consultant,

Jennifer Kopatz Olson, Autodesk’s Sr Recruiter,

Maria Sespene, VP of HR at Pier 39,

Catherine Tapia, Talent Acquisition Manager at Redwood Credit Union,

Maryann Hrishak, Sr immigration specialist Global Immigration and Mobility,

Teresa Gilman, at Paletter with a new AI tool for HR leaders,

Here are some key points about careers in HR:

In-demand skills for HR professionals include:

• Versatility and the ability to handle multiple roles as HR consultants or generalists including compensation, benefits, engagement, and more
• Business skills, understanding how the business works,
• Acumen, adaptability, ease with technology
• People skills and emotional intelligence
• Expertise in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
• A growth mindset and ability to adapt to new technologies
• Learning and development capabilities

The impact of AI on HR is in full force already:

• AI is seen as a tool to enhance productivity and efficiency, at this point, and not seen as a replacement of HR professionals entirely
• It can assist with administrative tasks, resume reviewing, and basic employee inquiries
• Human judgment remains crucial for complex issues, workplace conflicts, union negotiations, and cultural initiatives

Future trends in HR involve tecnology:

• The volunteers of The Job Forum expect increased use of data analytics and AI-driven workforce planning
• Personalized and automated learning experiences, including gamification and virtual reality
• Focus on upskilling and the desire for continuous learning for employees

 Advise for those looking to transition into HR:

• Consider HR-adjacent roles like operations management to gain relevant experience
• Network extensively and seek mentorship opportunities
• Attend industry events and join professional associations like SHRM (BAHREC) and ATD
• Volunteer at HR conferences to gain exposure and make connections
• Pivoting in to HR from another field or role, is not going to be easy since there are so many out of work HR people already skilled and experienced and looking for their next job.

Useful certifications and courses to upskill are helpful:

• People Analytics Certificate Program at Wharton (online available)
• HR data analytics and predictive analytics courses
• Learn tools like Tableau and Python for HR analytics

The Job Forum offers various events related to HR careers, including panel discussions with industry experts and networking opportunities.  Job Forum events provide valuable insights into the evolving field of HR and will help job seekers connect with professionals in the industry at Job Forum Wed sessions or via Job forum 1to 1 coaching,