Why Work in HR? 14 Reasons To Pursue a Human Resources Career

Companies have more than a bottom line to worry about these days — positive company culture and employee satisfaction are determining factors in turnover and productivity rates. That’s where human resources (HR) professionals come in.

Human resources careers are essential to business success because they facilitate hiring, organize internal and external communication, and coordinate training, onboarding, offboarding, and record retention — it’s no wonder these roles are in demand in Canada!

So why work in HR? Read our guide to discover 14 reasons you should pursue a career in HR. 

Jumpstart your career with Robertson College’s Human Resource Coordinator Diploma program today. 

1. You Want To Work in a Growing Field

Human resources is a growing industry — in 2022, the market size increased by 1.4% and was worth almost $8 billion in revenue. Businesses always need employee support, especially for recruiting, onboarding, and offboarding purposes. 

Not only are there various HR job and career options almost always available, but many HR professionals also have the option of furthering their education, which opens up additional opportunities like Human Resources Coordinator roles and other HR-specific careers.

2. You Want To Work With People

HR professionals have no shortage of human interaction. If you love working on teams or in a collaborative environment, you may be a perfect fit for a career in human resources. Depending on the business or company, HR specialists have the opportunity to work with a wide range of people in many different positions. From CEOs to janitorial staff, you will be the bridge between departments, teams, and individuals.

3. You Seek Out Day-To-Day Variety

If you’re considering a human resources career, know that every single day will be different. The expectations and responsibilities of your role greatly depend on the goals and priorities of your organization and employees, which can shift quickly. If you’re looking for a career where one day you’ll lead a training session for new staff and the next you’re researching new laws or regulations, an HR career is tailor-made for you.

4. You Want To Foster Diverse and Equitable Workplaces

One of the most important but under-prioritized responsibilities of an HR professional is spearheading diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) initiatives. From bias identification during hiring to regular instruction led by trained and diverse professionals, prioritizing DEIB is not a suggestion but an expectation of the human resources role. 

5. You Want To Support Employees

A great human resources department has a massive impact on corporate culture. As a human resources professional, you have the opportunity to make the workplace a welcoming space. Individuals with careers in HR hold positions of influence, which can affect the day-to-day operations and expectations of managers and employees. 

If you are passionate about the employee journey, working closely with staff, and creating a positive, encouraging workplace, you may want to consider a career in human resources. 

6. You’re Great at Problem-Solving

Is one of your greatest strengths anticipating and dealing with problems before they arise? Or do you find yourself actively problem-solving even when it’s not necessarily required? HR professionals are expected to handle different types of problems at once, so if problem-solving is a strength you take pride in, human resources could be an extremely gratifying profession. 

7. You Value Strategy and Analytics

While much of an HR professional’s job requires administrative skills, they also need to be equipped with strategic thinking. Human resources roles require individuals to support organizational goals, like using analytics and strategy to make data-backed decisions. 

If you value strategy in your decision-making processes — especially when it comes to potential outcomes, retention, and collaboration — HR may be just the place for you.

8. You Want To Work in Diverse Industries

Every company in every industry needs a proactive and effective HR department. No matter where your interests or passions lie — from marketing or education to technology and healthcare — there is always a need for HR professionals to handle internal issues, even if a company lacks a large HR team, department, or specific HR Coordinator role. 

These endless role opportunities mean you can work in almost any industry — or hop from industry to industry, improving your communication and investing in your education along the way.

9. You Want To Be Supported Financially

While your career choice should be an investment in your passions, it also needs to support you financially. Salaries for HR professionals in Canada depend on various factors, including the type of company, an employee’s education, and the province, among other factors. Generally, salaries for entry-level positions begin at around $48,000, but the average HR salary hovers at around $66,000 a year.

10. You Want Job Security and Staying Power

Even with personnel displacement and technology replacements on the rise, human resources professionals are mandatory for business success. While human resources information systems (HRIS) have automated many HR processes, unique individuals still need to implement and encourage connection, collaboration, and culture. 

It’s unlikely that HR roles will be cast aside and replaced by machines, indicating a potential for increased job security.

11. You Desire Continued Education

The HR industry is the perfect place for investing in continued education. From specific training and certifications to general business knowledge, human resources professionals have access to the ins and outs of organizational workflows. 

Consider a career in HR if you want to learn more about company structure, employee engagement, industry benefits, and changing technology.

12. You Want To Utilize Your Leadership Skills

Many entry-level employees simply get their foot in the door without having a clear idea of their potential career path. HR professionals have the unique opportunity to engage, guide, and collaborate with these employees, leading them toward new and undiscovered paths. 

Plus, human resources roles are distinctively designed to communicate with almost every employee in an organization, which increases leadership opportunities across teams and departments.

13. You’re Approachable and Influential

Human resources professionals who are approachable are more likely to have insight into the working lives and culture of a company’s employees. They are likely aware of the wants and needs of an organization’s workforce, so they need to be able to positively influence policy creation, standards, and expectations. 

If you quickly win people over, have easy conversations about difficult topics, and can powerfully communicate needs, you’re needed in the HR industry.

14. You’re Passionate About Company Culture

Protecting and prioritizing employee welfare are hallmarks of the human resources profession. If you’re passionate about growing and diversifying the values, attitudes, behaviors, and standards of an organization or industry — more than the number of table tennis matches or team lunches taken by a department — HR is where you belong.

FAQ

Below we have provided some quick answers to a few frequently asked questions about human resources and the industry in Canada.

Is Human Resources a Good Career? 

Human resources is a good career for those who want to work in a growing field, support employees, work with people, work in diverse industries, foster diverse and equitable workplaces, continue their education, and utilize leadership skills.

Is HR in Demand in Alberta? 

HR professionals are moderately in demand in Alberta. Both employment growth and potential retirement will lead to an average number of new job openings within the next few years.

What Is the Job for an HR Person? 

Human resources professionals are responsible for managing interviews and hiring efforts. Additionally, anyone with an HR role is often in charge of coordinating onboarding and offboarding procedures, protecting and organizing employee files, and arranging internal and external training sessions.

Pursue Your Human Resources Career with Robertson College

So you’ve decided that a human resources career is perfect for you — what next? 

Robertson College offers an online and in-person HR Diploma program perfect for jumpstarting careers and an Advanced Human Resources Diploma designed to level up skills and expand career opportunities. Contact a Student Admissions Advisor today for more information about these flexible and affordable education options.