Careers and stakeholders

Human Resource Management (HRM) is the function within an organization that focuses on the recruitment of, management of, and providing direction and guidance for the people who work in an organization. All of the processes and programs that are touched by people are part of the HR kingdom. The workplace processes that interact with customers and potential employees are also components in the HR world.

The HRM department members provide the knowledge, necessary tools, training, administrative services, coaching, legal and management advice, and talent management oversight that the rest of the organization needs for successful operation.

Many HR departments are responsible for organization development that generates the culture of the organization. They are charged with oversight responsibilities to ensure that their organization appropriately builds teams and inspires employee empowerment.

HR staff members are partially responsible for ensuring that the organization has an overall mission, vision, and values that are shared and provide an overarching reason for employees to want to work for their organization. These elements are inspirational and help employees feel as if they are part of something that is bigger than themselves.

Additional activities sponsored by HR management can include employee and community outreach. They are frequent mentors and members of employee teams that address philanthropic giving, employee engagement activities, and events that involve employee families.

People who have human resources careers are kind of like the matchmakers of the business world. Sometimes they work for one specific company to match the right people with open positions, but there's also a growing number of companies that provide human resources services to other companies. Those with human resources jobs recruit and screen applicants and are sometimes involved in the interview process, too. They're the ones who take care of payroll and benefits paperwork and serve as a connection between employees and management.