Is it difficult to become a HR manager?

Do you dream of becoming an HRD, of being an indispensable pillar of a company and recruiting the best talent? You’ll need to do some higher education to make your dream come true. If this is the career you want, read our article. We’ll explain how to become a HR manager, what training you’ll need and how you can progress.

Contents

Course

How do you become a HRD?

If you’re interested in becoming a HR manager, you’ll need to study at university level, with a 5-year degree. Preferably with a major in human resources or employment law.

After your A-levels, you can follow a university course, i.e. a general or vocational degree, and then opt to specialise in human resources.

Business schools also offer courses in Human Resources, with specialisation starting in the first year. Institutions such as INSEEC offer students a range of courses leading to a degree in human resources.

To become an HRD, you can choose from a wide range of Masters courses. Among the most popular in the field, opt for a :

in human resources ;
in management sciences ;
in employment law ;
in employment law ;

It should be noted that the job of HR manager is also very much based on professional experience. Work-linked master’s courses in HR management are recommended, as they will enhance your CV.

What training is needed to become a HR Director?

To become a human resources manager, you need a 5-year postgraduate degree. Once you have your baccalaureate, there are many paths that lead to this position.

If you choose to go to university, you will need either a general licence or a professional licence. There are many different types of university course:

the law ;
management sciences ;
psychology ;
economics ;
the economy ;
sociology ;
information and communication.

Then, a work-linked Masters course in Human Resources will introduce you to the job of HRD within a company. Business and management schools offer 2, 3 or 5-year courses to become an HRD. These specialist establishments offer courses in human resources management from the^1st year. INSEEC offers a Bachelor’s degree in Management & Financial Management in Human Resources, for those with a baccalaureate and above. If you have a Bac +2 or Bac +3, the MSc Human Resources or Master Grande Ecole, Management and Human Resources programmes will point you in the direction of the HRD profession.

How many years’ experience do you need to become a HR Director?

Once you have completed your Master’s degree in human resources management, experience in a company is an essential part of managing personnel.

However, once you have 5 years’ higher education, especially if you follow a sandwich course, you will be able to take on the role of Human Resources Assistant or Manager for a small company. Following a course in HR or employment law, an apprenticeship enables students to quickly take up their duties in a company.

If you work in a large, international company, knowledge of the internal environment is essential. In this case, you will need a few years’ experience to familiarise yourself with the company’s policy, gain skills and experience and become a Director.

Profile

How old do you have to be to become a HR manager?

After 5 years’ higher education, preferably on a sandwich course, and an average of 15 years’ experience, an employee can take on the post of HR Director. The larger the company and the more complex the issues (industry, redundancy plans, staff turnover, takeovers, etc.), the more years of experience you will need.

Skills

What qualities do you need to be a HR Director?

Managing all the staff in a company requires a wide range of skills. To do this, the HR Director must be demanding and versatile.

In addition to their knowledge of employment law, finance and administrative management, HR Directors must have good communication skills, as they will be supporting employees and managing all the company’s departments. In addition, an interest in technology means that they can update digital tools to manage all their staff. Knowing how to analyse and negotiate is an asset that a HRD learns over time.

In addition, an interest in technology means that you can update your digital tools to manage all your staff. Knowing how to analyse and negotiate is an asset that a HRD learns over time.

Course

How do you progress up the hierarchy to become HR Director?

Once you’ve got your Master’s degree, joining the human resources department is one thing. But there are 3 possible options for becoming an HRD:

choose a sandwich course from the outset. This allows you to familiarise yourself with the company. Once you have your master’s degree in human resources, it’s easier to take on the job of HR manager;
set up your own company. You can then take on the de facto role of HR Director as soon as you have obtained your Master’s degree;
Start as a payroll or recruitment manager. Then become an employee relations manager. Once you’ve familiarised yourself with the company’s internal policy, becoming an HR manager is less of a challenge.

Read other articles in our HR FAQ.