Is HR fulfilling as a career???

[rose45]

I went on an interview for an admin assistant with a concentration in hr today. I think it went well. I am 26 and really trying to make a change in my life. The assistant job I am currently at is not fulfulling. The pros though is that i have been there a few years so i have the flexibility to not be EXACTLY on time, or take off last minute if i need to, sometimes take a little longer with lunch. Basically the freedom that can occur after 4 years of being at a place. Others are able to it as well. So in that sense the work enironment is serious and people do work hard but also laid back in alot of ways.

 

Basically for this new position I would be doing a lot of the dirty work from my assumption--benefits, paperwork, also screening calls for the administrator, phone interviews, doing an interview itself, things around the office, planning events for the summer or the holiday party..it sounds like an opportunity to learn and grow in the HR field i hope. I feel I need to choose something at this point and my problem is i wouldn't say I am passionate about any field in particular.

 

I was told they need someone flexible who can stay late at times or come in early and at times have this happen last minute...like for example--if there is a leak someone needs to take care of things and make sure it gets fixed.

 

I definitely need a change and I am not against hard work but I guess i am wondering if anyone in this field can shed light on it for me about their experience. Is HR fulfilling in the sense do you feel you are doing something different compared to a typical office job?

 

I also don't want to give up my entire personal life for a job either. I am single and as sad as it might be i do want to have time to hopefully meet someone. I don't want a career I am married to. I am sure others find the time despite working 70 or more hours a week who knows but I don't think I have that type of energy honestly..at that point it would probably just be a career and hope to meet someone. lol..sorry if this sounds weird..i hope someone can understand where I am coming from. I want a career but also able to take care of myself, work out, meet someone etc.

 

A few of my friends are teachers and i am envious at times of their free time..i am just getting home and i see them going out already dressed for dinner etc.

 

Can anyone shed some light on HR admin work and HR in general? Does this sound like a good opportunity and a step towards something great?

 

Thank you.

[Star Gazer]

Allina works in HR, hopefully she'll see this and chime in.

[Two Steps Forward]

Is this a big, medium or small business?

 

HR work can be very rewarding - depending on what you do, how well you are taught and what opportunities your employer gives you. Learning it from scratch, never being sent to a class or a chance to get your certification and then getting stuck with legal responsibility can be a huge burden. However, learning it slowly, getting sent to classes to keep you up to date on law, working on getting an HRCI cert so that you have some job portability and even helping with some higher education - yes, it's extremely rewarding.

 

As an admin for HR, I'd assume that it'd be pretty atypical admin work anywhere, but if you're reading what goes through your hands/eyes, then it's probably more interesting. You said that they'll let you do a lot of new-hire functions, and that's actually always fun, interviews and training can be fun and a good learning experience. Depending on the size of the organization, there can be a lot of scut work as well. HR can tend to be the area that people give the jobs that no one else will do and sometimes can be treated poorly. Does your boss know when to put her foot down?

 

As an admin, I don't think you'd ever have restrictions on who you can see and who you can't in work, but if you become the HR Director I would highly advise against work relationships and friendships because of staff perception. HR is supposed to be the non-judgmental, golden light that anyone can go and talk to and feel that they won't get trampled on. If you have a friendship or relationship with someone in the workplace, then people will be less likely to talk to you if they have an issue with that person. It's a matter of perception, even if it isn't how you would really handle that situation.

 

HR, is ultimately, an interesting balancing it. Human Resources. I've always viewed it as you are there to be a resource for the employees, who are in turn, human resources. However, you must always remember that your main job is to protect the company, even from itself. Actually, most often from itself. So, how do you keep the employee's best interests and the company's best interests going at the same time? That's the trick and every HR person does it their own way.

 

But, back to your question about will you like it? I don't think you'll know until you see what you're doing and watch your boss and see if that looks like something you're interested in. If it is, start the learning process. There is a lot to learn if you want to rise up and become a head of a medium or big business HR department. Is it rewarding? Like any job, to some. There are many 'scary' things that people can start listing off about HR (all the responsibilities, non-recognition, legal and/or fiduciary responsibilities etc) , but you can also have a very positive impact on a company and their employees as well. Things that really make a difference in their lives.

 

Your boss probably has a lot of HR mags around as well as online access to employment councils, maybe even local HR things - ask for the old copies or to peeks at some online articles. And, of course, go and do your own research as well. It'll give you a look into the life of HR and you can see the scope of responsibilities better there.

[jerbear]

HR can be fulfilling especially if you start as a HR generalist. It really depends on where you want to specialize, labor, benefits, training & education, compensation, etc... There are specializations, depending on the size of the employer, within each; example is executive compensation, collective bargaining labor relations, staff (non-union) relations, and many others.

 

If you start as an Admin Assistant, I would suggest you seek a HR certification. like Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) PHR certification.

[spiderowl]

Very fulfilling if you don't mind making people redundant.

[allina]

I am an HR Generalist, and I like it. It isn't hard, you don't have to stress about work during non-work hours. I also like the company I work for and I enjoy being the gate keeper to get in to it. Basically, I have to like you before you can interview with management and higher ups. But what really makes a position good or bad has a lot to do with your co-workers and the respect you are given, OP did the place feel like a good work environment?

 

This is something I fell in to and it worked out, it works for me because I work with some of my closest friends, and the schedule is flexible. Is it fulfilling? It depends on what you mean by fulfilling. Am I changing lives and making the world a better place? Am I doing something I have always dreamed of doing? Nope!

 

But I have a lovely office, a respectful boss, a salary that allowed me to purchase a home at 26, and the time and energy to enjoy life outside if work. I feel fulfilled in that sense.