This paper examines core concepts and best practices relevant to a career in Human Resource Management (HRM). The first section identifies three foundational HRM concepts — discrimination, equal opportunities, and employee motivation — explaining their significance and the role HR professionals play in addressing them. The second section outlines best practices for the recruitment process, including taking up candidate references, developing clear job specifications, and structuring interviews consistently. The paper concludes by proposing a panel-based recruitment review policy to strengthen fairness and compliance with anti-discrimination legislation.
HRM professionals carry a broad range of responsibilities, all centered on ensuring that a firm has the human resources it needs — with the requisite skills and abilities, in the right place at the right time. This may appear a simplistic goal, but the underlying concepts are complex. They require not only the tasks once associated with purely personnel management, such as hiring, discipline, and dismissal, but also more strategic planning functions. For example, HR professionals may need to assess what skills will be needed in light of the organization's future goals, aid in the development of those skills within the workforce, and ensure that employees remain motivated.
Good HR professionals have the knowledge and skills to identify and either mitigate or resolve the challenges faced by a business. This requires not only that issues themselves be resolved, but that they be resolved in ways that are fair, ethical, and fully compliant with applicable legislation and regulation. Employees are one of the primary resources of any firm, and the effective management of those resources is therefore of paramount importance.
There are many concepts central to HRM that are of great importance for a career in this field. Three of the most significant are outlined below.
These concepts can all be applied directly when moving into the workplace. By being aware of the issues, how they emerge, and the underlying theories and research that can guide improved HR practices, practitioners are better positioned to act effectively.
The recruitment process is critically important. Hiring the right people makes it far more likely that a firm will develop an effective workplace equipped with the skills, knowledge, and attitude required for efficient operations. Three of the most important recruitment practices are as follows.
"Panel review policy for fair candidate selection"
You’re 35% through this paper. Sign up to read the remaining 1 section.
Sign Up Now — Instant Access Already a member? Log inAlways verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.