Make Yourself a More Marketable Human Resources Candidate

It’s a great time to be an HR professional. The pandemic caused unprecedented disruptions across almost every industry, but HR professionals were especially impacted. Since 2020, they’ve adapted to recruiting, retaining, training, and managing remote workforces; they’ve had to find innovative ways to shorten hiring times, decrease burnout, and boost morale in a highly competitive job market; and they’ve been asked to improve operational performance and play a larger role in business transformation.

All of this has required the rapid adoption of new skills—but it has also increased the demand for top HR professionals. In fact, in our 2022 Compensation & Workforce Trends Survey, 66% of hiring managers employers told us that they planned to backfill roles eliminated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the long-term, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects growth in employment and job openings between now and 2030.

• Employment of HR managers is projected to grow 9% from 2020 to 2030
• ~14,800 openings for HR managers are projected each year, on average

SOURCE: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/human-resources-managers.htm

So, whether you’re looking to start a career in human resources, or move up to a better position, here are some tips to make yourself as marketable as possible to a potential employer:

Highlight the right skills.

Since the pandemic, HR departments have found it increasingly difficult to find candidates with the following skills, so consider highlighting these on your job applications.

• 44% technical skills
• 42% Financial management
• 40% critical thinking/problem solving

Consider staying at your current job to learn new skills.

Yes, there are job openings out there, but your current employer may also give you an opportunity to learn new skills and, in turn, earn a promotion.

• 64% of hiring managers say they plan to close the skills gap by identifying and upskilling high potential employees within their organizations
• 48% say they plan to reskill current employees to be redeployed

Be prepared to act fast.

If you do decide to pursue a new job, be ready for a fast-paced hiring process. In our 2022 Compensation & Workforce Trends Survey, employers told us that HR departments are hiring—and hiring quickly.

• 60% are increasing virtual screening/interviews to speed up hiring.

Want additional insights to help you make the most informed career decisions? Download our 2022 Human Resources Career Guide now.

Ready for your next great opportunity? Search jobs today >

2022 Compensation & Workforce Trends Survey Methodology

LHH Recruitment Solutions in partnership with Allison+Partners surveyed 1,405 hiring decision makers in the U.S. The survey was hosted in Qualtrics and panel was sourced from Lucid and Currant Fielding Solutions. Fielding was conducted in late 2021.