Human Resources Manager Jobs in the United States

Human Resources Manager Jobs Overview

Human resources manager jobs are a great fit if you have excellent communication, management, and organizational skills. You'd oversee an HR department and manage essential activities like hiring, salaries, and setting and enforcing company policies.

In addition to being an engaging and exciting career, this job comes with perks. The average HR manager works around 40 hours a week while enjoying a high salary and a stable career. It's an in-demand role: This career path has almost double the growth rate of the national job market, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BOL).

Salary for HR Manager Jobs

The national median salary for HR managers is $66,950 per year. Your salary will vary depending on your experience level and responsibilities. Typically, HR managers at large companies who manage a large team will earn a higher salary. You can use the Monster Salary Calculator to estimate your salary.

You're likely to earn more if you live in an area where HR manager jobs are in high demand. Some areas with especially high-paying jobs include:

• New York, NY
• Los Angeles, CA
• Chicago, IL
• Atlanta, GA
• Houston, TX

How to Find Good HR Manager Jobs

Make sure to pick the right HR job for you. As you browse Monster's listings for human resources manager jobs, you can see whether the role fits the bill. For example, you may want to consider:

• Does the salary work for you?
• Will you enjoy the company culture?
• Are you excited about the day-to-day work?
• Does the job offer a level of responsibility and independence you're comfortable with?
• Will you be handling all the HR tasks by yourself or managing people?
• Are there any promotional opportunities within the company?
• Does the listing provide a clear and reasonable list of the types of duties you'll have?
• What's the business' reputation?
• Does the company offer training opportunities?

How to Apply for Human Resources Manager Jobs

Your application is a great opportunity to show you fully understand the hiring process. Review the job description carefully and craft a resume that emphasizes how you fit the description. Think of the type of resume you'd like to read while hiring a new employee and then prepare something similar.

When writing your resume, don't forget to include keywords that help your resume stand out if it's run through an applicant tracking system (ATS). Some of the most valuable keywords for HR manager jobs include:

• recruiting
• talent management
• HR policies
• communication
• employee relations
• business performance metrics
• employee engagement
• human resources policies
• performance management
• organizational development

You can use Monster's professional resume writing services to get expert-recommended advice for customizing your resume for human resources manager jobs so your application attracts recruiters and hiring managers. The experts at Monster can also help you write an engaging cover letter.

Although cover letters aren't always required, they can help you stand out and show why you’re the right person for the job. You should include:

• the reasons you're excited about the role and company
• why you're qualified for the role
• an invitation to reach out with more questions
• a thank you for their consideration

Use samples like this HR cover letter for more inspiration. Once you have your cover letter and resume ready, sign up for a Monster account. You'll be able to apply for jobs faster, receive personalized job recommendations, and get contacted by recruiters and hiring managers looking for people with your skills and experience.

How to Follow Up With an Employer

Following up is a great idea if you haven't heard back within a week of submitting your application. Some job listings will include contact information for the recruiter, or you can use your HR skills to track down the hiring manager. Once you have this information, create a simple, professional email that emphasizes your interest and asks if they need more details about your credentials.

Follow-ups are useful because they let you build a personal connection with the recruiter. As this follow-up example shows, you can even use an email to get a heads-up on upcoming job listings.

HR Manager Interviewing Tips

Interviews for human resources manager jobs tend to be formal and follow all classic job interview etiquette. You'll need to arrive a few minutes early, be polite to all staff members, and get ready for multiple rounds of interviewing. Here are some other essential tips for acing an HR manager interview:

• Dress professionally in an outfit that is slightly more formal than the office's typical dress code.
• Use techniques like the STAR technique to answer questions thoroughly and confidently.
• Be friendly and engaging since the people who interview you will often end up being your close coworkers.
• Use your interview answers to emphasize your real-world experience in the HR field.
• Look up common HR interview questions ahead of time so you'll be prepared.
• Research the company, and mention a few notable things during the interview to show you're truly interested in their business.
• Whenever possible, mention your past successes in quantifiable metrics.

Following Up After the Interview

After the interview, make sure to send a thank-you note to the person who interviewed you. Mention why you enjoyed the interview and reiterate your interest in the job. You can also send another follow-up if you haven't heard back within a few weeks.

How to Handle an Offer

If you get an offer, respond enthusiastically and thank them for their interest. If you're not sure if you want to accept, ask for about 24 hours to think about it.

When looking at your offer, start by comparing it to other available HR manager jobs in your area. Make sure the salary range is reasonable for the work you'll be doing and the amount of time you'll be working. You should also consider whether other jobs will provide more career advancement opportunities or a better work-life balance. If you have concerns about the job start date, benefits, or responsibilities, now is the time to ask.

Negotiation is common in the HR field, so go ahead and ask for a higher salary if you feel the current salary is not comparable to other jobs. Use your research on human resources manager jobs to show why you believe your expertise is worth extra money.

Career Paths for HR Manager Jobs

Being an HR manager is an excellent way to gain experience and land other managerial positions like being an administrative services manager or a training and development manager. It's also common to use this job to transition to other HR jobs like being a director of human resources or a regional HR manager. Some HR managers may even pivot to upper-level management positions like being a chief operating officer.

The more time you spend in an industry and the more connections you make and skills you gain, the easier it is to advance your career. It's useful to get additional training and credentials like certifications, licenses, and even degrees.

Similar Occupations

Not sure if this is the right role for you? Here are some similar roles to consider:

• human resources administrator
• human resources consultant
• human resources specialist