Human resources (HR) refers to either the people or the department in charge of all personnel-related operations in an organisation. This includes the hiring, onboarding, training, and other duties related to managing employees.
A HR department may be an entire team or, in smaller businesses, a single person in charge of such administrative tasks as:
- recruiting and staffing, including writing job descriptions, placing ads on job boards, evaluating applicant resumes, scheduling interviews, and making offers of employment;
- compensation and benefits, such as determining competitive pay rates, setting paid-time-off policies, and providing wellness perks such as medical insurance;
- promotions and performance reviews to discuss employee goals, areas in need of improvement, and expectations for advancement;
- training and learning, including educational opportunities, learning new software systems, and skills-building for future career development;
- culture and branding, to protect the company’s reputation and enhance its public image to help attract top talent.
Job growth in Malaysia’s HR industry is projected at 12% between this year and 2030. With this in mind, here is a list of seven career opportunities in human resources.
1. HR assistant
An entry-level position, those in this role typically help with answering phones, filing and paperwork, and other administrative duties. They may also assist with new-hire onboarding and maintaining employee records.
Average salary: RM2,500 monthly
2. Training and development specialist
Training and development specialists handle tasks related to employee education and career development, from onboarding new hires to updating the employee handbook.
Average salary: RM5,000 monthly
3. Senior recruiter
Recruiters are responsible for providing staffing services, specialising in interviewing, hiring and onboarding. You can work for a company or a private recruiting agency, or as an independent consultant.
Senior recruiters are typically required to have at least three to five years of experience in human resources.
Average salary: RM6,500 monthly
4. Labour relations specialist
Also known as employee relations specialists, those in larger corporations help bridge the gap between management and labour unions. As they create employment contracts, they must be expert negotiators and proficient in all local, state, and federal labour laws.
Average salary: RM8,000 monthly
5. HR manager
This is a general position that involves overseeing all aspects of the HR department. A HR manager needs to be able to communicate well and have exceptional time-management skills. Responsibilities range from hiring to enforcing company policies.
Average salary: RM8,500 monthly
6. Compensation and benefits manager
Someone in this role prepares and implements company benefits packages, which includes such components as pension plans, allowances, fringe benefits, and insurance. They work within a set budget and create a salary structure for each position within the organisation.
Average salary: RM9,000 monthly
7. HR vice-president
Also known as the chief human resource officer, those in this position oversee the management of all administrative activities related to HR in a company. You’ll need at least 10 years of experience to pursue this high-level career path.
Average salary: RM15,000 monthly
