Human Resources: The Real Deal

For those looking to enter the noble field of Human Resources (or whatever name a company calls their HR department these days), there are a few things you should know.

First, you’ll be the punching bag for every frustrated employee who thinks their paycheck is wrong—and let’s be honest, sometimes it is. You’ll master the art of saying “I’ll look into that” while mentally adding it to your mountain of tasks that’s already teetering on the edge of collapse.

You’ll become fluent in euphemism. Poor performance becomes “opportunity for growth.” Firing someone transforms into “organizational restructuring.” And that toxic manager everyone hates? They simply have a “direct communication style.” The dictionary of corporate nonsense will become your workplace bible.

Perhaps the most delightful part of HR is mediating conflicts between adults who supposedly function in society when not at work. You’ll need to nod sympathetically while thinking about all those psychology classes you should have taken.

Depending on the size of the organization, you may specialize in one aspect of HR, or the organization may expect you to handle a wide variety of tasks and have knowledge about several processes. Either way, you’ll be spending a good deal of your time slogging through regulations, requests, and tasks, which you’ll end up feeling like you’ve repeated 1,000 times.

Despite all this, HR can be rewarding. Occasionally, you’ll actually help someone navigate a difficult situation or implement a policy that makes people’s work lives better. These moments are rare—like spotting a unicorn in the break room—but they happen.

Maintaining professionalism helps you keep focused on what truly matters—the well-being and productivity of your organization. Embrace the notion that your position is not about being everyone’s best friend but about making decisions that foster a healthier workplace. Each minor victory, no matter how elusive, adds up to a more enriching work environment for everyone.

Just remember: no matter what you do, someone will be unhappy about it. Never take it personally. That’s not pessimism; that’s HR in a nutshell.