The Human Resources Professional: In Theory and in Practice The field of Human Resources has expanded and evolved over time. From administrative functions to strategic collaborating, Human Resources professionals lend an invaluable degree of support to companies and their missions. As the field itself expands and evolves so must the Human Resources Professional. Over the course of her career the HR professional examined in this case has performed many responsibilities in this growing field including, training and development, employees relations, personnel policies, and recruitment and selection. She has demonstrated the initiative necessary to be successful in this arena.
Training and Development
Training and development are crucial components to both on-boarding and retention practices in any company. Training programs exist to educate employees of “job-related knowledge, skills, and behaviors,” from safety to customer service (Noe, Hollenbeck, Gerhart, & Wright, 2014, p. 8). As a Human Resources Assistant at Target, this individual organized and led employee orientations and training. It was her responsibility to effectively execute Target’s training program, thus successfully supplying the store with well-trained, safety conscious, brand knowledgeable team members. As a restaurant manager, she developed a comprehensive training manual for front-of-the-house staff. Development programs center on cultivating management skills in preparation for new responsibilities (Noe et al., 2014). During her time as an HR Assistant at Unique Industries, the HR professional under discussion frequently sought out, evaluated, and enrolled candidates for developmental seminars and job specific programs related to a need within the company. This action aided employees in their continued professional growth and provided the company with a highly skilled staff- educated in