What is a Global Professional in Human Resources?

Exponential expansion of communications and travel capabilities in recent years has caused proportional shrinkage of the planet that all humans share as a common home. Nowadays, the next business customer might be next door or across the globe. Despite being essential to effective market outreach, getting on the same wavelengths of multiple multicultural audiences is quite difficult. Global human resources is an innovative field that facilitates accomplishment of this ambitious business feat.

Global Human Resources Professional Overview

The primary role of Global Human Resources managers (“GHRMs”) is orchestrating easy transitions for employees who have recently relocated to foreign countries. They fulfill this duty by implementing specialized orientation programs that encompass important issues like immigration, taxes, housing, language, prevailing social customs, and local laws. Many GHRMs are also responsible for maintaining job opening posts, scheduling interviews, and screening resumes of local residents in foreign countries. GHRMs must provide periodic guidance and progress reports to executive headquarters.

Personal Attributes of a Great GHRM

As the occupation is quite challenging, GHRM candidates must be well-rounded capable of functioning under extreme pressure. Availability for relocation to foreign nations is also a requirement. Adaptability to very different climates, clothing, and social customs is also perfunctory. Of course, tolerance and appreciation of cultural and ethnic diversity is mandatory. Being a quick study is also beneficial, as GHRMs must learn foreign languages quite rapidly.

Technological proficiency is also par for the course, since GHRMs must ensure that foreign workers can utilize the same technologies as incumbent co-workers. This is crucial, as IT infrastructural support in many foreign locales is severely lacking; especially in most third-world countries. Moreover, labor laws and applicable industry regulations often differ greatly from comparable U.S. legal provisions. Competent GHRMs must quickly comprehend, competently apply, and stay abreast of them, however.

Patience, persistence, strong interpersonal skills, and attention to details are other valuable characteristics for GHRM careers. The last attribute is essential because GHRMs must frequently review, complete, submit, and process large volumes of paperwork and documentation.

Education and Certification Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in Human Resources is the minimum threshold eligibility criterion for GHRM positions. In addition, many prospective employers strongly favor candidates with prior relevant experience. Graduate-level students interested in a GHRM career should select International HR and related electives.

The Society of Human Resources Management (“SHRM”) currently offers a voluntary certification as a Global Profession in Human Resources (“GPHR”). Having this designation provides a competitive edge when seeking employment as a GHRM.

Bright Outlook on Broad Opportunities

GHRM employment opportunities are projected to increase in direct proportion to economic globalization. In any language or cultural context, its obvious meaning is “astronomical increase and immense growth.” Plenty of room presently exists within the upper echelons of the profession for experienced GHRMs in a specific geographical territory(ies). Major examples are independent consultant to corporations planning to expand operations into overseas markets and in-house positions such as Overseas Administrator.

Closing Comments on A Wide Open Career

Modern business operators with a mission to maximize success are best-advised to heed a once-popular Yellow Pages ad slogan that advised, “Reach out and touch someone.” Despite yesterday’s figurative connotations, that famous phrase has a very different meaning and vastly altered significance for present-day commerce. Its well-advised, recently-revised literal interpretation translates into job security and guaranteed success for GHRM professionals.