Human Resources: Acquiring and Managing Talent in the 21st Century from edX

This course explains the role of HR professionals in 21st century organizations and is designed to introduce students to the importance of hiring and retaining the best people. As organizations plan to succeed in business, other areas of importance rise to the surface including: effectively managing, developing, supporting, and working with employees to achieve personal and organizational goals. A focus on an organization’s mission, vision, goals, leadership, diversity, and culture will also be explored. Students will become familiar with basic concepts and methods to hire people who will positively impact customer service and profitability.

What you'll learn

1. The role of human resources professionals in 21st century organizations.

2. The importance of hiring and retaining the best people.

3. How to define an organization’s mission, vision, and goals.

4. Creative ways to manage, develop, support and work with employees to achieve personal and organizational goals.

5. Why effective leadership, diversity and culture are important.

6. How the right people can positively impact customer service and profitability.

7. Methods to check your knowledge about hiring and retaining the best people in 21st century organizations.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides a thorough exploration of the role of HR professionals in contemporary organizations, aligning with the demands of today's business environment

Places emphasis on the critical aspects of hiring and retaining top talent, which are essential for organizational success

Develops an understanding of the mission, vision, goals, leadership, and culture of an organization, fostering alignment between HR practices and organizational objectives

Focuses on effective management, development, support, and collaboration with employees, promoting their growth and organizational success

Underlines the significance of diversity and culture in shaping organizational dynamics and fostering inclusivity

Examines the impact of hiring the right individuals on customer service and profitability, highlighting the connection between HR practices and business outcomes

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Human Resources: Acquiring and Managing Talent in the 21st Century with these activities:

Review 'Managing Human Resources' by James A. F. Stoner

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Gain a deeper understanding of human resources management principles.

View Melania on Amazon

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Read Chapter 1: 'Introduction to Human Resource Management'
Read Chapter 2: 'The Human Resource Management Process'
Summarize key concepts from each chapter

Write a practice essay

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Refresh your writing skills by practicing writing an essay related to HR practices in business.

Browse courses on Writing

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Choose a topic related to HR practices and define your thesis statement.
Conduct research to gather information and support your thesis.
Organize your essay and create an outline.
Write a rough draft of your essay.
Revise and edit your essay for clarity, grammar, and mechanics.

Attend workshops on diversity and inclusion in the workplace

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Gain insights and best practices for fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment.

Browse courses on Diversity and Inclusion

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Identify relevant workshops or conferences on diversity and inclusion
Register and attend the workshops
Actively participate in discussions and activities
Apply what you have learned to your own work environment

Five other activities

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Study online tutorials on performance management best practices

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Enhance your understanding of effective performance management techniques.

Browse courses on Performance Management

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Identify reputable sources for online tutorials on performance management
Select tutorials that align with your learning objectives
Follow the tutorials and take notes on key concepts
Apply what you have learned to your own work or volunteer experience

Practice conducting mock interviews

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Refine your interviewing skills to identify and hire top talent.

Browse courses on Interviewing Techniques

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Identify common interview questions
Prepare answers to typical interview questions
Conduct mock interviews with peers or a career counselor
Seek feedback on your interviewing skills

Develop a strategic plan for employee engagement

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Demonstrate your ability to develop and implement an effective employee engagement strategy.

Browse courses on Employee Engagement

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Conduct a needs assessment to identify areas for improvement in employee engagement
Research and gather data on best practices for employee engagement
Develop a comprehensive strategic plan outlining your proposed initiatives
Implement the strategic plan and monitor its progress

Develop a training module for developing effective leaders

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Demonstrate your knowledge and skills in developing leadership programs.

Browse courses on Leadership Development

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Define objectives for the training module
Research and gather information on leadership development
Create engaging and interactive training content
Pilot the training module and gather feedback
Revise and finalize the training module

Participate in a case competition or hackathon focused on human resources

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Challenge yourself and apply your HR skills in a competitive setting.

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Identify relevant case competitions or hackathons
Assemble a team with diverse skills and perspectives
Develop a solution to the case or challenge
Present your solution to a panel of judges
Reflect on your performance and identify areas for improvement

Career center

Learners who complete Human Resources: Acquiring and Managing Talent in the 21st Century will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Managers ensure their organizations have the talent to succeed and help build workplaces where employees' skills and interests align with company goals. They lead and design strategies for talent acquisition, employee engagement, diversity and inclusion, and leadership development. This course may be particularly helpful by introducing the basics of HR practices, the importance of hiring well, and the value of diversity in the workplace.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager

Talent Acquisition Specialist

Talent Acquisition Specialists are responsible for developing and executing recruitment strategies to find, attract, and hire the best talent for their organizations. This course provides an introduction to HR fundamentals, such as hiring and retaining employees, that may be helpful to Talent Acquisition Specialists.

See salaries and explore the career path for Talent Acquisition Specialist

Training and Development Manager

Training and Development Managers design and deliver training programs to improve employee performance and help organizations achieve their goals. They identify training needs, develop curricula, and evaluate the effectiveness of training initiatives. Understanding the principles covered in this course, such as managing and developing employees, could help someone in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Training and Development Manager

Employee Relations Manager

Employee Relations Managers handle employee concerns, resolve workplace conflicts, and promote a positive work environment. They work closely with HR departments to ensure compliance with labor laws and company policies. Knowledge of employee management and HR practices, such as those that are covered in this course, may be helpful for someone in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Employee Relations Manager

Compensation and Benefits Manager

Compensation and Benefits Managers design and administer compensation and benefits programs to attract and retain employees. They research industry benchmarks, develop pay structures, and ensure compliance with labor laws. They often work closely with HR departments to define job roles and determine appropriate pay grades. The focus of this course on hiring and managing employees, as well as its discussion of organizational goals and culture, may be helpful for someone in this career path.

See salaries and explore the career path for Compensation and Benefits Manager

Organizational Development Specialist

Organizational Development Specialists help organizations improve their performance by developing and implementing strategies for organizational change. They work with leaders to identify areas for improvement, develop solutions, and facilitate change initiatives. An understanding of human resources practices, such as managing and developing employees, may be helpful in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Organizational Development Specialist

Learning and Development Specialist

Learning and Development Specialists design and deliver training programs for employees. They work with HR departments to identify training needs and develop curricula. This course may be of interest to someone in this field to learn how to effectively manage and develop employees.

See salaries and explore the career path for Learning and Development Specialist

Diversity and Inclusion Manager

Diversity and Inclusion Managers create and implement programs to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace. They work with HR departments to develop policies and procedures that ensure equal opportunity for all employees. The focus of this course on fostering diversity and inclusion as well as managing employees may be helpful for someone looking to grow in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Diversity and Inclusion Manager

HR Business Partner

HR Business Partners work with business leaders to develop and implement HR strategies that align with business goals. They provide guidance on HR policies, employee relations, and talent management. This course introduces HR fundamentals and emphasizes the importance of employee management and retention.

See salaries and explore the career path for HR Business Partner

Human Resources Information Systems Analyst

Human Resources Information Systems Analysts implement and maintain HR software systems to help organizations manage their HR data. They work with HR departments to identify system requirements, develop system specifications, and provide ongoing support. The focus of this course on HR practices and employee management may be useful in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Information Systems Analyst

Staffing Specialist

Staffing Specialists support Talent Acquisition teams by screening candidates, scheduling interviews, and onboarding new hires. They may also provide administrative support to HR departments. The focus of this course on the hiring process and employee management may be useful for someone in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Staffing Specialist

HR Consultant

HR Consultants provide advice and guidance to organizations on a variety of HR-related issues, such as talent management, employee relations, and compensation and benefits. They often work with small businesses that do not have dedicated HR staff.

See salaries and explore the career path for HR Consultant

Recruiter

Recruiters search for and attract candidates for open positions. They screen resumes, conduct interviews, and make hiring recommendations. The focus of this course on the hiring process and employee management may be useful for someone in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Recruiter

Career Counselor

Career Counselors help people make career decisions and develop career plans. They provide guidance on job search strategies, resume writing, and interviewing skills. The focus of this course on managing, developing, and supporting employees may be of interest to someone in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Career Counselor