Human Resource Management is specialized function dedicated to the entire scope of activities concerning people. The two broad categories of HRM are:

1. Plant Personnel

   The Plant Personnel function of HRD deals with maintaining healthy and positive industrial relations. The activities here include recruitment, payrolls, appraisals, administration, and all matters concerned with the Workers' Union. A stint in Plant Personnel offers exposure to handling highly sensitive issues such as discipline and union negotiation.

2.  Corporate Personnel

Corporate Personnel deals with HR activities in the corporate set-up that includes all managerial and supervisory staff. It covers all aspects from an employee's entry to exit, such as recruitment, attendance, leaves, pay, appraisals, audit and exit interviews. A lot of modern HR practices such as ESOP, 360-degree feedback and flexible timings have been path-breaking initiatives by some bright HR manager. You should possess good communication and inter-personal skills and present yourself as accessible, competent and charismatic. Two well-known HR firms are William Mercer and Noble & Hewitt. Apart from these all the top firms need HR professionals as it is one of the basic service functions in every company.

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