Human resource jobs are in a category of employment opportunities available in virtually every industry. Specific job titles may vary, but these are the company personnel tasked with recruiting, pre-screening, interviewing and onboarding new hires. Human resource specialists may be involved in functions related to employee relations, benefits and compensation, retention and all aspects of talent management. Landing an HR job at golf clubs or country clubs will depend on the organizational structure of the facility, but it is safe to say that HR is integral to the operations, and understanding their hiring process will be key to getting hired.
See our ranking of the 50 Most Affordable Small Colleges for a Human Resources Degree and HR Study.
Hiring Strategies for Centralized Organizations
Country clubs that operate as part of a conglomerate may have a centralized HR department that will be based in the corporate office. Even so, these facilities may assign HR personnel to specific facilities especially during the peak hiring season. Hiring and managing the seasonal workers’ pool is a demanding job that could be handled more efficiently on site.
Getting Hired by Independent Organizations
Some country clubs may operate as independent units, so each location would have their own HR department. This would be the ideal scenario for local job applicants. With hiring decisions made at the local level, getting a job in the HR department may be as simple as dropping off a professional resume. As an alternative, watch out for job fairs involving the golf or country club. Companies participating in job fairs are in an accelerated hiring mode possibly due to seasonal needs.
Applying to Third-Party HR Specialists
Other companies may outsource their hiring and recruitment process to third-party HR specialists. If this is the case, identify the recruitment specialist, and contact them for hiring information. Follow instructions for applying for vacancies in the HR department, and make sure to understand the employment terms especially whether the position is a temp-to-hire, an independent contractor or a temp contract.
Internship, Externship and Practicum Opportunities
Be on the lookout for clubs offering internships or similar curriculum-linked participation that may be paid or unpaid positions. Ensure that the internship or externship opportunity meets the academic benchmarks of your program to guarantee fulfillment of graduation requirements. These unpaid positions provide opportunities for participants to network with hiring officers and to leave a positive impression of one’s ability and work ethic.
Entry-level Non-HR Positions
Landing human resource jobs at golf and country clubs may be a circuitous route for some candidates. These facilities typically have openings for non-HR jobs such as driving range attendant, caddie, groundskeeping crew or pro shop representative. Use these entry-level positions to gain a foothold into the the organization’s inner echelons, and climb the corporate ladder from there. Typically, companies give higher preference to internal candidates, so an entry-level job within the club can become the ideal springboard to an HR position.
Jobs in human resources typically require completion of a bachelor’s degree in business, management, applied psychology or human resources. The curriculum prepares graduates to handle the challenges of personnel management from recruitment to retention to voluntary or involuntary separation. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate that jobs in this sector will grow by 7 percent in the 10-year period between 2016 to 2026. Meanwhile, IBIS World, a golf industry analyst reports that this $24 billion business sector will continue to grow by 1.2 percent annually, indicating robust opportunities for anyone interested in human resource jobs in golf and country clubs.
Related Resource: What are Some Good Entry Level Human Resources Jobs?
