HR manager among this year's most underrated jobs

Try and think back to the last time you heard a child say they want to be a HR manager when they grow up. Having trouble? Although you might have found your true calling as a HR professional, not everyone is always as enthusiastic about the line of work. With employees' opinions of HR departments ranging from "not very useful" to "I have no idea what they do", you could say the job is somewhat underrated. 

The team at career information website CareerCast agrees, ranking human resources manager in the top 8 of most underrated jobs of 2016. In their annual Jobs Rated report, the website ranked 200 jobs from best to worst based on various critical aspects of the job, such as physical demands, growth potential, unemployment, or having to work in the public eye. 

Human resources manager takes an impressive 12th place overall, with high pay, relatively low stress levels, and strong employment outlooks, but according to the CareerCast team doesn't get the credit that it's due. One of the reasons for its less than glamorous reputation could simply be down to a lack of awareness about what goes on in the field, and how to get started, CareerCast's content editor Kyle Kensing told Business Insider.  

The full list of most underrated jobs covers a variety of industries, although the medical sector seems over-represented. In alphabetical order, they are:

• Computer systems analyst
• Diagnostic medical sonographer
• Dietitian
• Environmental engineer
• Financial analyst
• Human resources manager
• Medical technologist
• Physical therapist

The team also had a look at the other end of the spectrum, and compiled a list of this year's most overrated professions. Although all of them can be great career choices for the right people, high levels of stress, competition, industry volatility and job turnover make them a lot less appealing than people think they are, the team warns.

The most overrated jobs of 2016 are, in alphabetical order:

• Advertising Account Manager
• Author
• Broadcaster
• Corporate Executive
• Event Coordinator
• Photographer
• Public relations executive
• Stockbroker

ALSO READ: Infographic: Jobs with the highest depression rates

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