Human Resources Specialists
Additional Information
Duties
- Most of the time, human resources professionals do the following duties:
- Consult with companies to find out what they are looking for in a new employee.
- Inquire about relevant work experience, education, and skills from prospective seekers.
- Inquire about a candidate's references and education.
- Provide job seekers with information about responsibilities, perks, and working circumstances.
- Employ or suggest suitable candidates for positions.
- Organize or participate in new employee orientation.
Ensure the accuracy of employment records and other documentation by maintaining a filing system.
In many cases, human resources experts are educated to perform a wide range of duties inside a company's human resources division. Human resources professionals do more than just find and hire new employees; they also place existing ones and answer queries from the workforce regarding the organization's rules. They may administer benefits, process payroll, and answer queries or concerns related to these activities. Strategic planning and recruiting are two areas in which some experts specialize more than more routine administrative tasks. This includes ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local requirements for all human resources operations.
Human resources professionals come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Generalists in human resources are responsible for all facets of the job. Among their responsibilities are the following: recruiting, compensating and benefiting employees, providing education and training, and maintaining good working relationships with employees.
Candidates for available positions are found, screened, and interviewed by recruitment professionals, sometimes known as recruiters or "talent acquisition specialists." Posting job openings, going to career fairs, and even stopping by college campuses are all ways they find potential employees. Additionally, they have the authority to do background checks, speak with previous employers, and make employment offers to qualify candidates.
Human resources professionals may specialize in a particular field, such as retirement planning or employee development. The profile on pays, benefits, and job analysis experts has information on persons who are responsible for an organization's wage and nonwage programs for employees. The profile on training and development professionals provides information on individuals who organize and execute programs to enhance workers' skills and knowledge.
Education
Bachelor's degrees in human resources, business, or a similar discipline are often required for HR experts.
Students who participate in internships while in college might obtain valuable experience that could help them land a position in human resources. If you're interested in a career in human resources, you may benefit from an internship at a human resources department.
The necessary work experience of human resources experts is a requirement for several roles. Customers service agents, information clerks, and other jobs in the human resources field can all be excellent preparation for this position.
Recruiters often look for applicants who have worked in areas including human resources, training, employee relations, and benefits administration. In certain cases, college students are able to gain this experience while volunteering or taking courses.
Registration, Certification, and Licenses.
Courses and certification programs are available to members of professional groups specializing in human resources. When it comes to certificates, there are a number of options, including those from HR Certification Institute (HRCI), Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), and the HR Certification Board of Standards (HRBoS).
Candidates for certification often have to pass an exam that tests their knowledge of human resources and asks them to apply it in a variety of settings. Candidates for certification are also often required to achieve certain educational and work experience standards.
Some businesses prefer or need certification, despite the fact that it is often an optional step. The certification of human resources generalists, in particular, may be advantageous because it demonstrates a thorough understanding of all facets of human resources.
Advancement
As a human resources manager, you'll need to have a deep understanding of your company's policies and procedures. Taking on additional tasks or completing optional certification programs might improve a specialist's chances of development.
Criteria to Be Considered
Effective communication abilities. Human resources professionals must have excellent listening and speaking abilities. Employers, job seekers, and current workers all have questions and concerns that they need to address.
Making decisions. Human resources professionals must exercise good judgment while evaluating the qualities of job candidates or resolving conflicts.
Focused on specifics. When analyzing a candidate's credentials, conducting background checks, keeping track of employee complaints, and ensuring that a workplace conforms with labor regulations, specialists must pay attention to the smallest details.
Personality traits. Specialists must be able to communicate and connect with people from a variety of backgrounds on a regular basis.
Pay
Human resources experts made an average of $63,490 per year as of May 2020. When half of an occupation's workforce earns more than the median wage, the wage is said to be the "median." Between the bottom 10% and top 10% of earners, there was a wide disparity.
Job Projections
Human resources professionals are expected to have employment rise by 10% between 2020 and 2030, which is in line with the overall average for all occupations.