Human Resources Specialist - Job Description

Human Resources Specialist - Job DescriptionHuman Resources Specialist - Job DescriptionAhuman resources specialist- often referred to as an HR specialist- helps an employer find job candidates who are most qualified to meet the organizations needs. He or she recruits applicants, reviewsresumes, conducts interviews, and performs background checks. The HR specialistmay also inform applicants of their acceptance or rejection. His or her work often goes beyond recruitment and hiring.An HR specialist may orient new employees by explaining company or organization policies, procedures, and benefits. Some HR specialists also have other duties including benefits administration and employee retention. Quick Facts HR specialists earn amedian annual salaryof $60,350 (2017).547,800 people work in this occupation (2016).While most human resources specialists recruit andscreen applicants, as well as tend to other HR-related tasks, for one employer, about 16% work for employment placement firms or temporary help agencies, acting as consultants to other companies.Most HR specialists work full time during regular business hours.Those who specialize in recruitment must travel to job fairs and college campuses where they have access to potential applicants. Human resources specialists have a goodjob outlook. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts employment will grow as fast as the average for all occupations between 2016 and 2026. A Day in a Human Resources Specialists Life These are some typical job duties taken from online ads for human resources specialist positions on Indeed.com Recruit and coordinate interviewing, references, and documentation for staff hiringFollow up on hiring decisionsDistribute, complete, and process paperwork for new hiresWork with employees to answer benefits questions and assist in processing life events and open enrollment electionsConduct new hire orientation and benefits orientation to build a strong foundation for new employees and incre ase employee engagementAssist in the developmentof policies and proceduresCoordinate exit process for departing employees Coach management and teams to promote and facilitate career growth and development How to Become an HR Specialist Most employers will only hire human resources specialists who have a bachelors degree in human resources management, business, or a related major. Earning a degree in psychology, particularly with a minor or dual major in human resources or business, can also prepare you for this career. Regardless of the major, coursework should include personnel administration, human resources and labor relations, social sciences, business administration, and behavioral sciences. Human resources specialists arent required to become certified but doing so can increase the likelihood of advancing in this field. Two organizations that offer professional certification are the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and theHR Certification Institute (HRCI). S oft Skills ThatWill Help You Succeed in This Career In addition to educational requirements and voluntary certification, an HR specialist also needs certain soft skills (personal qualities) to succeed in this occupation. Interviewing job candidates requires one to have strong listening skills. He or she also needs excellent interpersonal skills including, social perceptiveness- an awareness of another persons reactions. Excellent speaking skills, as well as the ability to convey information through writing, are other necessary attributes, as are sound judgment and superior decision-making skills. What Employers Will Expect From You Here are some requirements from real job announcements onIndeed.com Excellent attention to detail while multitaskingAbility to handle sensitive situations and maintain a high degree of confidentialityPC literate, including Microsoft Office productsExtremely strong organizational skillsAbility to build and develop relationshipsAbility to execute daily tasks with wenigstens supervisionMaintain records or files and respond to visitors and telephone callsDemonstrated ability to exercise initiative, independent judgment and be a self-starter who works with integrity while also being a strong team player How to Determine If This Occupation Is a Good Fit for You Career satisfaction is more likely to be achieved if an occupation is a good fit for yourinterests,personality type,work-related values, andaptitude. Learn about yourself by doing aself-assessmentand consider becoming a human resources specialist if you have the following traits Interests(Holland Code) ECS(Enterprising, Conventional, Social)Personality Type(MBTI PersonalityTypes) ENFJ, INFJ, ENFP, INFP, ENTJ, ENTP, ESTPWork-Related Values Relationships, Support, Achievement Occupations With Related Tasks and Activities OccupationDescriptionMedian Annual Wage (2017)Minimum Required Education/TrainingHuman Resources ManagerOversees hiring and strategic planning for an o rganizations staffing needs$110,120Bachelors Degree in Human Resources or a Related FieldHuman Resources AssistantProvides support services to HR specialists$39,480HS Diploma or GED (minimum) Associate DegreeLabor Relations SpecialistWorks with labor union representatives and an organizations management team$63,200Bachelors Degree in Labor Relations, HR, or Business Sources Bureau of Labor StatisticsU.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook HandbookEmployment and Training AdministrationU.S. Department of LaborO*NETverbunden(visited January 9, 2018)