Essential Information
Human resources assistants are primarily responsible for maintaining employee records. These assistants may perform additional job duties, especially tasks involved with hiring employees. Human resources assistants need only a high school education to begin a career in this field. Strong computer and interpersonal skills are also necessary. These workers often receive on-the-job training. Read on to learn more about how to become an HR assistant.
Human Resources Assistant Job Description
| Degree Level | High school diploma or equivalent; associate or bachelor's degrees often preferred |
| Degree Field(s) | Human resource management, business, or a related field |
| Experience | On-the-job training available |
| Key Skills | Computer software, data entry, communications, and basic office skills; ability to work with confidential information |
| Job Outlook (2019-2029) | 6% (for human resources managers) |
| Median Annual Salary (2019) | $41,430 (for human resource assistants, except those involved with timekeeping and payroll) |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Human resources assistants, also called HR assistants, are generally assigned to help HR directors and managers keep track of employee information. This information could include an employee's name, address, job title, compensation, tax withholding information, and benefits such as retirement and insurance plans. HR assistants also help with documentation concerning grievances, terminations, absences and performance reports.
Human resource assistants are also typically involved in recruiting, hiring or training new employees. Tasks could include posting job openings, gathering information from applicants, verifying prior employment, contacting references and letting applicants know whether they got the job. HR assistants also may answer questions from employees or the public concerning the company.
Jobs for human resources assistants are expected to increase by 6% from 2019-2029. The Bureau reported that as of May 2019 the median human resources assistant salary, except those involved with timekeeping and payroll, was $41,430 per year. The highest-paid ten percent of human resources assistants made $59,320 in the same time period, while the lowest-paid ten percent made a median salary of $28,760.
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Job Duties
Human resources assistants may be required to complete a wide variety of duties. Common tasks of human resources assistants include:
- Answering employee, employer, or customer questions
- Opening and filing mail
- Receiving and transferring phone calls to the appropriate departments
- Giving directions to employees and customers
- Creating and distributing documents according to instructions
- Providing customer service
- Setting appointments for managers and other employees
- Arranging meetings
- Maintaining calendars for a company or department
- Copying and distributing files
- Data entry
- Tracking payments or other financial information
- Writing reports for managers
- Compiling spreadsheets
- Preparing presentations.
Assistants may be required to use either traditional paper filing systems in their work, or more commonly, a computer data entry system. If you are looking into how to be a good HR assistant, consider the importance of proper business attire and presentation, as well as the importance of having excellent communication skills. HR assistants also need to be aware of privacy concerns and the importance of keeping information confidential.
Education and Career Requirements
Most HR assistants have a minimum of a high school diploma or its equivalent. Some employers may prefer to hire applicants who have a bachelor's degree in human resource management, business or a related field. Certificate and associate's degree programs in human resource management are also available.
One important requirement that most human resources assistants must have is computer software and data entry skills. For human resource assistants who wish to advance to managerial positions, higher education and work experience may be important.
Career Advancement
Some human resources assistants will go on to become managers or even human resources specialists. Advancing one's career in this field involves a combination of education and experience. Pursuing an associate's degree or a bachelor's degree, or even a master's degree like an MBA, can be useful in advancing your human resources career. Being a good worker and advancing within a company is also a great way to build up your career to new heights.
HR Assistant Work Environment
Human resources assistant jobs are typically done in an office environment, though some may be done partially or entirely from home, depending on the specific position and the needs of the company. The work schedule for HR assistants typically consists of regular part-time or full-time hours, with the potential for overtime only under limited circumstances.
Required Skills
Those wishing to become human resources assistants should try and cultivate the following skills in order to be as successful as possible in the workplace:
- Attention to detail
- Organizational skills
- Excellent customer service
- Facility with online systems
- Keyboarding skills
- Excellent time management skills
- Ability to delegate work to others
- Punctuality
