What does an Human Resources Assistant do?
HR Assistants work in the human resources departments of mid-sized and large companies. They help manage recruitment, benefits administration and record maintenance for all staff members. Their role is to serve as a contact between the HR department and the rest of the organization. Primarily an administrative and support role, the HR Assistant is often the first point of contact for employees who need help from HR.
Their duties include preparing files and forms for new employees, updating employment statuses and helping new employees access the resources they need to do their jobs. HR Assistants sort and update records, dispose of old records properly and contact employees to update their contact information and other key documents. While other HR team members might focus on specific areas, such as recruiting or benefits administration, the HR Assistant takes a more general role, assisting other team members as needed.
HR Assistant skills and qualifications
To be successful as an Human Resources Assistant, a candidate may possess certain skills and qualifications, such as:
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to prioritize and resolve employees’ problems
- Familiarity with database systems and common HR applications
- Understanding of employment laws and regulations as well as industry-specific regulations
- Effective organizational and time management skills
- Ability to meet tight deadlines and juggle multiple projects
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Discretion and the ability to keep data private
HR Assistant experience requirements
Requiring some previous human resources experience is common for HR Assistant roles. However, some organizations are willing to train candidates on the job. Experience as an Administrative Assistant or Executive Assistant can be beneficial if a candidate hasn’t worked in HR.
HR Assistant education and training requirements
HR Assistant positions don’t have standard education requirements. However, companies often require or prefer a minimum of an associate degree in human resources, personnel management or business administration. Some companies prefer to hire candidates with a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as human resource management. It’s also common to accept HR experience in place of a degree. You might also expect candidates to have training in operating the computer programs and applications your HR department uses.
HR Assistant salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average pay for an HR Assistant is $20.26 per hour. The pay rate may depend on the level of experience, education and geographical location.
HR Assistant salary expectations
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Common salary:
21.39 HOURLY -
Typical salaries range from
9.15 -38.60 HOURLY - Find more information on Indeed Salaries
*Indeed data –
Job description samples for similar positions
If the job description for the Human Resources Assistant doesn’t suit your needs, view the following job description samples for related professions:
HR Assistant job description FAQs
What are the traits of a good HR Assistant?
Successful HR Assistants are extremely organized, with strong time management skills to help them juggle multiple duties. They exhibit strong ethics and practice discretion, as they may have access to sensitive information. They are also knowledgeable about their organization and the various procedures for hiring, promoting and terminating employees.
What should you look for on an HR Assistant’s resume?
A strong HR Assistant candidate demonstrates work with people and administrative duties, such as data entry, receptionist work and clerical assistance. Previous experience in an HR department could be beneficial and reduce the amount of training the candidate needs in basic employment areas. The resume should be polished and free of typos, indicating they can perform data entry tasks and write error-free memos.
What are the daily duties of an HR Assistant?
HR Assistants field phone calls and emails, handling basic inquiries themselves and directing more complex issues to the appropriate HR staff member. They spend much of their day handling administrative tasks, such as sending memos about HR topics, entering data into company databases and maintaining personnel files. They might support other HR staff members and attend meetings.
Who does an HR Assistant report to?
The Human Resources Assistant role typically reports to the HR Manager or another department supervisor. They often assist other HR team members, such as HR Specialists, Recruiters or Payroll Specialists. When completing tasks for those staff members, the HR Assistant might provide them with progress reports.
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