How to Become a Human Resources Assistant

Human resource (HR) assistants are trained professionals who help HR managers and directors with their duties throughout the course of their days. HR assistants may perform simple tasks like opening mail, answering questions, receiving and transferring phone calls, distributing paperwork and offering customer service or assist the HR manager with more complex tasks. They also perform a lot of computer data entry. Below is an overview of HR assistants, including job duties, how to become one and career outlook.

Job description and duties

HR assistants have the task of “assisting” HR managers in their duties but also perform many job duties on their own. They help the HR manager monitor employee information, such as name, address, compensation, job title and description, benefits, insurance, and tax withholding information. The HR assistant also helps with paperwork involving employee terminations, grievances, absences and performance reviews.

When a new job is posted, the HR assistant often performs many of the tasks revolving around the hiring of an applicant, including gathering personal information from applicants, contacting references, verifying previous employment and informing applicants if they were chosen for the position. HR assistant’s duties include but are not limited to the following.

  • Assembling and maintaining personnel records
  • Recording documentation for employees, such as wages, production, supervisory reports, absences and terminations
  • Preparing and file reports for employment records
  • Provide employee information to authorized personnel
  • Recording employee information using both paper files and electronic data entry
  • Compiling spreadsheets, writing reports and preparing presentations for HR manager
  • Answering questions from the public and employees
  • Processing payroll and answering payroll-related questions
  • Assisting in new employee orientations
  • Scheduling meeting and appointments, maintaining calendars and copying files
  • Accepting, tracking payments and monitoring financial information
  • Writing up and posting job openings
  • Recruiting, hiring and training new employees

How to become a HR assistant

There are a couple of paths a candidate can take to become an HR assistant. Some companies may hire an applicant with a high school diploma and provide on-the-job training. Despite not having a degree, the applicant should be proficient in word processing and spreadsheet applications. They must also have strong data entry and computer software skills. This is the bare minimum as far as requirements for candidates without a degree.

Education

In most cases, the candidate should have either an associate’s degree in human resources or business or a bachelor’s degree in human resources, business, accounting or a related field. Some schools offer associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree or certificate programs in human resource management. The length of time it takes to complete the programs depends on the program. Associate degrees take two years to complete, while bachelor’s degree programs take four years to complete.

According to O*Net Online, 21 percent of HR assistants had only high school diplomas; 27 percent had associate degrees, and 34 percent had bachelor’s degrees as of 2017. HR assistants who have some work experience on the job or an associate degree may pursue a bachelor’s degree in human resource management and advance to become human resource specialists. Another choice would be a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a focus on human resource management.

Students in a human resources associate degree program will complete general education courses, office courses and might take the following major-related courses.

  • Employee relations
  • Compensation and benefits
  • Business ethics
  • Staff training and developing
  • Personnel recruitment and evaluation
  • Employment laws

A student in a bachelor’s degree in human resources management program might take the following courses.

  • Labor problems
  • Labor and social negotiation
  • Human resource management
  • Workplace dispute resolution
  • Personnel compensation
  • Leadership and group dynamics
  • Behavior in organizations

Work experience

Many employers prefer HR assistants who have some work experience in this field. Internships can be a great way to obtain the necessary experience. It also gives an applicant an advantage over someone with no experience. Internship opportunities may be found while the student’s still earning the degree.

Often, internships are a required as part of the program. They provide the student with hands-on experience the opportunities to learn about employee relations and teamwork. The student also gets the chance to learn about the software programs and technology used in the HR field.

Certification

Obtaining certification is not a requirement of HR assistants but is a good way to demonstrate knowledge and commitment. Two organizations that offer human resource certification are the Society of Human Resource Management and the HR Certification Institute.

Skills and abilities

While education, training and work experience are important for HR assistants, this individual must also possess certain traits to be successful in this position. Because HR assistants spend a large portion of their days speaking with employees and management, the individual must present themselves in a positive and friendly manner.

Employee records and files are highly confidential, so the HR assistant must be aware of privacy concerns, possess good ethics and be capable of being discreet. The following traits are also beneficial to candidates who aspire to become HR assistants.

  • Good problem-solving skills
  • Strong interpersonal skills
  • Good written and oral communication skills
  • Ability to effectively analyze and interpret information
  • Ability to prioritize and use time efficiently
  • Good organizational skills
  • Ability to follow directions

Salary expectations and career outlook

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that HR assistants nationwide earned an average annual wage of $40,700 as of May 2017. The average hourly rate for HR assistants was $19.57. Wages may fluctuate from one company to another. Factors such as work experience, training, employer and geographical location can all play a part in determining the wage an HR assistant might earn.

For instance, the average annual wage for HR assistants in Florida was $34,950, while the wage in New York was $44,040. Below are the top paying states for HR assistants.

  • District of Columbia – $53,390
  • Alaska – $47,220
  • Connecticut – $46,480
  • Massachusetts – $46,290
  • Washington – $44,240

The states with the highest number of HR assistants employed are California, Texas, New York, Florida and Minnesota. This information comes from the bureau, which also states that there are about 134,750 HR assistants employed across the nation. HR Assistants in the following industries earned the highest wages in 2017.

  • Natural Gas Distribution – $57,180
  • Oil and Gas Extraction – $51,430
  • Lessors of Nonfinancial Intangible Assets – $48,810
  • Cable and Other Subscription Programming – $48,720
  • Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing – $48,550

The BLS groups HR assistants in the same category as information clerks. The BLS reports that these workers are expected to see an employment growth of three percent between 2016 and 2026. Although HR assistants are still in demand, many companies are utilizing online applications for employment and benefits. This allows them to streamline the process and require few workers, but even in these cases, an HR assistant can still be the ‘human’ connection between office HR applications, the company itself and the people who work there.