Human resources specialists are in charge of recruiting, screening, interviewing, and placing the new hires and often assist in related matters such as employee relations, benefits and payroll, and training. Because the need for this type of service is universal, the job outlook is optimistic, as quoted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) above. Specialists often receive on-the-job training to learn disciplines throughout all areas of the department, educating them on procedures and policies. Although many human resources specialists learn various aspects of the department, there are specific types of specialists dealing primarily with a single aspect in a company, including employment interviewers, human resources generalists, labor relations specialists, placement specialists, and recruitment specialists (also known as personnel recruiters):
- Discuss employment needs and preferred qualifications with employers
- Interview applicants, contact references, and perform background checks
- Decide which candidates to hire or refer for employers
- Maintain records for employees and process their paperwork
Human resources specialists play an integral role in the productivity and success of a company's workforce. By their expertise, a company can be assured that the highest quality candidates will be hired to fill a capacity. Given the nature of today's competitive global business environment, hiring qualified, productive employees is crucial to the survival and growth of a company. Hiring a qualified and experienced human resources specialist can improve a company's ability to compete in the market, and according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the forecasted job growth for human resources specialist careers is positive.
Human Resources Specialist at a Glance
Projected Job Growth
-
Job Growth for
Human Resources Specialist
Average Pay for Human Resources Specialist
- Annual Pay National Average
- Hourly Pay National Average
Best States for Human Resources Specialist
| Employment in 2011 |
Average Annual Pay |
Average Hourly Pay |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 3,300 | $106,610 | $51 |
| Connecticut | 1,940 | $117,410 | $56 |
| District of Columbia | 1,420 | $133,550 | $64 |
Sources:
- From U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2012
- From U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2010
Becoming a Human Resources Specialist
Becoming a human resources specialist is relatively simple with the right foresight; even high school graduates can obtain some human resources specialists jobs. Most positions do not require candidates to have more than a bachelor's degree and/or a certain amount of experience, though advancement or certain higher-level positions may require candidates to have a graduate degree. Common areas of study for human resources bachelor's degrees include human resources, business, or a related field. In cases where a candidate does not have a bachelor's degree, experience as human resources assistants or working in customer service positions can be counted as a substitute.
Certification is one way a candidate can boost their chances of getting a higher paying human resources specialist job or be promoted within the company. Though it is not required in most cases for eligibility for a position, having certification can set a resume apart from the competition. In the same way, having previous experience in the industry can improve a person's chances of being hired. As far as education is concerned, having a bachelor's degree is the best starting place for somebody pursuing a careers for human resources specialists:
- Industrial and Organizational Psychology
- Interviewing and Counseling Skills
- Human Resource Development
- Human Resource Management
Regardless of the exact bachelor's degree a student chooses, certain skills are necessary for human resources specialists and courses can be included in the degree program to provide these skills. These skills are primarily related to interpersonal communication and include listening, speaking, decision-making, and critical thinking. Having these courses incorporated into the degree program ensures effective preparation for students seeking human resources specialist jobs.