If you’re looking for a job in administration, then an HR Assistant role is a good opportunity to develop a variety of skills, ranging from recruitment to training and development. HR Assistant roles are usually performed in an office environment, and there can be both full-time and part-time opportunities with set hours and workdays. Let’s talk about how to apply for these roles and what skills they require.
What is an HR Assistant?
An HR Assistant is a good starting point for anyone interested in working in the Human Resources field. This role lets you assist the HR department in tasks related to employees and Human Resources. You will offer administrative support by processing paperwork and managing databases, and deal with employee-related data such as maintaining employee records, managing payroll, and assisting with recruitment when necessary. This requires discretion and confidentiality, as there are strict policies for dealing with sensitive employee data.
Another part of your job will be to act as a point of contact for employees and managers when they need to raise queries and concerns with HR. To do this, you will need strong communication skills to deal with all manner of staff. An HR Assistant must be empathetic to the needs of those around them.
An HR Assistant is often an entry-level role that will need some personal skills, such as strong communication skills, organisational skills, and attention to detail, but it will also provide the necessary skills you need to move up the career ladder. Companies may offer both full-time and part-time hours, and hybrid working environments, with some days working in the office, and some from home.
How to Become an HR Assistant?
An HR Assistant is generally considered an entry-level role which will require some personal skills such as communication, organisational and problem-solving skills. Some roles may expect you to have computer proficiency for entering data into HR databases.
If you’re looking to become an HR Assistant, seek out the requirements an employer expects by looking at job postings to see if you need any additional HR related qualifications.
What to Put on an HR Assistant CV
It is worth mentioning the skills you’ve obtained from similar roles that overlap with what an employer is looking for in an HR Assistant. This includes communication, data entry, and organisational skills. It is also handy to include any HR related qualifications you have, as they might help your HR Assistant CV.
Similar Jobs to HR Assistant
You can gain the necessary skills you’ll need to become an HR Assistant from many different roles, ranging from retail, hospitality and telesales. You will acquire good communication skills and interpersonal skills from any of these roles. Telesales and hospitality often deal with data entry and confidential information, which needs to be dealt with using proper discretion. These skills are essential to an HR Assistant role.
Other Jobs in Admin
There are many roles within the admin sector, allowing you to climb the ladder to higher-paying and more complex roles within Admin and HR. These roles vary quite significantly from Office Managers who deal with day-to-day office operations, and support office staff and their needs, to HR Analysts who focus on data collection to analyse and report HR related data. This requires a higher level of skills in data entry and is considered a specialised role. There are also HR Administrator, HR Specialist and HR Coordinator roles within the admin sector, which all require well-developed skills that you can learn from experience as an HR Assistant.
Apply for HR Assistant Jobs Near You
If you think you’re ready to take the first steps into a career in Human Resources, there are many opportunities across the country to become an HR Assistant. You don’t need previous experience in admin, which makes applying for an HR Assistant role much more straightforward.
HR Assistant Job Description FAQ
Is an HR Assistant a Good Career Choice?
Being an HR Assistant is an impactful role which can be very fulfilling for those looking to support organisations and their staff. It is a vital support role to any company and offers good career growth.
What Skills Does an HR Assistant Need?
HR Assistant roles often require personal skills over technical skills, though some IT knowledge is essential for success. An HR Assistant will also be expected to have good communication skills, strong attention to detail, organisation and time management, as well as teamwork and customer service skills.
What Are the Biggest Challenges of Being an HR Assistant?
An HR Assistant is expected to keep up with laws and regulations related to sensitive material, and they will handle confidential information, which needs to be disposed of correctly. These processes can be challenging and must be performed without mistakes.
What Personal Qualities Make a Great HR Assistant?
To be a successful HR Assistant who can engage with all types of staff, qualities that can be crucial include empathy and interpersonal skills, proactivity, calmness under pressure, and adaptability.
