What Do HR Specialists Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

HR Specialists perform activities in the human resource area. Includes employment specialists who screen, recruit, interview, and place workers. They also interpret and explain human resources policies, procedures, laws, standards, or regulations.

Other tasks include:

• Hire employees and process hiring-related paperwork.
• Administer employee benefit plans.
• Maintain current knowledge of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and affirmative action guidelines and laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Schedule or administer skill, intelligence, psychological, or drug tests for current or prospective employees.
• Prepare or maintain employment records related to events, such as hiring, termination, leaves, transfers, or promotions, using human resources management system software.
• Address employee relations issues, such as harassment allegations, work complaints, or other employee concerns.

We asked HR Specialists how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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72% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 60% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, HR Specialists interpret and explain human resources policies, procedures, laws, standards, or regulations. They review and evaluate applicant qualifications or eligibility for specified licensing, according to established guidelines and designated licensing codes.

A typical day for a Human Resources Specialist will also include:

• Prepare or maintain employment records related to events, such as hiring, termination, leaves, transfers, or promotions, using human resources management system software.
• Maintain current knowledge of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and affirmative action guidelines and laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Contact job applicants to inform them of the status of their applications.
• Advise management on organizing, preparing, or implementing recruiting or retention programs.
• Review employment applications and job orders to match applicants with job requirements.

We asked some HR Specialists a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	100% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	47% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	96% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	30% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	11% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	46% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, HR Specialists also schedule or conduct new employee orientations. They may also conduct reference or background checks on job applicants.

On a weekly to monthly basis, HR Specialists Interview job applicants to obtain information on work history, training, education, or job skills. They might also Address employee relations issues, such as harassment allegations, work complaints, or other employee concerns.

In addition, they Perform searches for qualified job candidates, using sources such as computer databases, networking, Internet recruiting resources, media advertisements, job fairs, recruiting firms, or employee referrals.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Select qualified job applicants or refer them to managers, making hiring recommendations when appropriate.

To some HR Specialists, it is also their responsibility to Contact job applicants to inform them of the status of their applications.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Human Resources Specialist, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/business-and-financial/human-resources-specialists.htm

http://www.shrm.org/pages/default.aspx

http://www.hrci.org/

http://www.worldatwork.org/