Human resources officer

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Personnel officer, HR officer

Human resources (HR) officers hire employees and help develop their careers, and look after employee relations, benefits and welfare.

Salary Range: £15,000 to £50,000

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You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • specialist courses run by professional bodies
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You’ll usually need a a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree course in:

  • human resources management
  • a combined degree such as business management and human resources
  • a related subject

Some companies have general management or human resources graduate training schemes.

Postgraduate qualifications in human resource management are also available.

Entry requirements

You’ll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course
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Employers may prefer you to have relevant qualifications like those offered by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

You can study qualifications like:

  • CIPD Level 5 Award in Human Resources
  • CIPD Level 5 Certificate/Diploma in Human Resources Management
  • Level 5 Diploma in Business Management and Human Resources

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

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You could start as an business administrator in a company’s HR department, and work your way up through training and promotion.

Other routes

You can study a range of professional qualifications in human resources, either online or at a training centre approved by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

More information

Professional and industry bodies

You may find it useful to join organisations like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development for professional recognition, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.

Further information

You can find out more about careers in human resources from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and Personnel Today.

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Skills and knowledge

You’ll need:

  • administration skills
  • knowledge of human resources and employment law
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • customer service skills
  • the ability to work well with others
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to read English
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
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Day-to-day tasks

Your daily tasks may include:

  • dealing with complaints and discipline procedures
  • assisting in the recruitment of new employees
  • working with other managers, improving employees’ experiences of the workplace
  • keeping employee records
  • helping people get training and development
  • making sure employees have the right pay and benefits
  • arranging employee services such as welfare and counselling
  • promoting equality, and health and safety
  • advising on matters like pay negotiations, redundancy and employment law
  • developing HR policies and procedures
  • recording and analysing confidential information
  • writing employee handbooks
  • dealing with staff at all levels

Working environment

You could work in an office or from home.

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You could become a member of CIPD to show your professional status and continue your professional development.

With experience, you could progress into senior management. You could also set up your own consultancy offering recruitment services or advice on policy planning.

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