What Does a Human Resources Associate Do?
Find out what a human resources associate does, how to get this job, and what it takes to succeed as a human resources associate.
Human resources associates are the glue that holds together many organisations. They are responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of their company’s human resources department, including hiring new employees, handling employee complaints and concerns, and ensuring compliance with federal and state employment laws.
Human resources associates may also be tasked with developing and implementing HR strategy at their company. This might include creating training programs to help employees develop new skills or improve performance on the job, developing compensation plans to attract and retain top talent, or creating benefits packages to ensure all employees have access to the healthcare coverage they need.
Human Resources Associate Job Duties
A human resources associate typically has a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:
- Interviewing candidates for positions within the company in order to assess their qualifications and motivation to perform well
- Managing employee benefits programs such as pension plans or helping employees enrol in various insurance programs
- Preparing reports about hiring trends within the company for management review
- Reviewing job candidates’ application materials, such as resumes and cover letters, to ensure they meet company standards
- Conducting exit interviews with departing employees to gather feedback about their experience working at the company
- Preparing personnel reports such as turnover rates, absenteeism rates, and labour costs
- Assisting with employee training and development, including conducting training sessions and maintaining training records
- Providing support to human resources staff by answering questions about policies and procedures, processing paperwork, and handling other administrative tasks
- Evaluating human resources programs and providing feedback on how to improve them
Human Resources Associate Job Requirements
The following are some of the qualifications that are often required to become a human resources associate:
Education: Most HR associate positions require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. The most common majors for HR associates are human resources, business administration, organisational management and psychology.
Training & Experience: Most human resources associates will receive on-the-job training once they start their positions. This training will help the human resources associate learn the company’s policies and procedures. It will also help them learn to use the company’s human resources software.
Some human resources associates may receive additional training before they start their positions. For example, a human resources associate with experience in the field may receive additional training to learn the company’s specific policies and procedures.
Certifications & Licenses: While certifications are not required for this role, they can be useful for candidates trying to stand out. Certifications can demonstrate your abilities and commitment to excellence.
Human Resources Associate Skills
Human resources associates need the following skills in order to be successful:
Communication: Communication is the act of conveying information to others. As an associate in human resources, you may be required to communicate with employees, managers and executives. You may also be required to communicate with applicants and job candidates. Effective communication is essential in the workplace, and it’s important to be able to convey information in a clear and concise manner.
Leadership: Leadership skills can help you in your career as an HR associate. You may be responsible for leading meetings, training new employees and managing projects. Leadership skills can help you be a more effective manager and develop other skills like communication and collaboration.
Organisation: Organisation is another skill that can be useful for an HR associate. You may be responsible for maintaining employee files, tracking employee attendance and managing employee benefits. Organisation can help you complete your tasks efficiently and effectively.
Teamwork: Teamwork is a valuable skill for an HR associate because it allows you to work with other employees to achieve common goals. You may work with a team of HR professionals to develop and implement new policies, train employees and more. You may also work with a team of managers to help employees resolve workplace conflicts.
Time management: Time management is another skill that can be beneficial for HR associates to have. This is because many of the tasks they perform, such as interviewing job candidates, require a certain amount of time to be completed. Having good time management skills can help you complete your work on time and ensure you don’t waste any company resources.
Human Resources Associate Work Environment
They typically work full-time during regular business hours, although they may occasionally work evenings and weekends to attend meetings or events or to meet deadlines. Human resources associates typically work in a fast-paced environment and must be able to juggle multiple tasks at once. They must be able to handle confidential information with discretion and tact. They may also be required to travel to various locations to attend meetings or training sessions.
Human Resources Associate Trends
Here are three trends influencing how human resources associates work. Human resources associates will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.
The Need for Diversity in the Workplace
The need for diversity in the workplace is becoming increasingly important as businesses realise the benefits of having a more diverse workforce. This trend is causing HR professionals to focus on recruiting and retaining a more diverse workforce, which requires new skills and strategies.
Human resources associates can capitalise on this trend by developing expertise in diversity recruitment and retention. They can also help their organisations create a more inclusive work environment that supports all employees, regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation.
The Rise of AI and Automation
As artificial intelligence (AI) and automation continue to grow in popularity, the role of the human resources associate will change.
In the future, human resources associates will need to be more strategic in their approach to hiring and staffing. They will need to understand how to best utilise AI and automation to streamline processes and make their teams more efficient. Additionally, they will need to be able to communicate with employees about the benefits and risks of using AI and automation in the workplace.
A Greater Focus on Employee Engagement
Employee engagement has become an increasingly important topic in recent years as businesses have realised the impact it can have on productivity and overall company culture. As a result, human resources associates are now tasked with finding ways to improve employee engagement within their organisation.
This trend means that human resources associates must be familiar with the latest methods for improving employee engagement. They need to understand what makes employees tick and how to motivate them to be their best. In addition, they need to be able to identify the root causes of disengagement and develop solutions to address them.
How to Become a Human Resources Associate
A career in human resources can be incredibly rewarding. It offers the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of others, and it provides a chance to learn about different industries and businesses.
To become an HR associate, you’ll need to have a bachelor’s degree in business administration or human resources. You should also have some experience working in an HR department. This could include internships, volunteer work, or part-time jobs.
Advancement Prospects
There are many ways to advance in the field of human resources, but most of them involve taking on additional responsibilities and/or obtaining further education. For example, an HR associate might be promoted to HR coordinator, HR specialist, or HR manager. Those who wish to move into upper management positions might obtain an advanced degree in human resources or business administration.
Those interested in a more specialised area of human resources might become certified in that area. For example, the Society for Human Resource Management offers the Certified Professional in Human Resources credential. There are also many other professional organisations that offer certification in specific areas of human resources, such as benefits, compensation, employee relations, and training and development.
Human Resources Associate Job Description Example
At [CompanyX], we understand that our employees are our most valuable asset. We are looking for a Human Resources Associate to join our team and help us attract, develop, and retain the best talent. The ideal candidate will have experience with recruiting, onboarding, training, and employee development. He or she will be a strategic thinker who can see the big picture and develop creative solutions to complex problems. The Human Resources Associate will be a champion of our culture and values and will work tirelessly to create a positive and inclusive work environment.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Serve as the first point of contact for employees regarding HR policies, procedures, and programs.
- Assist with the development and implementation of HR initiatives, programs, and processes.
- Maintain employee files and records in compliance with applicable legal requirements.
- Update and maintain employee data in HRIS system
- Generate reports from HRIS system as needed
- Process new hire paperwork and onboarding
- Conduct exit interviews and process termination paperwork
- Assist with benefits administration, including open enrolment and answering employee questions
- Plan and coordinate company-wide events, such as holiday parties, summer picnics, and employee appreciation days
- Serve on committees and teams as needed, such as the wellness committee or the diversity and inclusion task force
- Participate in professional development opportunities to keep abreast of the latest trends in HR
- Perform other duties as assigned
Required Skills and Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, or related field
- 1-3 years of professional experience in human resources or a related field
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organisational skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Office suite, with aptitude to learn new software and systems
- Ability to handle confidential information with discretion
- Strong attention to detail
Preferred Skills and Qualifications
- Master’s degree in human resources, business administration, or related field
- PHR or SPHR certification
- Previous experience working in a fast-paced environment
- Experience with an applicant tracking system (ATS)
- Working knowledge of federal and state employment laws
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