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HR

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HR

HR Career Details

Human resources officers, also known as personnel officers, are responsible for developing policies and procedures relating to staff employment and training. They have a variety of different responsibilities depending upon the size and type of organisation they work for. These can include:

  • helping to draw up plans for the organisation's future personnel needs
  • recruiting people
  • providing staff training and development
  • operating pay and benefits policies
  • overseeing employee services like sports and social facilities
  • counselling staff about problems at work and personal problems
  • advising management on matters like pay negotiations, disciplinary and grievance procedures, redundancy programmes, equal opportunities policy and employment law.
In very large organisations, human resources officers may specialise in one of these areas, but in smaller companies they may deal with all aspects of the job.

Working Environment

Human resources officers work a standard 35-40 hour week, but may be required to work extra hours at busy times.

The work is mainly office-based although travel to other branches of the organisation or to visit training providers may be necessary.

HR Related Skills

To be a human resources officer you should:
  • enjoy working with people, and be patient, tactful, diplomatic and approachable
  • have good spoken and written communication skills
  • understand the importance of confidentiality, as you will have access to personal details
  • have good organisation and problem solving skills
  • be able to work as part of a team
  • be able to work accurately with attention to detail
  • have computer skills, for using word processing database and spreadsheet packages.

HR Career Opportunities

All kinds of organisations employ human resources officers, including banks, local government, health services, airlines, hotels, retail organisations and manufacturing industries.

There is keen competition for vacancies, especially for inexperienced graduates. Gaining CIPD qualifications or NVQs/SVQs will help promotion prospects.

Some multinational companies offer the chance to work abroad. It is possible for experienced professionals to set up their own specialist consultancies offering services such as recruitment.

Further Career Information

If you would like to know more about a career as an HR related facts, statistics, articles and websites.

Career Steps

Not quite sure about a career as a HR? Try our step-by-step career guide to reaching your chosen career.

Career Courses

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