What Are the Main Types of HR Assistants?

To become an HR Assistant, you need a combination of organizational, administrative, and interpersonal skills. Human Resources Assistants provide assistance to an HR Department by performing administrative tasks to support the day-to-day activities of various HR functions, including recruitment, employee relations, benefits administration, and records management. The role of the HR Assistant can vary depending on the type and size of the organisation that they are supporting and its HR needs. Here are the common types of HR Assistants.

• Generalist HR Assistant: The most common type of HR Assistant is the individual who performs generalist duties related to maintaining employee records, supporting the recruitment process, coordinating and integrating the hire into a company (or the onboarding process), being the liaison for payroll, or supporting the benefits programme within a company.
• Recruitment Assistance: These HR Assistants are involved in the hiring process. They screen resumes, schedule interviews, post a vacancy, and manage hiring. They work with the recruitment team and will likely also be involved in onboarding.
• Payroll and benefits assistant: This assistant-level HR professional is likely to work mainly alongside the payroll and benefits department, ensuring that employees are paid correctly and on time and supporting HR in maintaining employee benefits, including health insurance, pensions, and holiday entitlements.
• Training and Development Assistant: HR Assistants who take on this role are responsible for organising and planning employee training and development initiatives, including scheduling workshops, maintaining training records and assisting with the evaluation of programmes that develop employees’ capabilities.
• Employee Relations Assistant: Human resources assistants who deal with employee relations. While working with many HR departments, they focus on problem-solving between employees and internal management and maintaining employee relations in the workplace.

What Does an HR Assistant Do?

HR Assistants provide administrative support in the department and make sure that the HR operations run smoothly. They’re actively involved in managing paperwork, dealing with employee inquiries and ensuring the HR operations go smoothly. An HR Assistant account will give you a clear perspective on what HR Assistants do:

• FilingFile Employee Records: HR assistants keep employee files updated and organised, keeping paperwork on every worker, whether new, on the job, or exiting. They also make and track new hires, update personnel changes, and terminate paperwork.
• Help with hiring: HR Assistants can post job openings, read applications, and schedule interviews. They might also assist with running checks on candidates, contacting references, and arranging for a new employee’s onboarding.
• Help with Payroll and Benefits Administration: In some organisations, HR Assistants help with payroll by entering employee data into the payroll system, managing employee timesheets, and ensuring employees are paid on time. They may also help to administer employee benefits like health insurance and pensions.
• Support Employee Orientation: HR Assistants help orient new employees by preparing training materials, scheduling training sessions, conducting interviews, and completing paperwork.
• Answer Employee Queries: HR Assistants are the front line for employees who have questions about HR policies, benefits, or other HR questions. They help by answering questions or referring employees to the correct place to get the necessary answers.
• Organising Training Sessions: HR Assistants help plan and co-ordinate training sessions for staff. They track participation, keep records, and ensure employees meet their required training and development standards.
• Ensure the company follows its HR policies: It’s their job to ensure they have up-to-date employee records, keep track of staff leaves and entitlements, and manage HR-related compliance documentation.

Average HR Assistant Salary

Pay rates for HR Assistants in the UK are usually in larger firms or corporations in the financial, technology, or other high-salary sectors. The pay will be lower in smaller firms, or the charge will be lower. Below is an outline of the salaries of HR assistants.

• Starting salary—HR Assistant: An entry-level HR Assistant can earn between £18,000 and £22,000 per annum. Smaller businesses or less competitive industries are the most common places to start in this role.
• Experienced HR Assistant: With more experience, the average salary for an HR Assistant is £22,000 to £28,000 a year. This can be higher for large companies or in sectors like finance or technology.
• Senior HR Assistant: In larger organisations, some senior HR Assistants are also known as those who take on more HR responsibilities. In the UK, they can be paid between £28,000 and £32,000 per year, and some can progress to HR Officer or HR Advisor roles, which have higher salaries.

HR Assistant Skills

To be successful as an HR Assistant, you need a combination of organizational, administrative, and interpersonal skills. The role requires a high level of attention to detail, the ability to manage multiple tasks, and strong communication skills. Here are the key skills required for a career as an HR Assistant:

• Organizational Skills: HR Assistants must be highly organized, as they are responsible for managing employee records, scheduling interviews, and handling multiple HR-related tasks. Being able to manage deadlines and stay organized is crucial.
• Communication Skills: HR Assistants need excellent verbal and written communication skills to interact with employees, managers, and job candidates. They must be able to explain HR policies clearly and handle employee inquiries professionally.
• Attention to Detail: HR involves a lot of paperwork and data management, so HR Assistants must have strong attention to detail. Ensuring that employee records are accurate and that payroll and benefits are correctly administered is essential.
• Discretion and Confidentiality: HR Assistants often handle sensitive employee information, such as personal details, salary data, and disciplinary actions. Maintaining confidentiality and acting with discretion is crucial.
• Computer Literacy: HR Assistants use HR software, databases, and Microsoft Office programs to manage records, payroll, and communication. Proficiency in using HR management systems and office software is a key requirement.
• Interpersonal Skills: HR Assistants work closely with employees, managers, and HR teams. Strong interpersonal skills allow them to build positive relationships, resolve employee issues, and ensure smooth communication. 

HR Assistant Tips

For those who might be young HR Assistants reading this with lofty dreams, here are some real-life tips for your career:

• Gain Core Administrative Experience: Before applying for HR Assistant jobs, you should gain admin experience to hone your organisational and analytical skills. Taking on jobs in departments where you have to maintain paperwork, schedules, and data will significantly help you develop the administrative function of HR.
• Learn everything you can about HR: First, get up to speed with HR theory, employment law and HR policies. Look into study options that provide an overview of what HR entails – introductory courses are available online or through public training bodies. Alternatively, you could consider undertaking a human resources course that leads to a CIPD Level 3 Certificate in Human Resource Practice.
• Practice confidentiality: As an HR Assistant, you will manage confidential information. Use discretion in every part of your work to maintain employee trust.
• Use HR Software: Most human resources management is a total of software. Every department in a company uses different programs to keep track of employee files, payroll, sick days, holidays, bonuses, insurance and everything else. You should know at least the internal management software, whether an HR management system (HRMS) or an HR information system (HRIS), so get familiar with programs such as Sage, Workday and BambooHR.
• Develop Your Customer Service Skills: With questions and requests, a mix of positive and negative emotions, HR Assistants are often the first to interact with employees. So you need good ‘customer service’ skills to help kindly, sympathetically and sometimes firmly. Be patient, open, understanding, and solution-based.

HR Assistant Requirements

You have to earn a position as an HR assistant. It takes some degree of education and/or administrative experience, as well as solid communication skills, to serve as an HR assistant. Still, no formal educational requirements apply to these jobs. Some employers will require some HR training or experience. usually have these requirements.

• Administrative experience: Multiple job offers, such as HR assistant, have an administrative background, typically in processing records, scheduling appointments, and working with paperwork.
• HR Training or Qualification: While it is not mandatory, having a Level 3 Certificate in Human Resource Practice or equivalent will increase your chances of getting a job. These human resource courses cover the basics of being an HR officer, such as recruitment, employee relations, and HR law.
• Strong IT Skills: Strong competency in using office software such as Microsoft Office. Good understanding of various HR modules integrated into HR Management System software. Acknowledged among employers as a preferred candidate who can utilise technologyutiliseiciently performing HR functions.
• Interpersonal and communication skills: An important part of the job is discussing requirements with employees, managers, and job applicants, so HR Assistants must be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

How to Become an HR Assistant

Here’s a step-by-step guide to becoming an HR Assistant in the UK:

• Build Up Administrative Experience: Get experience in general administrative work, such as office assistant or receptionist, to learn how to be organized, manage multiple tasks at a time, and communicate.
• Get an HR Qualification: The most sought-after HR qualification is the CIPD Level 3 Certificate in Human Resource Practice. By taking this great course, you’ll be well on your way to grasping the basics of HR and standing out to potential employers.
• Apply for HR Assistant Roles: If you possess a few years of administrative experience alongside any relevant HR training, such as e-learning courses, you could start applying for HR Assistant positions. Ensure that your CV emphasises your organisational ability to manage employee records and any administrative tasks you were responsible for.
• HR Software: Understand standard HR software used to store employee data, solicit feedback, file, track, and complete forms. To the extent that staff are empowered to enter their information into employee systems, good performance and preparedness in utilising HR software improve one’s chances of employment.
• Stay Updated on HR Practices: Keep yourself up to date with HR news, which is changing constantly, with new laws or changes in practice coming in regularly. Keep up to date by reading about HR issues in the press, attend webinars [presentations online], or join the CIPD [Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development] to stay current.’

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Should You Become an HR Assistant?

A role such as HR Assistant is the perfect opportunity to gain experience in core HR processes such as recruitment, employee relations, and payroll administration. Working as an HR Assistant gives you a broad skill set that will be useful for furthering your career in HR. Suppose you like a structured, people-focused working environment and would like to play a part in managing a company’s human workforce. In that case, this is the place to start.

Is Being an HR Assistant a Good Career Choice for You?

If you have good organisational, organizational, and administrative skills, like working with people, and are detail-oriented, becoming an HR Assistant could be your perfect career. It is a great place to start in HR, broadening knowledge of different HR disciplines and also providing exposure and experience so that you can move on to a more senior HR role such as HR Advisor or HR Manager.

HR Assistant Salaries

HR Assistant salaries in the UK are typically £18,000 to £28,000 annually. Salary is based on experience, location and the type of organisation—an organisation Assistant can expect to make between £18,000 and £22,000 annually. In comparison, pro-enabled HR Assistants in large companies or competitive industries can earn up to £28,000 or more.

Which Qualifications Can Help with a Career as an HR Assistant?

Finally, holding a CIPD Level 3 Certificate in Human Resource Practice, one of the most popular qualifications in this area will increase your chances of getting an HR assistant role. Other business administration or human resources qualifications may also be suitable.

Do I Need Experience to Get Started as an HR Assistant?

While it’s only sometimes necessary to have previous experience working in HR, employers are often on the hunt for candidates who have experience in office administration. Prior experience in the office, reception or clerical work will be expected, or you might have worked within a team that performs HR functions. Again, it could all work in your favour. Scoring an HR qualification will also be helpful if you haven’t worked in HR before becoming a trainee.

HR Assistant Career Outlook

The HR Assistant job prospect looks stable. Businesses need HR support to recruit good team members, organise work, organise employee payroll, and ensure compliance with employment contracts and relevant HR practices. As long as companies continue to develop their people and manage a culturally diverse workforce, HR will have a role to play. HR Assistants have solid career prospects. Becoming an HR Advisor, HR Officer, or HR Manager is the natural progression as you build more experience.

HR Assistant Hierarchy and Progressing Within the Role

HR Assistants may move into more senior roles in the HR department with a combination of experience and training. They may be promoted first to HR Advisor, then to HR Coordinator, then to HR Officer, and then, with further experience and qualifications, to HR Manager or HR Business Partner.

HR Assistant Exit Options and Opportunities

With experience in this role, you can go on to other HR roles and other functions related to HR, such as recruitment, learning and development, or employee relations. For some HR Assistants, this role might lead to an administrative management role outside of HR, such as office management or operations.