Salary and Outlook
According to the US Department of Labor, there are 782,800 people employed as human resources specialists in
the United States.
The median annual salary is $62,290.
Entry level employees earn approximately $37,680 per year and senior employees earn approximately $108,160
per year.
Estimates do not include other potential benefits such as health insurance, overtime, or retirement benefits that may be offered by employers.
Job Duties
- Conduct exit interviews and ensure that necessary employment termination paperwork is completed.
- Interview job applicants to obtain information on work history, training, education, or job skills.
- 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.
- Provide management with information or training related to interviewing, performance appraisals, counseling techniques, or documentation of performance issues.
- Analyze employment-related data and prepare required reports.
- Advise management on organizing, preparing, or implementing recruiting or retention programs.
- Conduct reference or background checks on job applicants.
- Review and evaluate applicant qualifications or eligibility for specified licensing, according to established guidelines and designated licensing codes.
- Evaluate recruitment or selection criteria to ensure conformance to professional, statistical, or testing standards, recommending revisions, as needed.
- Coordinate with outside staffing agencies to secure temporary employees, based on departmental needs.
- Evaluate selection or testing techniques by conducting research or follow-up activities and conferring with management or supervisory personnel.
- Develop or implement recruiting strategies to meet current or anticipated staffing needs.
- Administer employee benefit plans.
- Schedule or administer skill, intelligence, psychological, or drug tests for current or prospective employees.
- Interpret and explain human resources policies, procedures, laws, standards, or regulations.
- Hire employees and process hiring-related paperwork.
- Maintain current knowledge of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and affirmative action guidelines and laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
- 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.
- Review employment applications and job orders to match applicants with job requirements.
- Inform job applicants of details such as duties and responsibilities, compensation, benefits, schedules, working conditions, or promotion opportunities.
- Select qualified job applicants or refer them to managers, making hiring recommendations when appropriate.
- Schedule or conduct new employee orientations.
- Maintain and update human resources documents, such as organizational charts, employee handbooks or directories, or performance evaluation forms.
- Confer with management to develop or implement personnel policies or procedures.
- Contact job applicants to inform them of the status of their applications.