Career Profile: Human Resources Specialists

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.

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