Human Resources Officer

As a Human Resources Officer, you will help organisations support their employees throughout their careers, from recruitment and onboarding to training, wellbeing and employee relations. You'll work closely with managers and staff, providing advice, maintaining records and helping create a positive, productive workplace where people can thrive.

Human Resources Officer is also known as HR Assistant.

Role Characteristics

Help recruit new employees, and support their onboarding to the new role
Handle complaints and disciplinary procedures
Give advice on sickness absence, performance and employment relations
Plan and put into place employee training and development activities
Arrange employee support services like welfare and counselling
Develop Human Resource policies, handbooks and procedures

Skills

Written communication
Organisation
Managing people
Decision-making
Record keeping
Communication

Day in the life

Watch this video to find out more about roles in Human Resources.

Routes into this role

Here are some example routes that can lead into this role.

GCSEs

BTEC, T-Level or A-Levels

An apprenticeship

Undergraduate degree

How to become

To become a Human Resources (HR) Officer, you do not usually need a specific degree subject, but many employers look for qualifications in Human Resources, Business Management, Psychology, Law or a related subject. There are many ways to access university level education, and you can explore lots of current opportunities in the section below.

You might:

Study A Levels, BTECs, or T Levels – useful subjects might include Business Studies, Psychology, Sociology, Law, Economics, English or Digital Business Services. Explore some current opportunities below.
Complete an Access to Higher Education course – a college course designed for adults who want to access higher education but don’t have the traditional requirements like A Levels.
Complete a Foundation course – a year-long university course designed to prepare you for studying Human Resources, Business Management or a related degree if you do not have the required qualifications or grades to go straight into a degree.
Alongside education, you may also want to build some relevant work or voluntary experience in administration, customer service, business support or other office environments and think about developing your communication, organisation, problem-solving, teamwork and interpersonal skills.

You will then be ready to study at a university level. This can include:

Studying an undergraduate degree in Human Resource Management (BA or BSc) Business Management (BA), Psychology (BSc), Law (LLB) or a related subject.
Completing a Graduate Scheme – If you have a university degree already at a 2:2 or above, you could apply for the NHS Graduate Management Scheme, where you study and complete professional development, while working in a HR setting.

You could also become a Human Resources officer without a university degree. For example, you could:

Complete an Apprenticeship – gain experience in the workplace while also studying a qualification, such as a Level 5-7 CIPD Human Resources Apprenticeship.
Moving from another role – many people move into Human Resources roles from administrative positions, or reception or customer service positions. You can also start your career as a Human Resources Administrator (also known as Human Resources Admin Officer, Human Resources Admin Assistant) whilst gaining knowledge about Human Resources processes and before moving into a Human Resources Officer role.

Where can this role lead

Developing specialist knowledge in workforce planning, employee relations, learning and development, or recruitment could lead to increased responsibility within Human Resources, including managing people, policies and organisational change.

Your experience of supporting employees, handling information, coordinating processes and building relationships would also transfer well to sideways moves such as Project Manager, Communications Officer, or Community Fundraiser roles. You could also develop your analytical and organisational skills further in a Business Analyst role.

Progression might look like becoming a HR Business Partner with responsibility for a Human Resources function, or to a Service Manager overseeing many functions including the organisation's HR team. You could also specialise in staff development, training or consultancy services.

Location

Offices
At Home

Working hours

Weekdays
Part Time
Full Time
Casual Hours
Overtime
Flexible Hours

Opportunities

Courses

Customer Service Pre-Employment Programme

This is an exciting opportunity for anyone who is looking to take their first step into an administration role within the health and care sector.

Organisation: Leeds Health and Care Talent Hub

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Volunteering

Volunteering in Health and Care

Find out more about volunteering opportunities in Health and Care

Organisation: Volunteering Opportunities

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Courses

Level 3 Foundation Certificate in Human Resources Practice (CIPD)

This course is suited to those learners who are studying and aspiring for a career in people practice, in a support role and wishing to develop their knowledge to deliver immediate and short-term value for their organisation.

Organisation: Calderdale College

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Undergraduate Degree

Undergraduate BSc (Hons) Human Resource Management and Business

Develop a deep understanding of human behaviour in business and learn how to get the best out of people in the workplace.

Organisation: Leeds Beckett University

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BTECs, T-levels or A-levels

T Level Business (Management & Administration)

This Business T Level study programme provides you with the practical and academic skills and knowledge to progress into a career in Business Support, Team Leadership and Management.

Organisation: Wakefield College

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Courses

Principles of Business Administration

The student will learn through the support of relevant materials for the course, with a knowledgeable tutor providing advice and guidance on the course content.

Organisation: Heart of Yorkshire Education Group

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