Human Resources Specialist

Your Fit

Income

$65K

Preparation

Considerable

Growth

5.9%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Human Resources Specialist?

A Human Resources Specialist is responsible for managing various aspects of employment, including recruitment, staffing, training, and employee relations. They act as a bridge between an organization's management and its employees.

Sample job titles:

HR Coordinator (Human Resources Coordinator), HR Generalist (Human Resources Generalist), Human Resources Specialist (HR Specialist), Recruiter

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Human Resources Specialist.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Human Resources Specialist earn

Income data is from Employment and Social Development Canada's 2024 wage tables. The closest match for this career in Canada’s occupational classification system is Human Resources Specialist.

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$42K per year	$52K per year	$65K per year	$85K per year	$107K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $0 below the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a Human Resources Specialist do?

Work environment

HR Specialists typically work in office settings within various industries. They may work in corporate offices, government agencies, healthcare facilities, or educational institutions, often in a team-oriented environment.

Quick task list

Recruits, interviews, and facilitates the hiring of qualified job applicants.
Conducts new employee orientations and employee relations counseling.
Oversees employee benefit programs and payroll processing.
Implements HR policies and ensures compliance with labor laws.
Conducts performance and wage reviews.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Recruitment and Staffing: Specializing in talent acquisition and workforce planning.
Employee Relations: Focusing on maintaining positive employer-employee relationships.
Training and Development: Specializing in employee skill development and career growth.
Compensation and Benefits: Expertise in managing employee compensation, benefits, and payroll.
Labor Law Compliance: Specializing in ensuring adherence to various labor laws and regulations.

Description

Human Resources Specialists are vital to the functioning of any organization as they handle key aspects of employee management. Their role involves not only hiring and training new staff but also in developing and implementing policies that shape the workplace culture.

In this role, one needs to be adept at balancing the needs of the organization with those of the employees. This includes everything from resolving conflicts to managing employee benefits and ensuring legal compliance in hiring practices.

HR Specialists must have excellent communication skills, as they often serve as the point of contact for employee queries and concerns. They also need to be discrete and ethical, as they handle sensitive personal and company information.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Contributing to a positive work environment and culture.
Helping employees develop and succeed in their careers.
The variety and challenge of dealing with different aspects of employment.

You might make a good Human Resources Specialist if you are...

A strong communicator, both in writing and in person.
Good at building relationships and empathetic to others.
Organized and detail-oriented, capable of handling various tasks efficiently.
Interested in developing and implementing policies.
Ethical and able to handle confidential information discreetly.

Pros:

Interaction with a wide variety of people.
Opportunity to positively impact employees' work life.
Diverse responsibilities, making each day different.

Cons:

Handling difficult situations, like layoffs or disciplinary actions.
The need to stay updated on constantly changing employment laws.
Balancing the interests of employees and management can be challenging.

How to become a Human Resources Specialist

Typical education

A bachelor's degree in human resources, business, or a related field is typically required, which is about 4 years of post-secondary education.

High school preparation

Courses:

Psychology and Sociology to understand human behavior.
Business Studies to gain insight into organizational operations.
Communication classes to develop effective communication skills.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Joining leadership or debate clubs to develop interpersonal skills.
Volunteering in community services to experience diverse human interactions.
Part-time jobs or internships in office settings.

Preparation after high school

Obtain a bachelor's degree in human resources, business, or a related field.
Consider internships in HR departments to gain practical experience.
Pursue professional certifications like PHR or SHRM-CP for advanced knowledge and career advancement.

More resources

Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) - Provides resources, certifications, and networking opportunities.
HR Certification Institute (HRCI) - Offers certifications and resources for HR professionals.
National Human Resources Association (NHRA) - A network for HR professionals offering development and educational opportunities.

Similar careers

Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.