What does an HR generalist do?
As an HR generalist, you are responsible for helping and supporting the HR department as well as your team leader or manager and other employees. Many of the tasks you handle on the job ensure that the team performs as needed and meets any deadlines they have. You will attend training sessions to make sure you know about current employment laws and get certifications in the field. Working as an HR generalist requires recruiting new employees for open jobs and interviewing them. Before hiring a worker, you also ensure that they have the benefits they need. You will also spend time with other departments to identify the skills that employees need for your company.
You can look forward to handling some administrative tasks as well. As an HR generalist, you create HR programs that inform employees about their benefits and any upcoming changes that affect the whole company. You are also responsible for answering questions that workers have about paid time off or other issues and making sure that workers are aware of company-wide policies. It's helpful to have a good understanding of all hiring and employer laws at the federal, state, and local levels, too.
View RolesWhat is the average salary of an HR generalist
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, HR generalists make the same amount as HR specialists do. While the median page for these workers is $62,690 per year, the median hourly wage is $29.95 per hour. The BLS lists the highest-paid positions within this profession as including those who work in scientific and technical fields, followed by those who work for the government and in manufacturing. Depending on where you work and the experience you bring to the table, you have the chance to increase your salary to as high as $76,000 a year. Having a bachelor's degree in business and a graduate degree in HR management can increase your income. You can also earn more money when you earn the certifications offered by the Society for Human Resource Management and other organizations.
Working as an HR generalist
A career as a paralegal is among the most demanding careers you can choose. It provides a viable way to make a difference in the legal community behind the scenes. Although you will not have a law license, you are likely to be the busiest person at the courthouse. While you can ease your workload with artificial intelligence systems for uploading and collecting data, a machine or robot cannot replace what you do as a paralegal. You will learn about your responsibilities, work environment, and potential colleagues in this section.
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What are the responsibilities of an HR generalist
Most of the job responsibilities of an HR generalist are support tasks. You will work under a manager who assigns you duties each day or week. In addition to working with current employees, you also help find qualified people for new roles. This involves both recruiting through online job positing and in-person hiring events, as well as interviewing the candidates you deem as the best. Some of the duties you are responsible for as an HR generalist include:
- Collaborating with other departments: Through meetings and emails, you identify the needs of each department and the positions they have available.
- Verifying potential employees: As an HR generalist, you perform background checks or hire others to perform these checks to make sure new workers can work for your company.
- Running orientations: As the person responsible for new workers, you run orientation sessions that help them learn more about your company and the benefits they earn through the company.
- Handling questions: Your job duties also include handling questions from other workers about issues relating to their employment, such as what they can do after a negative encounter with another worker.
- Complying with employment laws: Not only do you need to have a strong understanding of employment laws, but you also need to ensure that the company and all workers follow those laws.
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What type of equipment do HR generalists use?
Working as an HR generalist usually does not require that you use any special tools. You spend a lot of time on a computer as you send and respond to emails. Some offices also require that you carry a work phone that you use to answer calls from clients or workers. You also need a strong familiarity with HR management software.
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What is the work environment of an HR generalist?
Most of the work that you do as an HR generalist takes place in a standard office setting. As you work the same hours and days every week, the position is perfect for those who like following a set schedule. You never need to worry about your hours changing or finding that you suddenly need to work on the weekends. Some positions involve a small amount of travel. You may travel to hiring events where you have the chance to meet with and interview dozens of candidates. Hiring events often take place on college campuses as a way to attract recent graduates. You may need to attend off-site training events or conferences, too.
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Who are your colleagues as an HR generalist?
Though you might think that you spend much of your time working with future employees, you also spend some time working with others in the HR department, such as HR specialists and HR managers. While the manager is the person who assigns your tasks and makes sure you stay on track, HR specialists handle some of the same duties and often work closely with you on new projects. You also work with the heads of other departments as you prepare job postings to make sure the listings include everything they need.
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What is the work schedule of an HR generalist?
Working as an HR generalist allows you to see your schedule in advance and know the exact hours you work without coming across any surprises. Most generalists work 40 hours a week. They start early in the morning, around 8 or 9, and usually work for eight hours minus a lunch break. Your lunch break lets you get away from work for 30 minutes to a full hour. You rarely work outside of your set hours unless you need to put together a special project or lead a training event outside of regular business hours. The only time you work on the weekends is if you are responsible for attending hiring events, as many take place on Saturday afternoons.
What is the career outlook for an HR generalist?
The career outlook for HR generalists is similar to the outlook across different professions. Research done by the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that the field will add 14,800 new jobs every year through 2023. The highest need is for operations specialists as this profession will grow by 12%. Other positions related to HR generalists will grow by only 10%. You have the chance to make more money and improve your career outlook when you work with organizations and undergo extra training. Many organizations offer training sessions that you complete at night after a day at work or on the weekends. You also have the option of going back to school to earn a graduate degree with an emphasis or concentration in HR management.
What are the advantages of working with Spherion as an HR generalist?
Spherion is one of the top staffing companies in the country and offers benefits for job seekers. As an HR generalist looking for a new job, Spherion helps you find the right industry and position. You can work for a small employer with just a few employees or a large corporation with hundreds of workers. Spherion also lets you find similar positions that are right for you. Some of the other advantages of working with Spherion as an HR generalist include:
- Flexibility when you need it
- Training opportunities to further your career
- Personal contact to help with your search
- Multiple scheduling options
- Weekly payments
- Programs that help you develop stronger HR skills
- Tons of jobs in your city and other towns
What education do you need as an HR generalist?
The basic education you need as an HR generalist is a bachelor's degree in human resources or a related field. Related fields can include business or business administration. If you have a business degree, make sure that you take HR classes in college to develop the skills you need on the job. Earning your graduate degree can increase your prospects. Many colleges offer part-time and full-time degree programs that allow you to take online courses or classes on a local campus that take place after standard business hours. Some employers look for HR generalists with a minimum of one year of experience in an HR field. There are also certification programs available from different organizations, including:
- Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
- International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans
- HR Certification Institute
- World at Work
Skills & competencies
Though you don't need to be physically strong to work as an HR generalist, an ability to lift at least 15 pounds is helpful. This is about what the boxes of files and other paperwork that you need to carry will weigh. As you spend a lot of time at your desk, you also need to feel comfortable in that position without needing to take frequent breaks. Working as an HR generalist requires that you have strong communication skills, both verbal and written, as you are responsible for sending emails and speaking with employees directly. Other skills you need as an HR generalist include:
- Conflict resolution
- Time management
- Organizational
- Negotiation
To work as an HR generalist, you also need familiarity with both Microsoft Office and Human Resource Information System (HRIS) software.
FAQs
HR generalists help employers find new workers and assist HR managers in other duties. Discover answers to frequently asked questions about how you can become an HR generalist.
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How are HR generalists different from HR managers?
Applying for positions as an HR generalist shows you that these positions are at the bottom of the HR department. Many jobs are entry-level and suitable for recent college graduates and those who have little experience, like workers who did internships in school. HR managers are the leaders of those departments. Though they are responsible for overseeing all of the work that employees do, they assign tasks to different people to divide the workload. You have the chance to work your way up to a management position when you start as an HR generalist.
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What do you need to get HR certification?
Making sure that you meet the eligibility requirements for HR certification programs is an easy way to ensure you enroll in the right one. The SHRM, for example, has two HR certification programs: a certified professional program and a senior certified professional program. You can earn the first certification as long as you have knowledge of HR practices and a college degree. The second option is only open to those who have a minimum of 1,000 hours of HR experience. Other organizations have similar requirements for their certification programs.
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How do I apply for a job as an HR generalist?
Applying for a job as an HR generalist is easy with Spherion. You can search for HR generalists jobs on Spherion.com by job title and location. If you don’t see the perfect role, you can submit an open application. Once you submit your contact information and resume through Spherion's open application, a recruiter from the office closest to you will reach out with details about potential HR generalist roles that fit your skill set and professional goals.
