Often the first point of contact in the human resources department, HR assistants may handle a variety of internal and external enquiries. HR assistants play a supportive role in the running of an organisation’s human resources department.
Depending on the size of the company, they may work alongside managers as their sole assistant or as one of a number of workers within the HR department. Other duties may include updating employee records, organising documents and induction programmes for new starters, tracking absences, collating and preparing HR reports, and managing probation
The work calls for proactive, methodical workers with excellent written and verbal communication skills. Applicants must also be computer-literate, as the job involves working with employee databases.
Employers often ask for at least one or two years’ experience in a similar role. It may also be necessary to be in possession of the CPP (Certificate in Personnel Practice). Average salaries are around £20,000 in London and the Midlands, with rates of between £15,000 and £18,000 elsewhere.