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WORKING IN HUMAN RESOURCES & RECRUITMENT

Working as a Human Resource Generalist

A human resource generalist works across a variety of tasks within focusing on the care and management of the human capital within an organisation. HR generalists will split their time between recruitment, retention, training, promotion, remuneration, health care and social benefits.  Furthermore a HR generalist will be on hand to help guide employees through human resources procedures, answer policy questions, manage benefits, and address related issues and problems.

Given the scope of their role, human resources ge...

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WORKING IN HUMAN RESOURCES & RECRUITMENT

Working as a Human Resource Generalist

A human resource generalist works across a variety of tasks within focusing on the care and management of the human capital within an organisation. HR generalists will split their time between recruitment, retention, training, promotion, remuneration, health care and social benefits.  Furthermore a HR generalist will be on hand to help guide employees through human resources procedures, answer policy questions, manage benefits, and address related issues and problems.

Given the scope of their role, human resources generalists are often trained across the spectrum of human resources disciplines and take on tasks in all areas of the department. In addition, they ensure that all personnel functions comply with the regulations of state and federal law.  They must be detailed in assessing applicants' qualifications, carrying out background checks, documenting staff complaints and ensuring that the workplace complies with labour standards. Human resources experts use decision-making skills to verify candidates' qualifications and resolve disputes.

Some HR generalists will have more of a focus on recruitment, and their primary task is to source and hire new employees to join the business. They look for candidates who have the skills, training and work experience required for the job and try to accommodate them with their employer.  To find their new employees, they will place advertisements online and in traditional print media, will visit / hold stands at job fairs as well as attending college campuses to try and recruit graduate talent.

How to become a Human Resources Generalist

Human Resources professionals usually have to have a bachelor's degree or at least two years of professional experience in the field of human resources. HR specialists usually have bachelor's degrees in Human Resource Management, Human Capital Management or Human Rights Management.

Many professional associations specialising in human resources offer courses to improve the skills of their members. Candidates can gain experience in Human Resources Management, Human Capital Management or Human Rights Management. Some positions, in particular personnel generalists, may require prior professional experience. 

Certification programs are offered by a number of professional organizations such as the International Association for Human Resource Management (IHRM). Although certification is usually voluntary, it is preferred and can be required by some employers.

Human resources generalists can benefit from certification as they have knowledge and expertise in all areas of human resources. HR managers can be promoted by HR specialists with experience in Human Resources Management, Human Capital Management or Human Rights Management. Specialists can increase their chances of promotion through a voluntary certification programme.

Specialists constantly interact with new people and need to be able to talk to people from different backgrounds and make contact with people of different races, religions, ethnicities, sexual orientation and backgrounds.

In order to work effectively, specialists need strong language skills and listening is indispensable for personnel experts. For example, when interviewing a candidate, they must pay close attention to the candidate's answers, understand the points they have raised and ask the relevant follow up questions. Presentations are often given, and there must be the ability to clearly communicate information about the organization and the workplace itself.

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