What is a human resources assistant and how to become one

Q: How long does it take to become a Human Resources Assistant?

It takes 4 years of professional experience to become a human resources assistant. That is the time it takes to learn specific human resources assistant skills, but does not account for time spent in formal education. If you include the normal education requirements to complete a college degree, then it takes 7 to 9 years years to become a human resources assistant.

Q: How to get a human resources job

To get a human resources job, you need to get educated, make a connection, and find an entry-level position. The first step to working in human resources is to hold at least a bachelor's degree in human resources or a related field, and often a master's degree may be required for many positions.

Q: Is it hard to be an HR assistant?

No, it is not hard to be a human resource (HR) assistant. It's an entry-level role that is not difficult, but it does require focus and integrity. As an HR assistant, you are typically working regular office hours on-site due to the sensitive nature of the work.

Q: What are the qualifications for an HR assistant?

The minimum qualifications for a human resource (HR) assistant is a high school diploma or equivalent, although an associate's or bachelor's degree is preferred. There are laws and regulations specific to labor relations and human resource management.

Q: Why do you want to work in human resources?

"I want to work in human resources because I enjoy helping people and having a significant impact on their working lives, I like being involved in an organization's human resource strategies, and I enjoy the variety of responsibilities that come with this role" is a good answer to this interview question.

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted Experts

Denise Barton,

Thomas Byrnes

A human resources assistant supports the HR department in various administrative tasks. They maintain employee records and process paperwork related to hiring, promotions, and terminations. They may also assist with employee benefits and payroll. HR assistants help coordinate interviews, schedule meetings, and respond to employee inquiries. They work to support the functioning of an organization's HR department and help maintain a positive work environment for employees.

What general advice would you give to a Human Resources Assistant?

Denise Barton

Senior Professor of Human Resources, Wake Technical Community College

I would advise graduates beginning their careers to earn a human resources certification from the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) and Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI). Both organizations are internationally recognized for high-quality HR knowledge-based exams.

ScoreHuman Resources AssistantUS Average

Salary

2.9

Avg. Salary $36,498

Avg. Salary $59,228

Diversity

8.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.95%

Asian 10.36%

Black or African American 10.84%

Hispanic or Latino 19.12%

Unknown 5.01%

White 53.72%

Gender

female 84.09%

male 15.91%

Age - 42

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42

Stress Level

5.8

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

5.9

Complexity Level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

7.0

Work Life balance is good

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a Human Resources Assistant?

Pros

Opportunities for growth and advancement within the HR field
Ability to develop strong organizational and communication skills
Chance to learn about different industries and company operations
Potential for flexible work arrangements, such as remote work or part-time hours
Ability to build a strong network of professionals in the industry

Cons

High workload and tight deadlines can lead to stress and burnout
Challenging interpersonal situations may arise, such as conflicts between employees or difficult conversations with management
May require working long hours or weekends during peak seasons, such as recruitment or benefits enrollment periods
Must balance competing priorities and demands from different departments or managers
Limited opportunities for creativity or innovation in some HR functions.

Key steps to become a human resources assistant

Explore human resources assistant education requirements

Most common human resources assistant degrees

Bachelor's

59.3 %

Associate

19.2 %

High School Diploma

8.7 %

Start to develop specific human resources assistant skills

Skills	Percentages
Customer Service	10.19%
Payroll Processing	8.11%
Background Checks	8.06%
HRIS	6.55%
Data Entry	6.41%

Complete relevant human resources assistant training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New human resources assistants learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a human resources assistant based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real human resources assistant resumes.

Gain additional human resources assistant certifications

Human resources assistant certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific human resources assistant certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for human resources assistants include Certified Professional - Human Resource (IPMA-CP) and Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA).

More About Certifications

Research human resources assistant duties and responsibilities

Manage all candidate activity and conduct full life- cycle recruiting through an applicant tracking system (ATS).
Manage new employee orientation training, including e-verify.
Operate TALEO software system for managing prospective and current employee application status and procedures
Manage short-term disability and FMLA claims; notified/educate employees of eligibility and qualification requirements.

Prepare your human resources assistant resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your human resources assistant resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a human resources assistant resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

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Build a professional Human Resources Assistant resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Human Resources Assistant resume.