Occupation Details
Human Resources Specialists
Recruit, screen, interview, or place individuals within an organization. May perform other activities in multiple human resources areas.
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Interests
Social
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Enterprising
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Conventional
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Work Values
Achievement
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Relationships
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Support
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$50,840.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$79,770.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$105,690.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
41,330
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
51,460
+1,013 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
5,353
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.3%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
Degree Needed - Four-year college
Experience Requirements
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Education Requirements
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, conservation scientists, art directors, and cost estimators.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Apprenticeship
Contact your regional representative to learn more about apprenticeships available in your area by visiting Apprenticeship Contacts.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Personnel and Human Resources
Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
Administrative
Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Law and Government
Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Concern for Others
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Social Orientation
Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- 10-key calculators
- Computer scanners
- Desktop computers
- Digital audio recorders
- Digital video disk DVD players
- Laptop computers
- Laser facsimile machines
- Liquid crystal display LCD projectors
- Multi-line telephone systems
- Office inkjet printers
- Personal computers
- Photocopying equipment
- Video projectors
Technology
- AST Staff Matrix
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Adobe Systems Adobe Creative Cloud
- Adobe Systems Adobe Dreamweaver
- Adobe Systems Adobe Fireworks
- Adobe Systems Adobe Human Capital Application Solution Accelerator
- Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
- Adobe Systems Adobe LifeCycle Enterprise Suite
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Advanced business application programming ABAP
- Airtable
- Apple Final Cut Pro
- Apple macOS
- Arbita OneWorld
- Assessment software
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- develop budgets
- coordinate staff or activities in clerical support setting
- provide customer service
- provide information about facilities
- supervise clerical or administrative personnel
- evaluate reliability of source information
- assess staff or applicant skill levels
- interview job applicants
- recruit employees
- implement recruiting procedures
- hire, discharge, transfer, or promote workers
- evaluate information from employment interviews
- maintain job descriptions
- publicize job openings
- evaluate qualifications or eligibility of applicant for employment
- establish recruiting procedures
- select applicants meeting qualifications
- use information from previous employers to determine applicant acceptability
- seek out applicants to fill job openings
- refer applicant to other hiring personnel
- rate ability of applicant
- investigate character of applicants
- explain rules, policies or regulations
- analyze financial data
- use psychological assessment tools
- conduct research on work-related topics
- understand government labor or employment regulations
- conduct training for personnel
- arrange for transportation or accommodations
- make presentations
- compile information through interviews
- refer clients to community services or resources
- recommend improvements to work methods or procedures
- advise department managers in personnel matters
- consult with customers concerning needs
- use counseling techniques
- use government regulations
- use interviewing procedures
- use public speaking techniques
- use knowledge of investigation techniques
- evaluate applicant qualifications for licensure
- ensure compliance with government regulations
- obtain information from individuals
- maintain cooperative relationships with clients
- maintain records, reports, or files
- fill out business or government forms
- prepare or maintain employee records
- maintain file of job openings
- use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
- consult with managerial or supervisory personnel
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Interpret and explain human resources policies, procedures, laws, standards, or regulations.
- Hire employees and process hiring-related paperwork.
- Administer employee benefit plans.
- Maintain current knowledge of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and affirmative action guidelines and laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
- Schedule or administer skill, intelligence, psychological, or drug tests for current or prospective employees.
- Prepare or maintain employment records related to events, such as hiring, termination, leaves, transfers, or promotions, using human resources management system software.
- Address employee relations issues, such as harassment allegations, work complaints, or other employee concerns.
- Conduct reference or background checks on job applicants.
- Inform job applicants of details such as duties and responsibilities, compensation, benefits, schedules, working conditions, or promotion opportunities.
- Review employment applications and job orders to match applicants with job requirements.
- Select qualified job applicants or refer them to managers, making hiring recommendations when appropriate.
- Schedule or conduct new employee orientations.
- Review and evaluate applicant qualifications or eligibility for specified licensing, according to established guidelines and designated licensing codes.
- Maintain and update human resources documents, such as organizational charts, employee handbooks or directories, or performance evaluation forms.
- Confer with management to develop or implement personnel policies or procedures.
- Evaluate recruitment or selection criteria to ensure conformance to professional, statistical, or testing standards, recommending revisions, as needed.
- Contact job applicants to inform them of the status of their applications.
- Conduct exit interviews and ensure that necessary employment termination paperwork is completed.
- Interview job applicants to obtain information on work history, training, education, or job skills.
- Perform searches for qualified job candidates, using sources such as computer databases, networking, Internet recruiting resources, media advertisements, job fairs, recruiting firms, or employee referrals.
- Provide management with information or training related to interviewing, performance appraisals, counseling techniques, or documentation of performance issues.
- Analyze employment-related data and prepare required reports.
- Advise management on organizing, preparing, or implementing recruiting or retention programs.
- Develop or implement recruiting strategies to meet current or anticipated staffing needs.
- Coordinate with outside staffing agencies to secure temporary employees, based on departmental needs.
- Evaluate selection or testing techniques by conducting research or follow-up activities and conferring with management or supervisory personnel.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Human resources, training, and labor relations managers and specialists
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
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