In a changing market economy, what does it take to succeed in HR? Back in the day, a HR assistant must be well-organised and possess the ability to multi-task. As the job role involves managing employee information and handling employee relations, trust and discretion is crucial.
These days, however, a HR assistant will need more than just organisational and multitasking abilities. The role has evolved to become more service-oriented, involving the need to manage, and sometimes train, employees in the organisation. As such, to succeed in HR, it is important to possess excellent people and communication skills, while investing in human-centred skills like empathic listening and trust building.
Qualities of a good HR assistant
As more companies are looking for skilled, talented individuals to help them succeed, that also means HR departments will continue to grow. So as an aspiring HR assistant, cultivate a diverse range of HR assistant skills – from recruitment and onboarding, to employee relations. These skills are easily transferred between industries, sectors and companies.
As an HR assistant, key skills that can help in the role would include:
- Effective communication and active listening: It’s not only about speaking, but also genuinely listening and understanding. Such skills help build trust, honesty and respect, which are the key ingredients of success in HR.
- Emotional intelligence and empathy: This is what sets apart successful HR leaders. Having EQ and empathy helps you better understand the people you work with to provide the right kind of guidance and support.
- Trustworthiness: Every HR assistant will need to handle sensitive information so trust is paramount to the role.
- Loyalty: Being in the same company long-term enables your role as HR to better support the various business functions.
- Negotiation skills: This is very useful for HR assistants, who will be regularly involved in various negotiations, including salary discussions and purchasing meetings. Having a basic knowledge of employment law is a plus.
- Self-motivation: Teamwork is important but it is just as crucial to be able to perform in your role on your own.
- Ability to multi-task: Being adept in multi-tasking is very beneficial as HR departments can be extremely busy at times, especially in larger organisations. What’s more, an HR assistant will have to assist senior members in multiple areas, including recruitment, training, performance management, employee orientation, payroll administration, employee welfare and health and safety.
- International focus and flexibility: The role of an HR assistant can be a global one, regardless of seniority. As such, having the capability to handle an international scope is vital.
Stay informed and secure. Navigate your job search confidently with MyCareersFuture.
Characteristics of a good HR Assistant
While good characteristics are beneficial no matter what role you play in a company, there are some that are more useful than others when you’re in HR. These characteristics include having sympathy, ability to make efficient decisions, having strong ethics, and high level of patience. Because an effective HR assistant motivates, organises, and assists organisations in achieving objectives, such attributes are useful in evaluating and recruiting people.
The HR department is an important part of any organisation. They help companies manage their employees and run their operations efficiently. There are many different types of HR professionals, with most of them focusing on employee welfare, training, benefits and salaries.
Being part of the HR team, it is important to know the company’s mission, vision and strategy, on top of understanding the laws and regulations. HR professionals must understand what each department does and why it exists, so as to understand their needs and challenges. They need to understand each of the staff that works in the organisations, the skills they have and keep up with the latest trends in the relevant sector.
While passion for knowledge sharing and working with others is key, there may be a need for HR to interact with staff in an advisory capacity at times. As such, having counselling skills will be seen as an advantage.
What does an HR Assistant do?
As an HR assistant, you will need to analyse data, create reports, understand an employee file and communicate effectively with other departments. So it is important to be highly organised, methodical, analytical and adept in employee engagement.
The role also requires you to be responsible for keeping track of staff employment records. Screening applicants and clarifying test results will often be part of your regular duties. As the HR department is responsible for keeping employee information safe and secure, you will need to work with the IT department to ensure the system is up to date and that employees are aware of any threats or risks.
As an HR assistant, you will generally be responsible for internal communication in an organisation. They schedule new hires into the company, review employee performance and manage the flow of information throughout the company. Other tasks could include liaising with vendors and suppliers, maintaining accurate employee records, processing payrolls, learning about employment law and helping with new employee orientation for each successful candidate.
Get 21 personalised job matches daily just by taking the CareersFinder Quiz! Try today!
What does an HR Assistant’s career path entail?
The HR sector often involves a career path that is somewhat fluid and interchangeable. Switching from one company to another, and from one industry to another, is a relatively simple process.
Larger organisations usually offer the opportunity to train for qualifications aimed at career advancement and an improved average salary. Those in senior HR management will often have begun their careers at the most junior level, collecting the relevant experience and soft skills as they go, and evolving into specialist roles.
Searching for HR assistant jobs can be competitive, but with a well-crafted resume showcasing your relevant experience and skills, you can increase your chances of landing the job.
This article is contributed by Michael Page.
