How To Become a Human Resources (HR) Specialist: Tips & Skills

Human resources specialists are in charge of the human side of a corporation or business. They typically must hold at least a bachelor's degree and have some HR experience.

Keep reading to learn more about what a human resources specialist does and the steps you'll need to take to become one.

What is a Human Resources Specialist?

A human resources specialist is a professional who manages a company's personnel. As a result, they help shape the company's culture and ensure that the company is successful.

The role of a human resources specialist can vary depending on the organization.

Common job duties may include:

• check employee references and run background checks
• interviewing job candidates
• keeping and maintaining employee records
• hiring employees
• managing payroll and employee benefits
• mediating employee disagreements
• onboarding and training new employees
• posting job listings
• terminating employees

Larger organizations may have multiple human resources specialists who each handle a specific area of human resources, like hiring or payroll.

Smaller organizations may only have one or two human resources specialists who tackle all human resources tasks.

Human resources specialists typically work in an office, but they can work for a wide variety of organizations. They may also travel for job fairs, job interviews, or corporate events.

Some human resources specialists work specifically for human resources firms. Companies will outsource their HR, or certain HR tasks, to these firms.

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that jobs for human resources specialists will increase by 6% by 2032, which is faster than most other occupations.

Steps to Become a Human Resources Specialist

To become a human resources specialist, you'll typically need a bachelor's degree and some experience in the field.

To further your career, you may want to consider certification or an advanced degree.

We've broken down each step below.

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree

The first step to becoming a human resources specialist is to earn a bachelor's degree. This is an undergraduate degree that usually takes four years to complete.

Many colleges and universities offer bachelor's degrees in human resources.

These programs often cover topics such as:

• employee compensation
• employment law
• employee performance management
• staffing and recruiting
• training and development

Human resources degrees are available both in-person and online. You may also be able to participate in a human resources internship through your degree program.

Other common majors for human resources specialists include majors in business, communications, and organizational psychology.

Step 2: Gain Human Resources Experience

Most human resource specialist roles require you to have some amount of experience in human resources.

As mentioned above, some degree programs may offer or help you secure a human resources internship, which can help you get hands-on experience while still in school.

Additionally, you can find an entry-level job in the human resources field.

Common entry-level positions in human resources include:

• customer service representative
• data entry specialist
• human resources assistant
• human resources coordinator
• payroll clerk

Participating in an internship or working an entry-level job can help you gain valuable human resources skills while also allowing you to network with others in the industry.

Step 3: Consider Human Resources Certification

While earning a professional certification isn't always necessary, some employers prefer or require their human resources specialists to hold certification.

Certification proves that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to excel as an HR professional.

There are several professional associations that offer credentials in human resources. Two of the most popular are the HR Certification Institute and the Society for Human Resource Management.

HR Certification Institute

The HR Certification Institute (HRCI) offers multiple certifications for all levels of HR specialists. Specific credentials are also available for international and global specialists.

Those just beginning their career can pursue the Associate Professional in Human Resources certification. To earn this certification, you'll need to pass the exam.

This exam is made up of 65 scored questions that cover five key areas:

• talent acquisition
• learning and development
• compensation and benefits
• employee relations
• compliance and risk management

Those with HR experience can apply for the Professional in Human Resources certification.

The exam for this certification is 90 questions and covers the following:

• business management
• talent planning and acquisition
• learning and development
• total rewards
• employee and labor relations

A Senior Professional in Human Resources certification is also available for those with multiple years of HR experience.

The Society for Human Resource Management

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is a professional society that offers two certifications for HR professionals.

The first is the SHRM Certified Professional credential. This is for current HR professionals and requires passing an exam.

The exam has 134 questions and covers the following topics:

• organization
• people
• leadership
• business
• interpersonal
• workplace

The Senior Certified Professional credential is for those who have worked in HR for at least three years. This certification also requires passing a test that covers the same topics as the base credential exam.

Step 4: Consider an Advanced Degree

Some human resources specialists may want to consider an advanced degree, such as a master's to help further their careers.

Master's degrees are graduate degrees. On average, they take about two years to complete, but some take as little as one year.

These degrees are often available in an online format, allowing students to keep their jobs while earning their degrees.

Become a Human Resources Specialist

Becoming a human resources specialist usually requires earning a bachelor's degree and gaining experience. Certification and an advanced degree are optional but can help further your career.

With the guide above, you can be on your way toward a career as a human resources specialist today.