A Human Resources Officer (HRO) is a vital part of any organisation, commercial or non-commercial, private or public sector, large or small.
HR personnel, typically designated as officers or executives at first-level management, are tasked with all responsibilities connected with employee and resource management.
Job responsibilities cover a wide range of areas. In human resources, you will be involved in employee recruitment, training and development, the provision of compensation and benefits, the enforcement of disciplinary procedures and conflict resolution, while ensuring that the company continues to meet its business and organisational objectives.
Salary & benefits
New HROs with no prior work experience can earn salaries between £20,000 and £30,000. Those with three to five years of experience can expect salaries starting at £30,000 and pushing on £40,000.
Mid-level and senior HR personnel are paid salaries ranging from £40,000 to £100,000. Salary levels are mainly dependent on industry segment, location, size and the range of responsibilities of the HRO.
Working hours
Most Human Resources Officers fall within one of two functional categories – generalist or specialist. Generalist HROs handle multiple HR functions, while the latter focus exclusively on a specific function, such as training and development or employee relations, engagement and performance. In large companies or those operating out of multiple locations, HR may either be organised as a central function with personnel managing HR activities remotely, or based at individual facilities/offices.
Frequent travel may be required, within and outside of the country, especially when conducting mass recruitment schemes or work placements in a bespoke graduate-entry programme.
Entry
The minimum academic requirement is a 2:1 degree in any discipline. Graduates with HR-related modules (such as psychology, personnel management, human resources development or management) are preferred.
Candidates need to demonstrate excellent people management and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to deal with different types of people at various levels – from a factory worker to the CEO.
Human Resources Officers need to be friendly, empathetic and open-minded, with high standards of personal and professional integrity, fairness and an unbiased approach.
Training & progression
Graduates interested in building a career in HR usually undertake a graduate development programme comprised of on-the-job training through multiple, structured placements lasting several months, project-driven assignments and the successful completion of professional credentials, administered by the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (CIPD).
HROs typically start in a generalist role and gain experience across all HR functions over a period of up to five years, before choosing to specialise in a specific function.
Career growth is mainly results-driven with additional value given to self-initiated contributions that enhance overall employee satisfaction and positively impact the company’s performance.
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