what is an HR assistant?
A human resources assistant is primarily responsible for improving the general working conditions of a company or industry. To do this, he must be able to manage any conflicts within a team of employees, to offer appropriate training to staff in order to improve their skills, and to be an effective, responsive and benevolent relay between workers and management.
see all jobsaverage HR assistant salary
Your average human resources assistant salary varies greatly depending on the nature of your position, but also on your experience, the type of establishment and the geographical area where you work.
Are you starting your career as a human resources assistant? Your starting salary will usually be between $36,000 and $43,000. After 5 years of experience, it can reach $65,000 if you have proven yourself, or even more if you have specialized in a specific area such as finance, mediation or consultancy.
average salary for a human resources assistant in canada
annual: $36,800 monthly: $3,066 weekly: $707 hourly: $17
Among the regions in Canada with the highest salaries for human resources assistants, we can name:
- Nunavut Territory
- The province of Newfoundland and Labrador
- Alberta
- The province of Ontario
types of HR assistant
As an HR assistant, you can work for the HR manager or other professionals in human resources. Hence, your role will depend on the HR professional you work for in the department. Some of the types of HR assistants include:
Generalist HR assistants: As a generalist HR assistant, you assist all HR professionals, especially the manager and director. Your duties involve managing HR professionals' calendars and informing them of any issues arising among employees. You also complete other administrative functions like recording workers' information and passing on employee requests to the HR professionals.
Payroll HR assistants: When you are the HR assistant to the payroll specialist, you support them by performing the administrative functions in the role. For instance, you keep records of employees in the company and update the payroll system in case of changes. Aside from maintaining the personnel database, you also record employee attendance and hours worked. After payroll processing, you deliver the paychecks to the workers.
Employee relations HR assistant: When you are the assistant to the employee relations expert, you keep track of the changes in legislation. You assist the employee relations specialist in developing policies in line with government standards and regulations. You also schedule employees according to their skills and motivate them to improve performance. If the company has a library, recreational facilities or lunchroom, you are responsible for ensuring the facilities are in good shape.
Talent acquisition HR assistant: Your job is to assist in the recruitment process by creating job descriptions and contacting shortlisted candidates for interviews. You also organize the interview venue and plan onboarding activities for new hires. Sometimes you verify the applicants' references, portfolios and CVs before recording their details in the Human Resource Information systems (HRIS).
working as an HR assistant
Are you interested in becoming an HR assistant? Find out more about the missions and responsibilities of a human resources assistant.
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what does an HR assistant do?
Versatile, a human resources assistant is able to manage various daily tasks within an establishment quickly, efficiently… and empathetically. What is your main objective? Help managers to properly administer the establishment by playing the role of internal relay between employees and managers.
You are able to carry out behind-the-scene tasks for HR executives and leaders. Your role includes a large share of administrative functions, and you are the main point of contact for employees internally.
The various human resources professions may, for example, require you to perform the following tasks:
- Analysis and resolution of conflicts between employees
- Dissemination of job advertisements and establishment of the ranking of the various applications
- Management of job interviews and recruitment of employees
- Staff training and skills assessment
- Reception of the public wishing to obtain information on possible vacancies
- Payroll management (establishment of pay slips, calculation of bonuses, etc.)
- Administration of staff absences, leaves or medical visits
- Drafting of administrative documents (employment contracts, decrees, etc.)
- Dissemination of all information concerning the professional life of employees (changes of schedules, bonuses, exceptional work outside working hours, etc.)
Regular exchanges with the various services of the establishment and the unions
Establishment of a monthly social report on the operation of the establishment
Definition of a development policy for the human resources department
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work environment of a HR assistant
A human resources assistant generally performs her duties face-to-face, within an establishment and in an office. Landline and cell phone, computer and printer, fax machine: you carry out your tasks using complete technological equipment, which allows you to communicate and keep in touch with the team you supervise alongside a director of human resources.
Some remote human resources assistant jobs are sometimes offered by companies or administrative establishments. These are often temporary positions and renewable employment contracts depending on the circumstances, made available during the absence of the current HR assistant. Your physical presence, however, remains an essential element if you want to fully develop in this profession: direct contact is an essential factor in exercising the profession of human resources assistant in an efficient and active way.
A large majority of Canadian companies and industries seek human resources assistants to improve the functioning of their company and the coordination of their activity.
You therefore have the possibility of practicing this profession in all structures that include an HR department, whether in the public or private sector: small and medium-sized enterprises, industry, technical subsidiary, office of a manufacturing company, etc.
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who are your colleagues?
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work schedule
As a Human Resources Assistant, you typically work standard working hours: 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week, Monday through Friday. The profession is usually offered, because the presence of an HR manager has a considerable influence on the proper functioning of an establishment. Your working hours can nevertheless be slightly flexible, depending on your needs and your employer.
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career opportunities as a HR assistant
Since HR assistant jobs are entry-level positions, you have multiple opportunities for career growth in the human resource field. If you improve your educational qualifications and work experience, you can join managerial roles like HR manager or HR director. As an HR assistant, you can also become a generalist or specialize in any HR specialism. Some HR assistants become employee relations experts, payroll specialists or recruiters.
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advantages of finding a job as a HR assistant through randstad
Working with Randstad offers you a range of benefits.
always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
- many training opportunities
- a range of jobs in your area
HR assistant skills and education
Here again, the training required to practice the profession of human resources assistant differs from one company or establishment to another. At a minimum, a college degree is usually required by employers. Having a university degree is obviously an additional advantage, especially if you have studied or trained in a sector related to human resources (administration, commerce, psychology, communication, etc.).
The most demanding employers may decide to recruit only a candidate who already has one or more years of experience in the field of human resources or who possesses the title of Certified Human Resources Consultant (CRHA). These qualifications are mainly required for positions of high responsibility or in very large companies.
FAQs about HR assistant jobs
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about human resources assistant jobs.
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what skills are required for an HR assistant?
You need the following skills as an HR assistant:
- Knowledge in human resource software: As an HR assistant, you should be familiar with the talent management software (TMS), HRIS and applicant tracking software (ATS). Most companies use the ATS to sort through applications or the TMS to manage the entire recruitment process and performance appraisals. Hence, knowledge of the software makes your work easier.
- Basic computer skills: Your computing skills come in handy when recording employee details or managing schedules for the managers. Extensive knowledge of using Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel can help you accomplish your tasks efficiently.
- Communication skills: Since you are the link between the employees and management, you need exceptional communication skills. Aside from oral communications, you need to be proficient in written and digital methods of communication. It will help you pass information to various stakeholders within the company. You also liaise with outsiders, and having communication skills help you provide accurate information to applicants and vendors.
- Organizational skills: Being an HR assistant involves multitasking and handling various duties. Proper organization helps you prioritize and complete all tasks on time and stay on top of the work demands.
- Conflict resolution: Employees forward complaints and conflicts through the HR assistant. While some issues require the manager's attention, you can resolve conflicts between employees. As an HR assistant, you need to be a good mediator with skills in conflict resolution to avoid escalating the problems. Conflict resolution skills help you avoid biases and listen to both sides before providing a verdict that is agreeable to both parties.
- Teamwork: As an HR assistant, you work alongside many HR professionals, and without teamwork skills, the work environment can become unbearable. Interpersonal skills help you collaborate with others and accommodate their ideas in the workplace.
- Proactivity: When you are proactive, you can identify a potential problem and find solutions before it disrupts the work environment. For instance, if some employees have grievances, it is crucial to address the issues before they escalate to strikes or low productivity. You also need to stay updated and ready for changes in the human resource sector.
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what does an HR assistant do?
The tasks assigned to a human resources assistant vary from day to day and according to the specific needs of each establishment. It is therefore in your best interest to possess or acquire all the skills necessary to quickly deal with each request that is made of you, whether at the social, administrative or IT level. The general and more specific qualities of a human resources assistant are:
- Excellent listening and oral and written communication skills
- Good notions in the behavioural field
- The ability to spot and identify relational problems between employees
- The ability to create a relationship of trust between managers and staff
- Excellent command of office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
- Real knowledge in the field of finance, economics, and laws governing a company
- The ability to use all current means of communication (telephone, email, social networks, videoconferencing applications, etc.)
- A great sense of diplomacy and discretion in particular situations, such as a warning, a reprimand, or the announcement of a dismissal
Finally, bilingualism is a great asset: many companies require their future human resources assistant to speak French and English.
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how much does an HR assistant make in Canada?
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do you need a degree to be an HR assistant?
You can join the HR assistant profession through a degree program. Since it is an entry-level position, you need a bachelor's degree in labour relations, industrial relations, business administration or human resources. Apart from the course, you need relevant work experience or additional certification. Vocational programs and internships give you an edge over other applicants. You also need a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) certification to work with top human resource professionals.
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how long does it take to become an HR assistant?
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how do I find a job as an HR assistant?
Finding a job near you as an HR assistant is easy. Search our job offers. Have you found what you're looking for? Then submit your application using the ‘Apply’ button top right on the page. No jobs available right now? Send us your resume and we'll pass it on to a recruiter who will contact you if an opportunity opens up for you.
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