Human Resources Specialist

Typical Work Tasks
People who work in this career often:

• Discuss business strategies, practices, or policies with managers.
• Develop training materials.
• Maintain data in information systems or databases.
• Prepare operational reports.
• Review license or permit applications.
• Update knowledge of legal or regulatory environments.
• Verify application data to determine program eligibility.
• Advise others on business or operational matters.
• Advise others on human resources topics.
• Inform individuals or organizations of status or findings.

Typical Working Conditions

• Having telephone conversations.
• Using e-mail.
• Working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions.
• Working with a group or team.
• The freedom to determine tasks, priorities, and goals.
• Freedom to make decisions without supervision.
• Sitting.
• Being in situations in which conflicts arise.
• Meeting strict deadlines.
  Responsibility for outcomes and results.

Tools & Technology used by Human Services Specialists

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise

Most Important Skills for Human Resources Specialists

• 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.
• Reading—Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  Speaking—Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Thinking Critically—Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Writing—Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Being Aware of Others—Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Monitoring Performance—Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Coordinating with Others—Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
• Making Decisions—Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Learning New Things—Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Most Important Knowledge Areas for Human Resources Specialists

• 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.
• Clerical—Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
• Education and Training—Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum an training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
• 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.
• 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.
• English Language—Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Law and Government—Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
• Computers and Electronics—Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
• Psychology—Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
• Communications and Media—Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.

Interests
Different careers may be a good fit for your personality or interests. This career is:

• 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.

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise

Low indicates 25% of workers earn less and 75% earn more. Median indicates 50% of workers earn less and 50% earn more. High indicates 75% of workers earn less and 25% earn more.

Demand
This career is seeing high growth compared to other careers. There will be a 4.5% growth for Human Services Specialists to meet market demand between 2018-2028. This includes the demand due to replacement (workers leaving the occupation or retiring) as well as growth.

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise

This career requires at least at least a Bachelors degree, and some professionals have a Masters degree. This career does not require a license, but there are certifications are helpful for growth in some industries.

View the local post-secondary education options from our partners: Central Lakes College & MSTATE.

Helpful High School Courses
Examples of helpful classes that help you prepare for this career:

• Accounting
• Business English
• Business Law
• Computer Applications
• Economics
• Entrepreneurship
• International Business
• Marketing
• Public Speaking
• Social Media

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise