How to Become an HR Specialist

When considering a career in HR, you might look at HR generalists and HR specialists as two attractive options. While similar in some ways, the main differentiating factor is that specialists have expertise in one area of human resources. In contrast, generalists have varying levels of experience and knowledge in multiple areas. 

The narrower scope specialists have a more consistent day-to-day schedule, as their responsibilities don’t typically vary significantly. HR generalists, however, will have different tasks to complete based on the issues or projects their company is currently working on. Your career in HR will typically begin in a generalist role. As you gain experience and expertise, you can narrow your focus to one area and become an HR specialist.

Explore what it means to be an HR specialist, including the responsibilities, skills, and requirements needed to become one. Also, uncover this role's typical salary and the job outlook for the coming years.

Read more: What Is Human Resources (HR)? Description, Duties, and Jobs

What is an HR specialist?

HR specialists are employees with expertise in a staff-related area that is critical to the overall success of a business. They support many different people management aspects of regular business practices, such as the following:

• Hiring process

• Training

• Employee relations

• Workflow planning

• Risk management

• Health and safety standards

If you’re interested in a career working with people in a business setting with many different options in scope and advancement, becoming an HR specialist could be the perfect job for you.

What does an HR specialist do?

Your responsibilities as an HR specialist will depend on what you specialize in. Typical HR specialties and the duties that come with each include:

• Recruitment specialist: HR recruiters ensure their company finds the right candidates to fill open positions. This process involves researching to find good candidates, performing interview screenings, attending and managing recruitment events such as job fairs, and creating job listings.

• Compensation and benefits specialist: Compensation and benefits specialists manage employee pay and benefits and solve any questions or concerns that employees may have regarding their compensation. This role also involves researching appropriate salaries for certain positions to ensure you’re offering fair wages based on current market trends and overseeing payment structure.

• Training and development specialist: If you like teaching and working with others, you might consider specializing in training and development. In this position, you will help develop training plans for employees to assist them in gaining the skills and knowledge necessary to do their jobs. Much of your work will involve new employees acclimating to their new position. 

• Labor relations specialist: Companies that navigate labor laws employ labor relations specialists to ensure the organization and its employees follow all rules and regulations. Laws are in place to protect workers' rights, and in unionized organizations, your task is to solve union-related disputes or issues.

Salary and job outlook

According to Glassdoor, the estimated total pay for an HR specialist in the US is $75,591 per year [1]. This figure includes an average base salary of $70,150 and $5,440 in additional pay. Additional pay may represent profit-sharing, commissions, or bonuses.

One contributing factor to your potential earnings is the industry you work in. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salaries for an HR specialist based on industry breakdown is as follows [2]:

• Government: $78,290

• Professional, scientific, and technical services: $78,260

• Manufacturing: $76,200

• Health care and social assistance: $60,340

• Employment services: $54,410

The outlook for HR specialist positions is slightly above the national average for all other positions, with growth projected at 6 percent from 2022 to 2032 [3]. 

How to become an HR specialist

Before gaining employment as an HR specialist, you'll need to meet specific qualifications and gain robust foundational knowledge and skills. Your experience in human resources will be beneficial in preparing you for the advancement to a specialist position. 

1. Complete the education requirements.

You can expect companies to require you to have earned at least a bachelor’s degree. Common majors for HR professioanls include business, human resources management, communication, and psychology. Earning a master’s degree can help you become more competitive for positions compared to other candidates and develop a more advanced skill set.

2. Get experience.

Gaining work experience in human resources will help you qualify for a position as a specialist, and it will also allow you to learn more about working in HR so you can decide what you would like to specialize in. To set yourself up for an entry-level human resources role, consider an internship and use your interpersonal skills to network with people in the same field. 

Read more: HR Entry-Level Jobs Guide: Roles, Salaries, and Strategies to Get Hired

3. Consider certification

Some employers may require you to obtain specific certifications. These credentials can also be a way to supplement your resume, even if they aren’t needed. Being certified is an excellent way to demonstrate your understanding of human resources. Possible certifications you can earn include the Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) and various certifications offered by the HR Certification Institute (HRCI). 

Required skills for an HR specialist

Since HR specialists typically begin their careers as HR generalists, you will need to develop a range of skills to fulfill the different responsibilities of an HR generalist, such as problem-solving, budgeting, attention to detail, and interpersonal intelligence. After you gain experience and learn about what you’re good at and enjoy, certain skills will become more applicable in your HR specialist role as you concentrate on a smaller scope of tasks.

Human resources information systems (HRIS)

Human resources information systems (HRISs) allow you to electronically process HR documents and data for things such as payroll, employee attendance, personal information, and workflows.  Using an HRIS can help you make better decisions based on data, create better user experiences, and cut labor costs by automating labor-intensive tasks. 

Read more: What Is An HRIS? Get Familiar With Human Resource Systems

Employee relations

HR positions require interpersonal skills to manage employee relations. Success in employee relations means resolving workplace conflicts for employees and employers to create a healthy work environment.

Read more: What Is Employee Relations? Definition + Career Guide

Communication

Positive discussions with your coworkers largely depend on your ability to communicate clearly and effectively. HR roles are collaborative, so you can anticipate speaking to people regularly. Communication skills are also crucial for sending emails, letters, and other written documents.

Organization

Working with different people in different departments, organizational skills are needed to properly manage your time and the tasks you’re faced with, especially considering you will be working with time-sensitive projects.

Ethics

Ethical behavior is crucial when working in human resources. Your job will involve handling confidential, sensitive information and ensuring employees and your employer follow regulations and policies.

HR specialist career path

One benefit of working in human resources is having opportunities for advancement. Your career may begin in an HR assistant role or through an internship, where you can then progress to an HR coordinator role or HR generalist. After gaining experience as a specialist, you can continue to move forward and become an HR manager, where you could be the highest-ranking HR employee in some small to midsize companies. At larger companies, you can progress as far as HR director, vice president of HR, or chief HR officer.

Read more: HR Entry-Level Jobs Guide: Roles, Salaries, and Strategies to Get Hired

Get started with Coursera

As a human resources specialist, you focus on a specific area of human resources aligned with your interests and skill set.  For example, you may provide employees with the resources and training they need, help them understand their benefits packages, be involved in hiring and recruitment, or specialize in compliance and regulation. To begin a career as an HR specialist, you’ll likely need to earn a degree and strengthen HR-related skills like employee relations, communication, and organization. 

On Coursera, you will find a variety of highly rated courses where you can learn more about HR careers and develop skills to prepare you for your future. Human Resource Management: HR for People Managers Specialization from the University of Minnesota will help you apply practices related to hiring and managing employees. The University of California, Irvine, offers an online Human Resources Analytics course, helping you learn how to manage data and identify metrics that allow you to draw valuable insights. Upon completing either program, receive a shareable Professional Certificate to include in your resume, CV, or LinkedIn profile.