Any aspiring HR Assistant should arrive at their workplaces equipped with a few standard industry skills, like following instructions, adapting to company procedures, and being ready to promote good performance among employees by promptly addressing their queries. They should also be able to work with little supervision. 

Aside from these softer skills, a professional HR Assistant will also require work experience in an organizational setting, usually between 1-3 years. Many HR Assistant jobs are categorized as entry-level but require applicants to have completed a bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Labour Relations, or Industrial Relations. Some candidates may choose to pursue additional degrees in related areas like Finance and Business Administration, which will give them an edge over other applicants. Any higher level of education is often recognized as experience and will eventually allow candidates to apply for higher positions. 

Additional certification is available for HR professionals and is sometimes required when applying for certain positions, depending on the job. HR certification may not only make you more appealing to employers but may be an investment that pays off with better opportunities and earnings potential. HR Assistants may only need to focus on the relevant certification for their immediate position. Still, they will benefit from learning more about SHRM-level certification to further their career opportunities.

What can help you become a Human Resources Assistant?

• Interpersonal and communication skills: 

HR Assistants will benefit from communicating clearly and confidently across all department levels. Written and verbal communication are essential for cultivating an open environment with employees, with other members of the HR management team, and during group presentations and meetings. 

• Organizational and time management skills: 

HR Assistants should be prepared to prioritize and plan their work activities to promote the highest efficiency while also managing a high volume, diverse workload. Multitasking doesn’t always come easy, but honing and developing this skill will guarantee successful outcomes, especially in a dynamic and fast-paced environment. 

• Analytical and problem-solving skills: 

HR Assistants need to balance working with various people and various administrative tasks. Being able to gather and interpret a large amount of information and present it in an organized manner relies on quick and logical thinking. As does working with unpredictable requests from colleagues and switching quickly between tasks. 

• Computer and administrative skills: 

An HR Assistant position may be entry-level, but it demands some computer experience to create organizational charts, reports, and other documents. These administrative professionals should also be prepared to take notes during meetings, file documents, make and receive calls, and answer emails.