Human Resources Generalist Career Information
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What Do You Do in a Human Resources Generalist Career?
A human resources generalist greets a potential
new employee.
A human resources generalist is the link between management and employees. At the highest level, HR generalists serve as liaisons who balance the well-being of a company with that of its workers.
Most HR generalists work in small to mid-size companies, and they may find that their role changes as the company itself changes and grows.
The exact duties of a human resources generalist, will then vary accordingly, different for different industries and sizes and types of companies.
An HR generalist may be expected to recruit new employees, assist in matching employees to existing jobs, coordinate retraining efforts or manage benefits programs. Other human resources generalists may negotiate with labor unions or manage payroll and compensation. Creating and enforcing a company's employee relations policies is also often part of the human resources generalist job description. Human resources generalists will often also work with HR specialists at private human resources consulting firms to find employees, set benefits and compensation or organize benchmarking.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts an increase in demand for HR generalists who focus on employee training and development. HR generalists are usually required to have a 4-year degree in a human resources-related field and need excellent people skills to succeed and advance in their careers. Human resources management or industrial and labor relations are common degree specialties. To begin working towards a human resources generalist career, find a human resources bachelor's, master's or MBA degree.
Human Resources Generalist Career Path
| | Entry Level | Mid Level | Senior Level |
| Types of Roles | Recruiter, benefits specialist, training specialist | HR manager, benefits manager, development manager | HR director |
| Experience | 0 - 4 years | 5 - 10 years | 10+ years |
| Getting There | - HR bachelor’s degree
- Recommended courses: behavioral sciences, social sciences, economics, statistics and business administration
| - All entry-level requirements
- HR or general business master’s or MBA, usually with associated specialty
- Excellent people skills
- Excellent communication skills
| - All mid-level requirements
- Management experience
- Proven industry expertise
- Multi-faceted problem solving skills
|
| Salary* | $31,000 - $45,000 | $49,000 - $90,000 | $90,000 - $120,000 |
| Description | - Recruit new employees
- Retrain existing employees for job reassignment
- Resolve routine employee problems related to other duties
- Enforce company employee relations policies
| - Supervise lower level HR generalists
- Resolve complicated employee problems related to general HR issues
| - Design strategies to maximize the effective use of employees by a company
- Report to top company executives
|
* Salary information is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics listed median income. The type of organization strongly affects pay.
Spotlight Schools
University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix makes quality higher education highly accessible for working students through convenient campus locations and flexible online classes. Get a real-world education with real value.
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Capella University - School of Business
Capella University offers students the opportunity to earn their degrees from an accredited university delivering the challenge of a traditional classroom with the flexibility to fit education into real life.
Select a Campus: Online
Walden University - School of Management
Walden University has unique and flexible online delivery models, world-class faculty and customizable programs which are all geared to help adult learners achieve their career goals.
Select a Campus: Online
