What is an HR Generalist? If you are interested in pursuing a career in the growing and dynamic field of Human Resources, it is important to find out if the duties and responsibilities of professionals with the same title sound interesting to you. When you choose a position that pays well and keeps you on your toes, you will never feel like you have worked a day in your life. For HR Generalists, having experience in many different core areas of HR is important. Generalists will need experience in benefits administration, payroll, law, recruiting and other core areas of the discipline. Read on, and learn more about the roles and responsibilities of a generalist.
What Does a Generalist Do on a Daily Basis?
Duties for generalists can vary based on your industry and the size of the organization that you work for. If you carry the title of HR generalist, you can expect to work closely with employees, management, supervisors and other administrators within the organization. You may provide guidance and assistance on a daily basis in regards to human resources matters, and consult with teams and managers so that the company can make the smartest strategic decisions. In a single day, you may meet with a manager to discuss individual performance issues and then provide mediation for an employee who has made a complaint about treatment from their supervisor.
In addition to acting as a consultant and buffer between employees and management, a generalist may also develop and implement new HR policies that comply with employment law. You may change the process of conducting employee reviews, arrange a new hire orientation, print materials for compensation and benefits planning and develop new training programs as procedures within the organization change. It is also common for generalists in smaller organizations to conduct interviews and termination interviews. With every duty you take on, your goal will be to achieve the business objectives set by management or by executives. You must make your decisions based on what will benefit the company the most.
How to Become an HR Generalist
As you can see, there are a myriad of duties that you will be responsible for when you are hired on as a Human Resource Generalist. In order to have the knowledge needed to perform all of these tasks and consult staff, you will need to complete a formal education program. While the requirements for each generalist listing posted vary, a majority of employers are looking to hire professionals with a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in HR or Human Resource Development. By completing a degree program, you will learn how to use critical thinking skills to solve real-life HR issues. You will also use the principles of HR so that you can use them to make informed decisions that are smart and ethical.
In today’s complex business environment, there is a growing need for HR professionals who can handle a variety of complex issues in a single day. As a specialist, a generalist needs a specialized set of knowledge in HR. The job outlook in the field is better than the outlook in the economy as a whole, with some industries projected to grow much quicker than others. If you want to become an HR generalist, the first step to get qualified is to enroll in a degree program.