What you need to succeed
A good degree and a qualification from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development are normally standard requirements for an HR role of this kind.
The amount of previous experience varies between employers. But if you have worked in a similar role for two to three years, it will certainly give you an advantage.
Strong interviewing skills, along with a high level of literacy and numeracy, will be desirable, as will a keen interest in HR and employment legislation. Obviously, it pays to be friendly and approachable, as much of your work will be spent liaising with the organisation’s staff.
What is involved
You will be expected to advise and guide managers on all aspects of employment law – with sickness, absenteeism, dispute resolution and disciplinary among the most common issues.
These roles also often include the monitoring and maintenance of the company’s performance indicators and, in unionised organisations, the employee relations officer will have the additional responsibility of assisting with, or managing, relations with the unions.
Prospects
Very good, especially for those aiming to land a more specialist HR role in the future.
A position of this type will give you an in-depth knowledge of how an HR department functions, and plenty of opportunity to gain experience before moving into a more senior or specialist role.
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