Pros and Cons of Becoming an HR Coordinator
HR coordinators, also known as HR specialists, are responsible for recruiting and staff changes within companies. Find out the pros and cons of being an HR coordinator to decide if it's right for you.
| Pros of an HR Coordinator Career |
|---|
| A bachelor's degree can qualify you for most entry-level positions* |
| Wide range of job types (employment interviewer, human resources generalist, labor relations specialist, placement specialist, recruitment specialist, etc.)* |
| Travel opportunities for recruitment specialists* |
| Cons of an HR Coordinator Career |
|---|
| Work experience as an assistant or in customer service may be required for some positions* |
| Organizations may use HR firms rather than keeping permanent HR specialists on staff* |
| Job tasks could include resolving conflicts between disgruntled employees or handling complaints** |
| Public speaking and giving presentations may be required* |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, **U.S. Department of Labor O*Net Online.
Career Info
Job Description and Duties
A coordinator will communicate HR decisions to employees as well as handle the administrative end of hiring, termination or promotions. Specialized duties of an HR coordinator in training or coaching may include evaluating employees or implementing policies. In this position, you might also be responsible for handling the healthcare, pensions, wages and benefits of your fellow employees.
HR coordinators identify the employment needs of an organization and help in the hiring process of qualified individuals. Typical duties include overseeing the interview process of candidates concerning their levels of experience, education and skills. HR coordinators also deal with special issues, such as affirmative action or discrimination. In addition, you may be required to work closely with managers on policies involving sexual harassment and equal employment opportunities.
Job Growth and Salary
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), human resources specialists can anticipate an 8% growth in employment from 2012-2022. In addition, specialists earned a mean annual wage of approximately $63,000 in May 2014. That year it was also estimated that the bottom ten percent of these professionals earned approximately $34,000 or less, while the top ten percent earned roughly $98,000 or higher.
What Are the Requirements?
In most cases, employers prefer to hire an HR coordinator with a bachelor's degree in human resources, or in a related subject, like business. However, less education could also be acceptable if you have years of relevant work experience. Strong knowledge of labor laws and regulations is essential to working as an HR coordinator. Certification is voluntary, but some employers may prefer or even require it. Additionally, HR coordinators should be good at:
- Communicating
- Listening
- Paying attention to detail
- Making effective decisions
- Interacting with people
Job Postings from Real Employers
When employers advertise for HR coordinators, they typically seek out candidates with 1-5 years of relevant work experience and relevant education. In addition, many companies hire employees with a strong understanding of and ability to work with Microsoft Office applications, such as Word, Excel and Powerpoint. Here are some examples of what real employers were looking for during March 2012:
- A pet store located in Arizona advertised for an HR coordinator with a bachelor's degree and the ability to handle relocation responsibilities, such as initiating new employees. In addition, the company listed strong organizational and communication skills as necessary traits for candidates.
- A marketing firm based in Michigan was seeking an HR coordinator with 2-5 years of relevant work experience and a bachelor's degree in business or human resources. Candidates needed to possess knowledge of employment and labor laws on the federal, state and local levels.
- A health management company in New York City advertised for an HR coordinator with at least an associate's degree and 1-3 years work experience. Candidates needed the ability to assist with coordination, maintain a budget and work with time-sensitive information.
How Can I Stand out?
According to the BLS, postsecondary education may not be mandatory for an HR coordinator position, but it is preferred by most employers. Obtaining a bachelor's degree in human resources can qualify you for more advanced positions than those with less education. As an aspiring HR coordinator, you may also stand out if you are able to operate various computer systems and software. A major task required of HR coordinators is to organize a firm's workforce, which means that you will need to be able to stay on top of technological advances and work effectively with computers.
Furthermore, you can improve your job prospects by becoming certified through one of a variety of organizations, such as the HR Certification Institute. Through this organization, you can become certified as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR), as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) or as a Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR) by passing the necessary examinations.
Alternative Career Paths
Administrative Services Manager
If you're interested in a position that still includes planning and organization within a company but you aren't sure you want to work so extensively with people, you could consider becoming an administrative services managers. According to the BLS, you would need at least a high school diploma and 1-5 years of relevant work experience to become an administrative services manager, and in some cases you may need a bachelor's degree. From 2010-2020, the job growth for these professionals was expected to increase about 15% and in 2011 the median annual salary for this position was roughly $79,000, according to the BLS. Tasks include distributing mail, maintaining records and overseeing the care of facilities.
Compensation and Benefits Manager
If you're interested in working in a more specialized area of human resources, like payment and insurance, you could consider becoming a compensation and benefits manager. According to the BLS, compensation and benefits managers earned a median annual salary of $92,000 in 2011, although employment is expected to grow at a slower-than-average rate of three percent from 2010-2020. A bachelor's or master's degree in human resources, business or finance is typically required for this position. Tasks include coordinating how much an organization pays its workforce and organizing retirement plans and other benefits.
Human Resource Manager
If you're already planning to work in human resources, you may be interested in becoming a human resources manager. According to the BLS, job growth is expected to be about average for human resources managers from 2010-2020, with a 13% increase for the decade. In 2011, the BLS reported that these professionals earned a median annual salary of about $99,000.
At least a bachelor's degree is typically required to work as an HR manager, and aspiring managers are expected to take courses in subjects like industrial psychology and labor relations at the undergraduate level. In some cases a master's degree may be required, such as a Master of Business Administration or a master's degree in human resources. These professionals commonly work in manufacturing, government and management company settings and are responsible for overseeing the workforce of an organization. That could include payroll, labor relations and recruiting issues.
