HR generalist.

The responsibilities of an HR generalist are quite broad due to the general nature of the role. They most commonly handle the following tasks:

• Recruitment: helps the company find new candidates. this includes writing and posting job advertisements, interviewing applicants, and negotiating salary packages.
• Work schedules and time off: if the company employs many hourly workers, it may be their responsibility to manage the work schedules. They are also responsible for tracking absences, verifying medical certificates for sick leave, and scheduling time off.
• Compensation and benefits: some HR generalists may also serve as the company's payroll processor or be involved in preparing payroll. They might also be trusted personnel responsible for administering employee benefits. Their role can include managing benefits provided to employees, such as finding insurance providers and coordinating coverage.
• Employee relations management: when employees have issues with each other, it’s often the manager who steps in as a mediator. They might provide guidance to help facilitate constructive conversations or establish new policies to address the problem effectively.
• Employee performance monitoring: HR generalists often conduct performance reviews or track key performance indicators. Their job sometimes involves talking with employees who are facing issues, issuing warnings, or handling employee resignations.
• Following workplace and government regulations: much of your job involves ensuring that others are aware of various rules. This includes handling allegations of sexual harassment or age discrimination, and making sure employers comply with occupational health and safety guidelines.

The work of an HR generalist mostly takes place in an office environment. They typically work at a desk where they spend a lot of time handling paperwork and working on computer documents. Their specific workplace can vary depending on the industry they’re in. For example, if they work in manufacturing, they might occasionally need to visit production lines to speak with colleagues. This could mean wearing protective gear or sometimes working outdoors.

If you work in an HR department with multiple HR professionals, you'll collaborate with individuals such as HR managers and HR specialists. Depending on your employer and the industry, your colleagues may include recruiters, HR assistants, accountants, and payroll specialists. Occasionally, you might also work alongside office assistants and secretaries. Additionally, your team could include other HR experts like compensation specialists, HR administrators, or talent management professionals. If there's a dedicated HR professional at the company, they typically work closely with department leaders and even senior management.

Working as an HR generalist almost always involves full-time employment, typically 40 hours per week. To perform effectively, they often need to work during hours when their colleagues are also on the clock. For most generalists, this means working Monday through Friday, during regular office hours, with several days each week requiring their physical presence in the office, where employees can turn to them with questions or concerns.

Some companies occasionally offer more flexible working hours to their HR generalists.

Especially if the company operates around the clock, there may be opportunities for night shifts or weekend work. During particularly busy periods, such as setting up a brand-new department, overtime might also be available.

HR generalists have a wide range of career paths and development opportunities within the human resources field. They can move into roles such as HR managers or HR directors, overseeing entire HR departments, or they can specialize in specific areas of human resources. Additionally, HR generalists may choose to focus on recruitment, training and development, talent management, or HR technology and analytics, depending on their interests and expertise.

Another option is to start your own HR consulting or service business, providing HR solutions to small and medium-sized enterprises. Regardless of the path chosen, HR generalists typically build a strong foundation in HR practices, and by leveraging their experience and skills, they can excel in various specialized roles within the human resources field. This offers a versatile and dynamic career opportunity in HR.

There are several advantages to seeking an HR generalist position with the assistance of a Randstad consultant:

• a consultant well-versed in the HR sector of the labor market supports the selection process.
• you can find a wide range of job opportunities on our website.
• whether you're looking for a fixed-term or indefinite position, we help you find the job that best fits you

These training programs typically cover the fundamentals of human resources, including workforce recruitment, performance evaluation, employment law, and related topics. Earning such a degree can provide an excellent foundation for starting a career as an HR generalist.

Qualifications in business and management can also be valuable in the HR field. These training programs typically provide fundamental business knowledge that can be useful for handling a wide range of HR activities.

These programs provide social and labor market knowledge that can be useful in the field of human resources. With such a degree, you can better understand employee behavior and labor market trends.

Good communication is fundamental. Effective HR generalists are able to clearly convey information during conversations, calls, or emails.

Employees need to handle complex personal issues, making strong interpersonal skills essential. They may have to resolve conflicts between colleagues, discuss sensitive topics, or even turn away job applicants. It's important that they remain professional, thoughtful, calm, and diplomatic when managing these situations.

Since the range of tasks to be completed is quite broad, having strong organizational skills is very valuable. Whether it's handling paperwork or managing your calendar, you need to be efficient. Good organizational skills help you stay on top of your responsibilities at all times.

Much of the work involves examining and supporting regulations and corporate requirements. Logical thinking, analyzing situations, and problem-solving skills are highly valuable.

It is advantageous for HR professionals to know how to work with Microsoft Office programs and various Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS). If they are not yet familiar with a specific software used in the organization, they should be capable of learning new technology and adapting to new systems.

A HR generalist is typically a mid-level position. Many generalists work under the supervision of a manager, and their role is usually subordinate to that of a director or CEO. However, if there are no other staff members in the HR department, the generalist can serve as the HR department head.

The HR specialist is a mid-level HR professional who focuses on a specific area within HR. Meanwhile, the HR generalist is a versatile HR team member capable of handling a wide range of general HR tasks. Although these two roles are technically different, some companies categorize HR generalists as HR professionals who have expertise in multiple areas.

The idea that one person should be responsible for all HR tasks might seem overwhelming at first, but in reality, it's not that complicated. They don't expect you to have in-depth knowledge in every area—just the basics. Some find this approach easier than handling specialized HR roles.

There is high demand for HR generalists with excellent technological skills. If you are able to automate tasks or work with complex software, be sure to mention this on your resume.

In small businesses, it's quite common to have a single HR generalist handle all HR needs. However, if you're interested in working for larger companies, there are also opportunities. Large organizations, which maintain highly complex HR teams, often employ a few generalists to assist colleagues as needed.

Applying for an HR generalist position is easy: create your profile on Randstad, and browse our job listings near you. Once you're logged in, you can apply with just one click for the opportunity that interests you directly through our website!