What is an HR coordinator?
An HR coordinator is someone who helps keep the human resources department running smoothly. They connect HR managers, employees, and other important people in the company. Think of them as the helpers who make sure everyone has what they need to do their jobs well, from getting hired to working happily with others.
Duties and responsibilities
They’re involved in hiring new people by posting jobs, looking at resumes, and setting up interviews. They also help new employees feel welcome and get settled in. Besides that, they take care of paperwork, manage employee records, handle benefits, and organize training.
HR coordinators help make the workplace better for everyone. They support the company’s growth and make sure the office is a great place to work by keeping things organized and making sure rules are followed.
Work environment
Most HR coordinators work in offices, using computers and special software to do their job. They need to keep information private and are often the first people employees talk to if there’s a problem or question.
Typical work hours
They usually work regular office hours, about 40 hours a week, Monday through Friday. Sometimes, they might need to work a little extra during busy times like when hiring a lot of people or organizing big company events.
How to become an HR coordinator
Becoming an HR coordinator means you’ll be working with people a lot, and it requires some steps to get there. Here’s a simple guide on what you need to do:
Step 1: Earn a bachelor’s degree
Start with a bachelor’s degree in business, psychology, or sociology because these will teach you about how people think and behave, which is super important in HR. If you’re not ready for a four-year degree, you can go for an associate’s degree in business first and maybe add some specific HR certifications to help you get started.
Step 2: Learn more about human resources
Take some online courses to really understand what HR is all about. Here are a few good ones:
- Intro to HR Concepts: Learn the basics like hiring, training, and making sure you know the legal stuff.
- Admin HR for Beginners: Get into how to find and keep great employees.
- HR Fundamentals: Dive deeper into what HR does day-to-day.
- HR Management: This one teaches you how to handle tricky parts of managing people.
- Recruiting, Hiring, and Onboarding Employees: Focus on how to find and bring in the best people.
Step 3: Get certified
Boost your resume with an HR certification. Here are a couple you might consider:
- Professional in Human Resources (PHR): Shows you really know your HR stuff, from hiring to handling tough workplace issues.
- Certified Professional – Human Resource (IPMA-CP): Especially good if you want to work in public sector HR.
Step 4: Start working
Look for an entry-level job in HR. You might start as an assistant or in another support role to learn the ropes before moving up to an HR coordinator position.
How much do HR coordinators make?
There are many variables that go into determining how much an HR coordinator makes, from company size to experience to education, just to name a few.
Highest paying states
- Virginia: $64,186
- California: $62,144
- New York: $60,737
- Illinois: $60,356
- Massachusetts: $58,027
The average national salary for a HR Coordinator is:
$52,550
Top skills for HR coordinators
To be great at the HR coordinator job, you need a mix of skills that help you handle lots of different tasks and work well with people. Here’s what you really need to be good at:
Organization
You’ll be doing a lot, from hiring new people to setting up training sessions. Being organized means you can handle all these tasks without dropping the ball, making everything run more smoothly and keeping everyone happy.
Interpersonal skills
Since you’ll often be the first person employees and candidates talk to, you need to be good at dealing with people. This means knowing how to handle small disagreements, talk to different departments, and help new hires feel at home. Good people skills make everyone feel comfortable and trusted at work.
Attention to detail
HR involves a lot of important details, like keeping track of employee info and making sure everything is right. Even a small mistake can cause big problems, so it’s crucial to double-check everything from resumes to policy drafts.
Understanding HR principles
Knowing the basics of HR is key—like what the laws say and how to hire or manage people right. This helps you do your job without breaking any rules and makes sure you meet the company’s goals.
Excellent communication
You need to be clear whether you’re writing an email, interviewing someone, or explaining policies to the team. Good communication helps prevent misunderstandings and keeps everything running smoothly.
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HR coordinator career path
Starting as an HR coordinator can open up lots of doors in the world of human resources. Here’s what your career journey might look like:
Starting out
Most people begin as an HR assistant or an administrative assistant, where you learn all about how the company works and what it needs from its employees. This is your chance to get good at handling basic HR tasks and understanding the company’s rules.
Moving up to coordinator
After you’ve got some experience, you can step up to an HR coordinator role. Now you’ll handle more stuff, like hiring new people, getting them started at the company, looking after employee benefits, and making sure the company follows labor laws. Getting certifications like the PHR can really help you stand out and move up faster.
Becoming a specialist
With more experience, you might become an HR specialist. This means you’ll focus on one area, like finding new talent, keeping employees happy, or managing benefits. These jobs get you ready for bigger management roles later on.
Going for management
Next, you could become an HR manager or HR director. You’ll lead a team and work on big plans that help the whole company. Many people in these jobs have advanced degrees, like an MBA focused on HR, which helps them understand the business better.
Reaching the top or branching out
The top spots in HR include jobs like chief human resources officer (CHRO), where you help make the big decisions for the company. Some HR pros also become consultants, using their skills to help lots of different businesses.
Similar job titles
Position trends and outlook for HR coordinators
- Changing role: Their job is changing a lot because of new tech, the rise of working from home, and a bigger focus on making sure employees are happy. Automation is doing more of the routine work, letting coordinators spend more time on big-picture stuff.
- Skills in demand: Companies really want HR coordinators who know how to use data analytics and HR management systems (HRMS). Also, with more people working remotely, being good at managing virtual teams and knowing how to handle HR stuff from afar is super important.
Employment projections for HR coordinators
The need for HR coordinators is expected to grow. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says jobs for human resources specialists, which include HR coordinators, will go up by 6% through 2032. That’s faster than a lot of other jobs. This growth means there will be a steady need for HR pros who are up to speed with all the new changes and challenges in the workplace.
HR coordinator career tips
Soft skills and traits
HR coordinators need to be excellent communicators and really enjoy working with people. You’ll have to listen to many issues and concerns of employees and be able to show empathy and help solve problems. Excellent time management will help you with multi-tasking because there will be lots of things you need to handle at once. Conflict resolution skills will also assist in those situations.
Commonly required skills and qualifications
In addition to education, familiarize yourself with the software programs companies use for payroll and people management. Coordinators must demonstrate responsible business ethics and an understanding of the laws and regulations in their location.
Develop a professional network
One of the best things you can do to advance your career is to build up your professional network. Make connections with your leaders and peers, but you should also look at groups you can join to meet people from other companies. Here are a few to look into:
- HR Certification Institute (HRCI)
- LinkedIn Groups and Communities
- Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
- National Human Resource Association (NHRA)
Where the HR coordinator jobs are
Top companies
- Amazon
- Capital One
- Lowe’s Home Improvement
- Marriott International
Top states
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- New York
- North Dakota
- Massachusetts
Top job sites
- Indeed
- ZIpRecruiter
- Careerbuilder
- Monster
FAQs
What are the common duties of an HR coordinator?
HR coordinators assist with many tasks, including payroll, benefits, performance management, onboarding, recruitment, and writing job descriptions. They assist the HR department with administrative tasks, paperwork, and other tasks.
Which industries utilize HR coordinators?
Human resources are utilized in all industries because it’s required when there are any kinds of employees. Someone has to manage payroll, onboarding, benefits, and people. The specific coordinator role might not be required for every size company, but it’s not industry-specific.
How much education is required to become an HR coordinator?
It’s good to have a four-year degree before applying to jobs in HR, but at minimum, you should have a two-year associate’s degree. Some companies might require at least a bachelor’s degree, so verify when applying.
Do HR coordinators make a good living?
The salary range for an HR coordinator depends on the company’s location, education, and size. Human resources is a great field to enter because there are many advancement opportunities, and it’s a job needed in every industry.
What are the career advancement opportunities for an HR coordinator?
Once you have experience as an HR coordinator, you can apply for promotions to manager and director positions. You can also use that experience to move to other areas of business.
Are certifications required to be an HR coordinator?
Most HR coordinator jobs do not require certification, but it can boost your resume and job prospects to earn a certificate. It shows your knowledge in the field and helps you stand out amongst your competition.
Is it stressful to be an HR coordinator?
The role of an HR coordinator comes with some challenges with conflicts and managing people and their emotions. If you are skilled in interpersonal communication, you should find these moments fairly simple.
What are the most challenging parts of the HR coordinator’s job?
An HR coordinator will face challenging times in recruiting and dealing with employee relations. Usually, people in leadership positions can assist you when faced with difficult situations. Make sure to observe as much as possible in those moments.
Are there specific areas of HR that the HR coordinators should specialize in?
The human resources department covers many specialties, including payroll, benefits, recruitment, onboarding, administration, and performance management. The HR coordinators often assist in multiple departments, but large companies might have more specialized roles.
What are the best parts of the HR coordinator’s job?
HR coordinators should enjoy working with people. The job revolves around communication and working with people to solve their problems and answer their questions. For most coordinators, the people are the best part of the job.