A personnel assistant, also known as a human resources assistant, is primarily responsible for managing an organization’s employee files and records. He or she usually reports to a personnel or human resources director. Working with the organization’s current staff as well as recruiting, hiring, and training new employees are common responsibilities. Additional job responsibilities are usually determined by the size of the company and the number of employees. Performing general administrative tasks and resolving employee conflicts are two examples. Personnel assistants are expected to have a diverse set of professional abilities.
Record-keeping is one of a personnel assistant’s primary responsibilities. He or she is usually in charge of each employee’s personnel file. Personal contact information, time and attendance reports, and performance evaluations are common items found in these files. In most cases, a personnel file will also include salary information, including tax withholding. Employee benefits information, such as life and health insurance plan details, is usually kept by the personnel assistant.
Personnel assistants may have other broad administrative responsibilities in addition to their primary responsibility of maintaining human resource records. One of their responsibilities, for example, could be to stay current on labor laws and to address employee grievances as needed. They may also serve as the organization’s main point of contact, as well as an administrative assistant and a labor relations manager. Many personnel assistants also conduct research and compile data in order to compile reports on a variety of subjects.
They also frequently represent their companies at job fairs. The personnel assistant may also advertise open positions, collect and review applications, conduct job interviews, and check references during the hiring process. He or she may be in charge of finding and hiring qualified candidates. He or she may also facilitate new employee orientation programs and assist them in enrolling in benefit plans once the employees have been hired.
To work as a personnel assistant, you usually need a high school diploma or its equivalent. Many have an associate’s degree or training in management or human resources from a vocational school. In most cases, on-the-job experience is also regarded as a valuable asset. Excellent organizational skills and the ability to keep confidential information are two desirable professional qualifications. Some jobs may necessitate technical knowledge in areas such as accounting or the use of specific computer programs. Furthermore, a career in human resources usually necessitates excellent interpersonal communication skills.