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Human resources officer

Alternative titles for this job include Personnel officer, HR officer

Human resources (HR) officers hire, develop and look after employees in a company.

Average salary (a year)

£18,000 Starter

to

£40,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

38 to 40 a week

You could work

between 8am and 6pm

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Human resources officer

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • specialist courses run by professional bodies

University

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in any subject. You could then apply for a graduate HR training scheme.

You may have an advantage if you study an HR related subject like:

  • human resources management
  • business management and human resources
  • psychology
  • economics

Find advice on how to check if a course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). Accredited courses will give you automatic entry to CIPD membership.

If you already have a degree, you could do a postgraduate qualification in human resource management, though this is not essential.

Graduate jobs

You can find graduate HR opportunities with:

  • small and medium sized private sector companies in most industries
  • large multi-national companies
  • charities and education organisations
  • public sector employers like the NHS and Civil Service

Some employers may expect you to have, or be working towards Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) qualifications.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

More Information

College

You can study Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) qualifications like:

  • Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice
  • Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management
  • Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

Apprenticeship

You may be able to work your way up through the apprenticeship route by starting as an HR assistant on an HR support advanced apprenticeship.

From this you could go on to do a higher level apprenticeship to become a human resources officer.

Relevant apprenticeships include:

  • human resources consultant partner higher apprenticeship
  • senior people professional degree apprenticeship

You can find out more about HR apprenticeships through the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

Entry requirements

Employers will set their own entry requirements.

More Information

Work

You could start as a human resources assistant or a business administrator in a company's HR department and work your way up through training and promotion.

Other Routes

You can study a range of professional qualifications in human resources, either online or at a training centre approved by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

More Information

Career tips

Take a look at the CIPD Profession Map to find out more about the values, knowledge and behaviours needed from professionals like HR officers.

Professional and industry bodies

You may find it useful to join organisations like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development for professional recognition, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.

Further information

You can find out more about careers in human resources from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and Personnel Today.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • administration skills
  • knowledge of human resources and employment law
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work well with others
  • the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
  • excellent written communication skills
  • business management skills
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In this role, you'll deal with staff at all levels in an organisation.

You could:

  • help recruit new employees
  • handle complaints and disciplinary procedures
  • give advice on sickness absence, performance and employment relations
  • plan and put into place employee training and development activities
  • make sure employees have the right pay and benefits
  • arrange employee support services like welfare and counselling
  • keep up to date with equality and health and safety laws
  • give advice on pay negotiations, redundancy and employment law
  • develop HR policies, handbooks and procedures
  • maintain confidential employee records

Working environment

You could work in an office, from home or remotely.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

You could move from small organisations to large public, private or voluntary sector HR departments.

You could take further training through part-time study or an apprenticeship to become a human resources manager.

You may also be able to:

  • become an HR specialist in an area like staff development or training
  • set up your own consultancy to give recruitment or policy advice
  • work as a HR specialist in the Army or the Royal Air Force

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

HR Support Apprentice

  • Wage: £13,145.60 a year Annually
  • Location: 83-85 Hagley Road, Birmingham

HR Administrator apprentice

  • Wage: £12,480 to £22,308 a year Annually
  • Location: 4 Firs Street, Dudley

Courses In England

CIPD in Human Resources - Adult Level 3

  • Provider: TELFORD COLLEGE
  • Start date: 05 September 2025
  • Location: Telford

Human Resources | CIPD Foundation Certificate in People Practice | Level 3

  • Provider: CHICHESTER COLLEGE GROUP
  • Start date: 08 October 2024
  • Location: Brighton

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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