Human resources officer
A human resources officer is a person who handles employment in a company: recruitment, contracts, pay and training.
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Rate 5 of the 20 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
recruit employees
fix meetings
write work-related reports
manage payroll
develop professional network
About human resources officer
In recruitment, the officer prepares job advertisements, reviews applications, interviews candidates, documents those interviews, draws up profiles of individual candidates and compiles the shortlist of selected candidates. The officer also negotiates with employment agencies and agrees contract terms with the people being offered a post.
The duties cover matters that continue after hiring. The officer settles working conditions, manages the payroll, monitors salaries and advises managers and staff on pay-related benefits and on labour law. Labour law and employment legislation are known, including contracts other than an employment contract.
To keep people in the company, the officer develops and implements strategies that help an employer select and retain suitably qualified staff, applies talent management, provides training opportunities that raise employee performance, and ties all of it to the organisation's objectives. Personnel records are kept for a period set in law, and both their content and their safekeeping are prescribed.
Key Work Functions
Core areas of responsibility for a human resources officer.
Recruitment and Selection
- Develop job descriptions and create compelling job advertisements
- Manage recruitment process including screening and shortlisting candidates
- Conduct interviews and assess candidate suitability and character
- Negotiate with employment agencies and manage external recruitment
- Profile candidates and document interview outcomes
Employment Conditions and Agreements
- Set up working conditions and employment terms for new hires
- Negotiate and draft employment agreements and contracts
- Ensure compliance with labour legislation and employment law
- Advise on remuneration benefits, salaries, and compensation structures
Payroll and Administration
- Administer and manage payroll processes and payments
- Review and adjust salaries and remuneration structures
- Maintain employee records and personnel files with confidentiality
- Write work-related reports and documentation
Employee Development and Performance Management
- Identify training needs and arrange professional development opportunities
- Coordinate training programmes and learning initiatives
- Conduct performance reviews and provide constructive feedback
- Support employee development and career progression
Compliance and Communication
- Stay current with labour legislation and employment law changes
- Apply company policies consistently across the organisation
- Observe confidentiality and handle sensitive personnel matters
- Use effective communication techniques with diverse stakeholders
Relationship Building and Trust
- Build trust with employees and foster open communication
- Listen actively to employee concerns and feedback
- Develop professional network and industry connections
- Identify with company goals and promote alignment
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (20)
Optional (25) — show
Related Occupations
Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.
Frequently asked questions
What does a human resources officer do?
Human resources officers develop and implement strategies that help their employers select and retain appropriately qualified staff within that business sector. They recruit staff, prepare job advertisements, interview and short-list people, negotiate with employment agencies, and set up working conditions. Human resources officers also administer the payroll, review salaries and advise on remuneration benefits and employment law. They arrange for training opportunities to enhance employees' performance.
What skills does a human resources officer need?
A human resources officer needs 20 essential skills, including labour legislation, job market offers, talent management strategies, recruit employees, fix meetings.
Will AI replace human resources officer jobs?
The AI disruption score for human resources officer is 65/100 (high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: fix meetings, manage payroll, write work-related reports. Most resilient: build trust, listen actively, promote human rights.
AI Replacement Risk
Skills most at risk from AI
Skills resilient to automation
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