what is a personnel administrator?
As a human resources administrator, you work with a combination of administrative and personnel-related responsibilities. Some companies use their human resources administrator solely for the administrative aspects of the role, while others, for example smaller companies, require you to carry out the tasks of both roles. Technically, the role of human resources administrator is less about providing help and support to employees and more about administering company policies, data management and evaluations of personnel relations. So, as the name suggests, it is primarily an administrative assignment.
human resources administrator jobswhat does a human resources administrator do?
Many people easily confuse the role of personnel administrator with the position of HR generalist, also known as human resources specialist, but they are two different things.
For example, it is a HR generalist's responsibility to oversee and take charge of staff-related issues and questions, while a HR administrator assists the HR manager with daily tasks such as processing new hires, working in HR data systems, and documenting policies. In large companies and organisations, the HR administrator's role is divided into various specialist-based categories such as payroll administration or data entry in different systems. However, in smaller companies, it is more common for your role as a HR administrator to cover all areas within human resources, including recruitment, training, and employee relations. This means that those employed as HR administrators in smaller companies are exposed to several different types of responsibilities and tasks and thereby gain a broader overall experience.
As a personnel administrator, it's essential that you understand all the intricate aspects involved in managing data. Since you play an important role in handling the flow of information between employees and the company's management and managers, it's important that you have good social and communication skills. You simply need to be good with people.
Would the job as a personnel administrator suit your interests? Then read on to find out what skills and qualifications are needed to thrive in the role of personnel administrator.
average salary as a human resources administrator.
The role of a human resources administrator exists in many different types of companies and organisations that vary in size. This can affect how much you earn. Additionally, for obvious reasons, the salary is lower when you are new and enter at an entry-level position. As you gain more expertise and experience, the size of your pay packet also increases. Some companies also offer bonuses at the end of the year and extra pay for overtime during long working hours.
-
different factors that affect the salary as a personnel administrator
There are several different factors that affect and determine your salary as a personnel administrator. If you want a boost in your pay packet, you need to improve your qualifications. Becoming a personnel administrator requires formal training, and the level of education you have affects how much you will earn. By collecting additional references and qualifications, you become entitled to a higher fee. In addition, the scope of the assignment plays an important role in determining your salary. For example, if you lead a small group of employees, you will earn less than a personnel administrator who leads a workforce of several thousand.
Certain responsibilities within the job also offer various other types of benefits. If you work with handling complex personnel matters, you are often assigned a larger fee. The place you work can also affect the salary based on living costs and the need for HR services in different locations. Large cities provide better and more opportunities for HR administrators, but also mean higher living costs, which results in a higher salary. In smaller towns, the living costs are lower, which reduces the size of the fee.
different roles of personnel administrators.
As a personnel administrator, you often specialise in a specific area of responsibility. Below you can read about some different roles as a personnel administrator:
-
HR coordinator
As an HR coordinator you work with programmes related to human resources. your tasks include scheduling, coordinating training and onboarding as well as education. but also handling problems and questions within the team. you also keep track of and analyse trends in the industry and help the company create better processes within HR. - personal
As a personnel administrator responsible for staff and relations, you work to maintain a harmonious working environment. This includes, among other things, overseeing behaviours in the workplace and finding different ways to resolve conflicts between employees.
working as a personnel administrator.
To gain a better insight into the role of a human resources administrator, you can read more here about things like work schedule, specific tasks and areas of responsibility, as well as what the career opportunities for the role look like.
-
job description personnel administrator
Every organisation or company has unique duties and areas of responsibility for its human resources administrator, but some common responsibilities and tasks can include:
-
Responsibility for personnel register: As a personnel administrator, you are responsible for documenting statutory personnel registers. You need to record the necessary details, ensure they are up to date, and provide them when required internally. In addition to validating registers, you also need to enter them into the information system used by the HR department.
-
Organise ahead of interviews: When you work as a personnel administrator, you work closely with recruiters to make sure they have the necessary resources needed to conduct good interviews. This means you need to put together a list of the most interesting candidates and make sure those responsible for the interviews have all the information and data required.
-
Update the company's policies and processes: When a manager makes changes to the company's policies and processes, within human resources, they are forwarded to the personnel administrator. Your role is then to document the changes in the system and to send out information to the employees. Sometimes you may need to organise various forms of training to ensure that the staff understand and can manage the new procedures.
-
Preparing for new employees: As a personnel administrator, you make sure that new employees feel warmly welcomed. You do this by preparing and organising the onboarding, related processes and mandatory training. This also means showing the new employee around the office, introducing them to relevant people, arranging IT registration, computer, phone, and preparing their workspace.
-
Responsibility for salary-related information: As the person responsible for salary-related information, your job is to collect the data needed for the payroll process. This means you need to make sure that those in charge of paying the salary have all the relevant data.
- Handle staff matters: As a personnel administrator, you are the primary contact between employees and managers. your task is to forward requests and questions to the manager. you can also clarify questions related to company policies and procedures.
-
-
work environment
As a human resources administrator, your work is primarily based in an office environment, as your working day mainly consists of reviewing personnel data, information about employees, and preparing necessary documents. Sometimes you may need to travel, for example to organise various forms of training, education, or to conduct job interviews outside the office at another location. Most human resources administrators work internally, for one and the same employer. But there is also the possibility to be employed at a consultancy company and from there work for several different clients. This means you need to visit your clients now and then.
-
your colleagues
As a personnel administrator, you may have different types of colleagues. You will work together with, among others, HR managers and recruiter, but also various specialists who are either employed by the company or who are consultants. Also project manager and economists can be your colleagues. Who you work with depends on where you work and how big the company or organisation is.
-
work schedule
What your schedule and working hours look like as a personnel administrator depends on whether you work full-time or part-time. Depending on the company and your role, your working hours vary between 30 and 40 hours a week. If you work part-time, it is also common to be employed through a consultancy company.
If you’re employed on a permanent basis, you work regular office hours, 08:00 to 17:00. Sometimes you might also have to work weekends, for example if the company is running some kind of training or workshop. You may also need to work evenings occasionally to organise various company events and parties.
-
future prospects
In large organisations and companies, the role of HR administrator is an entry-level position in the HR department. From there, you can move up to higher decision-making roles or specialise in a specific area of work. You can, among other things, become a specialist in payroll, personnel matters or recruitment. After working for a few years and gaining experience, there are also opportunities to start your own business and begin work as a subcontractor.
-
benefits of finding a job as a personnel administrator through randstad
There are many advantages to finding a vacancy as a personnel administrator through Randstad.
-
various development and career opportunities
-
an experienced contact person who can help you when needed
-
many job vacancies within your area
-
full-time or part-time work depending on the job/assignment
Do you want a permanent position as a personnel administrator? A temporary contract or short-term job as a personnel administrator is often a good first step towards a permanent position. Every year, several people get a permanent job with employers thanks to a temporary job that has come through us at Randstad. In addition, many companies recruit their permanent staff directly through Randstad.
-
education and qualifications.
There are several possible paths to take for a career as a human resources administrator:
-
university and higher education level
You can earn a bachelor's degree in subjects such as human resources, business management or psychology. During your studies, you gain knowledge and expertise that prepare you to take the step into working life.
- internship
You can gain work experience and learn more about the role of a human resources administrator by doing an internship in an HR department. This gives you a close-up view of how the work is carried out while also improving your CV. It also raises your level of competence when it comes time to apply for jobs.
knowledge and skills.
In the role of HR administrator, it can be useful to have the following skills and abilities:
-
computer knowledge
As a personnel administrator, it's important that you have basic knowledge when it comes to using computers and software. This is because a large part of the job involves various forms of data management in different programmes. Good knowledge of MS Office programmes such as Excel, PowerPoint and Word also makes your work much easier.
-
organisational ability
Your role involves being able to keep many projects running at the same time and being responsible for several different types of tasks and assignments in parallel with each other. Without organisational skills, there's a risk you'll fall behind in your schedule and planning. That's why it's important to have a good structure and be thorough, as this helps you prioritise assignments and thus improve efficiency.
-
communicative ability
As a human resources administrator, it's important to have good communication skills to be able to handle employees' questions and requests. Most of your tasks also involve communicating with people who are looking for jobs, which makes communication skills important here as well.
-
integrity and accessibility
You need to be someone who both seems and is approachable, someone people can trust so that employees feel safe and comfortable at work. If you are, the staff will have confidence in you and be more open to discussing sensitive issues or problems with you.
frequently asked questions about working as a personnel administrator.
Here are the most frequently asked questions about working as a personnel administrator.
-
what does a human resources administrator do?
A personnel administrator carries out all the administrative functions in the HR department. The responsibilities include compiling employee data, keeping track of the company’s procedures and policies, and ensuring that they are followed.
-
what qualifications are needed for a human resources administrator?
You usually need a bachelor's degree in either human resources, business management or psychology to apply for the position of human resources administrator. There are also opportunities at some workplaces to receive training after you have been hired.
-
how much does a human resources administrator earn?
The salary for a personnel administrator varies depending on your expertise and the scope of your responsibilities. The type of company or organisation can also affect the fee. In entry-level positions, you earn less and improve your pay packet as you gain more experience and progress in your career.
-
why do you want to become a personnel administrator?
The role of HR administrator offers an exciting career for those who love working with people. If you also enjoy working in an office environment, there’s a good chance this position will suit you well.
-
how do I apply for a job as a human resources administrator?
It's easy to apply for a job as a personnel administrator. Search among our vacant jobs in your area. Then send in your CV and your personal letter or apply via LinkedIn
If you need help with your job application, you can read all our guides job tips here!
monitor jobs for HR administrator.
By creating a job alert with us, you make sure you don’t miss the perfect job for you. You set the criteria and we’ll send you an email when we get jobs that match your preferences.
