What are Some Good Entry Level Human Resources Jobs?

Any human resources graduate whose credit card application was denied for lack of credit history can understand the need for entry level human resources jobs.

Breaking the barriers that require experience is a challenge for recent graduates in many areas of employment. The impact that human resources has on employees understandably requires knowledge that is gained on the job, making it difficult to enter the field.

Getting the experience that is necessary is made possible by entry level positions that include working as a human resources assistant, employment specialist or administrative assistant.

Assisting a Senior Level Professional

Routine jobs in a human resources department usually involve documentation, research and auditing functions. Verifying that employees have an Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9 on file ensures a company that employment is legal, and it can prevent problems in hiring. New employees are often subjected to background investigations, and the Internet provides data that can reveal disqualifying information that denies employment. Conducting an audit of payroll benefits can detect errors that need corrective action, and reconciling accounts can produce savings.

Entry level workers can process paperwork and human resource software databases when employees change marital status, the number of dependents, home address or job title. Terminations are usually handled by senior level personnel, but a junior level staff member can learn the process by offering assistance. Assisting with the preparation of performance review forms provides experience with a process that most employees detest but human resource staff must perform.

Working as an Employment Specialist

Setting salary levels and developing employee benefits are responsibilities of a human resource department, and much of the work does not require interacting with employees. Entry level human resources jobs require junior level staff members to maintain personnel files and to process personnel action paperwork. Working with computer software, a personnel specialist maintains spreadsheets that contain salaries and payroll taxes along with fringe allowances.

Assisting in the employment process is usually a goal of a human resources graduate, and learning the ropes under the guidance of an experienced supervisor is a step toward achieving that goal. According to the Society for Human Resource Management, duties may include posting job openings on a company’s web site, conducting preliminary telephone interviews, reviewing resumes and checking references. As essential functions in the hiring process, each one lets an employment specialist contribute in a meaningful way.

Specializing in Small Business

Small business comprise the majority of employers in the United States, according to the Small Business Administration. The qualifying guidelines include employment of 500 or fewer employees and no more than $7 in annual receipts. The 23 million small businesses provide a majority of jobs in the U.S., and administrative assistants are an important segment of employment. Duties may include data processing to update computer records, maintaining office files, and clerical duties such as answering phones or sending out emails. While not a glamorous position, it provides the opportunity to learn.

Gaining experience in a human resource department is a key to advancement in the field. Academic training provides background knowledge, and on the job training gives it a practical dimension. Internships may give some graduates a slight advantage, but entry level human resources jobs provide an equal employment opportunity for everyone.