What does a generalist do?
A generalist, also known as a human resource generalist, is responsible for overseeing the operations in a human resource department, focusing on employees' welfare and working conditions. They are primarily involved in the hiring and laying off processes among employees, handing training and benefits programs, and coordinating with every department in the company. Furthermore, a generalist must perform administrative tasks that mostly revolve around producing reports and processing paperwork, conducting research and analysis, and responding to correspondence.
Generalist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real generalist resumes:
- Manage and maintain PBX and VoIP phone systems at multiple locations.
- Manage multiple lab projects for the implementation of new lab analyzers as well as LIS functionality.
- Plan, install and manage new locations build outs with complete VPN connectivity and VOIP utilization for the multiple locations.
- Manage UAB and HSF faculty recruitment, staffing needs, terminations, compensation, records management, employee relations and retention.
- Manage data process flow to ensure employee timekeeping, attendance and payroll objectives are effectively and efficiently maintain.
- Perform chemistry, microbiology, urinalysis, hematology, and blood bank laboratory tests, equipment calibration and quality assurance reports.
- Work in the hematology, blood bank, urinalysis, coagulation and microbiology departments.
- Help to train new CLS in blood bank, microbiology and hematology.
- Maintain and repair the chemistry and hematology analyzers as needed to prevent service interruption.
- Add server to domain, configure IP and DNS.
- Open conventionally files cases in CM/ECF.
- Perform kit testing for micro & immunology.
- Utilize SCCM and Casper for pre-deployment imaging.
- Attend hearings while on the inter-company arbitration board.
- Install new servers into racks and load base OS.
Generalist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 21% of Generalists are proficient in Sales Floor, Store Sales, and Customer Loyalty. They’re also known for soft skills such as Leadership skills, Organizational skills, and Speaking skills.
We break down the percentage of Generalists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Sales Floor, 21%
Processed merchandise using company procedures Replenished the sales floor to ensure an optimal shopping experience Supported customer transactions Provided customer service
- Store Sales, 17%
Work directly with customers to drive store sales and growth.
- Customer Loyalty, 14%
Provided strategic direction for and facilitated relationship marketing and customer loyalty for programs for 130 sales associates and interior designers.
- Sales Growth, 12%
Drive sales growth through selling, processing, replenishing, displaying floor sets.
- Customer Service, 6%
Provided exceptional customer service to all members of Advancement team; together we encourage transparency and creativity for maximum impact.
- Processing Customer Transactions, 4%
Deliver a friendly and efficient cash wrap experience processing customer transactions accurately and efficiently.
Most generalists use their skills in "sales floor," "store sales," and "customer loyalty" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential generalist responsibilities here:
Leadership skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a generalist to have is leadership skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "human resources managers must coordinate work activities and ensure that staff complete the duties and responsibilities of their department." Generalists often use leadership skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "provided team leadership & expertise in all aaa product & services to achieve developmental goals & objectives. "
Organizational skills. Another essential skill to perform generalist duties is organizational skills. Generalists responsibilities require that "human resources managers must be able to prioritize tasks and manage several projects at once." Generalists also use organizational skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "reported to svp of hr co-conducted workforce strategy review facilitating organizational development initiatives. "
Interpersonal skills. generalist responsibilities often require "interpersonal skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "human resources managers regularly interact with people, such as to collaborate on teams, and must develop working relationships with their colleagues." This resume example shows what generalists do with interpersonal skills on a typical day: "have considerable knowledge of principles and practices of personnel administration, effective oral and written communication skills and excellent interpersonal skills. "
Communication skills. Another common skill required for generalist responsibilities is "communication skills." This skill comes up in the duties of generalists all the time, as "human resources managers need strong speaking, writing, and listening skills to give presentations and direct their staff." An excerpt from a real generalist resume shows how this skill is central to what a generalist does: "prepared organization change communication plans in coordination with hr and developed announcements for internal distribution. "
The three companies that hire the most generalists are:
- Tyson Foods88 generalists jobs
- Petco Holdings, Inc.57 generalists jobs
- TPI33 generalists jobs
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Compare different generalists
Generalist vs. Human resources vice president
Human resources (HR) vice presidents play a vital role in the effective administration and operation of an organization's HR department. These executives are responsible for directing an organization's staffing goals and developing strategies to support the company's profitable and productive business operations. HR vice presidents also perform other duties and responsibilities, including planning payroll and employee benefits, facilitating the enforcement of standardized HR processes, and recommending new measures for employee performance evaluations. The skills and qualifications for this position include previous experience as an HR director, strong leadership skills, and in-depth knowledge of HR processes.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, generalist responsibilities require skills like "sales floor," "store sales," "customer loyalty," and "sales growth." Meanwhile a typical human resources vice president has skills in areas such as "employee engagement," "succession planning," "workforce planning," and "organizational development." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Human resources vice presidents really shine in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $178,898. Comparatively, generalists tend to make the most money in the finance industry with an average salary of $53,008.On average, human resources vice presidents reach higher levels of education than generalists. Human resources vice presidents are 11.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 2.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Generalist vs. Human resource officer
A human resources officer is typically in charge of managing and handling the employment operations in the company, including the payroll and training systems. Their responsibilities revolve around participating in advertising job openings, interviewing applicants, training and managing new employees, and devising programs that will help them learn about the policies and regulations of the company. Furthermore, a human resources officer is also responsible for managing employee data, such as personal information and work attendance, processing payroll, and handling any issues or concerns.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, generalist responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "sales floor," "store sales," "customer loyalty," and "sales growth." Meanwhile, a human resource officer has duties that require skills in areas such as "human resources functions," "personnel actions," "employee development," and "labor relations." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, human resource officers earn a higher salary than generalists. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, human resource officers earn the most pay in the government industry with an average salary of $77,057. Whereas generalists have higher pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $53,008.human resource officers earn higher levels of education than generalists in general. They're 11.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 2.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for generalists in the next 3-5 years?
Rebeccah Dawson Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of German studies, University of Kentucky
Generalist vs. Human resources business partner
Human resource (HR) business partners' primary job is to ensure that business objectives are aligned with the management and employees within an organization. They typically focus more on developing HR strategy than implementing the company policies. They often work with individual business units, and their work is related to the company's current and future success. HR business partners are also responsible for providing performance management guidance, developing contract terms for new employees, transfers, and promotions, and providing advice on business units.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, generalists are more likely to have skills like "sales floor," "store sales," "customer loyalty," and "sales growth." But a human resources business partner is more likely to have skills like "employee engagement," "hrbp," "succession planning," and "workforce planning."
Human resources business partners earn the highest salary when working in the finance industry, where they receive an average salary of $99,409. Comparatively, generalists have the highest earning potential in the finance industry, with an average salary of $53,008.When it comes to education, human resources business partners tend to earn higher degree levels compared to generalists. In fact, they're 12.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Generalist vs. Regional human resources manager
A regional human resources manager is in charge of overseeing a company's local human resource (HR) operations. They mostly identify the hiring needs of different branches, devise compensation and benefits programs, and determine the HR needs of every area, ensuring to develop strategies to meet them. It is essential to monitor all issues and resolve them promptly and professionally, organize training activities, and manage the regional budget. Furthermore, as a regional manager, it is crucial to ensure that all HR teams adhere to labor laws and company policies.
Types of generalist
Updated January 8, 2025
