What does a human resources administrative assistant do?
A human resources administrative assistant is responsible for performing administrative tasks such as gathering and processing necessary documentation, preparing timely reports and evaluations, arranging schedules, maintaining and monitoring record databases, and responding to inquiries. Aside from assisting human resource officers in their tasks, they can also lend a hand in screening and training new workforce members. Furthermore, because a human resources administrative assistant holds the employee database, they need to coordinate with other departments and employees to ensure that everyone receives what is needed.
Human resources administrative assistant responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real human resources administrative assistant resumes:
- Manage unemployment verification process and enter employee changes into PeopleSoft.
- Labor hours, PTO, accident reports and training records are all track through data entry and issuance of reports.
- Handle and make necessary changes to payroll processes/system daily by using KRONOS.
- Enter and balance payroll, certify payroll and send ACH file to bank.
- Assist with the instruction and training of new associates regarding KRONOS punches, attendance policies, and payroll incentive programs.
- Submit employment of identification per e-verify.
- Coordinate insurance deductions and enter data into ADP.
- Produce statistical analysis for EEO reporting and tracking.
- Address employee and management questions regarding paycheck discrepancies or PTO availability.
- Perform reconciliation of payroll information in HRIS system guaranteeing accurate financial information.
- Finalize and approve department records for submission to ADP for bi-weekly payroll preparation.
- Enter and update a variety or personnel information on the computer following establish HRIS guidelines
- Conduct benefits administration for unemployment, worker's compensation and FMLA benefit- eligible employees.
- Analyze patient record information and effectively present the material in PowerPoint presentations for the hospital administrative staff.
- Provide operational analysis of projects, coordinate meetings, PowerPoint presentations, and project cost analyses and databases.
Human resources administrative assistant skills and personality traits
We calculated that 11% of Human Resources Administrative Assistants are proficient in Customer Service, Data Entry, and Background Checks. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Interpersonal skills, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Human Resources Administrative Assistants that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 11%
Provided administrative support/customer service associated with department operations.
- Data Entry, 10%
Served as a data entry specialist by reviewing student information from different forms/resources and compiling data into spreadsheets.
- Background Checks, 7%
Surrendered required information to appropriate vendors in order to obtain security background checks on applicants prior to hiring process.
- PowerPoint, 5%
Performed administrative duties for various managers including typing Red-Letter reports, preparing PowerPoint presentations, maintaining their calenders and schedules.
- HRIS, 4%
Provided support for Corporate Companies - salary/benefits/administrative; HRIS system for employee data base record maintenance.
- Travel Arrangements, 4%
Managed correspondence, time reporting, travel arrangements, bill voucher preparation, calendar/conference planning, and other various administrative responsibilities.
Most human resources administrative assistants use their skills in "customer service," "data entry," and "background checks" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential human resources administrative assistant responsibilities here:
Detail oriented. One of the key soft skills for a human resources administrative assistant to have is detail oriented. You can see how this relates to what human resources administrative assistants do because "specialists must pay attention to detail when evaluating applicants’ qualifications, doing background checks, maintaining records of an employee grievance, and ensuring that a workplace complies with labor standards." Additionally, a human resources administrative assistant resume shows how human resources administrative assistants use detail oriented: "perform i-9 audits prepare new hire/terminations packages and oriented employees manage pre-employment medical and drug screen, and background investigations"
Interpersonal skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling human resources administrative assistant duties is interpersonal skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "specialists continually interact with others and must be able to converse and connect with people from varied backgrounds." According to a human resources administrative assistant resume, here's how human resources administrative assistants can utilize interpersonal skills in their job responsibilities: "badge visitors upon arrival at front desk excellent interpersonal, communication and customer service skills. "
Communication skills. This is an important skill for human resources administrative assistants to perform their duties. For an example of how human resources administrative assistant responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "listening and speaking skills are essential for human resources specialists." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a human resources administrative assistant: "maintained office operations by receiving and distributing communications; handled customer complaints, maintained supplies, organized paperwork, etc. ".
See the full list of human resources administrative assistant skills
The three companies that hire the most human resources administrative assistants are:
- Jetro Cash & Carry Enterprises Inc.6 human resources administrative assistants jobs
- Randstad North America, Inc.5 human resources administrative assistants jobs
- International Paper4 human resources administrative assistants jobs
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Compare different human resources administrative assistants
Human resources administrative assistant vs. Administrative support
Administrative support specialists provide different types of governmental assistance. They carry out varied clerical duties in almost all industries. Most of these duties revolve around supervising and distributing information within an organization. This typically includes taking memos, answering phone calls, and managing, storing, and organizing files. They are also responsible for receiving and sending correspondence and greeting customers and clients. Some administrative support may be required to have vast professional knowledge as their duties are more specialized than the others.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a human resources administrative assistant are more likely to require skills like "hris," "i-9," "reference checks," and "open enrollment." On the other hand, a job as an administrative support requires skills like "payroll," "phone calls," "patients," and "excellent organizational." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Administrative supports earn the highest salaries when working in the technology industry, with an average yearly salary of $40,623. On the other hand, human resources administrative assistants are paid more in the technology industry with an average salary of $39,077.On average, administrative supports reach similar levels of education than human resources administrative assistants. Administrative supports are 0.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Human resources administrative assistant vs. Administrative internship
Administrative interns are entry-level professionals providing administrative support in organizations. The interns are responsible for the improvement of their knowledge of administrative works. They should learn skills such as the company's technology, time management, detail-orientation, and written and verbal communication. They arrange appointments, executive travel, and meetings. It is also part of their job to prepare and edit reports, emails, memos, and letters. They even do clerical jobs.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real human resources administrative assistant resumes. While human resources administrative assistant responsibilities can utilize skills like "customer service," "background checks," "hris," and "i-9," administrative interns use skills like "healthcare," "administrative intern," "financial statements," and "windows."
On average, administrative interns earn a higher salary than human resources administrative assistants. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, administrative interns earn the most pay in the government industry with an average salary of $39,355. Whereas human resources administrative assistants have higher pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $39,077.In general, administrative interns achieve higher levels of education than human resources administrative assistants. They're 5.5% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for human resources administrative assistants in the next 3-5 years?
Denise Barton
Senior Professor of Human Resources, Wake Technical Community College
Human resources administrative assistant vs. Human resources internship
A human resources intern is responsible for assisting the human resources department in daily operations under a direct supervisor. Duties of a human resources intern include reviewing job postings and qualifications, updating employees' information in the database, scheduling candidate interviews, responding to employees' concerns, processing payroll disputes, and reiterating the company's policies and procedures. A human resources intern must be detail-oriented and a fast-learner and display excellent communication and organizational skills to be familiarized with the management operations.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, human resources administrative assistants are more likely to have skills like "travel arrangements," "office equipment," "expense reports," and "word processing." But a human resources internship is more likely to have skills like "resources intern," "internship program," "payroll," and "phone screens."
Human resources interns earn the best pay in the manufacturing industry, where they command an average salary of $37,766. Human resources administrative assistants earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $39,077.human resources interns typically earn similar educational levels compared to human resources administrative assistants. Specifically, they're 3.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Human resources administrative assistant vs. Administrative staff
As the administrative staff, they primarily provide administrative and secretarial support for the department. Typically, they do report-writing, filing and scheduling, and payroll. They plan department weekly meetings, schedule conference calls, and work on solving administrative related concerns and issues. They do a complex task that involves multi-tasking from the preparation of department reports, analyzing data, and finding solutions. It is a requirement to be an experienced, collaborator, and trained cross-functional communicator. Moreover, other duties will include scheduling company-initiated activities, meetings, and events.
Types of human resources administrative assistant
Updated January 8, 2025
