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Human resources associate skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

6 min read

Quoted experts

Dr. Vinh Nguyen Ph.D.,

J. Adam Shoemaker Ph.D.

Human resources associate example skills

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical human resources associate skills. We ranked the top skills for human resources associates based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 12.3% of human resources associate resumes contained customer service as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a human resources associate needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 human resources associate skills for your resume and career

1. Customer Service

Customer service is the process of offering assistance to all the current and potential customers -- answering questions, fixing problems, and providing excellent service. The main goal of customer service is to build a strong relationship with the customers so that they keep coming back for more business.

Here's how human resources associates use customer service:

Assisted recruiters in scheduling candidate interviews throughout the country and prepare candidate interview materials while providing exceptional customer service.
Provided day-to-day operational support for the delivery of outsourced HR services to employees ensuring excellent levels of customer service.

2. HRIS

Here's how human resources associates use hris:

Customized HRIS to accommodate European and Canadian employees, improving headcount reporting functions and accuracy of global labor force personnel transactions.
Managed disability vendor relationship and activities and identified HRIS issues.

3. I-9

I-9 is a government verification form that indicates, whether an individual is eligible for work in the US. The form was created by the United States Department of Homeland Security division, named as the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) which requires that all US citizens must fill out and submit an I-9 form to start their working career in the US. An I-9 form includes a person's identification information and education credentials, that are ought to be verified by the employer.

Here's how human resources associates use i-9:

Performed voluntary I-9 and other internal system audits to ensure accuracy and compliance; documenting any issues or potentially questionable data.
Processed new employees, including: collecting demographic information, I-9 documentation, criminal background checks and professional license verification.

4. Performance Management

Here's how human resources associates use performance management:

Reduced employee relations issues by developing an updated employee handbook, implementing first line supervisory training and facilitating performance management cycle.
Partner with management to proactively plan for and meet business objectives through talent and calibration reviews and performance management.

5. Exit Interviews

Exit interviews are meetings conducted by management representatives with employees who are separating from the company. These interviews act as a measurement scale to assess the individual's overall experience with the organization. Having a standardized procedure of exit interviews helps the company to manage risks effectively. It can increase employee retention, engagement and helps to decide what decisions are fruitful and what aren't inside the organization.

Here's how human resources associates use exit interviews:

Performed administrative duties including screening resumes, conducting background & reference checks, updating organizational charts, and conducting exit interviews.
Managed separation notices, conducted exit interviews and provided departing employees with determination of benefits including cobra and final paychecks.

6. Payroll Processing

Here's how human resources associates use payroll processing:

Guarantee that employees are coded correctly for compensation and payroll processing; conduct miscellaneous audits and data collection when necessary
Supported Payroll Manager with payroll processing using ADP and addressing any compensation related questions.

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7. E-Verify

E-verify is a secure website of the United States homeland security that provides employers with the needed information about the eligibility of their employees before hiring. The DHS is designed for citizens of the United States of America and foreign applicants to ensure offenders and undocumented migrants from gaining access to employment illegally.

Here's how human resources associates use e-verify:

Ensured compliance with employment eligibility requirements through use of E-Verify system; addressed employment eligibility discrepancies in accordance with government processes.
Developed orientation materials for entire department, conducted New Employee Orientation, processed employment verification through E-verify.

8. Background Checks

Here's how human resources associates use background checks:

Ensured all applicants provided proper documentation for employment; ran miscellaneous reports and updated background checks.
Sourced and interviewed candidates, negotiated and prepared offer packages including reference and background checks.

9. PowerPoint

Here's how human resources associates use powerpoint:

Delivered informative presentation utilizing Microsoft PowerPoint.
Generated complex reports utilizing Excel, PowerPoint regarding staffing issues requiring urgent decision by Senior Management.

10. Data Entry

Data entry means entering data into a company's system with the help of a keyboard. A person responsible for entering data may also be asked to verify the authenticity of the data being entered. A person doing data entry must pay great attention to tiny details.

Here's how human resources associates use data entry:

Completed account maintenance/data entry detail/processed daily sales/register details.
Administered electronic charter database and ensured accuracy of daily data entry into EMTS (Electronic Management Tracking System).

11. EEO

Here's how human resources associates use eeo:

Designed and delivered communication platform training presentation to maintain compliance for all Federal and Local Affirmative Action / EEO Regulations.
Managed annual affirmative action plan including ongoing tracking of EEO information and annual reporting.

12. Excellent Interpersonal

Here's how human resources associates use excellent interpersonal:

Have considerable knowledge of principles and practices of personnel administration, effective oral and written communication skills and excellent interpersonal skills.
Possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills with proven abilities in Induction Program and handling team relationships.

13. FMLA

Here's how human resources associates use fmla:

Administered short-term disability program, advising managers on compliance with federal and corporate regulation, including FMLA.
Managed all leaves of absence including FMLA and assisted management in determining eligibility.

14. Provides Administrative Support

Here's how human resources associates use provides administrative support:

Managed reception area and provides administrative support to Human Resource Director on all personnel matters.
Job Description: o Provides administrative support including writing correspondence reports and documents.

15. Open Enrollment

Open enrollment means a duration that comes every year that a person can sign up for health insurance or change the plan that a person has, for instance, if a person needs to deregister. The activity always features in a few weeks or months within a year. It allows workers to alter their benefit plans, including vision, dental, health insurance, life insurance, and disability.

Here's how human resources associates use open enrollment:

Supported the administration of benefit and compensation programs including salaries, annual performance reviews and employee benefits programs including open enrollment.
Organized open enrollment meetings with managers and employees; incorporated ordering benefit information from selected vendors for distribution during open enrollment.

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What skills help Human Resources Associates find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on human resources associate resumes?

Dr. Vinh Nguyen Ph.D.

Professor of Business Administration, Coe College

The most important skills for new graduates, particularly for HRM majors, are adaptability and problem solving. The ability to continuously learn and change is critical during this crisis and with on-going technological advancements. A willingness to face any problems and to find creative solutions is also highly desirable in this changing world. Thus, people who are highly aware and possess a growth mindset will stand out in the labor market.

What soft skills should all human resources associates possess?

J. Adam Shoemaker Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Management & Human Resources, Saint Leo University

FYI, soft skills are a lot more difficult to train than hard skills. This is part of the reason that there is so much demand for soft skills - for the most part, they need to be innate to the candidate.
Here again, communication comes up - and here, it is important to recognize that communication is much more than just telling people. A good communicator is a great listener. He knows when to speak his mind and when to wait and see what happens. She knows how to collaborate effectively with people and how to take action when needed.

What hard/technical skills are most important for human resources associates?

J. Adam Shoemaker Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Management & Human Resources, Saint Leo University

Even though these skills are much more trainable, it helps if HR professionals are familiar with HR information systems.
There are too many to name them all here (sorry, no free advertising)! It would be difficult for a candidate to be familiar with every platform a company might use for their HRIS, but it is good to know that they generally work in the same ways.
If the company asks if you have experience with a particular platform that you have never heard of, always be truthful but still be ready to ask intelligent questions about it: "I'm not too familiar with that platform, but I'd be curious to know about your employees' experiences with it. How long have you been using it, and how robust is the self-service interface?"

What human resources associate skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Dr. Michael Pasquale Ph.D.

Professor of Linguistics, Humanities Division Chair, Cornerstone University

Graduates should continue to develop expertise and fluency in their language learning and development. They should focus on developing language fluency in the career areas they are pursuing. For example, they should read extensively and listen to podcasts in their target language to understand the field and how to use the language fluently and effectively in those contexts.

What type of skills will young human resources associates need?

Dwaine Turner Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, East Central University

Graduates will need to be multiculturally competent, have great interpersonal skills, and Telehealth exposure. Upcoming graduates will be faced with providing services to a diverse population that will be very challenging, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The graduates will have to implore the usage of their interpersonal skill set to strengthen the therapeutic alliance between counselor and client relationship. Also, the new trend in the profession is virtual sessions, which can be awkward at times but very necessary with the current landscape of society. The graduate will have to be more creative when creating an environment that is therapeutic in a virtual meeting room to allow the client to emote/divulge sensitive information.

What technical skills for a human resources associate stand out to employers?

Adam Smith Ph.D.

Bicentennial Professor, Associate Professor of Management, Enactus Sam Walton Fellow, Indiana University Kokomo

That varies by industry, employer, level, and position. Also, it depends on their approach to hiring and training. It is important that students research employers and industries that interest them. But overall, it may be skills such as decision-making, problem-solving, critical thinking, time management, and collaboration that remain vital. Going forward, effective communication, tech savviness, a positive view of change (as opportunity), and an openness to continuous learning may set people apart in organizations.

Do you want to know more?

List of human resources associate skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a human resources associate resume and required skills for a human resources associate to have include:

Customer Service
HRIS
I-9
Performance Management
Exit Interviews
Payroll Processing
E-Verify
Background Checks
PowerPoint
Data Entry
EEO
Excellent Interpersonal
FMLA
Provides Administrative Support
Open Enrollment
Applicant Tracking Systems
Training Programs

Life Insurance
Unemployment Claims
PeopleSoft
Shared Services
Cobra
Reference Checks
Workers Compensation
Benefits Administration
Tuition Reimbursement
ADP
Health Insurance
Status Changes
Management System
PTO
Offboarding
Data Integrity
SharePoint

Interview Process
Recruitment Process
Taleo
Kronos
Open Positions
Hr Administration
Federal Laws
Drug Screens
Disciplinary Actions
Payroll System
Scheduling Interviews
Performance Reviews
Internship Program
Succession Planning
Employment Verifications
Travel Arrangements

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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