What does a human resources clerk do?
A human resources clerk's role focuses on assisting in the hiring process within a company or organization. Most of the responsibilities will revolve around posting hiring notices on various platforms, handling job applications, arranging schedules and appointments for interviews, verifying requirements, and responding to calls and inquiries. Besides participating in the hiring process, a human resources clerk also has administrative duties such as maintaining employee information and records, producing progress reports, processing paperwork, and assisting newly hired employees. This is all done in adherence to a company's policies and regulations.
Human resources clerk responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real human resources clerk resumes:
- Manage mail, postage, bank deposits and FedEx runs, etc.
- Manage timesheets for payroll, account for all employees, and enter information into QuickBooks.
- Operate TALEO software system for managing prospective and current employee application status and procedures
- Enter all payroll/timekeeping information into payroll system, including leave slips for vacations, flex time, bereavement and/or FMLA.
- Utilize the Kronos system to retrieve time bank information, alter hours for correction, verify accurate processing.
- Track all 2nd and 3rd shift attendance by running reports in Kronos and transferring attendance data into PeopleSoft.
- Answer multi-line system, efficiently streamline file system, proficient use of e-verify and process refunds for state retirement.
- Process new hires, terminations, leave of absence and garnishments in ADP, plus assist with password resets.
- Update employee manual to reflect current issues including disciplinary procedures, code of conduct, FMLA policy and benefits information.
- Generate management reports using ADP ReportSmith.
- Handle confidential information including completion of I9 forms.
- Enter and update information into HRIS software following establish guidelines.
- Facilitate part-time hiring, including criminal background investigations, verifying identification and entering data into HRIS.
- Verify employment eligibility and responsible for completion and accuracy of I9 s for various staffing locations.
- Maintain database used Microsoft software excel to generate reports, prepare PowerPoint presentations for training and seminars.
Human resources clerk skills and personality traits
We calculated that 16% of Human Resources Clerks are proficient in Data Entry, Customer Service, and Background Checks. They’re also known for soft skills such as Integrity, Organizational skills, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Human Resources Clerks that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Data Entry, 16%
Welcomed and assisted staff as office receptionist handling a variety of administrative duties including phone management and data entry.
- Customer Service, 14%
Recognized repeatedly for superior customer service, including a customer professionalism displayed during an on site incident.
- Background Checks, 7%
Filed candidate documentation * Scheduled interviews for candidates * Conducted background checks * Handled incoming calls regarding applicant questions
- I-9, 5%
Maintain information required for compliance with legal requirements and government reporting agencies associated with I-9 information.
- HRIS, 4%
Facilitated part-time hiring, including criminal background investigations, verifying identification and entering data into HRIS.
- Front Desk, 4%
Provided adequate coverage at the department front desk, handling questions and concerns of applicants, employees, managers, etc.
"data entry," "customer service," and "background checks" are among the most common skills that human resources clerks use at work. You can find even more human resources clerk responsibilities below, including:
Integrity. One of the key soft skills for a human resources clerk to have is integrity. You can see how this relates to what human resources clerks do because "information clerks, particularly human resources assistants, have access to confidential information." Additionally, a human resources clerk resume shows how human resources clerks use integrity: "provide consistent customer service and uphold ethical principles. "
Organizational skills. Many human resources clerk duties rely on organizational skills. "information clerks must be able to retrieve files and other important information quickly and efficiently.," so a human resources clerk will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways human resources clerk responsibilities rely on organizational skills: "provided strong organizational, multi-tasking, and customer service skills to include employment verifications. "
Communication skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of human resources clerks is communication skills. This skill is critical to many everyday human resources clerk duties, as "information clerks must be able to explain policies and procedures clearly to customers and the public." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "answer telecommunication systems for the purpose of providing information/direction transferring calls, responding to inquiries, and/or taking messages. "
Interpersonal skills. human resources clerk responsibilities often require "interpersonal skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "information clerks who work with the public and customers must understand and communicate information effectively to establish positive relationships." This resume example shows what human resources clerks do with interpersonal skills on a typical day: "front desk/ customer service advanced telephone system interpersonal skills/emailing"
The three companies that hire the most human resources clerks are:
- Kimco Staffing Services Inc8 human resources clerks jobs
- Aimbridge Hospitality6 human resources clerks jobs
- Six Flags5 human resources clerks jobs
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Compare different human resources clerks
Human resources clerk vs. Personnel assistant
Personnel assistants are professionals who perform administrative duties while assisting the human resources director to maintain and keep the records and confidential files of employees working in an organization. These assistants must communicate with all personnel about their compensation policies while ensuring that the company policies and procedures are consistently applied. They are required to coordinate with supervisors to create job descriptions and develop recruiting advertisements. Personnel assistants must also purchase office supplies while maintaining the cleanliness and orderliness of their office area.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between human resources clerks and personnel assistant. For instance, human resources clerk responsibilities require skills such as "customer service," "front desk," "provides administrative support," and "e-verify." Whereas a personnel assistant is skilled in "human resources," "cac," "personnel transactions," and "deers." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Personnel assistants earn the highest salaries when working in the non profits industry, with an average yearly salary of $40,808. On the other hand, human resources clerks are paid more in the government industry with an average salary of $39,622.On average, personnel assistants reach similar levels of education than human resources clerks. Personnel assistants are 2.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Human resources clerk vs. Staffing assistant
A staffing assistant performs support tasks to help offices run smoothly and efficiently. Most of their responsibilities include assisting executives with their needs, answering calls and correspondence, preparing and processing documentation, arranging meetings and appointments, organizing and disseminating files, and maintaining records and databases. They must also assist in arranging staff schedules, training new staff, and coordinating with the human resources department. Furthermore, a staffing assistant may also monitor the inventory of office supplies, processing procurement requests when necessary.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real human resources clerk resumes. While human resources clerk responsibilities can utilize skills like "customer service," "background checks," "clerical support," and "word processing," staffing assistants use skills like "patients," "human resources," "criminal background checks," and "schedule interviews."
Staffing assistants may earn a higher salary than human resources clerks, but staffing assistants earn the most pay in the health care industry with an average salary of $34,582. On the other hand, human resources clerks receive higher pay in the government industry, where they earn an average salary of $39,622.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Staffing assistants tend to reach similar levels of education than human resources clerks. In fact, they're 0.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for human resources clerks in the next 3-5 years?
Sarah DeArmond Ph.D.
Management and Human Resources Department Chair, Professor of Human Resource Management, University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
Human resources clerk vs. Recruiting assistant
A recruiting assistant is responsible for supporting the staffing needs of an organization, updating the company's job boards, and coordinating with the department managers to identify their staffing requirements and candidate qualifications. Recruiting assistants schedule the interviews and evaluations of the qualified applicants, endorsing them for final assessments with a department's hiring managers. They also assist with the processing of requirements for the hired candidates and managing their onboarding procedures. A recruiting assistant performs administrative and clerical duties as needed, especially on updating the candidate's information and doing background checks.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, human resources clerks are more likely to have skills like "office equipment," "clerical support," "word processing," and "computer system." But a recruiting assistant is more likely to have skills like "hr," "phone screens," "interview process," and "taleo."
Recruiting assistants make a very good living in the government industry with an average annual salary of $48,173. On the other hand, human resources clerks are paid the highest salary in the government industry, with average annual pay of $39,622.Most recruiting assistants achieve a similar degree level compared to human resources clerks. For example, they're 2.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Human resources clerk vs. Clerk typist
A clerk typist is responsible for data entry procedures and document transcriptions, alongside other clerical and administrative duties as required by the employer. Clerk typists create reports and presentation materials, transcribe audio meetings, write business drafts, and send documents to appropriate office personnel or clients. A clerk-typist must show excellent organizational and time-management skills, especially with handling various typing tasks under strict deadlines and minimal supervision. They also respond and take calls from clients and customers, assisting with their inquiries and concerns.
Types of human resources clerk
Updated January 8, 2025
