How To Become A Human Resources Secretary: What It Is and Career Path

What is a human resources secretary and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Dr. Martha Martinez- Firestone Ph.D.

The average human resources secretary salary is $35,107. The most common degree is a bachelor's degree degree with an business major. It usually takes 1-2 years of experience to become a human resources secretary. Human resources secretaries with a Certified Professional - Human Resource (IPMA-CP) certification earn more money. Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 0% and produce -5,200 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to a human resources secretary?

Dr. Martha Martinez- Firestone Ph.D.

Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Program, DePaul University

You will hear lots of doomsday scenarios about how you will never recover and how your professional life is ruined. Take it as a challenge. While the effect of recessions is real, that only gives you an idea of the average experience. In all cohorts there are people who do better and people who do worst. Work to be part of the former. All crises bring opportunities; make sure to identify them and see if those jobs and industries are a possibility for you. And remember that life is more than your job.

ScoreHuman Resources SecretaryUS Average

Salary

2.7

Avg. Salary $35,107

Avg. Salary $59,228

Diversity

8.7

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.89%

Asian 9.44%

Black or African American 10.80%

Hispanic or Latino 18.14%

Unknown 4.77%

White 55.96%

Gender

female 93.21%

male 6.79%

Age - 42

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42

Stress level

5.8

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

5.9

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance

7.0

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a human resources secretary

Explore human resources secretary education requirements

Most common human resources secretary degrees

Bachelor's

38.6 %

Associate

28.7 %

High School Diploma

15.6 %

Start to develop specific human resources secretary skills

Skills	Percentages
Assist Human Resources	12.35%
Telephone Calls	11.33%
Background Checks	8.43%
Front Desk	5.20%
Travel Arrangements	4.97%

Complete relevant human resources secretary training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New human resources secretaries learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a human resources secretary based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real human resources secretary resumes.

Research human resources secretary duties and responsibilities

Operate TALEO software system for managing prospective and current employee application status and procedures
Maintain the HRIS, personnel files, assist in on-board process, compile data for annual wage compensation.
Develop HRIS program including creation of various reports for contracting agencies and compliance with defense contracting regulations and audits.
Maintain FMLA requests with follow-up documentation.

Get human resources secretary experience

Generally, it takes 1-2 years to become a human resources secretary. The most common roles before becoming a human resources secretary include secretary, administrative assistant team lead and customer service representative.

Prepare your human resources secretary resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your human resources secretary resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a human resources secretary resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable human resources secretary resume templates

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