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Human resources adviser

personnel officer human resources officer
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Administration, business and management
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Career outlook for human resources adviser

UK Salary Ranges

Entry-level

£18,000

Experienced

£40,000

Currently employed in Scotland

14,500

Salary information is provided by the "National Careers Service". "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.

What's it like?

You would find and hire the right employees for your organisation or business. You’d make sure that staff are treated fairly and understand the rules of your workplace.

You’d organise development and training opportunities. And if someone is experiencing difficulties – either professional or personal – you’d arrange for them to get support or services that could help.

You would:

  • Hire staff by advertising and interviewing
  • Work with other managers to plan future staff needs
  • Keep employee records
  • Provide staff training and development
  • Make sure staff have the right pay and benefits
  • Arrange staff services such as welfare and counselling
  • Deal with complaints and discipline procedures
  • Promote equality and health and safety
  • Advise colleagues on matters like pay negotiations, redundancy and employment law
  • Develop HR policies and procedures
  • Write staff handbooks

In large organisations, you may specialise in one or two of these areas. In smaller companies you would usually deal with all aspects of the job.

You’d need to be tactful and approachable but sometimes you’d need to be firm too. It is very important to respect people’s confidentiality.

Working conditions

Hours

In a full-time job you would normally work standard office hours, Monday to Friday. Part-time and temporary work are often available.

Environment

You would mainly be based in an office.

Travel

You may need to travel to meetings, especially if you worked in a company with more than one site.

UK employment status

Full-time

80%

Part-time

16%

Self employed

4%

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Here are some of the skills needed for this job. Sign in to see how your skills match up.

  • Developing a plan
  • Attention to detail
  • Listening
  • Verbal communication
  • Written communication
  • Cooperating
  • Building relationships
  • Empathising
  • Observation

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Getting in

Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.

Foundation Apprenticeships

Choosing a Foundation Apprenticeship as one of your subjects in S5 and S6 can help you get a head start with this type of job.

You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification (the same level as a Higher) plus valuable work placement experience and skills you can't learn in a classroom.

Interested? Find out what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.

Qualifications

The majority of entrants to the job have a Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 8) or a degree (SCQF level 9/10). You can apply for this role with a HND or degree in any subjects but particularly relevant are:

  • Human resource management
  • Business studies
  • Law
  • Management
  • Psychology

You might also get in by completing a postgraduate course in human resource management or related subject or a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree (SCQF level 11).

Entry requirements for an Higher National Diploma are one to two Highers. Entry to a degree requires nationals (SCQF level 4/5) and four to five Highers. 

Useful subjects

  • English (required by most employers)
  • Maths (required by most employers)
  • Business
  • ICT
  • Numerate and administrative subjects.

Helpful to have

A qualification recognised by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), such as:

  • Certificate in Human Resource Practice
  • Certificate in Learning and Development Practice