Human Resources (HR)
Are you interested in the business world and enjoy assisting others? A career in human resources (HR) might be an ideal fit for you. The HR team plays a pivotal role in ensuring that a business has the right talent in the right positions at the right time, thereby enabling the company to deliver its products or services at optimal quality. The HR department handles various responsibilities, including recruitment, compliance with employment regulations, and employee welfare, ensuring a healthy and productive work environment.
The HR profession can involve a mix of desk-based work and physical tasks, depending on the specific responsibilities. There is often flexibility in terms of work location and schedule, as many HR tasks can be completed remotely or with flexible hours.
Why people enjoy working in HR
Positive impact
Are you interested in a career that involves helping people and making a positive impact on people and their lives? If so, a job in HR (human resources) might be just the thing for you!
Problem solving
In HR, you get to do lots of different things, from paperwork to coming up with big ideas. This means the work is always interesting and keeps you on your toes. If you like solving problems and having a variety of tasks, HR could be a good fit for you.
Shapes company culture
One really great thing about HR is that you can help shape the way a company feels and how people are treated You can work on making sure everyone feels included and supported, and that the workplace is a positive and welcoming environment.
Career opportunities
Another great thing about working in HR is that you get to learn about lots of different parts of a business and work with all kinds of people. This means there are lots of opportunities to learn new things and grow in your career.
Sustainable employment
And the best part? There will always be a need for HR professionals as long as there are businesses around. Plus, as workplaces change, there are always new opportunities to come up with creative solutions and make things better for everyone.
Some of the key job roles within an HR Department
HR manager / head of HR
An HR manager or head of HR oversees all aspects of a company’s people management, ensuring policies and procedures are followed while fostering a positive workplace culture. Their daily tasks include managing recruitment, employee relations, training, benefits, and compliance with employment laws. They also develop strategic HR plans to support business growth.
This role suits individuals who are organised, empathetic, and skilled at problem-solving while balancing both employee needs and business objectives.
Scorecard
Salary Potential*
Flexible Hours
Flexible Location
Physicality
*based on a 40-hour working week
Recruitment officer / talent manager
A recruitment officer or talent manager is responsible for attracting and hiring the right people for the company. Daily tasks include writing job adverts, screening applications, conducting interviews, liaising with hiring managers, and managing the onboarding process. They may also work on employer branding and workforce planning.
This role suits individuals who are people-focused, highly organised, and enjoy assessing candidates to find the best fit for a role.
Scorecard
Salary Potential*
Flexible Hours
Flexible Location
Physicality
*based on a 40-hour working week
Training coordinator
A training coordinator organises and delivers training programmes to help employees develop skills and progress in their careers. Daily tasks include scheduling training sessions, developing materials, coordinating with external trainers, and ensuring compliance with required certifications. They also assess training needs and track employee development.
This role suits detail-oriented individuals who enjoy supporting learning, coordinating events, and ensuring employees have access to growth opportunities.
Scorecard
Salary Potential*
Flexible Hours
Flexible Location
Physicality
*based on a 40-hour working week
Payroll manager / payroll administrator
A payroll manager or payroll administrator ensures that all employees are paid accurately and on time, managing salaries, tax deductions, pensions, and other payroll-related matters. They also handle employee queries regarding payslips and ensure compliance with tax laws. Daily tasks involve processing payroll data, reviewing time sheets, and managing payroll systems.
This role suits individuals with strong numerical skills, attention to detail, and a thorough understanding of tax regulations and employment law.
Scorecard
Salary Potential*
Flexible Hours
Flexible Location
Physicality
*based on a 40-hour working week
HR advisor
An HR advisor supports employees and managers in handling workplace issues, offering guidance on policies, employee relations, and performance management. Daily tasks include advising on disciplinary actions, managing grievances, conducting workplace investigations, and ensuring legal compliance. They may also support change management initiatives and HR projects.
This role suits individuals who are diplomatic, detail-oriented, and confident in dealing with sensitive workplace matters.
Scorecard
Salary Potential*
Flexible Hours
Flexible Location
Physicality
*based on a 40-hour working week
HR assistant / HR officer
An HR assistant or HR officer provides administrative support within the HR department, ensuring that records are maintained and processes run smoothly. Daily tasks include managing employee records, handling contracts, assisting with recruitment administration, scheduling interviews, and responding to employee queries. They may also help with payroll and training coordination.
This role suits individuals who are highly organised, good with paperwork, and enjoy working in a structured environment while supporting employees.
Scorecard
Salary Potential*
Flexible Hours
Flexible Location
Physicality
*based on a 40-hour working week
Key skills and attributes needed
Strong communication skills
Empathy
Discretion in handling confidential information
Organizational and detail-oriented skills
Specialisms within HR & learning and development
Employee experience
Creating a healthy, engaging work environment to maximise employee potential.
Employee relations
Managing relationships between an organisation and its people through transparent practices and relevant laws.
HR business partner
Collaborating with business leaders to develop and execute effective HR strategies.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
Working with organisations to ensure that practices don’t disadvantage anyone and foster an inclusive culture that brings out the best in everyone.
Learning and development
Helping organisations in Lincolnshire and beyond develop their workforce to meet future challenges.
Organisation development and design
Ensuring the entire system operates optimally by aligning structure with strategy.
People consultant
Providing expert advice to help organisations get the best out of their people.
Resourcing
Crafting a seamless candidate experience to attract top talent.
Reward
Aligning compensation and benefits with the organisation’s culture and market position.
People analytics
Using data to drive evidence-based decision-making within the HR profession.
Talent management
Maximising the potential of employees to achieve organisational goals
Entry path into a career in HR
Entering the field of HR can be achieved through several pathways, catering to a variety of educational backgrounds and career aspirations.
Many professionals start their HR journey through entry-level roles such as HR assistant or administrator, which typically require a good standard of education, such as GCSEs or A-levels.
Graduates often enter HR via graduate schemes or by completing a degree in Human Resource Management or a related field.
Apprenticeships are available at various levels, from Level 2 to Level 7, and are open to individuals of any age and at any stage in their career, offering flexible opportunities for professional growth and development.
Additionally, obtaining professional qualifications from bodies like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) can significantly enhance employability, offering both foundational knowledge and a recognised standard within the industry. For those with experience in other business areas, transitioning into HR through internal transfers or by leveraging relevant skills, such as people management or organisational development, is also a viable path.
Take a look at the below courses that will help you on your way.
Further education courses
GCSEs
- English
- Business Studies
- Mathematics
- History
- Economics
- Statistics
A-levels
- Business Studies
- Economics
- English Language/Literature
- History
- Government and Politics
- Law
- Psychology
- Quantitative Methods
- Sociology
- Statistics
T-levels
- Management & Administration
- Human Resources Management
Apprenticeship standards
- HR Support
- HR People Professional
- HR Senior People Professional
- HR Consultant Partner
College courses
- Level 1, 2, 3, 4 courses Understanding Violence and Workplace Harassment
- People Management
- HR Fundamentals
- People Management Skills
- Organisational Learning and Development
- Professional Short Courses in HR Management
University courses
- BA (Hons) Business and Psychology
- MSc Management with Human Resources
- MSc Human Resources Management
- BSc Human Resources Management
- Diploma in Strategic People Management
- Diploma in Strategic Learning and Development
- MBA Strategic Leadership
Professional courses
Chartered Institute of Professional Development (CIPD)
- Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice
- Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management
- Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management
- Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic Learning and Development
For more information about skills and training in Lincolnshire, please click here
Professional Associations
HR professionals may belong to professional bodies such as:-
- Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) – https://www.cipd.org/uk/
- The British Psychological Society (BPS) – https://www.bps.org.uk/
- The Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM) – https://www.i-l-m.com/
- Chartered Management Institute (CMI) – https://managers.org