A HR Assistant is a support role within the human resources department of an organisation. HR Assistants are often the first point of contact for employees seeking assistance with HR-related matters and as such, need to have strong communication and interpersonal skills. The role of HR Assistant is typically an entry-level position, with opportunities for career progression within the HR profession – those pursuing human resources as a career typically begin their journey along the HR career path in this sort of position. So, what does a HR Assistant do?

They assist with a variety of tasks such as recruitment, onboarding, training and development, employee relations, and payroll. The role can involve organising and scheduling interviews, updating and maintaining employee records, processing employment contracts, and providing general administrative support to the HR team.

The average base salary for HR Assistants in the UK is around £20,000 per year, with a range of approximately £16,000 to £26,000 per year. This is an entry-level role with room for salaries to increase with experience as you climb the HR career ladder.

As this is an entry-level job role, you generally do not need formal qualifications or prior experience. In order to learn and develop your HR skills, begin studying the CIPD Level 3 Certificate in People Practice and follow the CIPD pathway.

What is an HR Manager? A Human Resources Manager is a vital role in any organisation and a highly-desired role for those following the HR career path. They are responsible for providing leadership and direction to the HR team, as well as developing and implementing HR strategies that support the company's goals. In the UK, HR Managers typically hold professional HR manager qualifications such as a CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma or equivalent and will have considerable experience and HR Manager skills, such as managing people and related issues.

So, what does an HR Manager do? If you’re looking at how to become a Human Resource manager, there are some skills you should get under your belt first. The main duties of an HR Manager include ensuring compliance with employment law, developing policies and procedures within the company, recruiting staff, managing performance appraisals, facilitating training programmes, resolving employee grievances, overseeing payroll and benefits administration, conducting job analysis, designing compensation plans, monitoring overtime hours etc.

They may also be involved in activities such as research into recruitment trends, job market conditions, rewards structures etc., to ensure their organisation remains competitive in its sector. HR manager skills needed to complete these duties include attention to detail, leadership and a passion for people management.

The average base salary for HR Managers in the UK is around £45,000 per year, with a range of approximately £30,000 to £65,000 per year. Salaries can be higher in larger cities such as London and in industries such as finance or technology. HR Managers with more experience and advanced HR manager qualifications may be able to command higher salaries. The specific benefits and bonus packages offered by an organization can also affect the total compensation for HR Managers. Those interested in how to become an HR Manager generally climb the HR career ladder, starting with entry-level HR roles.

The most highly-desired HR Manager skills include:

• Communication and people management skills
• Organisational skills
• Adaptability
• Knowledge of employment law
• Proficiency in problem solving
• Analytical or critical thinking skills

Respected HR courses are designed to help learners develop these valuable HR Manager skills.

Those interested in how to become a human resource manager should prioritise completing advanced human resources qualifications (such as CIPD Level 5 and CIPD Level 7), as well as gaining valuable prior experience within entry-level and intermediate HR job roles.

A HR Consultant – or HR Advisor - is a professional who provides expert advice and guidance to organisations on a range of human resources-related matters. They may work independently or as part of a consulting firm. The role of a HR Consultant requires strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills, as well as a deep understanding of HR best practices and employment law. This is an ideal position for those looking to pursue human resources as a career who do not want to work for just one organisation.

HR Consultants deal with HR strategy development, employee relations, talent management, organisational change, and compliance with employment law. HR Consultants typically work with a range of clients across different industries, and their role involves understanding the specific needs and challenges of each client and developing tailored solutions to address these. They may also provide training and coaching to managers and employees on HR-related topics.

The average base salary for HR Consultants in the UK is around £41,000 per year, with a range of approximately £24,000 to £66,000 per year. Salaries can be higher in larger cities such as London and in consulting firms that specialise in areas such as organisational change or HR strategy development. HR Consultants with more experience and advanced qualifications may be able to command higher salaries. The specific benefits and bonus packages offered by an organisation can also affect the total compensation for HR Consultants.

If you’re interested in how to become a HR Advisor or HR Consultant, you should have the skills and qualifications needed to confidently advise organisations on HR matters. This is something which generally comes with experience gained whilst working within the HR field. You should also have a relevant certification, so gaining CIPD certification will help you to stand out to consultancy firms, or to clients if you choose to practice as an independent HR consultant.

A HR Director is a senior executive, responsible for developing and implementing HR strategies aligned with the organisation's goals and objectives, managing the employer-employee relationship, promoting a positive workplace culture, and ensuring compliance with employment laws and regulations. The HR Director must have a strong understanding of HR best practices, leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills – this is a top-level position for anyone pursuing human resources as a career.

The role of HR Director involves overseeing HR operations such as talent acquisition, compensation and benefits, performance management, and employee relations.

The salary for the role of HR Director in the UK varies depending on factors such as industry, company size, location, and level of experience. The average base salary for the role of HR Director in the UK is around £100,000 per year, with a range of approximately £70,000 to £150,000 per year, with those who have plenty of experience within their career in human resources earning within the top of this bracket. HR salaries can be higher in industries such as finance or technology and in larger cities such as London. The specific benefits and bonus packages offered by an organisation can also affect the total compensation for HR Directors.

As the role of HR Director is around the very top of the HR career ladder, many HR Directors have worked their way up to this particular job. This is a role in which respected qualifications (such as CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management) and years of experience in the field are generally preferred.