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What is a Human Resources Coordinator?

Harriette Halepis
Harriette Halepis

A human resources (HR) coordinator is a Jack, or Jill, of many trades. These highly skilled individuals are entirely responsible for maintaining a company's human resource department. This means that any person hired as a human resources coordinator will be expected to perform hiring, firing, managing, coordinating, and development tasks. Essentially, the main goal of a person in this position is to ensure that a human resources outfit runs as smoothly as possible.

Coordinators may be asked to file employee records, handle employee medical insurance, run background and reference checks, process resumes, and even manage small financial tasks that relate to a company. In short, a human resources coordinator must be able to handle all aspects of a human resources department with assurance. All of these skills can be gained by obtaining a solid education background.

A human resources coordinator is expected to hire qualified employees.
A human resources coordinator is expected to hire qualified employees.

The educational requirements that a human resources coordinator must possess tend to vary based upon an employer's expectations. Most coordinators have a bachelor's degree, though job experience may suffice in some situations. While all candidates with a bachelor's degree may be considered for this type of position, those that have a bachelor's degree in business or human resources are ideal candidates.

Human resources coordinators handle tasks including processing resumes.
Human resources coordinators handle tasks including processing resumes.

Those recent college graduates who wish to obtain a position as a human resources coordinator right away may want to consider a master's degree. Candidates with a master's degree in management or in human resources are often seen as valuable assets to any company. Those that do not have a master's degree in a pertinent field will have to secure a job within a human resources department prior to applying for the position of a coordinator.

A human resources coordinator must be able to handle all aspects of a human resources department.
A human resources coordinator must be able to handle all aspects of a human resources department.

Jobs within this field can be found by contacting job placement agencies, applying directly to a company with a large human resources department, or by looking at Internet job sites. Since most companies heavily rely upon human resource departments, jobs within this field are plentiful. However, the job of a coordinator is a highly sought-after one, which equates fierce job competition. Those seeking to gain a better position within a company can often benefit from securing a coordinator position.

Human resources coordinators are in charge of employee evaluations.
Human resources coordinators are in charge of employee evaluations.

In addition to the various education requirements listed above, professionals within the human resources field must also possess certain personality traits. Patience, understanding, tolerance, and a reliable intuition are all essential traits that any person within this position must have. A coordinator must also be willing to stand behind any and all decisions that are made, which is often the hardest part of this job position.

Discussion Comments

mutsy

Cupcake15 -I agree that if you are interested in a human resources assistant or a position as a coordinator working in an agency will definitely help you chances.

Many employers know that staffing agency work is hard and if you are successful in that type of environment they know that working for them in a human resource department should be a piece of cake.

Most staffing agencies require candidates with a bachelor’s degree but you don’t have to have previous experience to get hired.

Working with a staffing firm is great to add to a human resources coordinator resume. There is a difference in salary from working for a staffing agency to working directly for one company.

Usually staffing agencies offer a salary and commission, while the human resources coordinator salary is set at around $35,000 to $40,000 a year. This position is much slower paced and many people like the predictable nature of the job.

cupcake15

I know many people that had a human resources coordinator job. Many worked for staffing companies as recruiters at an agency before making the transition to working for one company as a human resource coordinator.

People that made the change often disliked the fast paced nature of staffing work and wanted to settle down with one company that offered them a variety of human resource tasks not simply focusing on recruiting.

In these positions, the human resources coordinator would not only put up advertisements for job postings but follow up with agencies regarding open positions.

They would also perform new hire orientations and process references and perform interviews for prospective candidates.

They really do whatever the human resources director needs them to do.

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    • A human resources coordinator is expected to hire qualified employees.
      By: BlueSkyImages
      A human resources coordinator is expected to hire qualified employees.
    • Human resources coordinators handle tasks including processing resumes.
      By: phasinphoto
      Human resources coordinators handle tasks including processing resumes.
    • A human resources coordinator must be able to handle all aspects of a human resources department.
      By: Jeanette Dietl
      A human resources coordinator must be able to handle all aspects of a human resources department.
    • Human resources coordinators are in charge of employee evaluations.
      By: WavebreakmediaMicro
      Human resources coordinators are in charge of employee evaluations.
    • A human resources coordinator may help lead new hire orientations.
      By: kanzefar
      A human resources coordinator may help lead new hire orientations.