5 Entry Level HR Jobs for Recent Graduates

Individuals who enjoy helping others through mediation might find the field of human resources ideal. While HR job prospects can vary based on position, the field as a whole has shown stable growth over the years. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), HR roles are projected to grow steadily through 2030, a rate about as fast as the national average for all occupations.

Here is an overview of five HR positions recent graduates with a bachelor’s degree in human resources or higher might discover fit well with their qualifications.

Human Resources Specialist

Professionals in this specialty are typically tasked with recruiting, screening, interviewing and placing workers on behalf of their employers. They tend to work in office settings for employers in both the public and private sectors. According to the BLS, the average 2021 salary for employees in this field was $62,390 annually.

Human Resources Generalist

In general, human resources generalists help oversee the day-to-day operations of an HR office. In addition to helping with recruiting, they may also be responsible for assisting with setting policies and procedures and creating programs. Moreover, they typically assist with organizational development, training, benefits, compensation packages and other facets of people management. The basic salary and job growth expectations are similar to those in the human resources specialist field.

Human Resources Recruiter

In most cases, human resources recruiters specialize in helping employers staff open positions with qualified candidates. They may devise programs to attract talent while developing plans to help assist with screening, interviewing and overall retention of personnel. The projected job outlook HR recruiters, along with basic salary, are similar to those in the specialist and generalist fields.

Human Resources Coordinator

Professionals in this career field are typically managers who oversee, plan, direct and coordinate administrative aspects of an organization. They provide supervision for recruiters, generalists and specialists while working with other organizational managers to help keep operations flowing smoothly. HR coordinators may also serve as the liaison between overall management and employees.

Human Resources Representative

In general, HR Representatives are assigned to work directly with a group of employees throughout their employment with an organization. They can serve as the main point of contact for designated employees throughout their employment term, and handle employee issues such as benefits, salary, training and other day-to-day concerns as they arise.

Since job availability and salary can vary based on location, education, experience and employer, applicants are urged to conduct their own research into the field. For professionals interested in learning more information about this growing field, Villanova University’s 100% online Human Resources programs can help serve as a stepping stone to career advancement. Villanova currently offers an on-campus Master of Science in Human Resource Development, as well as an online Certificate in Human Resource Management.