HR Generalist
Complete with job descriptions, skill profiles, and interview templates. Use this HR Generalist hiring guide to help you make the right decisions, fast.
HOW TO HIRE A HR Generalist
What does a HR Generalist do?
HR Generalists provide administrative support and coordination of various activities and projects across the business.
Usually, a HR Generalist will have a key focus on all HR operational support, recruitment and training coordination. They will be highly organized and have excellent written and verbal skills to ensure work is completed at the highest standard.
Day to day tasks of a HR Generalist
- Handling employee complaints and issues
- Provide administrative support and coordination of various activities and projects within the business
- Prepare reports/ presentations and collect data
- Support in training and coordination through all stages of recruitment
- Manage and process all employee HR documentation
- Assisting in performance management
HR Generalist definition
HR Generalists’ primary responsibility is to provide excellent service to employees, resolve any issues and ensure documentation is handled with confidentiality and care. Due to some sensitive issues that may arise, it is important that they are empathetic and caring.
HIRING PROCESS
HR Generalist Hiring Process
Build the ideal candidate profile
Skills needed for a HR Generalist
HR Generalists must be highly organized and show a high attention to detail. Because each day is different, a HR Generalist needs to have skills which will enable them to multitask and not lose focus. They must also have exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
- Attention to Detail
- Resilience
- Organized
- Positive attitude
Pro Tip
For HR Generalists roles, you’re likely to receive a high number of applications than you would for senior positioned roles. Ensure you provide details about what it’s like to work for your company, what skill set is required and your company’s values and beliefs.
WRITE A JOB DESCRIPTION BASED ON SKILLS
How to write a HR Generalist job description
Once you’ve determined the skills required for the role, you can write the job description to advertise for your position. Here’s what to include in your HR Generalist job description:
Job Title: What position are you hiring for?
Summary: What makes your company unique? What would it be like to work for you?
Responsibilities: An overview of the role’s day-to-day activities, and how the position contributes to the organization
Requirements: Skills a candidate must have to perform the job successfully
Benefits: Details of compensation, benefits, and any perks on offer
Pro Tip
In building your candidate profile, remember you’ve already identified what skills are needed to succeed in the role. Here’s where to list your “must-have” skills and maybe a couple of “nice-to-have” skills. For example, HR Generalists must empathize with employees’ concerns and problems, but also remain confidential when handling multiple documents.
SELECTING THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
Sample skill tests for a HR Generalist
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Question 1
Attention to Detail
Question Type: Audio
Please listen to the below call and summarize the key pieces of information the employee concerns raised.
Question 2
Confidentiality
Question Type: Audio
You have seen that one of your colleagues in your team has breached confidentiality by sharing sensitive information around an employee’s personal circumstance.
Please explain what and how you would manage this situation.
Question 3
Going the extra mile
Question Type: Audio
You have come up with a solution to a system process that you believe would help your workload but also make you work more efficiently.
Please tell us how you would raise this to your manager, and what actions you would put into place?
INTERVIEW TOP PERFORMERS
How to interview a HR Generalist
Once your Vervoe skills assessment has surfaced the most qualified people for your open role, you can focus on interviewing these candidates. The interview should focus on any skills that require development that were highlighted from the skills assessment.
Now you know that candidates can do the job, the interview becomes more of a relationship building exercise where you can get to know the candidate on a more personal level, understand their motivations, and how they would fit in with the team.
Making An Offer
How much does it cost to hire a HR Generalist?
The US average for a HR Generalist is $56,033 according to Payscale.com while the reported average salary on Glassdoor amounts to $55,880. The lowest paid ten percent is paid up to $44,000.
HR Generalist Salary United States
HR Generalist salaries in the United States range from $44,000 – $87,000 (USD). 55,880. salaries in the U.S vary a lot depending on the industry and the nature of the business as well as the location.
Source: Glassdoor
HR Generalist Salary United Kingdom
HR Generalist salaries in the United Kingdom range from £25,000 – £58,000 (GBP). HR Generalist salaries in the UK vary largely based on location and depend on the type of HR business & location.
Source: Glassdoor
HR Generalist Salary Australia
HR Generalist salaries in Australia range from $60,000 – $125,000 (AUD). HR Generalist salaries usually depend on the type of business and the nature of the industry, location, and commission structure (if applicable).
Source: Glassdoor
