Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Performing Administrative Activities Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Process, verify, and maintain personnel related documentation, including staffing, recruitment, training, grievances, performance evaluations, classifications, and employee leaves of absence.
• Record data for each employee, including such information as addresses, weekly earnings, absences, amount of sales or production, supervisory reports on performance, and dates of and reasons for terminations.
• Explain company personnel policies, benefits, and procedures to employees or job applicants.
• Provide assistance in administering employee benefit programs and worker's compensation plans.
• Answer questions regarding examinations, eligibility, salaries, benefits, and other pertinent information.
• Prepare and set up for new employee orientations.
• Gather personnel records from other departments or employees.
• Examine employee files to answer inquiries and provide information for personnel actions.
• Search employee files to obtain information for authorised persons and organisations, such as credit bureaus and finance companies.
• Compile and prepare reports and documents pertaining to personnel activities.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Many employers look for HR generalists/ Personnel Officers with a relevant degree (e.g. business, Law and Management, Social Science, Psychology), or a Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) recognised qualification in HR Management which are offered through many different colleges and universities on a part-time basis around the country.

Having experience in a professional HR role and knowledge of current employee legislation and administrative systems often gives candidates a major advantage.

Training & Development Pathways

Training can also help you progress and there are both undergraduate and postgraduate courses in business and management which can support you in your career.

FET Centre Traineeship: Business Admin, Customer service, Supervisory & Project Management in centres around Ireland NFQ Level 5-6 Search FET Courses

FET PLC Courses: Psychology, Business Management, Human Resource Management at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search FET PLC Courses

Apprenticeship: Recruitment Executive Apprenticeship NFQ level 8 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Business Administration, Human Resource management, Arts Psychoology NFQ Levels 6-8 Search CAO courses

Professional Development 

Postgraduate Study Options Business Administration, HR Management NFQ level 9

Working as a HR Generalist can provide many career opportunities to move upward within the HR function, to HR Manager and eventually HR Director for example.

There are plenty of courses in HR management and employment law that can support you in your role and help you progress in your career as you need to stay up-to-date on employment law, GDPR and other regulations.

Membership in professional bodies, such as the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development in Ireland, can give you access to news, events and training opportunities.

The 30% club: Diversity Initiative 

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €40k - €65k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Sigmar / Brightwater / CPL / Morgan McKinley/ Lincoln / Excel Recruitment

Last Updated: July, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

The annual average employment growth rate for this occupation was almost on a par with the national average, with employment growing by 3,600 persons between 2021 and 2022. Of the total employment permits issued in 2022, over half were for the ICT sector. The number of online job adverts (OVATE) declined by 5% in 2022, following strong growth the preceding year.

Although there was little evidence from employers that these roles were proving difficult-to-fill, the skills required for this occupation have shifted somewhat, with data from Spotlight on Skills indicating a strong demand for talent management/employee engagement skills, as companies increasingly focus on staff retention rather than recruitment in a tight labour market.

Demand for this occupation depends very much on hiring activity in the economy overall; slower growth and a reduced number of job-changers, particularly in sectors such as ICT, will likely dampen the demand for HR staff, and a return to the 2021 increase in employment (driven by post-pandemic re-hiring) is unlikely in the short-term.

• Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development in Ireland

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