HR Career: All the Roles from A to Z

There are dozens of HR roles to build your career: Manager, Learning Design, Director, D&I, Payroll. Let’s explore what each one involves!

HR professionals are so focused on helping their employees and managers that they often neglect their own HR career. Whether you are just starting or a seasoned veteran in the field, the decisions regarding your HR career are crucial.

The HR career path is distinguished by the wide range of opportunities available, catering to those seeking managerial roles, individual positions, those who want to focus on people, and those who also deal with numbers...

Generalist vs. Specialist

There are two main categories in HR careers: Generalists and Specialists. As the terms suggest, these two paths differ in the breadth and specificity of skills and responsibilities.

Generalist

The HR Generalist handles a wide range of HR functions. This role is:

• Perfect for those who want to work in small companies, where typically there is one or two Generalists and no Specialists.

• Ideal for those who enjoy managing a variety of tasks, offering a holistic view of all HR functions.

• Less suited for those who prefer a more routine job, due to the diversity and dynamism of tasks.

Specialist

HR Specialists, on the other hand, focus on a specific HR area, such as recruitment, payroll, benefits, etc. This path is:

• Perfect for those aspiring to work in large organizations, where the complexity requires deep specialization.

• Ideal for those who prefer a routine job with well-defined tasks and a clear understanding of their daily responsibilities.

• Less suited for those seeking novelty in their work, given the specialization and repetition of tasks.

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Roles and Responsibilities of Generalists

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If you've chosen a career as an HR Generalist, here are the roles you might take on:

HR Manager

As you gain experience or as the company grows, in this role, you could lead a team of assistants or coordinators, responsible for monitoring their performance and achieving team goals.

HR Director

Ensures that the department's activities align with the company's mission, values, and goals. Typically, this role requires 5-10 years of experience or more.

Chief HR Officer

CHROs usually have over 15 years of experience in Human Resources; they must be skilled in strategic planning, demonstrate leadership abilities, have extensive knowledge of HR disciplines, and inspire individuals at all levels of the organization. They oversee and coordinate the entire HR team.

Assistente HR

Typically, this is a very general role that can involve assistance in recruitment, benefits management, payroll, employee relations, engagement, performance management, and any other emerging needs. It's a great starting point if you want to work in HR.
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Common Roles and Responsibilities of HR Specialists

For those inclined to specialize in a specific area, focusing on technical skills and knowledge, here are some specialized HR careers to pursue:

Benefit

If you enjoy helping people and finding ways to make them as satisfied as possible with their job, then the role of Benefits Specialist might be the right fit for you. A benefits professional handles the planning and administration of benefits, including health, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, and pension plans.

Common job titles in the benefits sector include:

• Benefits Coordinator

• Global Benefits Manager

• Benefits Analyst

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Learning and Development

If you find satisfaction in creating learning paths, analyzing what is known and what could be improved, then a role in Learning and Development might be your calling. People in these roles coordinate the entire professional growth program and help tailor teaching materials for use through online, classroom, and blended learning options.

Examples of job titles in Learning and Development include:

• L&D Manager

• Learning Administrator

• Instructional Designer

• Head of Learning and Development

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Payroll

If numbers are your passion, a career in Payroll might be ideal. As a payroll professional, your job is to ensure that every employee is paid correctly and on time during each pay cycle.

Some of the most common job titles in payroll include:

• Senior Payroll Specialist

• Payroll Clerk

• Payroll Manager

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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I)

If you want to help solve fundamental issues in the workplace, such as gender gaps, discrimination, and various biases, then a role in DE&I might be what you're looking for. As a DE&I professional, you’ll promote a culture where every employee feels seen, heard, and celebrated.