Skip to content
Back to Career Guides
HR Advisor
HR

How to become an HR Advisor

What does an HR Advisor do?

Want to get ‘personnel’? You should be an HR Advisor…

HR Advisors work within a business’s Human Resources department, actively supporting the organisation and the needs of its employees. This could range from conflict management and improving the morale of current staff, through to supporting their training and development, and even recruiting new members of staff to fit into the team.

Day-to-day responsibilities may vary depending on business size and level of previous experience, but typical duties could include:

  • Providing information and advice to employees on workplace regulations and employment legislation
  • Updating personnel records, contracts and salary information
  • Writing job descriptions, analysing CVs and conducting interviews to fill roles across the business
  • Helping with any grievance or disciplinary situations
  • Providing training and development to help employees move forward in their career

Is a career as an HR Advisor right for me?

You’ll be dealing with people day in and day out, whether they’re current staff or people you’re looking to recruit, so excellent interpersonal skills and a friendly and welcoming manner all need to be part of the package. If you prefer to work solo, this may not be the right role for you.

You’ll also often be dealing with potentially sensitive information, such as personal grievances or disciplinary hearings, so confidentiality and tact should never be underestimated.

Other key skills include:

  • Excellent admin and organisational skills
  • The ability to communicate with people at all levels
  • Research and analysis skills
  • In-depth knowledge of recruitment law, and pro-activity to stay up-to-date with the latest developments
  • Conflict management and problem solving
  • Excellent listening skills

Explore your opportunities

People also search for

HR management (6,675)
HR (7,743)
Management (53,746)
Recruitment (6,336)

Career progression and salary expectations for an HR Advisor

1

HR Assistant

| Up to £25,000
2

HR advisor

| Up to £30,000
3

HR Manager

| Up to £40,000

Get qualified as an HR Advisor

It is not a necessary requirement to have a degree to become a HR Advisor. However, it is recommended to have some qualifications specific to the industry, with CIPD acting as a general benchmark for success in the field of HR. Level 3 CIPD certificates are a great starting point for those who are new to the field of HR.

Recommended HR courses

  • CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice

    e-Careers
    XMAS Sale! | Guaranteed work experience** | 1 in 4 get a job***| Price Match Guarantee! | Tutor Support
    • 825 enquiries
    • Online
    • 12 months · Self-paced
    • Regulated qualification
    • Exam(s) included
    • Tutor support
    Great service
    *** This course includes 3 month free extension and a Microsoft Excel Course for free! ** As well as having industry-leading CIPD training courses, we're now offering a programme with guaranteed work experience. Enquire today about our 'CIPD Level 3 Foudnation Certificate in Peop …
    Save 33%
    £1,125 £1,695

  • CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management

    ICS Learn
    Get CIPD qualified 100% online | Learn online anywhere, anytime | Start Anytime | Unlimited support | No Exams
    • 1,722 enquiries
    • Online
    • 12 months · Self-paced
    • Regulated qualification
    • Tutor support
    Great service
    Popular
    Become CIPD qualified 100% online. We match any other online provider's price. The fully online CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management will provide you with the knowledge, understanding and skills to progress your career in HR management. This prestigious qualificati …
    £3,399

What's it like to be an HR Advisor?

"Working in HR is about much more than being a ‘people person’ (cliché cringe). It’s about recognising the value people bring to your business, and learning how to get the most out of them. Sometimes it can be hard to deal with difficult situations, and you can’t always be everyone’s friend, but I love it. You get to help contribute to the culture of the brand, and bring out the best in people – and it’s the people that really make a company."

HR Advisor jobs

All HR Advisor jobs
Need Advice? Ask our virtual career advisor