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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Human Resources Intern

💰 $18 - $25 per hour

Human ResourcesInternshipCorporate Services

🎯 Role Definition

The Human Resources (HR) Intern is an integral, entry-level member of the People Operations team, designed to provide a comprehensive and hands-on learning experience across all major functions of a modern HR department. This role is not just about administrative tasks; it's about being exposed to the strategic and operational pillars that support an organization's most valuable asset: its people. The intern will provide crucial support in areas like talent acquisition, onboarding, employee lifecycle management, and HR data administration, all while upholding the highest standards of confidentiality and professionalism. This position serves as a fantastic launching pad for a career in Human Resources, offering mentorship and direct involvement in meaningful projects that impact the entire employee experience.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • University Student (Junior or Senior year)
  • Recent Graduate with a degree in HR, Business, or a related field
  • Career Changer with a demonstrated interest in people-focused roles

Advancement To:

  • Human Resources Coordinator
  • Talent Acquisition Coordinator / Recruiter
  • HR Generalist

Lateral Moves:

  • Learning & Development Coordinator
  • Benefits or Compensation Analyst

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Actively participate in the full-cycle recruitment process, from drafting compelling job descriptions to posting on various career boards and screening inbound applications.
  • Serve as a key point of contact for candidates, ensuring a positive and professional experience by scheduling interviews and providing timely status updates.
  • Assist in the sourcing of passive candidates for hard-to-fill roles using tools like LinkedIn Recruiter and other creative sourcing strategies.
  • Coordinate and facilitate the new hire onboarding process, including preparing new hire orientation materials, welcome packets, and required employment paperwork.
  • Ensure compliance by meticulously conducting I-9 verifications and maintaining accurate and confidential employee personnel files, both digital and physical.
  • Gain hands-on experience with our Human Resources Information System (HRIS) by performing critical data entry for new hires, terminations, and employee changes.
  • Support the HR team in generating basic reports on key metrics such as headcount, turnover, and time-to-fill, providing valuable data for decision-making.
  • Contribute to employee engagement initiatives by assisting in the planning, coordination, and execution of company-wide events, surveys, and recognition programs.
  • Help manage employee inquiries by responding to basic questions regarding HR policies, procedures, and benefits, or escalating complex issues to the appropriate HR team member.
  • Support the offboarding process by preparing exit paperwork, coordinating the return of company property, and scheduling exit interviews.
  • Assist the benefits team during peak periods like open enrollment by helping to prepare communication materials and answer frequently asked questions.
  • Maintain organizational charts and employee directories to ensure they are always up-to-date and accurate.
  • Participate in ad-hoc HR projects which may include research on HR best practices, policy updates, or the implementation of new HR software or programs.
  • Provide administrative support for performance management cycles, including tracking review completion and assisting with system-related queries.
  • Help coordinate and track employee training and development sessions, managing logistics and recording attendance.
  • Shadow HR Business Partners in employee relations matters to gain an understanding of how to navigate and resolve workplace issues.
  • Conduct audits of HR files and records to ensure data integrity and compliance with state and federal regulations.
  • Assist in drafting internal communications and announcements related to HR initiatives, programs, and policy updates.
  • Manage and update content on the company's internal HR portal or intranet site to ensure employees have access to current information.
  • Collaborate with the payroll department to ensure seamless data flow and accuracy for employee compensation and status changes.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis from HR leadership.
  • Contribute to brainstorming sessions on improving HR processes and the overall employee experience.
  • Collaborate with other departments on cross-functional projects that require HR involvement.
  • Participate in team meetings, sprint planning, and agile ceremonies within the People Operations team.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • High proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, for data management, reporting, and presentations.
  • Familiarity with Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) or a strong capacity to learn new software quickly; experience with systems like Workday, BambooHR, or ADP is a significant plus.
  • Basic understanding of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) such as Greenhouse or Lever and their role in the recruitment lifecycle.
  • Strong data entry skills with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
  • Knowledge of professional social media platforms, especially LinkedIn, for professional networking and candidate sourcing.

Soft Skills

  • Unwavering commitment to confidentiality and the ability to handle highly sensitive information with the utmost discretion and integrity.
  • Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills (both written and verbal), with the ability to interact professionally with employees at all levels.
  • Superior organizational and time-management skills, capable of managing multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
  • A proactive, resourceful, and solution-oriented mindset with a strong desire to take initiative and learn.
  • A strong customer service orientation, viewing employees and candidates as valued customers.
  • The ability to work both independently on assigned tasks and collaboratively as a supportive team member.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.

Preferred Education:

  • Actively enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree program with a specific concentration in Human Resources Management.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Human Resources Management
  • Business Administration
  • Industrial/Organizational Psychology
  • Communications

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0 - 1 years of relevant experience.

Preferred: Previous office administration or HR-related internship experience is highly valued. Leadership experience in campus organizations or volunteer work demonstrating responsibility and initiative is also a plus.

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