HR Career Spotlight: How to Become an HR Specialist

Human resources has entered a new era, now considered a key driver across business strategy, growth, organisational culture.

Because of this, the HR industry continues to grow, and there’s been a rise in HR professionals, especially those looking to specialise in particular areas, keen to make a meaningful impact on businesses and employees alike.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through how to become an HR Specialist, including the skills and qualifications you need to excel in this exciting role.

What Does an HR Specialist Do? Job Description and Duties

An HR Specialist is typically considered an entry to mid-level role, depending on the size and nature of the business.

Focusing on a specific area within the broader field of human resources (HR), an HR Specialist’s primary responsibility is to manage and implement HR processes and strategies, often – as the name indicates – specialising in one particular aspect of HR.

This might be recruitment, employee relations, training and development, compensation and benefits, or performance management.

The Most Common HR Specialisms

While there are many areas of HR that you can specialise in, a few of the most popular include:

• Recruitment and Talent Acquisition: This specialism focuses on attracting, sourcing, and hiring the best talent for the organisation. HR recruitment specialists typically create job descriptions, conduct interviews, and manage the employee hiring and onboarding process.
• Employee Relations: HR professionals in this area focus on fostering positive relationships between employees and the business. They deal with workplace issues and conflict resolution while managing compliance with labour laws.
• Learning and Development (L&D): This area involves training employees, developing skill-building programmes, and ensuring that employees grow in their roles. This specialism is essential for improving performance and ongoing employee engagement.
• Compensation and Benefits: This role involves managing employee salaries, bonuses, health insurance, retirement plans, and rewards. An HR Specialist in this role also focuses on designing competitive compensation packages to attract and retain top talent.
• HR Operations: This specialism is about managing the administrative aspects of HR, such as payroll, compliance, and managing HR systems and data. It ensures that HR processes run smoothly and efficiently.
• Performance Management: HR professionals in this area work to establish clear performance expectations, conduct performance reviews, and develop improvement strategies. They also ensure that employees' goals align with the organisation's long-term objectives.
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): This HR specialism focuses on creating an inclusive work environment by promoting diversity, fairness, and equal opportunities for all employees. Regardless of race, gender, or other characteristics.
• Health and Wellbeing: HR Specialists in this field work on programmes and initiatives that support employees' physical, mental, and emotional health. This includes stress management, mental health support, and work-life balance initiatives.
• HR Analytics: This area of HR involves using data and analytics to drive HR and wider business decisions. This includes measuring employee engagement, predicting turnover, and assessing the effectiveness of HR programmes and initiatives.
• Organisational Development (OD): This specialism focuses on improving the overall structure, culture, and effectiveness of the organisation. This involves change management, strategic planning, and enhancing team dynamics.

All in all, these areas allow HR Specialists to home in on specific aspects of human resources, ultimately contributing to a well-rounded and thriving HR department.

How much does an HR Specialist make?

As an industry, Human Resources has a high earning potential – especially for those who have given their time and focus to one area, like an HR Specialist.

According to Glassdoor, HR Specialists typically earn between £33,000 - £49,000 per year in the UK.

Here’s a closer look at salaries across various regions:

HR Employment Specialist

• HR Employment Specialist in Scotland: £23,000 - £30,000
• HR Employment Specialist in London: £25,000 - £31,000
• HR Employment Specialist in East England: £22,000 - £28,000

HR Training and Development Specialist

• HR Training and Development Specialist in Scotland: £27,000 - £39,000
• HR Training and Development Specialist in London: £29,000 - £44,000

HR Compliance Specialist

• HR Compliance Specialist in the UK: £34,000 - £42,000

Compensation and Benefits Specialist

• Compensation Specialist in London: £50,000 - £80,000
• Compensation Specialist in Northeast England: £42,000 - £48,000
• Compensation Specialist in Scotland: £35,000 - £45,000

Employee Relations Specialist

• Employee Relations Manager in London: £65,000 - £85,000
• Employee Relations Manager in Northeast England: £40,000 - £55,000
• Employee Relations Manager in Scotland: £40,000 - £55,000

Organisational Development Specialist

• Organisational Design Partner in London: £60,000 - £90,000
• Organisational Design Partner in Northeast England: £42,000 - £65,000
• Organisational Design Partner in Scotland: £45,000 - £60,000

Keep in mind that salaries will differ depending on your HR specialism as well as the size of the business, sector and your location, so it’s important to do your own research.

What qualifications do I need to become an HR Specialist?

Depending on the specialism that you choose to go into, qualifications may vary. However, generally, we would recommend the following HR training and skills to thrive as an HR Specialist:

1) A CIPD Qualification

As an HR Specialist, you’re likely familiar with qualifications from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), the leading professional body for HR and people development.

CIPD offers tailored qualifications to suit different HR specialisms, allowing you to focus your studies on the area of HR that interests you most – with a CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma being a great place to start, coving areas like:

• Recruitment
• Employee relations
• Learning and development
• HR compliance

CIPD qualifications will not only help you specialise in one area of HR but also give you a broader understanding of how each specialism integrates within the wider scope of HR and the business as a whole.

2) An HR Undergraduate or Master’s degree

For those interested in the university life, a human resources degree could provide the in-depth knowledge and skills required to excel in your ideal HR specialism.

Depending on the university you choose to study at, topics of study will vary, so we always recommend doing your own research.

The following universities across the UK are popular for their HR degrees, with both undergraduate degrees being fully CIPD accredited:

MSc Global Human Resource Management

A master’s degree at the University of Roehampton London, this one-year course explores modules like ‘Leadership and Change Management’, as well as ‘Human Resource Specialisms’ and ‘Global Strategic Management’.

BA (Hons) Human Resource Management

An undergraduate degree at the University of Strathclyde, this four year course covers the entirety of the HR field. You’ll study modules like ‘Introduction to International Business’ in year 1, progressing to modules ‘Work, Employment & Society’ and 'Advanced Organisational Behaviour' in years 3 and 4.

BSc (Hons) Human Resource Management

A four-year undergraduate degree at the University of East London, you’ll be able to study a range of modules from ‘Mental Wealth: Employability in a Changing World’ in year 1, ‘Employment Law’ and ‘Resourcing and Talent Management’ in year 3, and ‘Business Ethics & Business Research’ in year 4.

With this degree you’ll also have the opportunity to complete an optional placement, which depending on your career goals and interests, a great opportunity to gain first-hand experience in a professional setting.

3) The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Certificates

A SHRM-CP certificate is widely recognised within the HR field and has been designed for individuals who are performing HR or HR related duties within their current role, this also includes those who are currently pursuing a role in HR.

Based around assessing the competency levels of those working in HR, you’ll learn a variety of topics that fall under organisation, people and workplace.

To gain your qualification, you’ll sit an exam that covers both factual and scenario-based questions.

How to Become an HR Specialist

1) Choose your HR specialism

HR is a broad and dynamic field, however, as mentioned, specialists often focus on specific areas such as recruitment, employee relations, compliance, compensation & benefits, or training & development.

That said, the first step to becoming an HR Specialist is researching the different specialisms that stand out to you and find the one that aligns with your skills and career goals.

2) Obtain the right qualification for you

Everyone’s learning preferences are different and while it’s always beneficial to gain advice from those already working in the field of HR, it’s ultimately up to you to decide the best HR qualification for you.

If you’re working full-time, you may opt for a qualification that you can complete at your own pace. However, if you struggle with self-discipline and staying organised, full-time studying in a classroom may work better in your favour.

When it comes to the HR qualification, it’s best to weigh up your HR career goals against your budget. Don’t forget to consider travel and other additional expenses like exam fees and textbooks.

3) Gain practical experience of your specialism

Once you’ve decided on your ideal HR specialism, it’s a good idea to start gaining practical experience.
If you’re currently working in HR, start by taking on relevant responsibilities in your current role, such as assisting with recruitment, employee relations, or training initiatives.

Otherwise, consider volunteering for HR tasks at non-profits or small businesses to build hands-on skills. Seeking internships or contract roles can also provide structured experience and industry recognition.

Networking through CIPD events, LinkedIn groups, and HR conferences can also help you connect with professionals in the HR field and uncover new opportunities. It will also help you stay updated on industry trends while you develop your expertise.

4) Develop specific skills needed to work in your specialism

Depending on your chosen HR specialism, you’ll need to develop specific skills to qualify for roles and excel in your career. While all HR specialists require strong communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills, different specialisms demand additional expertise.

For example:

• HR Employment Specialist: requires excellent recruitment and selection skills, familiarity with applicant tracking systems (ATS), and strong negotiation abilities for salary discussions and job offers.
• HR Training & Development Specialist: needs expertise in learning and development (L&D) strategies, instructional design, and performance coaching to enhance employee growth and skills.
• HR Compliance Specialist: must have a strong grasp of employment law, HR policies, and risk management, ensuring businesses adhere to regulations such as the Employment Rights Act and Data Protection Act.
• HR Compensation & Benefits Specialist: should be skilled in salary benchmarking, payroll systems, and benefits administration, ensuring competitive and equitable employee compensation.
• HR Employee Relations Specialist: requires expertise in conflict resolution, workplace investigations, and mediation, helping to maintain a positive and legally compliant work environment.

5) Commit to your professional development

As the name suggests, HR Specialists are skilled in one particular thing. This provides a unique opportunity to home in on this specialism.

However, to be an HR Specialist, you need to commit to continuously developing and nurturing your skills in this area. This can be done in a number of ways, including:

1. Online webinars and conferences: with a variety of free and paid options available, across all specialisms, you can learn flexibly online and network with like-minded HR professionals – without the commuting costs!
2. Exhibitions and events: a more immersive experience, in-person exhibitions and webinars are a fun and engaging way to meet new people and find new career opportunities.
3. Personal study and research: dedicating time each week or month to your own study and research by reading books, articles, journals and case studies is not only great to keep you inspired but informed and up to date with industry knowledge.

Start Your HR Specialist Career

Becoming an HR Specialist is a rewarding career choice, offering the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within your area of expertise.

By continuously developing your skills, staying informed about industry trends, and gaining practical experience, you can play a key role in shaping organisational culture, fostering talent, and driving business success.

Launch your career as an HR Specialist with a 100% online CIPD HR qualification.