Becoming an HR assistant: role, studies, salary and prospects

Contracts, absences, medical check-ups, training, recruitment, employees’ questions: the human resources assistant (HR assistant) keeps personnel management running day to day. It is often the first position in HR, open at bac+2 or bachelor’s level, and an excellent starting point for moving on to recruitment, training or HR development. This profile is part of our guide to careers in psychology.

What does an HR assistant do?

The job

The HR assistant handles the administrative tasks linked to employees’ working lives, from arrival to departure. They are employees’ first point of contact for practical questions and a support for the HR manager, who also entrusts them with recruitment, training or internal communication tasks.

A versatile position

In a small company, the HR assistant does a bit of everything. In a large group, they may specialise: recruitment assistant, training assistant, payroll assistant. This versatility makes it a very formative position for discovering every side of human resources.

What are the duties of an HR assistant?

• Personnel administration: employment contracts, amendments, staff register, employee files.
• Time tracking: leave, absences, sick leave, medical check-ups.
• Payroll preparation: collecting variable items, with the payroll department or provider.
• Recruitment: posting offers, screening applications, organising interviews, welcoming newcomers.
• Training: registrations, invitations, monitoring the skills development plan.
• Informing employees and supporting internal communication.

Skills and qualities of an HR assistant

The job requires rigour, organisation, discretion (they handle personal data), ease with IT tools and a grounding in labour law. Good people skills are also needed: employees often come with sensitive questions about their health, family or pay.

What psychology brings

A psychology background helps welcome an employee in difficulty, conduct a first recruitment interview, and understand team dynamics and motivation. It is an asset for moving on to positions where the human dimension is central: recruitment, training, quality of working life.

Studies and training to become an HR assistant

No specific diploma is required to work in this job. In practice, the position is open with a bac+2 (French BTS or BUT in business administration) or a bachelor’s degree (professional degree in HR, psychology or economics and management). Work-study is the most common route: you learn the job while being paid.

Studying at ESPÉ

ESPÉ’s programmes prepare for this job: the Bachelor in Psychology gives a first experience of business through internships, including one in the second year. It can be followed by the MSc in Psychology and HR Management, a work-study double degree with EBS Paris: many students hold an HR assistant or officer position, with tuition paid by the employer under an apprenticeship.

Salary and working conditions of an HR assistant

The starting salary depends on the size of the company and the region; it is higher in the Paris region and in large groups. Job offers published on France Travail and Apec give up-to-date ranges. The work is office-based, with peaks at the end of the month (payroll), during recruitment campaigns or annual reviews.

Career prospects for an HR assistant

After a few years, an HR assistant can become an HR administrator, a recruitment officer, a training manager, then an HR manager. A master’s degree clearly speeds up this progression, especially towards positions such as HR development manager or HR consultant.

Why become an HR assistant?

It is a stable job, present in every company and sector, offering a complete view of the HR function. For a psychology student who wants to work in business, it is an accessible entry point and a springboard to positions of responsibility.