Onboarding Specialist vs HR Generalist
In the vast maze of human resources careers, many novices face an early decision point. As there are myriad job titles and career levels in the HR field, learning about each can help guide you through the selection process of what position is ideal for you. So, what separates onboarding specialist vs HR generalist, and what skills and qualifications do you need to pursue each role?
Understanding these distinctions and the requisite qualifications is critical for beginning your career journey in the HR field. Continue reading to learn everything you need to know to make the right choice!
Onboarding Specialist vs HR Generalist
Understanding onboarding specialist vs HR generalist job description is critical for clarifying which career path aligns best with your professional goals within the dynamic field of human resources.
While both these positions begin from an entry-level position and advance towards executive HR roles, your decision on whether to pursue specialist or generalist is crucial for shaping your career path. Each position offers unique growth opportunities, making it essential to align your skills, interests, and career aspirations with the right position.
Let’s evaluate each role in detail!
Core responsibilities
Onboarding specialist
Think of the HR onboarding specialist as the ultimate guide for arriving employees, acting as the welcoming committee for new hires. They’re responsible for everything from screening and recruiting to looking after employee compensation.
Beyond hiring, onboarding specialists also focus on employee relations and benefits, ensuring every new hire feels supported and informed from day one. They are critical in the HR department’s growth and success, handling and preparing progress reports with detailed statistics and analytics.
If you enjoy a more focused position in HR, Afni can help you find the best onboarding specialist jobs to kick-start your career in human resources.
HR generalist
HR generalists are like the pillars of human resource processes. It’s a position that requires a range of skills to perform and manage a broad spectrum of HR tasks and responsibilities. Unlike onboarding specialists, who focus on one area, HR generalists are versatile entry-level professionals who handle everything from recruiting and onboarding to training and payroll.
They play a crucial role in shaping workplace culture and supporting employees' professional development. So, if you’re looking for a more dynamic start in HR, becoming a generalist offers a front-row seat to all faces of the HR department.
Required Skills and Qualifications
Onboarding specialist
To excel as an onboarding specialist, you need a blend of several valuable skills and qualifications to easily handle the complex areas of human resources.
So, some of the most important onboarding specialist skills include:
- Data analysis and performance reviewing
- HR skills
- Technical HR skills
- Verbal and non-verbal communication
- Cultural awareness
- Commercial awareness
- Attention to detail
- Legal knowledge
- Employee benefitting
- Interpersonal intelligence
- Employee experience
- Accounting and budgeting
As for qualifications and educational background, a mix of experiential and educational learning is key. Most professionals in this field hold degrees in human resources management, organizational psychology, business administration, or related disciplines.
In addition, experience in communication, organizational culture, and training is crucial. Gaining this knowledge through internships or entry-level HR positions is invaluable, as is continuous learning through workshops, networking, and mentorship.
HR generalist
Becoming an HR generalist requires mastery of several key sets of skills invaluable for managing diverse HR functions efficiently. These include:
- Exceptional verbal and written communication
- Excellent time management
- Skills to work in a fast-paced environment
- Broad and comprehensive understanding of various HR functions
- Technical HR skills
- Solid human resource management and employee handling skills
- Administrative skills
- Managing priorities
- Professional advising
- Analytical and data-driven skills
- Recruiting, screening, workforce planning, interviewing, and onboarding skills
Similar to specialists, HR generalists often hold degrees in human resource management, business administration, or psychology beyond a bachelor's degree. However, their role demands exceptional adaptability and strategic thinking, so they must acquire a deep understanding of employment laws and compliance regulations with HR policies.
In addition, if you’re pursuing a career as an HR generalist, having practical experience through internships or other HR positions is valuable. Continuous professional development through workshops and networking ensures you harness your proficiency in managing payroll, benefits, and performance evaluations and be an ideal candidate for HR generalist positions.
Key Differences Between Onboarding Specialist vs HR Generalist
There are several key differences between onboarding specialists vs HR generalists, including their responsibilities, who they work with, and skills requirements. While specialists have a more focused profession with a specific skill set, HR generalist is a more general position, handling a broader range of HR roles.
Here is a comprehensive look into some of the key points distinguishing the two career paths:
Scope of responsibilities
Onboarding specialists specialize in crafting initial experience, shaping, supporting and informing new hires from day one. They focus on seamless integration between new and current employees, emphasizing effective communication through positive organizational culture and training.
On the other hand, HR generalists are proficient and familiarized with all trades in HR functions essential for organizational success. Their roles span various HR domains, from managing recruitment processes and handling employee relations to ensuring compliance across the board and shaping workplace culture.
Skill sets
Onboarding specialists are great in interpersonal communication, training methodologies, and creating welcoming workplace environments, ensuring new hires feel valued and prepared to contribute to the organization’s goals. In contrast, HR generalists possess versatile skills, adept at navigating various HR challenges and shaping long-term HR strategies that influence organization dynamics.
Educational background
Regarding educational background, onboarding specialists often excel in communication, psychology, or business administration disciplines. This helps craft effective strategies for educational programs tailored to organizational needs.
HR generalists typically hold degrees in several fields like human resources management or business administration. This education equips such positions with HR principles and practices, preparing them to handle multifaceted responsibilities and tasks.
Salary considerations
Onboarding specialist vs HR generalist salary considerations vary based on experience, location, and organizational size. While there is no definite way to determine one’s salary, the average annual pay for onboarding specialists is $56,804 per year, while HR generalists boast a slightly higher salary of $88,203 per year.
Conclusion
So, what's the difference between onboarding specialist and HR generalist?
Knowing the key concepts of onboarding specialist vs HR generalist positions is critical when deciding on career paths in the human resources field. While both roles have their own set of tasks and responsibilities, they demand continuous upskilling and knowledge for one to excel in their HR career. However, for many, job hunting can be quite challenging.
That’s why Afni can be your key to success. With tailored programs and mentorship opportunities, Afni helps aspiring individuals through their journey to pursue careers in human resources by leveraging extensive teamwork and recruitment expertise to connect them with HR positions across various industries. By offering supporting consultations and career advancement pathways, Afni empowers individuals to build solid foundations in HR, fostering growth and development in a field vital to organizational success and satisfaction.
Author
Samantha Byard is the Recruitment Marketing Manager for Afni and brings a wealth of knowledge and tips for job seekers. She holds a bachelor's degree in public relations and marketing from Mount Saint Vincent University as well as a masters degree in digital marketing and advertising from Liberty University.
