Human resources and recruitment officers (NOC 1223)

Human resources and recruitment officers perform some or all of the following duties:

• identify current and future staffing requirements, prepare and post notices and advertisements, and collect and screen applications.
• advise job applicants on employment requirements
• review candidate applications and contact potential applicants to arrange interviews and transfers, or to redeploy and place personnel
• recruit graduates of colleges, universities and other educational institutions
• co-ordinate and participate in selection and examination boards to evaluate candidates
• notify applicants of results of selection process and prepare job offers
• advise managers and employees on staffing policies and procedures
• organize and perform staff consultation and complaint procedures
• negotiate settlements of appeals and disputes and co-ordinate termination of employment process
• determine eligibility to entitlements, arrange staff training and provide information or services such as employee assistance, counselling and recognition programs
• supervise personnel clerks and perform filing and record-keeping duties

Human resources and recruitment officers are typically employed by larger organizations. Work takes place in an office environment for approximately 35 to 40 hours during the work week although working evenings or on weekends as well as some travel may be required.

These workers interact with employees, job applicants and members of management. They may represent their organization in developing important relationships with competitors, government, educational institutions and the public, which can be critical for the business to achieve its priorities.

Human resources and recruitment officers must be able to carefully deal with sometimes challenging or potentially stressful situations that may arise from hiring, employee qualifications, staffing shortages, employment equity and privacy issues.

Most job openings in this occupation are expected to result from retirements. B.C. is expected to experience difficulty filling skilled labour positions in the coming years, which will likely impact demand for workers as businesses, both public and private, will increasingly need personnel and recruitment officers to assist in recruiting and retaining skilled labour.

Many human resource professionals work for specialized consulting and recruitment firms that provide services to smaller clients unable to hire full-time workers. It is also becoming increasingly common for companies to hire consultants to do specialized work, rather than hiring a full-time human resources employee, so there may potentially be increased opportunities in private sector firms.

The demand for intermediate and senior personnel and recruitment officers will be greatest in larger urban areas or with larger employers in more remote locations, while rural areas are expected to have greater difficulty in obtaining skilled workers.

Applicants who have experience, as well as the ability to process and interpret data, prepare and deliver presentations and have a broad understanding of human resources trends will be most in demand by employers. Workers who are competent in using social networking technologies will also have an advantage.