Becoming an HR assistant: duties, skills and career prospects

Updated on 2026-10-31

What does the job involve?

The HR assistant handles staff administration and takes part in developing employees' skills. From a new employee's arrival to the end of their contract, they make sure each file is properly managed.

The job combines administrative rigour with a human dimension: you prepare payroll data, organise recruitment and training, and deal every day with employees, managers and staff representatives.

Day-to-day duties

In practice, the main duties are:

  • Organising new employees' onboarding and tracking attendance and leave
  • Collecting variable payroll data and passing it on to accounting
  • Keeping the staff database and HR indicators up to date
  • Writing job profiles, posting job offers and pre-selecting applications
  • Scheduling professional development and appraisal interviews
  • Organising training initiatives and calculating their costs
  • Keeping up to date with employment law and social regulations

Skills and qualities sought

  • Rigour and good organisational skills
  • Discretion: you handle personal and confidential information
  • Listening skills, tact and ease with people
  • Interest in employment law and vocational training
  • Command of office tools (spreadsheets, word processing, HR software)

Where can you work?

Any organisation that employs staff needs to manage its human resources. You can work:

  • in the HR department of an SME or a large group
  • in a government department, local authority or healthcare facility
  • in an association or a social and solidarity economy organisation
  • in a recruitment firm, an employment agency or an HR consultancy

Career progression and further studies

The HR Assistant professional qualification is at level 5, equivalent to two years of higher education. With experience, you can move towards payroll, recruitment or training, or progress to HR officer roles. You can also continue your studies:

  • BTS Support à l'Action Managériale – SAM (Higher National Diploma in Management Support)
  • BTS Gestion de la PME (Higher National Diploma in SME Management)
  • BUT Gestion des Entreprises et des Administrations – GEA (Bachelor of Technology in Business and Public Administration Management)
  • Licence professionnelle Ressources humaines (Professional Bachelor's degree in Human Resources)
  • Bachelor's in HR

Salary

There is no single salary for this job: pay depends on your experience, the size of the company, the region and the applicable collective agreement. For reliable, up-to-date benchmarks, check the corresponding job sheets: France Travail job sheet (ROME M1501) and France Travail job sheet (ROME M1502).

Train with Assistant Academy

Assistant Academy prepares you for the HR Assistant professional qualification (level 5, equivalent to two years of higher education), a certification recognised by the French State. The programme lasts 400 hours and can be followed remotely, in enhanced remote mode or on site at our premises in Gennevilliers. The course is eligible for CPF funding (France's personal training account).

Still hesitating, or want to check that this job is right for you? We are here to support you in your plans.

  • Discover the HR Assistant programme
  • Take the career guidance quiz
  • Book an appointment with an adviser