HR Glossary for HR Professionals

Glossary of the most common HR terms and acronyms to assist professionals navigating the ever-growing and ever-changing world of HR terminology.

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HR Specialist

What Is an HR Specialist?

The HR specialist is responsible for a specific HR function within an organization. Specialists are usually part of a larger HR team within larger companies. Many HR pros are attracted to specialization since it allows them to focus on and improve in one or a few key areas, such as:

What Roles Do Specialists Fill?

HR Specialists tend to fill more nuanced roles that focus on one particular area of Human Resources. Here are a few examples:

  • Benefits Specialists
  • Compensation and Performance Specialists
  • Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) Specialists
  • Payroll Specialists
  • Recruitment Specialists
  • Compliance Specialists
  • Training and Development Specialists

HR professionals tend to begin their career in a more general role and move into a specialized position later once they have found a niche they prefer. 

Related Terms: HR Generalist

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