HR Coordinator: Job Description, Responsibilities, and Interview Questions

Behind every blockbuster movie is a great producer working behind the scenes to set up the cast for success. They manage contracts, liaise with partners, regulate budgets, and designate responsibilities. HR coordinators are similar, overseeing the management and administration of company policies so everyone at the organization can do their best work. 

For HR departments looking to fill this linchpin role, it’s important to have a firm grasp on its responsibilities and skills required to succeed. Here’s what you need to know about HR coordinator positions, as well as interview questions to help you find your newest team member.

What is an HR Coordinator?

An HR coordinator is a professional responsible for providing administrative support to the Human Resources (HR) department. They're involved in all aspects of human resources, from managing employee records to administering benefits and payroll.

Additional responsibilities may include ensuring that companies administer policies and plans that comply with federal regulations. They can also serve as a benefits coordinator, administering employee wellbeing programs and connecting their staffers with insurance providers.  

Why Are HR Coordinators Important?

As the bridge between people and policies, HR coordinators are a valuable part of any business. They serve as a voice for employees, helping to ensure their rights and benefits are upheld and executed throughout the day-to-day activities.

In order to execute these responsibilities within the broader HR department, HR coordinators are responsible for keeping up with changing regulations to help the company stay in compliance. This allows the entire HR team to focus on making frameworks that improve business performance and employee engagement.

What Are the Responsibilities of an HR Coordinator?

Responsibilities for this role range across all HR-related tasks and processes. Usually, they work hand-in-hand with HR managers to ensure operations run smoothly across the company.

Here are some common responsibilities of HR coordinators:

• Administer payrolls: Oversee employee payroll systems and processes.
• Assist in recruitment: Use their expertise to write job descriptions and set up candidates for interviews.
• Maintain employee records: Implement and manage systems, including timesheets, attendance records, and performance reviews.
• Monitor compliance: Use their up-to-date labor law knowledge to ensure all processes, benefits, and payrolls comply with federal and and state regulations.
• Orient new employees: Oversee the materials and processes to onboard recent hires.
• Develop training and development: Prepare and promote training and career development resources and programs for employees.
• Streamline HR practices: Assist with programs that ensure operations run smoothly and optimize performance.
• Resolve employee relations issues: Introduce policies and processes for conflict resolution and management.
• Administer health and wellness initiatives: Adopt and promote employee wellness programs that improve workforce wellbeing.

What Skills Should Human Resource Coordinators Possess to Succeed In Their Role?

HR coordinators usually have an academic background in Human Resources, Business Administration, or similar fields. They also typically have training in labor laws and employment equity regulations. Professionals in this role should be able to combine their expertise in HR practices with the soft skills of people management.

A few important skills that any HR coordinator should have include:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• In-depth knowledge of labor laws and regulations
• Ability to manage complex tasks with minimal supervision
• Proficient in data entry, filing, record keeping, and other administrative tasks
• Strong problem-solving skills with an analytical approach
• Good organizational skills and service
• Knowledge of HR software such as HRIS
• Strong people and time management skills

Example of an HR Coordinator Job Description

Here's a shortened example of what an HR coordinator job description could look like:

"We are seeking an experienced and organized HR coordinator to join our HR department. The ideal candidate should have three years of experience working with HR best practices. They should be confident using HRIS systems for payroll processing, as well as knowledge of federal regulations and compliance. Responsibilities include managing employee records, administering benefits plans and payroll, performance management and onboarding processes, coordinating employee development plans, organizing events related to HR, and analyzing programs to suggest improvements."

Helpful HR Coordinator Interview Questions To Ask Candidates

If you're looking to hire an HR coordinator, it’s important to ask the right questions to find the right person for the job. Your inquiries should cover all corners of the role's responsibilities to assess if a candidate's strengths will complement the position's needs.

Here are some questions that'll help you assess the candidate's skills and abilities.

Questions to ask about past experience:

• Can you share some HR compliance best practices?
• What experience do you have with wellness programs and employee benefits?
• What experience do you have administering payroll and benefits plans?
• What's your experience with talent acquisition, onboarding, and recruitment processes?
• Can you share past examples of how you've successfully handled employee relations?
• What measures do you take to ensure processes comply with federal regulations

People and resource management questions:

• How would you handle a conflict between employees?
• How would you handle a situation where employees don't follow company policies?
• What strategies do you use to evaluate policies?

Questions about their working style within the HR department:

• Give me an example of how you've suggested improvements to HR programs?
• How do you stay up-to-date on the HR industry?
• Describe a time when you managed a complex HR project.
• How do you prioritize tasks and competing demands in the workplace?

Equip HR Coordinators To Make a Difference

Giving HR coordinators the tools they need sets everyone up to achieve their goals. They work to help everyone at the organization flourish, so empowering them with systems helps foster success at scale.

A wellness program can be a powerful part of any HR department’s toolbelt. Nine out of 10 companies see a positive return on their wellbeing spending, from increased productivity, decreased turnover, and reduced healthcare spending, as Wellhub discovered in our Return on Wellbeing report. These improvements touch every area of an HR coordiator’s role, helping them to achieve their KPIs and meet broader business goals. 

If you want to learn more about how you can support HR success through employee wellness, speak with a Wellbeing Specialist today!

References

• HR Coordinator Job Description [Updated for 2023]. (2 B.C.E., April). www.indeed.com. Retrieved May 19, 2023, from https://www.indeed.com/hire/job-description/hr-coordinator
• SHRM(n.d.).HR Coordinator. SHRM. Retrieved May 18, 2023, from https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/tools-and-samples/job-descriptions/pages/hr-coordinator.aspx