Being an HR Assistant is never the same two days in a row. One moment you’re supporting with onboarding, recruitment or processing amendments, the next you’re diving into client projects, compliance checks, or stepping in to help consultants with note taking and admin. It’s a role that requires organisation, adaptability and a willingness to expect the unexpected. In this edition of our Meet the Team series, we caught up with Courtney to take a closer look at what life as an HR Assistant really involves – from the fast-paced challenges of consultancy to the rewarding day-to-day tasks that keep everything running smoothly.
What does an HR Assistant do in a typical day?
I would say that everyday varies, you never know what might come up, but we are always involved in onboarding, offboarding, processing amendments and recruitment on a daily basis. There is usually also a project on the go which could be updating job specs for a client, working through an audit of right to work documentation or processing a SAR request. We also have our reoccurring tasks for certain clients each week, for example, sending training and probation reminders. We will also support with note taking for the consultants, we are definitely kept busy.
What have you learned since starting in this role that’s surprised you or challenged you in a good way?
Probably how busy HR consultancy is. Everyone tells you that working in a consultancy is different than being in house and that its very fast paced, they aren’t kidding.
What helps you stay organised and focused when you’re juggling multiple tasks across the team?
Capsule helps me stay focused, I know what I have to do that day and its satisfying to see it being ticked off. I also like to set dedicated time to each client so that I am not jumping in and out of work.
Some days in HR are steady – others are anything but. How do you find that mix, and do you ever enjoy the unexpected side of it?
Although days go pretty quickly here in general I feel like the days where you start off the morning with a plan and then by lunch time it’s all changed because, for example, a client urgently needs a contract out and another client needs a new vacancy posted, then there are 40 salary letters to review, are the days that go the quickest.
When the team’s busy or under pressure, what do you naturally find yourself stepping in to help with?
I would say the admin side of things, if I can help the consultants by picking up a job offer or requesting references etc I will. Myself and Kaitlin (the other HR Assistant) also work quite closely so we are good at helping each other if we are at capacity.
If you could pass one bit of advice to your past self when you first joined, what would it be?
You can’t do everything and that it is okay to ask for help.
What do you do to switch off after a busy day?
I like to read and to have that time away from my phone. It’s easy after being on the laptop all day to then scroll through social media.
HR Assistants – The Hero of HR
HR administration may often happen behind the scenes, but it’s the backbone that keeps businesses compliant, organised and supported. From managing key processes like onboarding and recruitment to handling the unexpected challenges that arise each day, our HR Assistants play a vital role in ensuring our clients can focus on running their businesses with confidence. At The HR Booth, we’re proud of the expertise, attention to detail and dedication our Assistants bring to the team – proving every day just how essential strong HR support really is.
Contact Us
If you’d like to learn more about how our HR Assistants and wider team can support your business, we’d love to hear from you. Whether you need help with day-to-day HR administration, compliance, or project-based support, The HR Booth is here to make things easier.
📞 Call us on 01383 668178
📧 Email us at info@thehrbooth.co.uk
🌐 Or visit us at www.thehrbooth.co.uk
