Hi there—I’m a Human Resource Specialist at a mid-sized company here in California. If you’re wondering what it’s like to actually do this job day to day, I’m going to walk you through a typical workday from start to finish.
The HR field covers a lot: recruiting, onboarding, compliance, employee support, and more. While no two days are exactly alike, this sample day will give you a pretty good idea of how I manage my time and responsibilities.
8:00 AM – Morning Review and Priorities
My day usually starts around 8:00 AM. I work remotely, so I start by checking email and messages in our HR platform. I look for anything urgent—employee questions, manager requests, or updates from the hiring team.
After that, I check our applicant tracking system (ATS) and calendar to review my goals for the day:
- Two candidate phone screens
- One new hire onboarding
- A policy update review with my HR Manager
- A check-in with an employee who's transitioning departments
I always set aside 10–15 minutes at the top of my day to mentally organize. The role requires juggling priorities, so it helps to enter the day with a clear head.
9:00 AM – Candidate Screening
By 9:00, I’m on my first phone screen with a candidate applying for a Customer Support Specialist role. I ask a few baseline questions about their experience and availability, then explain the job’s expectations.
These initial calls are all about fit—both skills and culture. I make notes in our ATS and flag the candidate for next steps.
At 9:45, I start another screening, this time for a marketing assistant. Same process, but this candidate seems like a stronger match, so I recommend her for a second-round interview with the department lead.
Recruiting is one of the most visible parts of what I do, but it’s only one piece of the puzzle.
10:30 AM – Onboarding a New Hire
Next up is virtual onboarding. Our newest hire started today, and I’m responsible for walking him through the basics. We review:
- Company policies and code of conduct
- Benefits enrollment deadlines
- IT setup and systems logins
- Who to contact for day-to-day questions
I send over the employee handbook and double-check that all the necessary paperwork has been submitted through our HR platform.
Onboarding is more than paperwork—it’s someone’s first real impression of working here. I try to keep it friendly, efficient, and helpful.
11:30 AM – Documentation and Policy Updates
With meetings done for now, I shift into admin mode. I’m reviewing updates to our leave policy, which is changing slightly due to California’s new sick time law. My manager and I meet weekly to go over policy adjustments like this.
Today, I’m tasked with updating the policy draft and preparing a summary we can send to employees next week.
This part of HR is more behind-the-scenes, but it’s vital. Miscommunication around policies can cause major confusion (and legal issues), so clarity is everything.
12:30 PM – Lunch (and Calendar Tetris)
I take a quick lunch and glance at my calendar for the rest of the week. I need to schedule two final interviews and reserve time to coordinate open enrollment reminders for next month.
I slot in the tasks and set a reminder to follow up with payroll about a deduction question from an employee yesterday.
No lunch break is truly “off” in HR, but I always try to step away from my screen for a bit—it helps me reset for the afternoon.
1:30 PM – Employee Check-In
After lunch, I meet with an employee who’s transferring from customer service to operations. She has questions about training, PTO rollover, and how the new role will affect her benefits eligibility.
We talk through her concerns, and I take notes so I can follow up with her supervisor and our benefits coordinator.
This kind of support work isn’t always dramatic, but it’s one of the reasons I got into HR. People want to feel seen and supported—and that’s part of what I help deliver.
If you’re considering HR, being able to listen and follow through really matters.
2:30 PM – Interview Debriefs and Follow-Ups
I review feedback from two managers about recent interviews. One candidate has made it to the final round, and I need to schedule the next step and notify the others that they’re no longer under consideration.
Writing rejection emails isn’t the most fun part of the job, but being kind, clear, and timely is important.
I also prep a short document for tomorrow’s hiring committee meeting, summarizing candidate scores and notes from the hiring team.
4:00 PM – End-of-Day Wrap-Up
I finish the day by updating the ATS with candidate notes, checking in with our payroll vendor about an employee deduction issue, and logging final updates in our HRIS (Human Resources Information System).
Before signing off, I skim my inbox again to make sure nothing needs my attention before morning. A new job requisition just came in from marketing, so I flagged that for tomorrow.
What Stands Out Most in HR
Every day is different, but the themes are consistent: communication, organization, documentation, and empathy. You’re constantly toggling between strategy and service, and that’s what makes it interesting.
Sometimes I’m helping a team grow by hiring great people. Other times, I’m solving small problems that help employees feel supported. And once in a while, I get to improve a process that makes someone’s life at work easier.
If that sounds like something you’d enjoy, this could be a great fit.
I built my foundation with a business-focused program that taught me the operations, communication, and technology skills I use every day. If you’re just starting out, that kind of training makes a real difference.
Take the First Step Toward Your HR Career
If this day-in-the-life gave you a clearer view of what being a Human Resource Specialist looks like, and you're excited by the idea of supporting people and driving team success, HR could be a great path for you.
The Business Management and Accounting Program at National Career College helps students gain the foundational business knowledge needed to thrive in roles like this—with structured online classes, real-time instruction, and a focus on real-world skills.
*Financial aid is available for those who qualify.
