Become an Employment Placement Specialist: Education and Career Info

Learn how to become an employment placement specialist. Research the education requirements, skills and certification you may need to start a career in the human resource field.

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Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) notes that human resource placement specialists generally need at least a bachelor's degree in order to find employment. Students can find related programs leading to a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Human Resources or a B.S. in Business with a concentration in human resource management. Courses in these degree programs may include employment law, career development, organizational behavior, policy writing, interviewing strategies, employee development and benefits packages.

Step 2: Develop Communication Skills

Employment placement specialists must be able to listen to employees and communicate their needs to management. Similarly, they have to listen to management to determine what types of employees are needed for each job. To develop these skills, some useful undergraduate courses to consider may include interpersonal communications, negotiating techniques and problem solving.

Step 3: Get Work Experience

According to the BLS, some employers in the human resource industry prefer to hire placement specialists who have related experience. Entry-level positions in human resource assistance, on-site recruiting or interviewing can offer professional experience in the field. Experience in the customer service industry may also prepare workers for this career field.

Step 4: Consider Certifications

In most cases, certification isn't mandatory for employment placement specialists. Professionals can elect to get certification from recognized trade organizations, such as the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI). Although the HRCI doesn't offer a specific credential in employment placement, they do offer the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) designation.

Eligibility requirements for the PHR certification include a combination of work experience and education. Questions on the certification exam cover major human resource topics, such as workforce planning, benefits, risk management, human resource development and labor relations. To maintain certification, individuals need to complete continuing education courses and meet all other HRCI requirements.

Step 5: Pursue Employment

The BLS predicted that employment for all human resource specialists, including those who work in employment placement, would increase by 21% between 2010 and 2020. Applicants with a bachelor's degree and professional experience should have the best job opportunities, according to the BLS. The employment services industry offered the highest level of employment for these specialists as of 2011.

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Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics