To work as a job benefits and analysis specialist, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• have a bachelor's degree; and
• have one to five years of related work experience.

Education after high school

Many job benefits and analysis specialists have a bachelor's degree. Most colleges and universities offer programs in personnel or human resources management. Some have programs in labor relations. Additional programs of study that are good preparation are business administration and management. Regardless of your major, you should take courses in compensation, recruitment, performance appraisal, and training and development. As in other fields, knowledge of computers is important.

Work experience

Many employers prefer candidates who worked for a year or more as a human resource assistant.

On-the-job training

You should consider participating in an internship while in college. An internship is usually part of a four-year degree program. It offers you a chance to apply what you have learned in the classroom to a work situation. It also allows you to build skills and make contacts with people in the field.

Some employers provide on-the-job training for specialists to learn the company's specific policies and benefits plans. Training may last up to six months.

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be personnel or recruiting specialists. Some of the skills from those occupations transfer to job benefits and analysis. Training lasts four to nine weeks, depending on your specialty. Additional training occurs on the job.