Compensation refers to wages, payments, executive benefits, health and medical benefits, damages, retiree pensions, and other workers' compensation plans. The management and overseeing of such is called compensation coordination. A compensation coordinator acts as a conduit between the company and those claiming benefits, as well as a source of information regarding granted benefits.
Education and Skills
Compensation coordinators need to understand how businesses are run, and also the roles and appropriate benefits for different members of any company. As such, this career choice requires an education in business. College degrees in business administration or management are favored for this role. These courses will equip you with knowledge of labor management, corporate know-how, and other information related to business and the proper running of such.
Computer skills, especially in spreadsheet programs and database management systems, are also necessary. Skills in word processing and presentation computer programs will aid in preparing information for reporting and delivery.
Statistical mathematics classes will prove very useful to a compensation coordinator, who may need to draw interpretations from large sets of data. Courses such as accounting and finance will sharpen the focus even further towards the goal of managing compensations.
As a compensation coordinator deals with all types of people on a daily basis, a background in speaking, as well as interpersonal relations is advised. Developing skills in argumentation may also be necessary when faced with problems regarding payouts and negotiations of compensation values. It will also prove useful when presenting information and interpretations to people in your company, especially if you need to make suggestions or to convince the group to take some course of action.
Finding Your Industry
Selecting an industry to focus on can be beneficial. Different industries will have varying requirements and common practices, as well as different laws governing them, so choosing one will allow deeper study into specific contexts. The details of each industry can only be picked up with diligence and dedication, so it is in the best interest of the prospective coordinator to specialize in one industry.
It can also be helpful to read up and understand the laws that govern the company such as federal and state laws. Not only will it give you the knowledge you will actually need in the execution of your duties, it will also show your determination come employment application interview time.
Keeping up on national trends in the industry of your specialization will keep you prepared to make suggestions and identify liabilities. Cost of living changes happen frequently, and workers' compensation standards also change every so often. So it is beneficial to keep an eye out on these happenings. Business magazines and newspapers, as well as industry-specific magazines will be the best source of information here.
Working Your Way into a Position
It may be necessary to begin at a lower position in a company, such as compensation analyst. Start with this and work towards a promotion. While doing so, you can identify any details specific to the company. The time you spend in these lesser jobs will allow you to familiarize yourself with the company, the groups within the company, compensation plans and benefits, and any software that the company utilizes for compensation management.
A Vital Link
Remember that compensation coordinators are a vital link between management and employees. As such, they must maintain a good relationship with both groups to ease the difficulties associated with this job. It is not easy to deal with people, especially when money is involved, but this is imperative to keeping everything running smoothly. Though this job may not always be an enviable one, it is pivotal in the world of business administration and labor management.
