A human resources professional resume designed to speed your job hunt must be top-notch: After all, you’re the one who usually judges candidates. But looking for great resumes and creating one of your own are two different tasks.
Entry Level HR
Human Resources Assistant
Human Resource Generalist
Recruiter
HR Coordinators
Human Resources Manager
HR Business Partner
HR Director
That’s where Resume.io comes in. To get your resume into the hands of one of your future colleagues, take advantage of our writing guides and resume examples for 300+ professions.
This guide, along with the corresponding HR resume examples, will cover the following topics:
- What do human resources professionals do?
- How to write a human resources resume (tips and tricks)
- The best format for a human resources resume
- Advice on each section of your resume (summary, work history, education, skills)
- Professional resume layout and design hints
What do human resources professionals do?
The human resources department may also be known as the people department. It handles the people factors that make a business run. Those tasks include:
- Recruiting, interviewing and hiring
- Benefits enrollment
- Compensation
- Training
- Employee relations
- Interpret and explain policy, procedures, law, standards and regulations
- Employee review and remediation
In essence, human resources people are responsible for making sure that employees understand their job responsibilities, their benefits and maintaining the company structure and culture.
| Entry level | Mid-level | Upper level |
|---|---|---|
| HR assistant | Manager | HR manager |
| HR trainee | Sourcer | Specialist manager |
| HR associate | Administrator | Talent acquisition manager |
| Staff coordinator | Trainer | Business partner |
| Recruiter | Generalist | Brand manager |
| Analyst | Information specialist | Chief diversity officer |
| VP of HR |
Get inspired and view other resume examples from the Human Resources field:
Human resources job market and outlook
Human resources departments are finding themselves with expanded scope as 73% of employees look toward their companies to provide them with support in preparing for the work futures, the Harvard Business Review reported.
A study by the Cognizant Center for Future of Work and Future Workplace found that HR’s focus will likely shift to employee wellness as a means to retain workers and jobs such as Director of Wellbeing and HR Data Detective. These reimagined roles may shift the skills HR departments are looking for when they seek new employees.
Job growth within human resources is expected to be about 10% from 2020-2030 for HR specialists and 9% for HR managers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
How much do human resources professionals make? Actual salaries depend on the geographical area, education level, experience and company size.
| Job title | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Recruiting coordinator | $60,158 |
| HR assistant | $40,853 |
| HR coordinator | $49,579 |
| HR specialist | $52,760 |
| HR generalist | $64,790 |
| HR manager | $81,762 |
How to write a resume for HR professionals
You are someone who looks at resumes, so you have a good idea of what makes your life easier. Stick to the following sections when you organize your information:
- The resume header
- The resume summary (aka profile or personal statement)
- The employment history section
- The resume skills section
- The education section
You know the best resumes are ones that use a tone and style that meshes with the company’s image, so apply that knowledge to your own job hunt. Do your research to ensure that you understand the company’s philosophy for hiring and retaining workers as well as its benefits structure.
If you can, put a name to the hiring manager and try to find a common bond. As you know, a resume that sparks interest and gives a personal touch may make all the difference.
A great human resources resume uses consistent messaging, tone and style. Here’s a gentle reminder that you should apply the attributes you look for when you develop your own HR resume.
Remember to:
- Write as though you are addressing the people in the department you wish to work for.
- Pay attention to creating a polished visual first impression with a resume template that has a creative edge without distracting from your message.
- Optimize by including important keywords and phrases to target the ATS algorithms.
Writing a human resources resume with no experience
Recruiters know that candidates for entry level jobs most likely have not worked in human resources before. If you have had any job, you have skills. Even if you have not worked, you may have volunteered or participated in clubs or extracurricular activities that have transferable job skills.
Play up your soft skills, such as time management, organization and collaboration. You can learn the employee manual and how to scan resumes, but employers want evidence of your communication skills and other abilities that make you a valuable worker.
If you are new to HR, you may not know the ins and outs of Applicant Tracking Systems. At some point in your career, you may come to appreciate that they ease the burden on you by scanning and sorting resumes, but they may filter out your document if it is not formatted correctly.
Your best bet for passing through the ATS is an analysis of each job listing. Highlight keywords and phrases and insert them into appropriate spots in your resume. Make sure your text still sounds natural and that you don’t overdo it by repeating phrases too often.
Choosing the best resume format for a human resources professional
Recruiters such as yourself prefer resumes in the reverse chronological order format, so stick with the tried-and-true. This structure centers on an employment history section where you’ll list your relevant experience starting with your most recent role (and going back up until about 10 years.)
Although other formats exist, you should use them only in special circumstances. Recent graduates or those looking for a career shift can check out the resume formats we suggest as chronological alternatives or hybrids.
Resume summary example: The onboarding
Use these 3-4 lines to make a personal pitch for your employment. You are up against other HR specialists and they all know what they like in a summary. Go with your gut here as you show off your biggest HR achievement and explain what you will add to the people department of your target company.
This is a tough section to write, even for an HR professional. Don’t be afraid to use strong, positive words to describe yourself and your career.
You can find a resume example for your summary section below.
Energetic human resources generalist with 6+ years of experience working within HR clinical teams, effectively managing multiple recruitment and retention priorities. Committed to channeling my passion for human resources to ensure department operations run smoothly and deliver maximum value to the organization.
Employment history sample: Demonstrate the value you add
Here are some questions to ask yourself as you create the employment history section of your human resources resume:
What is your next career move? To get there, you should be tailoring the bullet items in your employment history section to show that you already have the experience to get the job done.
How will you add value to the department? You don’t want to simply do the job adequately, you want to show that you have motivation and ideas to make improvements.
What have you accomplished? Your career is not a series of responsibilities, it’s a story of achievement.
How can you quantify your accomplishments? You know that data and detail are impressive on a resume, so add some to yours.
Human resources is a semi-outdated name for your department and career. Here are some alternate names:
- People Operations: used by Google, Slack, Uber, Instacart and Square
- People@: Facebook
- Employee Experience: AirBnB
- Employee Success: Salesforce
- Partner (Human) Resources: Starbucks
Below you will find an adaptable employment history resume sample.
Human Resources Generalist at New Orleans East Hospital, New Orleans
March 2017 - October 2021
- Planned, developed and implemented an innovative program of recruitment and placement for hospital personnel.
- Managed the interviewing, screening and referral of qualified applicants.
- Worked collaboratively with management to promote a climate conducive to attracting and retaining personnel.
- Provided optimal support to employees regarding various HR-related topics.
- Played an integral role in the development and implementation of human resource policies.
- Worked to foster high job satisfaction ratings by resolving issues promptly.
Junior Human Resources Generalist
November 2014 - February 2017
- Provided full spectrum recruitment for all open positions as assigned by the human resource director.
- Meticulously sourced and screened candidate pools in an effort to provide hiring managers with high-quality candidates.
- Scheduled interviews and follow-ups, as well as on-boarding procedures for new hires.
- Provided ongoing guidance to departments to ensure adherence to all company policies, regulations and laws.
CV skills example: Well-rounded
Human resources professionals must have excellent people skills, but you need to develop a well-rounded CV skills section that takes into account your HR knowledge as well.
When you scan CVs, why do your eyes head to the skills section? You want to make sure the candidate has the basic skills for the job you are trying to fill, but you also want to know what takes them to the next level. Use that to curate a skills section that directly addresses the job listing, but also gives recruiters a hint about the attributes you have that they didn’t even realize they needed (until you pointed it out).
Below you will find a skills section resume example.
- Employee Relations
- Employee Recruitment & Retention
- HRIS Technologies
- Communication Skills
- Change Management
- Training & Development
- Employee Engagement
Human resources education resume example
The education section of your human resources resume is a listing of your academic degrees. Most human resources positions require a bachelor’s degree, but some may expect a master’s degree. If you have a master’s degree or higher, there’s no need to include high school.
You may have learned many of your skills on the job, but if you have taken any classes that enhance your candidacy, list those here as well.
Below you will find an education section resume example as a formatting guide.
Bachelor of Art in Human Resources Management, Tulane University, New Orleans
September 2010 - May 2014
CV layout and design: First impressions
You know when you look at resumes (which are usually called CVs outside North America), you make a judgment. You may be able to overcome it when you see the excellent experience a candidate has, but you are much better off making that first impression be a great one!
Use the style you prefer when you review resumes. Keep it readable, neat and avoid trying to call attention to your flash instead of your substance.
A resume template can help you focus on the writing while ensuring the formatting always looks fresh.
- Keep a balance of white space to text to avoid visual fatigue
- Stick with the same font sizes and styles throughout your resume
- Choose a layout that matches the look and feel of the company
- Go overboard with color or images on an HR resume
- Forget to proofread and check for grammar mistakes before you submit
- Stray from the standard 1-inch margins
Human Resources text-only resume example
Profile
Energetic human resources generalist with 6+ years of experience working within HR clinical teams, effectively managing multiple recruitment and retention priorities. Committed to channeling my passion for human resources to ensure department operations run smoothly and deliver maximum value to the organization.
Employment history
Human Resources Generalist at New Orleans East Hospital, New Orleans
March 2017 - October 2021
- Planned, developed and implemented an innovative program of recruitment and placement for hospital personnel.
- Managed the interviewing, screening and referral of qualified applicants.
- Worked collaboratively with management to promote a climate conducive to attracting and retaining personnel.
- Provided optimal support to employees regarding various HR-related topics.
- Played an integral role in the development and implementation of human resource policies.
- Worked to foster high job satisfaction ratings by resolving issues promptly.
Junior Human Resources Generalist
November 2014 - February 2017
- Provided full spectrum recruitment for all open positions as assigned by the human resource director.
- Meticulously sourced and screened candidate pools in an effort to provide hiring managers with high-quality candidates.
- Scheduled interviews and follow-ups, as well as on-boarding procedures for new hires.
- Provided ongoing guidance to departments to ensure adherence to all company policies, regulations and laws.
Skills
- Employee Relations
- Employee Recruitment & Retention
- HRIS Technologies
- Communication Skills
- Change Management
- Training & Development
- Employee Engagement
Education
Bachelor of Art in Human Resources Management, Tulane University, New Orleans
September 2010 - May 2014
Key takeaways for a human resources resume
- Human resources departments are evolving with the changing needs of the workforce, so make sure you highlight your most up-to-date skills.
- Use the instincts you have developed in your career to guide the creation of your resume.
- Exploit your knowledge of ATS software to target each job listing.
- Check out our human resources resume sample for more ideas on how to create an attractive and functional CV.
