Your HR manager CV aims to give the hiring manager an understanding of your experience in the different areas of HR and your management style. HR managers may specialise in a specific area, such as change management, or they may work in a generalist role, covering all areas of HR. HR managers are expected to have a significant amount of HR experience and management experience. They also need to have good qualifications and knowledge of employment law.
As an HR manager involved in employment and recruitment, there is even more emphasis on creating an effective CV. With our help at Resume.io, you can access a wide range of CV guides and CV examples for dozens of professions. Use our CV guide and the corresponding CV example to support you in landing your next HR manager role.
In this HR manager CV guide, we will delve into an array of topics to help you create the perfect CV, including:
- The role of an HR manager and what this entails
- How to get the most out of each section of your CV
- The most beneficial format to use for your CV
- How to choose the right design for your HR manager CV
- Ensuring your CV is both attractive and appealing
What does an HR manager do?
An HR manager is responsible for the overall direction of the HR department. They will typically manage a team of HR advisors, assistants, and, possibly, a recruitment team. The HR manager will ensure the department runs smoothly and will work with the leadership team in matters relating to strategies and development of the HR function.
In addition, they will also deal with day-to-day HR advisory tasks and may also be involved in recruitment to some degree. People skills are a must for an HR manager, and significant knowledge of human resources and employment law is essential. They will also usually need some management experience and possibly, CIPD accreditation.
Your CV should reflect your ability to make tough decisions and deal with challenging situations. An HR manager role involves dealing with people in a working environment; you could be swept up in a wealth of issues. The employer should be confident that you can deal with any difficult decisions that come your way after reading your CV. You are a people-person but not a people-pleaser; there is a big difference!
The exponential growth of the HR sector
The HR sector has grown 42% in the past decade. Junior HR manager roles, in particular, have increased, with a 47% growth in the same period and senior HR manager roles have increased by 40%.
The average salary for an HR manager in the UK is £37,615.
How to write an HR manager CV
It is essential to structure your HR manager CV so that you ensure you tick all the boxes. That is to say; you cover the main areas of your expertise and skills. These are the main sections you should include within your CV:
- CV header
- Summary
- Employment History
- Skills
- Education
You can mix this up or insert additional sections. For instance, if you have some outstanding achievements, you might want to add an 'achievements' section. On the other hand, if you're making your education most prominent, you may want to put this at the top. To see this structure put into place for a HR manager, check out our adaptable CV example.
Choosing the best CV format for an HR manager
An HR manager is expected to have recent experience within the field, and as such, the most favourable format would be reverse-chronological. It is not the only CV format worth considering, though. You can choose a CV format that suits your needs.
As an HR manager, you are likely an expert in the Applicant Tracking Systems in use at most medium and large companies. Don’t overlook the role your formatting plays in getting you past the ATS hurdle – make sure to include clear section headings with commonly used titles.
CV summary example: making the first impression count
When writing the summary of your HR manager CV, consider the importance of a positive first impression. HR managers are generally highly respected and are often the primary HR representative at meetings. As such, they know the importance of making a great first impression.
When writing your summary, you should take into account that the opinions of HR managers hold much weight. Although your summary should only be a few sentences, these need to be impactful so that they sway your audience.
The hiring manager is likely to be reviewing many applications, so your summary should reflect the expertise you have and the value you can bring. The hiring manager should read the synopsis and be sure that you have relevant experience within the specialist area and that you are qualified for the role. Any significant achievements would be welcome in this spot, as it's the first thing the hiring manager will notice, and, in fact, it will determine whether they are enticed enough to read the rest of your CV.
We have a wealth of resources you can use for inspiration. These include our:
Dynamic HR manager with extensive experience in personnel management and employee advocacy. Adept in working with senior leadership to design and implement HR strategies.
Employment history sample: your career journey
In the employment history section of your HR manager CV, you’ll want to list the employer and your job title, together with some of the main duties of the role. In addition, you can use bullet points to detail the main elements of the role.
When writing this section, you must refer to the job description and use relevant keywords. The employer may use an ATS, so you want to ensure you pass this as a minimum. Focus on the aspects that are most important to the employer. For example, employers tend to prefer candidates who have worked in the sector, as they will understand the business more. Check out our adaptable CV sample below.
HR Manager at Torrence Inc., York
April 2018 - Present
- Lead all HR functions of the business and oversee all programs related to employee well-being.
- Increase employee satisfaction ratings by 40% in the first year alone.
- Partner with business leaders to facilitate employee-centred agendas and support a thriving organisation.
- Effectively manage change and nurture relationships within the organisation.
- Establish HR processes that fully align with company strategies.
- Respond to employees in a timely and appropriate manner.
- Manage complex employee relations cases, including dispute resolutions, grievances, and absences.
- Design and implement programs that support employee well-being, inclusion & diversity, performance management, and positive company culture.
HR Assistant at Devaroe, London
June 2015 - March 2018
- Provided optimal administration support and assisted with various HR tasks such as recruitment, on-boarding, and holiday scheduling.
- Helped to manage the updating and digitisation of personnel files and staff performance reviews.
- Assisted with the new training and development program.
- Oversaw time sheet administration for payroll processes.
- Performed general administration for all filing needs.
- Updated job boards weekly.
CV skills example: your selling point
What skills do you possess that may entice the hiring manager as they read your HR manager CV? Have you made any major enhancements to a business, such as driving efficiencies? Are you known for your versatility and ability to engage with people? Are you assertive but friendly?
It is not just about the soft skills, though, as important as these are. The employer wants to know what HR systems you have used and whether you have a good grasp of technology. Are you a whizz with Excel? Are you advanced in using Word? These are important to mention.
Again, refer to the job description and tailor it to suit the role. Get more inspiration from our adaptable CV sample below.
- Human Resources Management
- Human Resources Information Software
- Employee Recruitment & Retention
- Performance Management
- Complex Problem Solving
- Leadership
- Conflict Resolution
HR manager CV education example: knowledge of employment law
The education section of your HR manager CV lists all your academic credentials. The employer will expect you to have a degree or diploma in human resources in most cases. But, most importantly, they will usually require you to have CIPD accreditation and be committed to continuous development.
List your latest qualification at the top, and you should include any relevant webinars, etc., that you have attended. Check out our CV sample below.
Bachelor of Science in Human Resources, Middlesex University, London
Sep 2010 - May 2014
CV layout and design: straightforward, simple design
The content of your HR manager CV is the priority, but you shouldn't ignore the layout and design.
The main priorities for the design is that it is easy to read, simple and engaging. Do not spend time pondering the design; it should be a swift decision. Take time with the content, but with the design, these are the main points to ensure:
- Consistent font throughout
- Proofread and checked for spelling and grammatical errors
- Little white space
- Consistent margin size
Get a second opinion
If you have friends or family members within the industry, it is worth asking them to look over your HR manager CV. Sometimes there are glaringly obvious errors that aren't so obvious to us!
As an HR manager, you are expected to know how to write a CV, but it's not always as easy as some may think, even if you work in the industry.
We can provide you with a range of expertly-designed CV templates to help make the task as straightforward as possible.
Key takeaways for an HR manager CV
- Your CV should consist of your experience, skills, and education. You may wish to add other sections if it makes your CV more appealing.
- Focus on the value you can bring to the employer. What attributes do you have that will make you stand out from the sea of other applications.
- Refer to the job spec when writing your HR manager CV, and tweak it to suit each role.
- Our adaptable HR manager CV sample can help you create a great layout in minutes.
