HR Manager CV Example & Writing Guide

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!

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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

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

1. Your CV should consist of your experience, skills, and education. You may wish to add other sections if it makes your CV more appealing.
2. 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.
3. Refer to the job spec when writing your HR manager CV, and tweak it to suit each role.
4. Our adaptable HR manager CV sample can help you create a great layout in minutes.