Your human resources (HR) resume should demonstrate past success with all facets of employee engagement. No matter the industry, potential employers must be confident you can help them maintain a positive workplace culture. Throughout this guide, we’ll provide expert tips to help you write a resume that translates your ability to bridge the gap between employees and management.
Make the resume writing process a little easier by using a professional premade template. Your HR resume should include these sections:
Make it easy for potential employers to contact you for interviews, follow-up questions, or job offers by placing your contact information at the top of your resume. List your full name, phone number, email address, location, and a link to your online professional profile.
Your Name
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
City, State Abbreviation Zip Code
LinkedIn | Portfolio
The goal of a resume profile is to immediately establish credibility with potential employers. It should provide a snapshot of your HR career so far and what exactly makes you qualified for the job. Start with your job title and years of experience, then touch on any industry expertise you may have that aligns with the organization’s HR needs.
Results-driven and Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM)-certified HR professional with more than eight years of experience in talent acquisition, employee relations, and HR strategy development. Proven track record of implementing HR best practices to drive organizational growth and employee satisfaction. Adept at fostering a positive work culture and facilitating talent development.
As someone familiar with the hiring process, you know potential employers are looking for candidates who meet specific skill criteria. Creating a section to highlight these abilities will show that you have the necessary skills to ensure a well-functioning workforce. As you put together the list of your key skills, align it with the requirements of each HR role you apply for.
Hard Skills | Soft Skills |
---|---|
Benefits administration | Active listening |
Compensation analysis | Communication |
Employee onboarding | Conflict resolution |
Labor relations | Cultural sensitivity |
Legal compliance | Decision-making |
Payroll processing | Emotional intelligence |
Performance management | Empathy |
Talent acquisition | Leadership |
Training and development | Negotiation |
Workplace investigations | Teamwork |
Action verbs convey a sense of proactivity, showing potential employers you can take the initiative. Instead of simply telling what you did, these powerful words convey the results you achieved and how you actively contributed to the team. Consider using the verbs below to start each bullet point within the professional experience section of your HR resume:
Action Verbs | |
---|---|
Advised | Conducted |
Coordinated | Developed |
Directed | Implemented |
Mediated | Monitored |
Negotiated | Planned |
Resolved | Streamlined |
Trained | Updated |
Utilized |
The professional experience section of your resume should provide a comprehensive overview of your previous roles. Detail past responsibilities and show you can collaborate with cross-functional teams to support company objectives. If you’ve participated in HR projects or achieved impressive results, explain your involvement and use numbers to give value to outcomes.
HR Manager, Infusion Solutions, Baltimore, MD
January 2021 – present
HR Generalist, Visser Technical Center, Baltimore, MD
October 2015 – December 2020
In a competitive job market, quantifying your professional experience section helps you stand out. Using numbers to describe your achievements allows employers to compare your performance with their expectations. For example, if they’re seeking an HR professional who can reduce recruitment costs, seeing an example where you did that in the past makes a stronger case for your candidacy.
The job outlook for HR specialists and managers is bright, with a faster-than-average growth rate predicted for the next 10 years. Although demand will be on the rise, competition will be tight for the most lucrative HR positions. The best approach is to tailor your resume to directly relate to the specific job, making it easier for the hiring manager to see your suitability for the role.
To tailor your resume, read the job description to identify exact requirements. Highlight the key skills, qualifications, and specific HR responsibilities mentioned in the job posting. Familiarize yourself with the company’s culture, values, and mission. Then, align your resume accordingly, including keywords throughout each section.
While you may not have direct HR experience, your resume can still convey an enthusiasm for the field. Focus on demonstrating your potential as an entry-level HR professional, leveraging transferable skills and related experiences. Hiring managers will value abilities like communication, leadership, attention to detail, and organization. Include any part-time jobs, internships, or volunteer work where you developed these skills.
If you’ve earned a degree or taken coursework relevant to HR management, you can use this to your advantage. Mention any class projects that involved related topics or tasks. Explain your role and contributions to these projects, emphasizing your practical understanding of HR concepts.
For most HR roles, a bachelor’s degree is the typical requirement. Specify your degree, major, university name, and graduation date. You can also mention workshops, seminars, or conferences you’ve attended to stay updated on HR trends and best practices. If you’ve pursued certifications from reputable organizations like SHRM, be sure to include them as well.
Certifications
Your Name
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
City, State Abbreviation zip code
LinkedIn | Portfolio
Results-driven and SHRM-certified HR professional with over eight years of experience in talent acquisition, employee relations, and HR strategy development. Proven track record of implementing HR best practices to drive organizational growth and employee satisfaction. Adept at fostering a positive work culture and facilitating talent development.
HR Manager, Infusion Solutions, Baltimore, MD
January 2021 – present
HR Generalist, Visser Technical Center, Baltimore, MD
October 2015 – December 2020
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Business Administration, September 2011 – May 2015
Towson University, Towson, MD
ResumeTemplates offers free, HR approved resume templates to help you create a professional resume in minutes. Choose from several template options and even pre-populate a resume from your profile.