As a recruiter, you have a unique advantage in the job-hunting process — you know what hiring managers are looking for in a resume. In this guide, we’ll provide expert tips to help you write a recruiter resume that reflects your ability to source, screen, and hire top talent.
To write an effective recruiter resume, consider using a ready-made professional template. Your resume template should include the following sections:
At the top of your resume, list your full name, phone number, email address, location, and links to your online professional profile. Feature this information prominently on your recruiter resume so hiring managers can contact you to schedule an interview.
Your Name
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
City, State Abbreviation Zip Code
LinkedIn | Portfolio
Your profile or objective statement is a concise summary that encompasses your professional identity. Start with your job title, years of experience, and industry knowledge. Follow up with a few sentences that mention skills like talent sourcing, candidate assessment, and stakeholder management. However, always look to the job ad for guidance on which qualifications to include.
Recruiter — Professional Recruiter Certification (PRC) — with over eight years of experience in talent acquisition and human resources (HR) roles. Recognized for excellent organizational skills and a keen ability to maintain accurate applicant logs for Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) data recording. Generates insightful recruitment reports for strategic planning and forecasting. Prioritizes diversity and inclusivity.
In recruitment, you use a wide range of skills — from confident communication to understanding complex HR software. Highlighting these skills demonstrates the depth of your knowledge and shows you’re well-equipped for the challenges of each role you apply for. Be sure to include both hard and soft skills to illustrate your versatility, making you a more attractive candidate.
Hard Skills | Soft Skills |
---|---|
Applicant tracking system (ATS) | Communication |
Boolean search techniques | Creativity |
Candidate sourcing | Cultural sensitivity |
Compensation negotiation | Decision-making |
Interview techniques | Ethical judgment |
Relationship management | Negotiation |
Resume screening | Networking |
Social media recruiting | Persuasion |
Talent pipeline building | Project management |
Technical recruitment | Team collaboration |
Action verbs can help you convey to hiring managers that you actively seek, attract, and hire top talent. Use these dynamic words in the professional experience section, starting each bullet point with a verb. To instantly add energy and clarity to your recruiter resume, use the following words to describe your past work:
Action Verbs | |
---|---|
Acquired | Assessed |
Attracted | Collaborated |
Connected | Engaged |
Interviewed | Matched |
Networked | Recruited |
Scouted | Screened |
Sourced | Targeted |
Vetted |
The professional experience section should highlight your past success as a recruiter. Get into the specifics of what you did in each role and list your responsibilities, but also think about what you achieved. Did you lead a recruitment drive? Implement new ATS software? Show hiring managers what they gain if they hire you, using numbers to quantify your experience.
Recruiter, Global Channel Management, Brown Deer, WI
November 2019 – present
Human Resources Assistant, Katapult Network, Minneapolis, MN
May 2015 – October 2019
In the recruitment field, success often comes down to numbers — be it reducing time-to-fill positions, increasing retention rates, or meeting diversity hiring targets. Quantifying your job descriptions will help you illustrate your ability to deliver on these goals. Use numbers, percentages, and dollar amounts to demonstrate your effectiveness and efficiency as a recruiter.
The job market for HR specialists (recruiters included) is expected to grow at a faster-than-average rate. There will be plenty of opportunities to land a new role, but competition will be stiff for the best positions. You’ll need a recruiter resume tailored to perfection to stand out from the rest.
As you likely know, many companies use ATS software to filter resumes based on specific keywords and phrases. By tailoring your resume to include language and keywords from the job description, you increase your chances of getting past these digital gatekeepers and ultimately landing an interview.
As an entry-level recruiter, your goal is to leverage your education and transferable skills. Your work will require more than extensive technical experience. So, emphasize your ability to communicate, empathize, and negotiate. If you have examples from past experiences that demonstrate these skills, make sure to include them.
Think of times you’ve had to work with people, organize events, or manage projects. This could be volunteer work, internships, or even group projects in school. Describe these experiences in a way that highlights any skills related to recruiting. Also, if you’ve taken courses or are certified in areas related to HR, psychology, or business, be sure to list these as well.
Many recruiter jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree in a field like HR management or business. So, list your highest level of education and consider detailing some of your relevant coursework, especially if you’re an entry-level recruiter. Also, list any special credentials you may have, like a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certificate or a LinkedIn Certified Professional Recruiter badge.
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Human Resources, September 2012 – May 2016
St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Certifications
Julia Reyes
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
City, State Abbreviation zip code
LinkedIn | Portfolio
Recruiter — Professional Recruiter Certification (PRC) — with over eight years of experience in talent acquisition and HR roles. Recognized for excellent organizational skills and a keen ability to maintain accurate applicant logs for Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) data recording. Generates insightful recruitment reports for strategic planning and forecasting. Prioritizes diversity and inclusivity.
Recruiter, Global Channel Management, Brown Deer, WI
November 2019 – present
Human Resources Assistant, Katapult Network, Minneapolis, MN
May 2015 – October 2019
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Human Resources, September 2012 – May 2016
St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
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