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.
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:
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:
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 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 |
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:
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:
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.
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.
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.
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:
Below you will find an adaptable employment history resume sample.
Human Resources Generalist at New Orleans East Hospital, New Orleans
March 2017 - October 2021
Junior Human Resources Generalist
November 2014 - February 2017
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.
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
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.
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
Junior Human Resources Generalist
November 2014 - February 2017
Skills
Education
Bachelor of Art in Human Resources Management, Tulane University, New Orleans
September 2010 - May 2014