Recruiter resume examples & templates

As a recruiter, you’re usually on the receiving end of job applications. You know what you look for in a great resume, but critiquing someone else’s work is very different from creating your recruiter resume. 

Even if you consider yourself the best at separating the wheat from the chaff, we bet you haven’t looked at resumes for recruiters before. It certainly doesn’t hurt to get some advice as you begin your job search. Luckily, you’ve come to the experts!

You already know what qualifications to look for in job candidates. But this resume.io guide will give you tools to optimize the process of sifting through your experience and attributes to present yourself in the best light.

Resume guide for a recruiter resume

Resume.io has the tools you need to set yourself up for career success. Still skeptical? In addition to our resume builder, our database of 500+ professions with corresponding guides and resume examples takes the guesswork out of creating an outstanding resume to get you noticed.

This resume guide and corresponding recruiter resume example will cover the following:

• How to write a recruiter resume
• Choosing the right resume format for recruiting
• How to add your contact information
• Using summaries
• Adding your recruiting experience
• Listing education and relevant experience
• Picking the right resume design/layout
• What the recruitment market looks like, and what salary you can expect

How to write a recruiter resume

You’re a recruiting professional who has likely seen quite a few resumes and you can appreciate how much easier it is to easily be able to find the information you’re looking for in the place you expect. That’s why it’s advisable for all resumes, regardless of occupation, to follow the same structure, with the following components:

• The resume header
• The resume summary (aka profile or personal statement)
• The employment history section
• The resume skills section
• The education section

As a recruiter, you know the purpose of a resume, and you’ve no doubt seen great (and lousy) examples. What was the best resume you ever came across? It probably grabbed your attention right away by showing you why that candidate was a great fit for the position and you could most likely tell that the applicant did their homework about your company, the position, and what you’re looking for.

Now, you’re the applicant. Figure out what the new company needs in a recruiter, and make it clear why you’re the person who can meet, if not exceed, those needs. Remember those great resumes you’ve come across? Whether you were aware of it or not, they all highlighted their USP— unique selling proposition—and you will, too.

Before you can wow an interviewer with your recruiting skills, you need to start with a great resume. To let your talent shine, follow this formula:

• Highlight accomplishments and not your day-to-day tasks. A fellow recruiter is going to have a good idea of what you do in your role. So focus on your past achievements, instead. What value did you bring to the table? Don’t limit this to your professional summary, either. Weave it throughout your resume. Be an achiever, not a do-er.
• Tailor each resume you submit to a specific employer. Tweak the tone and align your skills with those the company is seeking.
• Choose a resume format that is eye-catching and engaging. Professional doesn’t have to equal boring.
• Remember that helpful ATS screening software you’ve used on the job? Make sure you’ve included relevant keywords from the job description so your resume doesn’t get red-flagged or overlooked. Consider using an ATS resume template for maximum results

Choosing the right resume format for a recruiter

The reverse chronological resume format is recommended for the majority of job seekers, and, as you know, it’s also what recruiters generally prefer. It's a straightforward way to review someone’s work experience corresponding to each employee position. Highlights for each job are organized under employer headings, in order from most recent to earliest dates. This effectively tells a story of growth and development over time, typically starting with the most relevant accomplishments.

Other resume formats can be suitable for someone new to the workforce, changing careers, or working independently in freelance or consulting roles. The functional resume format emphasizes transferable skills rather than employers, while the hybrid (combination) resume format features both chronological and functional elements.

Resume.io’s library of resume templates has a wide variety of options from which you can choose, with examples of all types of formats.

As a recruiter, your resume should utilize a professional, modern layout to catch the reader’s eye. It should also be uncluttered and easy to read; you’ve probably seen resumes where it was impossible to find the information you needed. Our templates will avoid this problem and place your most important information front-and-center.

Include your contact information

Can you imagine finding the perfect candidate only to find that you don’t know how to contact them? That would be incredibly frustrating for all parties. Your header is your resume’s “Hello, my name is…” nametag. Wear it proudly.

As you know, you don’t want to hunt around for the applicant’s name, so make sure that your contact information is at the top of your resume. The most important goal is that your contact information is easily accessible and conveys your professionalism. 

• Full name & title. Provide your preferred first and last name, then the title of the role you are pursuing.
• Professional email address. Your address should be simple and professional, like firstname.lastname@email.com. Don’t use your current work address or a personal account with a silly username.
• Phone number. List a number where you can be readily contacted, and make sure your voicemail greeting gives your first and last name.
• Location. Provide only your city and state. Don’t list the street address or zip code. It’s both outdated and unsafe. Note ' Willing to Relocate' here if applicable.
• LinkedIn. Most recruiters use LinkedIn and may have their own profile,  so feel free to include it. Just make sure it’s up-to-date and consider customizing it.

Don’t include:

• Date of birth. It’s irrelevant and might leave you open to age discrimination.
• Personal details. Leave off your marital status, number of children, social security number, passport number, etc.
• Photo or headshot. Not needed for the position, and could potentially lead to unconscious bias or discrimination. Additionally, a resume with a photo can’t be scanned by some ATS.

Make use of a summary

As a recruiter, you need to pump up the job you are trying to fill and the company with the opening. You also need to generate a great pool of applicants. Your two- to three-sentence profile is the place to show off these skills.

Make sure you tout your biggest achievements with action verbs such as coordinated, approved, collaborated, or implemented. Use data and details to back them up. Think about your expertise. Are you great at finding just the right candidate for tough-to-fill jobs? Are you a multitasker capable of juggling many accounts? Do you have an extensive social media network you use to place job postings and get referrals of excellent candidates? Make sure you highlight those skills. Avoid exaggerating or touting obvious boasts, but definitely be proud of your competencies. 

Remember, resume summaries aren’t a cut-and-paste of information the reader can find in other sections. They provide a cohesive overview of what makes you the best in your field. Remember your USP? That’s what the summary is for—highlighting your Unique Selling Proposition! For example, “Proven track record in conducting over 250 interviews in the last calendar year with a 72% offer acceptance rate and a  20% increase in candidate satisfaction scores.”

You can find adaptable recruiter resume examples summaries below:

Outline your recruiter work experience 

You’re used to filling job openings or positions, so you know what the best candidate looks like. A desirable recruiter is an astute problem-solver, adept in assessing needs and creating results. That’s you? Great! But you need to prove it in your resume's employment history section. 

As a recruiter, you don’t want to read a list of every responsibility a job seeker has had at every job. What you want are details of accomplishments that prove that your candidate can do the job. That’s your goal as well.

Go back to the recruiter job ad and think about how you can prove you have what it takes to find and retain great people. Every job is different! If you are looking for a job in a specialized recruitment agency or industry vertical, and you have work experience in that industry, make sure you include that. You are much more likely to understand the skills and attributes necessary to do a great job if you have done it yourself.

Before you begin compiling your work experience section, make a list of all your jobs, job titles, and the dates you worked at each. Only go back the last 10-15 years. Then add the best of what you have achieved at each one. Cater to your instincts as a recruiter. You never know exactly what an employer is looking for, but as a talent acquisition specialist yourself, you know better than most. Only include experience that is relevant to the role you’re applying for; other positions can be listed in a section called “Other experience.”

Remember, don’t just list your day-to-day tasks; instead, focus on accomplishments and outcomes. For example, you’ve no doubt seen lackluster descriptions like these:

• "Filled open positions for the company."
• "Performed new employee onboarding."
• "Tracked and reported on recruiting metrics"

Statements like these are vague and can apply to anyone who’s worked as a recruiter. You want to set yourself up as an achiever, not just a “doer.”

Instead, utilize results-based points. Employ strong action verbs, data, and details as you develop each bullet point in your job descriptions, quantifying if possible, and show a progression of responsibility and knowledge while highlighting results such as increases in talent acquisition, reduction of hiring timelines, or increasing applicant satisfaction rates.

Take a look at these improved descriptions:

• "Implemented a company-wide diversity recruitment initiative, increasing diversity hires by 40% within Q1 of 2023 by optimizing data analytics and targeted outreach programs.”
• “Overhauled the candidate screening process using AI-based tools, shortening the time-to-hire by 27% while upgrading the quality of the candidate pool.”
• "Achieved and and exceeded KPIs by 22% in 2024.”

Take a look at the recruiter employment history resume sample below:

Include the relevant key skills that make you a stellar recruiter

As a recruiter, you know what sections you scan first in a resume. Is the skills section one of them? Probably, as it gives you a great overview of not only the skills and attributes a candidate has, but also the key skills they believe are most important.

First, make a “master list” of all your skills and attributes. Then, separate your skills into categories. You may want to divide them by soft and hard skills. Hard skills might include project management, negotiation, or data analysis, but don’t forget vital soft skills like communication, problem-solving, or emotional intelligence.

If you need a little inspiration, resume.io’s resume builder offers a number of pre-written key skills from which to choose with the ability to customize proficiency ranges. Or, if you want to go “old school,” you can enter the skills yourself.

This is what the skills box looks like in our recruiter resume template. 

Don’t limit your skills to the skills section. Intertwine them into each section of your resume by showing how you used these skills on the job while providing specific examples and outcomes.

For example, in your professional summary and your work experience section, highlight your 

• Communication skills by demonstrating how you interact with applicants, both in writing and in person.
• Multitasking and time management skills by showing how you handle the recruitment process from start to finish.
• Analytical ability by demonstrating your use of data analysis tools to identify trends and patterns, and improve recruitment performance and efficiency.

Look to the job description as a guide for what key skills to include.

Detail your education & relevant recruiter certifications

The education section is a simple listing of your degrees, in reverse chronological order from highest to lowest level. Your GPA isn’t relevant unless you are fresh out of school and you had a 4.0. And if you graduated more than 10 years ago, leave off the date as well. Instead, if you have earned any industry honors or awards, consider adding them here in an "Accolades" subsection.

Alternatively, you may include a section called "Accolades and Affiliations," since as a recruiter, demonstrating your networking efforts is a benefit. Most recruiters will also have additional certifications and/or training, and you’ll want to include them in this section:

• Industry certifications, such as AIRS Certified Internet Recruiter (CIR), Professional in Human Resources (PHR), or Certified Diversity Recruiter (CDR).
• Conferences or workshops you’ve attended, such as RecruitCon or TalentNetLive.
• Professional development. If you are a member of a professional organization such as the Association of Talent Acquisition Professionals (ATAP) or the National Association of Executive Recruiters (NAER), be sure to include iit, as it demonstrates your commitment to both networking and enhancing your skills as a recruiter.

If you’re just starting out in the industry, consider moving the education section before your work history. This is known as a functional resume and it places more of an emphasis on your education and transferable skills rather than practical experience.

Pick the right resume layout and design for a recruiter resume

Unless you are looking for an entry-level job, you have seen hundreds of resumes from job seekers, so you’re well ahead of the game. Ask yourself the following questions:

• What layout errors made me toss a resume aside without reading it?
• Which design features made me want to read more about a candidate?
• How long did it take to sort resumes into “yes,” “no,” and “maybe” piles?

Perhaps you already know how to make your layout attract the right attention, but here are some reminders as you begin to envision what you want your resume to look like.

• Use the fonts you like to read. Legibility is more important than art here.
• Allow for plenty of white space. (Don’t narrow the margins to cram in more information.)
• Keep it easy to navigate with clear section headings and contact information.
• Use a modern and easy-to-read font and limited color.

For example, the recruiter resume sample here makes use of our Stockholm template – a simple, clean layout with a bit of color for emphasis.

There’s no need to reinvent the wheel when it comes to crafting your resume: take advantage of resume.io’s resume templates, where the formatting is already done for you. Just plug in your information and you’re good to go!

Recruiter text-only resume example

Recruiter job market and outlook

No matter the unemployment rate, companies will usually have plenty of candidates and the pressure will be on recruiters to make sure they find the best of the best. The demand for recruiters is strong as more of them are required to meet companies’ growing needs in employee recruitment, retention,and remote work/return to office strategies. Employment of recruiters and human resources specialists is projected to grow by 8% over the next decade, which is higher than average.

What type of salary can you expect as a recruiter?

The median human resources recruiter salary is about $59,584 a year, according to Payscale.

If you work at a recruitment agency, you are likely to have a base salary, but be incentivized with commission There you will find a team of people to bounce ideas off and maybe even someone who has a great candidate for the job you are trying to fill. You may also be exempt from some of the administrative tasks that will be part of your job in a human resources department. 

Agencies are also faster paced than in-house positions, so take the pace in which you like to work into account when you decide where you want to work.

Key takeaways for building a recruiter resume

Being a recruiter can be a great career for those who consider themselves a “people person.” As a recruiter, you know what you look for in a great resume, but that’s very different from creating your own recruiter resume. Recruiters also need to be great communicators, problem-solvers, and analytical thinkers, so it’s important to demonstrate those skills throughout your resume. Highlight your USP and use your resume to show your fellow recruiter why you’re the best candidate for the job.

Begin your job search with our resume builder, but take it to the next level with resume.io. With 18 career-boosting tools, you can easily search for [job title] jobs, monitor your progress, prepare for interviews, and negotiate salaries with confidence using our complete career toolkit.