As an HR professional, you already know that you need an excellent human resources assistant resume to stand out from the rest. While human resources personnel see many applications and have a good idea of what a great resume looks like, it’s not as easy to create your own as it is to critique someone else’s. That’s where Resume.io comes in.
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Not only do we have a library of resume guides and resume examples for 300+ professions, and an easy-to-use resume builder, but we have this guide specifically for human resource assistants.
Here, we will detail the following:
- What exactly does a human resources assistant do?
- How to get the most out of your HR assistant resume
- Developing each section of your resume (summary, work history, education, skills) to its utmost
- Professional resume layout and design hints.
The mean annual income for a human resources assistant is $44,170. The highest paying industries* are:
| Industry | Annual salary |
| Computers and Peripherals | $71,410 |
| U.S. Postal Service | $62,800 |
| Natural Gas | $60,910 |
| Electric | $55,850 |
| Motor Vehicle Manufacturing | $55,290 |
*Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
What does a human resources assistant do?
Human resources assistants are vital participants in the hiring process and in maintaining a positive work environment for all employees. The job description may vary depending on the organization, but HR assistants may be tasked with any of the functions of the department.
That means they must be generalists capable of handling initial screening of job applicants and new employee orientation. They may also be responsible for maintaining and auditing personnel files, answering questions employees have about policy and benefits, providing clerical support, or assisting with payroll and benefits coordination.
How to write a human resources assistant resume
Because you’re in the human resources field, you may be tempted to distinguish yourself by altering the sections or format. We recommend that you stick with the reverse chronological order resume format and the following sections:
- The resume header
- The resume summary (aka profile or personal statement)
- The employment history section
- The resume skills section
- The education section
For details on each section, read on.
Resume summary example: Personality on display
This is the section to use to distinguish yourself because it allows for some personality. The rest of your human resources assistant resume will be a fairly dry recitation of your successes, but here you can – and should – get a bit personal. Use these 3-4 lines to introduce yourself, tout your biggest HR success, and describe your communication and work style.
The bottom line for the summary section (aka profile) of your human resources assistant resume is to answer the key question: Why are you the right person for the job? Don’t be shy about your value. If you don’t know why you should be hired, you certainly won’t convince anyone else.
Need help with writing your profile summary? Get inspired by these similar HR Roles: Human Resource Generalist resume sample, HR Director resume example, Chief Happiness Officer (CHO) resume sample, Entry Level HR resume example, Recruiter resume sample, or Human Resources Manager resume sample.
You’re in the field, so use what you know. As you compile your HR Assistant resume, think about what attracts you to a candidate and apply that to your own document.
An experienced and dedicated human resources assistant with in-depth knowledge of administrative processes and managing successful relationships with employees. Ability to maintain an organized employee database by collecting time and attendance records, and carefully organizing paperwork associated with existing and future employees. Professionally handle personnel related issues, and function in accordance with the laws and regulations governing recruitment and employment practices. Bringing forth a positive attitude and strong work ethic to all of my future endeavors.
Employment history sample: Build your case
Using the reverse chronological order resume format, you will use the employment history section of your human resources assistant resume to detail your work experience. But how do you stand out from the crowd in this formatted section? Use strong action words and detail all your successes.
Give yourself a boost by checking the job listing carefully and using examples from your employment history to show that you already know how to do the job. Remember that each Human Resources Assistant position is a bit different and eliminate bullet items that don’t apply to the specific job. As an HR Assistant, you know about Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), so use that knowledge to individualize your resume and to get in those all-important keywords and phrases that will help you leap the first hurdle. Check out the employment history section from our resume sample below.
- Enhanced electronic personal filing methods to be a more cohesive and effective process.
- Reviewed and assessed resumes sent in by job applicants.
- Collaborated with he head of HR to meet and exceed all initiatives.
- Addressed needs and concerns of employees with professionalism and tact.
- Made copies, handled emails, and performed any clerical tasks to assist the head of HR.
- Ensured that all company HR procedures and guidelines are followed.
CV skills example
It may seem obvious, but human resources assistants need to demonstrate that they have great people skills. The CV summary and employment history sections should make that clear, but to make those attributes really stand out, make sure they appear in the skills section.
What do you look at first when you see a CV? It’s likely that you are scanning to make sure the candidate has the skills the job requires. That’s why this brief section is so important. Do your due diligence for the ATS and for the recruiter looking for a skills match and update this section for each job.
Consider listing the very best of the following skills that the Society for Human Resource Management (SHMR) considers key:
- Communication
- Interpersonal skills including using tact with sensitive subjects
- Discretion (you will be handling personal information)
- Organization and attention to detail
- Proficiency in general office, human resource information systems, and payroll management software
Note that all but the last item are soft skills.
- Highly Organized
- Interpersonal Communication Skills
- Business Administration
- Office Program Knowledge
- Employment Legislation
Human resources assistant resume education example
Becoming an HR assistant is a great place to start. You will need at least an associate’s degree in human resources or a related field. The education section of your human resources assistant resume is a simple listing of this degree and any other academic degrees you have.
If you have any certificates, such as computer proficiency, you may list those here as well. Here you'll find the education section from our resume sample.
2004-2008 Boston College, Bachelor of Communications Boston, MA
2000-2004 Newton North High School, Newton, MA
Resume layout and design: Make a visual impression
Presentation isn’t everything, but it can make or break your candidacy. First impressions can be hard to overcome (and you may not get that chance) so make your human resources assistant resume layout look as good as the writing sounds.
The goal is a memorable look that speaks to your professionalism and organization. If you’ve read resumes, you know what makes information stand out and what is an impediment to clear reading. Apply that knowledge to your own layout.
To make your life easier, use one of our field-tested resume templates to give you a foundation for your design and complete the tedious work of formatting for you.
Key takeaways for a human resources sssistant resume
- Becoming an HR assistant is the first rung on your human resources career.
- Approachability is key to success in human resources, so show off your professional style in your summary.
- Take the ATS into account by personalizing your entire CV to help you get your application past this software hurdle.
- The online resume builder can make your life a lot easier. Simply paste in your information to get started.
