Human Resources Resume Examples, Skills and Keywords
In human resources, teamwork and people skills are essential. If you're looking to start your career or shift into a new HR role, you'll need to write an excellent resume. Here's how to target the three most popular HR positions through the right skills and keywords.
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Human resources resume samples
Human resource professionals are vital to keeping big and small companies running smoothly. HR departments handle staffing, conflict resolution, compensation, and many other administrative tasks involved with employment. Depending on the size of a company, an HR department may be a single HR generalist or a collection of specialists and recruiters.
To get a job in HR, you’ll need to create a resume that shows you’re up to the specific job requirements. HR professionals are often held to a higher resume standard than people in other fields. That’s because they’re responsible for vetting and hiring people themselves. You’ll need to use your resume to prove that you understand the field — and work well with people.
Tailor your resume to the position you want. If you’re applying for several types of HR positions, then you should create a specific resume for each. A recruiting resume and an HR generalist resume should focus on different skills and experience.
Below are three human resources resume examples for the three most popular HR jobs: recruiter, entry-level human resources, and HR generalist. You can use these samples to help you put together your own eye-catching resume.
Recruiter Resume Example
Recruiters are responsible for finding qualified candidates for open jobs. Recruiters may work as part of an HR department or for consulting firms to help many clients fill available roles. Either way, they use their judgment and knowledge of the field to bring in new, quality employees. Many recruiters come from other HR roles that involve more work within the hiring process.
Recruiters need to have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to multitask. Most recruiters have many roles they’re trying to fill at one time. Your recruiter resume should focus on your people skills and your past success in filling positions.
This recruiter resume example shows how to list your past HR accomplishments in a clear and concise manner.
Entry-Level Human Resources Resume Example
Newly graduated human resources candidates often take entry-level positions to get hands-on experience. Entry-level HR roles help support larger departments. They usually handle routine administrative tasks and act as the first point of contact.
Teams hiring entry-level human resources don’t expect you to have years of experience. Instead, they want your resume to show how your education has prepared you for the role.
This entry-level human resources resume example demonstrates how to use your education and volunteer experience to appeal to employers.
HR Generalist Resume Example
Companies large and small hire HR generalists to handle the majority of human resources tasks. Generalists have a broad understanding of the field without focusing heavily on any one part. An excellent HR generalist may be the only human resources professional a small company needs.
Generalists have a unique challenge with their resumes. Instead of showing how they can do one specific thing, they need to demonstrate the breadth of their knowledge. Generalist resumes should make use of the job history section to showcase a wide variety of skills.
This human resources generalist resume example shows how to list your experience in HR without sounding generic.
Human Resources Resume Skills and Keywords
Human resources departments are responsible for hiring everyone a company needs. To make the job simpler, they use tools like applicant tracking systems (ATS). These systems filter out unqualified candidates based on human resources resume keywords. If your resume doesn’t include the right human resources skills and keywords, your application won’t be seen by a person. Using the correct terms in your resume can help you make it through the filters and into an interview.
Top Human Resources Skills
- Verbal and written communication
- Multitasking
- Leadership
- Mentoring
- Legal knowledge
- HR software
- Budgeting
- Empathy
- Organization
- Interviewing
- Conflict resolution
- Stress tolerance
- Compensation and benefits management
- Relationship management
- Corporate law
- Talent management
- Onboarding
- Recruitment
- Integrity
- Negotiation
- Active listening
- Constructive criticism
- Team building
- Applicant tracking systems
- Fair labor standards
- Statutory compliance
- Data analysis
- Customer service
- Microsoft Office
- Payroll
Human resources salaries depend on your experience and the size of the company. Typically, HR professionals with more knowledge or specialized skills make more than entry-level employees. If you’re in the HR field, you can expect salaries to increase as your resume expands. These median salaries give you an idea of what to expect.
Salary Expectations for Popular Human Resources Roles
Most HR positions require applicants to have a bachelor’s degree in human resources or psychology. There are enough concerns unique to HR that it can be challenging to transition into the field without experience or a relevant degree. A bachelor’s degree in HR will cover how hiring processes work, equal opportunity laws, and standard management policies.
Many HR professionals will get additional certifications after their degree. These certifications cover specific topics and help prepare you for new roles. They may focus on daily needs like relationship management or higher-level tasks like guiding the organization and setting goals.
Standard HR certifications include:
- The Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) – Certified Professional certificate (SHRM-CP)
- The SHRM-Senior Certified Professional certificate (SHRM-SCP)
- The Human Resources Certification Institute’s (HRCI) Professional in Human Resources certificate (PHR)
Adding these certificates to your resume shows employers that you’re serious about your job.