Human Resources Resume Examples and Writing Tips

Key sections to include in an HR resume

Human resources is a broad umbrella term and encompasses many different job titles, so each resume is going to be a bit different.

However, like our human resource resume template above, every resume should include a header, resume summary, work history, education, and skills – with extra optional sections if you have something important to add.

Let’s go over the main sections of an HR resume and take a look at some realistic examples for inspiration.

Your resume header will be brief but powerful as it contains vital contact details. This short section must accurately convey all the information the recruiter needs to get in touch if they want to schedule an interview.

Your header should contain:

Full name
Job title
Phone number
Email address
Location (city and state)
LinkedIn URL

Here’s an example header for an HR generalist:

Alice Sullivan
Human Resources Generalist
555-3177
alicesull@example.com
Madison, WI
linkedin.com/alicesullivan/

Resume objective or summary

Next, let’s craft a good resume summary. This is a quick description of your history and achievements and it’s the main thing the hiring manager reads when they pick up a resume – but you already know that.

Here’s an example of an HR resume summary:

“Dedicated HR generalist with 6 years of professional experience, skilled in hiring, retention, and engagement. Keen knowledge of employee benefits, payroll, and performance management. Focused attention to detail and a data-driven approach ensure that Rising Star retains high-performing employees for years to come.”

Heard the term “resume objective?” They aren’t very common and are mainly reserved for students and people with no work experience. These descriptions detail your goals, rather than your experience.

Work experience

This section must stand out and grab the recruiter’s attention – it’s the single most important element in your resume. Make sure you list your most relevant job roles and impressive work achievements to convey just how qualified you are.

Start by providing your job title, and then add the company name, location, and date of employment. Underneath, list three to four of your top accomplishments in the role.

Here’s an example work entry for a human resources resume:

HR Generalist
Abraham Collins Inc., Green Bay, WI
December 2020 – January 2024

Implemented new applicant tracking system and trained teammates on proper use, increasing productivity by 20% and quality of hire by 10%
Managed payroll and HR functions for an organization of 30 employees
Developed training programs to encourage continuous improvement and professional growth, increasing performance by 15%

Education

Most human resource resumes should have at least a bachelor’s degree, with more advanced roles requiring up to a master’s degree, so be sure to include yours.

This section shouldn’t be long and complicated; simply state your degree, the institution, its location, and the dates you attended.

Here’s a quick example:

Bachelor of Business Administration, Human Resources Management
University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI
September 2014 – May 2018

Hard skills

People skills are essential, but an HR resume needs to detail your technical skills, too. It’s crucial to have software proficiency, recruiting experience, and detailed knowledge of employment laws to succeed in a human resources role.

Here are some of the top hard skills HR professionals need to thrive:

HRIS technologies
Change management
Training and development
Employee engagement and retention
Recruitment
Workforce planning
Employment law
Negotiation

Soft skills

Interpersonal skills are foundational for a strong human resources professional. People are your business, so it’s vital to possess strong communication, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills.

Other soft skills are also important to consider, such as organization and time management. HR professionals typically need to juggle at least four different functions per week, including hiring, payroll, benefits, and compliance.

Here are the main soft skills to consider for your HR resume:

Communication
Organization
Time management
Conflict resolution
Adaptability
Leadership and people management
Decision-making
Problem-solving

Optional sections

Optional sections aren’t necessary, but they help convey extra qualifications (especially for job seekers with less work experience).

Bonus sections include:

Languages
Hobbies and interests
Certificates
Volunteer work

If you have any human resources certificates, be sure to list them. A PHR Certification (Professional in Human Resources) is a common certificate for HR personnel and adds extra authority to your resume.

It’s also a good idea to add any extra languages you’re proficient in. If you’re conversational or higher in another language, it will help you communicate with more employees in the company. The ability to speak to them in their native language will also make them more comfortable.

The sky’s the limit when it comes to optional sections – if it showcases your professional experience and history, it’s a solid addition to your resume. For more ideas on what extra sections to add, check our resume examples.

Tips for writing an HR resume

You’ve now laid a solid foundation for your human resources resume, but we can make it even better. Our tips and tricks help you add that little extra something that makes your resume jump out.

Include your area of expertise

Not everyone is writing an HR generalist resume. Human resources is a massive umbrella term, so it pays to be specific. There are many job titles in HR:

Talent acquisition specialist
Recruiter
Trainer
Learning and development specialist
Finance specialist
Chief diversity officer
Analyst

Make your job title clear in your header and in each work entry. Make sure you make your work achievements highly relevant to the role, too.

Reflect on your own experience

As a human resources professional, chances are you’ve been on the recruiter's end of the hiring process. Use this to your advantage and leverage your own experience.

Consider what you make hiring decisions on and apply those to your resume. Ask yourself what makes you qualified and unique. Why would you hire yourself?

Your experience is valuable and helps you see things from the hiring manager’s point of view.

Tailor your resume to each position

No resume is perfect for every situation, so make sure you tweak yours for each application. One of the biggest resume mistakes is using one resume for every job ad – this lack of customization might save time, but it won’t get you the job.

Read the job posting carefully and include the skills and experiences it mentions. Try to mirror its terminology to build a great ATS resume and pass right by applicant tracking systems.

Ready for more? Browse our large collection of resume articles for extra resume advice and guides.

Use your HR skills to build a great human resources resume

It can be intimidating to be on the job seeker side of recruitment, but you have the skills needed to land an amazing HR role. Follow our tips to create an outstanding human resources resume:

Write an impactful resume summary
Include relevant, engaging work experience
Focus on soft skills and include key hard skills
Convey additional certificates and skills in optional sections
Use your own experience to speak directly to recruiters

Ready to leverage your HR know-how and our actionable advice? Head over to CVwizard’s Resume Builder to make an attractive, ATS-friendly resume today.