How To Write a Human Resources Manager Resume
As a human resources manager, you know how important it is to make a lasting impression on potential employers, and you need to craft a resume that will do just that. In this guide, we’ll delve into key strategies for creating a standout resume that highlights your experience, achievements, and the unique value you bring. We’ll provide expert advice and human resources manager resume examples to set you up for success.
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
1. Craft an outstanding profile with a summary of your human resources qualifications
Take a concise and intentional approach to writing your resume profile. Using 2-3 sentences, emphasize relevant experience and achievements likely to impress hiring managers. To make the HR manager position specific, mine keywords from the job description and integrate them into your profile to demonstrate a strong alignment with the role. This paragraph should feature your talent acquisition, employee relations, and performance management expertise. Mention your years of experience and ability to deliver measurable results, enticing readers to dig deeper into your resume.
Senior-Level Profile Example
Forward-looking HR Manager with 12 years of experience. Strong background building successful HR departments from the ground up. Skilled at guiding diversity recruiting initiatives and providing employee resources to support the growth of enterprise organizations. Adapt readily to new work challenges and industry conditions. Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR).
Entry-Level Profile Example
Service-oriented HR Manager with seven years of experience. Strong background implementing HRIS technologies to make companies more efficient and effective. Naturally curious and committed to gaining and applying new expertise.
2. Add a compelling section featuring your human resources experience
Your professional experience section should do more than list your responsibilities; it needs to demonstrate your impact in previous roles. The best way to illustrate your influence is by quantifying your experience wherever possible. Include specific numbers and percentages to show the scope and magnitude of your contributions as an HR manager. As you write each bullet point, use action verbs to make them more engaging. By highlighting tangible results and using dynamic language, you convey your ability to drive successful HR initiatives, improve processes, and foster a positive work environment. This approach ensures that your professional experience section grabs the attention of employers and demonstrates your value as a human resources manager.
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example
HR Director, Alita Technologies Inc., San Francisco, CA | October 2016 to Present
[$300M technology corporation with 7,000 employees in 5 countries]
- Set overarching HR strategy, oversee a team of 35 HR business partners, and meet with C-level leaders to define company growth objectives
- Develop leadership training programs and coach and mentor department leaders on raising team engagement and performance, which has helped improve the employee satisfaction rate by over 25%
- Spearhead diversity recruiting initiatives to acquire and retain top talent in the tech industry
- Drive efforts to build work cultures centered on DEI, including planning and implementing training programs on cultural awareness and sensitivity
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example
Assistant HR Manager, Avail Dental Insurance, New York, NY | June 2016 to October 2018
[Boutique insurance firm with 100+ employees]
- Served as point of contact for HR matters and found solutions to employee conflicts and compensation issues, reducing talent turnover rate by over 25%
- Helped hire and train over 15 new employees
- Created a new performance appraisal system
- Standardized training processes
- Created a database to increase knowledge-sharing
3. Outline your education and human resources-related certifications
Educational credentials validate your knowledge, expertise, and commitment to the HR field. You can demonstrate mastery by including your most relevant academic achievements on your resume. Starting with your highest level of education, list the degree name, institution, location, and completion date.
Create another section to include certifications such as Society for Human Resource Management-Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) or Professional in Human Resources (PHR) to show your proficiency in HR competencies. Including these qualifications on your resume instills confidence in hiring managers that you’re well-equipped to handle the complexities of the role. Format this section similarly, listing the certificate title, issuing organization, and date received.
Certifications
Template
- [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Example
- Professional in Human Resources (PHR), Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI), 2017
Education
Template
- [Degree Name]
- [SCHOOL NAME], [City, State Abbreviation] [Dates Enrolled]
Example
- Bachelor of Science (BS) — Human Resource Management
- TEMPLE UNIVERSITY, Philadelphia, PA | 2013
4. Include a list of skills and proficiencies related to human resources
A key skills section is a crucial component of your resume. This list of skills provides employers with a snapshot of your professional capabilities. After reading the job description of the role you’re applying for, determine which skills they’re looking for in a candidate and create a skills section that meets their needs. Here’s a list of examples to give you an idea of what you could include on your human resources manager resume:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) | Benefits & Compensation |
| Change Management | Cross-Functional Coordination |
| Employee Engagement | Employee Relations |
| HR Administration | Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) |
| Legal & Corporate Compliance | New Employee Onboarding |
| Operations Management | Organizational Development |
| Payroll Administration | Performance Management |
| Policy Development & Interpretation | Project & Program Management |
| Succession Planning | Staff Training & Development |
| Talent Acquisition & Retention | Workers’ Compensation |
How To Pick the Best Human Resources Manager Resume Template
When you’re ready to write your resume, you’ll need to select a template to lay the foundation for your document. The best resume template for a human resources manager is clean and orderly. It should direct the reader’s attention to your most relevant professional information and have a simple, organized design. Avoid overly decorative fonts and loud graphics that may distract from the content of your resume. Remember, the goal is to present a visually appealing and well-structured resume that effectively highlights your HR expertise and credentials to capture the attention of hiring managers.
Human Resources Manager Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
- Example #1
- Example #2
- Example #3
Allison Rosenberg
(123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | Philadelphia, PA 12345 | linkedin.com/in/yourname
Profile
Collaborative HR Manager with ten years of experience. Proven record of developing performance management strategies to raise operational efficiency. Skilled at creating communication systems to improve cross-functional alignment. Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). Bilingual: Fluent in English and Spanish.
Professional Experience
HR Manager, Murdock Mortgage Firm, Philadelphia, PA | October 2016 to Present
[Financial firm with 1,000+ employees]
- Identify and select vendors to outsource IT functions, which has reduced yearly costs by $2M
- Coordinate all talent management and succession planning, consistently maintaining a retention rate of over 95%
- Led transition to remote workflows during the global pandemic, created Covid-19 safety protocols and testing requirements, and coordinated with senior leaders to provide HR support to maintain team morale
HR Manager, Anderson & Roberts Legal Associates, Philadelphia, PA | June 2013 to October 2016
[Prestigious legal firm with 300+ associates]
- Improved employee onboarding processes, which led to a 50% reduction in the new-hire turnover rate
- Ensured compliance with federal and state labor laws and employment regulations, with no violations during full 3+ years of employment
- Led the recruitment and build-out of the marketing department
- Spearheaded change management efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)
Key Skills
- Change Management
- HR Department Strategy
- Organizational Development
- Quality Assurance
- Staff Recruiting & Retention
- Succession Planning
- Talent Management
- Vendor Contract Negotiations
Education
Bachelor of Science (BS) — Human Resource Management, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA | 2013
Certifications
Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI)
- Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) | 2017
- Professional in Human Resources (PHR) | 2014
Language
Fluency in Spanish
Frequently Asked Questions: Human Resources Manager Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for Human Resources Manager resumes?-
We understand writing the professional experience section of your resume can be challenging. You may need more words to convey what you achieved in your previous roles. To help you overcome this roadblock, we've put together a list of common action verbs you can use to illustrate your accomplishments. These dynamic verbs add depth and impact to your bullet points, allowing you to present your contributions in the HR field confidently. Consider using some of the words below to punch up your human resources manager resume:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Analyze | Collaborate |
| Conduct | Coordinate |
| Design | Develop |
| Enhance | Evaluate |
| Execute | Generate |
| Implement | Improve |
| Manage | Monitor |
| Oversee | Plan |
| Provide | Resolve |
| Streamline | Support |
How do you align your resume with a job description?-
Over the next decade, the human resource specialist industry is projected to grow 8 percent. HR managers can expect nearly 60,000 new jobs to emerge by 2031. As HR professionals work to meet this demand, applicants must impress hiring managers with their resumes. Especially if you're interested in one specific position, aligning your resume with the job description is vital. Study the posting for the job you want and pull keywords and phrases to incorporate into your resume. Prioritize the skills and qualifications employers seek to meet their needs and position yourself as the best candidate.
What is the best Human Resources Manager resume format?-
The chronological resume format is generally the most appropriate choice for human resources managers. This format allows you to show how your career has grown and evolved while highlighting your relevant HR experience. Most professionals will be able to use this format without issue. Alternatively, the functional format is another option that puts less emphasis on work experience and more on qualifications and skills. The functional format could be a good choice if you're moving into human resources from another profession or need to compensate for employment gaps. A third option is the combination format, offering a blend of both styles. The combination resume is best suited for small career moves to similar positions. With all that said, choose a resume style that best suits your needs.
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In a competitive job market, crafting a strong cover letter is essential to increase your chances of securing an interview. The key to a compelling cover letter is to customize it for the specific organization you’re interested in. Learn how to write your own with our human resources cover letter guide. For more examples, look at our related cover letter guides for recruiters and business analysts.
