How to Write a Human Resources Manager Resume
As an HR manager, you know how important it is to impress potential employers, and you need a resume that will do just that. In this guide, we’ll explore strategies for creating a standout resume that shows you can keep HR operations running smoothly. We’ll provide expert advice and HR manager resume examples to set you up for success. Let’s dive in and review how to improve your chances of securing your dream HR position.
1. Write a compelling profile summarizing your qualifications
In two to three sentences, your profile should emphasize relevant experience and achievements likely to impress hiring managers. Make it specific to HR management by featuring your expertise in areas like talent acquisition, employee relations, or performance management. Also mention your years of experience and ability to deliver measurable HR results.
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. Quickly adapt to new work challenges and industry conditions. Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR).
Entry-Level Profile Example:
Service-oriented HR Manager with 7 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 an accomplishment-driven professional experience section
Your experience section should do more than list your HR manager duties; it must also demonstrate the impact you made. The best way to illustrate your influence is by quantifying your experience. Include specific numbers and percentages to show the scope of your contributions. 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 experience section will grab the attention of employers and demonstrate your value as an HR 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. Include relevant education and certifications
Use the Education section to show you have a strong knowledge base relevant to managing HR. For each college degree, include any HR-related concentrations or courses such as business administration or communications.
Create another section to include certifications such as Society for Human Resource Management-Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) or Professional in Human Resources (PHR). Including qualifications like these on your resume assures hiring managers you’re equipped to handle the complexities of the role.
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. List relevant key skills and proficiencies
A key skills section lets you show employers the various ways you help hire, develop, and retain talented personnel. After reading the job description of the role you’re applying for, determine which skills they’re seeking 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 HR 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 directs the reader’s attention to your most relevant information through a simple, organized design. Avoid overly decorative fonts and graphics that may distract from the content of your resume. Remember, the goal is to present a visually appealing and well-structured resume that highlights your HR expertise and credentials.
Human Resources Manager Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
Years of Experience
- #1
- #2
- #3
Anthony Gentile
(123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | New York, NY 12345 | linkedin.com/in/yourname
Profile
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.
Professional Experience
HR Manager, Delta Dental, New York, NY | October 2018 to Present
[Largest dental practice in New York City with 1,000+ employees]
- Manage administration and dispersal of $5M+ in annual benefits and compensation
- Lead employee resource group and plan events to drive engagement, which has improved retention by 30%
- Oversee all HR functions, lead the response to any labor or compensation issues, drive recruitment initiatives, and manage employee onboarding
- Set overarching strategy for employee relations and cross-functional collaboration for support staff who work remotely
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
Key Skills
- Employee Relations
- HR Administration
- HRIS Technology
- Payroll Administration
- Process Improvement
- Talent Acquisition
Education
Bachelor of Science (BS) — Human Resource Management, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY | 2016
Certification
Professional in Human Resources (PHR), Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI) | 2017
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
Jasmine Brown
(123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | San Francisco, CA 12345 | linkedin.com/in/yourname
Profile
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).
Professional Experience
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
HR Manager, Westline Software Group, San Francisco, CA | June 2011 to October 2016
[Leading software company with 3,000+ employees]
- Developed and built the HR department, defined HR policies, and managed administration of $15M+ in payroll and benefits
- Helped hire and train over 500 new employees
- Managed all talent planning, performance management, and employee compensation and explored new ways to enhance hiring processes
Key Skills
- Change Management
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)
- Employee Relations
- Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS)
- Performance Management
- Policy Development & Enforcement
- Project & Program Management
- Talent Acquisition & Retention
Education
Bachelor of Science (BS) — Human Resource Management, University of San Francisco, CA | 2011
Certifications
Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI)
- Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) | 2016
- Professional in Human Resources (PHR) | 2013
Frequently Asked Questions: Human Resources Manager Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for Human Resources Manager resumes?+
We know writing your resume experience section can be difficult. You may find yourself running out of words to convey what you achieved in your previous roles. To help you over this roadblock, we've put together a list of common action verbs you can use to illustrate your accomplishments.
| 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 posting?+
Between 2021 and 2031, the HR management field is projected to grow 7 percent. HR managers can expect more than 12,000 new jobs to emerge during this period. As HR professionals work to meet this demand, applicants will need to impress hiring managers with their resumes. Especially if you're interested in one specific position, aligning your resume with the job post is vital. Study the posting for the job you want and pull keywords and phrases to incorporate with your resume. Prioritize the skills and qualifications employers are looking for in order to meet their needs and position yourself as the best candidate.
What is the best Human Resources Manager resume format?+
In nearly all cases, you should use a Combination (or Hybrid) resume, because it’s easiest for hiring managers to learn about your pertinent skills and experience – it’s also easiest for you to align with your job goals. With the Combination format, you highlight your most relevant skills and experience in your Experience or Work History section and an intro section. (This combination of work history and intro content is where the format gets its name.) Your resume intro should include a Profile summary and Key Skills section, and you may also add a Career Highlights or Awards section. By carefully choosing the details for these intro sections, you can (a) position yourself for your target job, and (b) give hiring managers a clear, quick view of what you offer.
Expert Advice: Include a cover letter with your resume
Crafting a strong cover letter increases your chances of an interview. The key to a good cover letter is to customize it for the specific organization you’re interested in. Learn how to write yours with our Human Resources (HR) cover letter guide. For more examples, take a look at our related cover letter guides for recruiters and business analysts.
