How to Make a Resume for a Job in Human Resources

So, you want a job in Human Resources (HR)? Great! You'll need more than just the right skills. You need a resume that really shows what you can do. Think of your resume as your first impression. It’s your chance to grab their attention and show them you're the one. This guide will show you how to make a resume for a human resources job that gets noticed and gets you that interview.

Understanding HR and What They Expect

Before we get started, let's talk about HR today. The HR world is always changing. Things like talent management and employee engagement are super important now. You need to show you get it. Your resume needs to prove you know what's up.

What Skills Do HR People Need?

Okay, so what should you put on your human resources resume? Think about these skills. And make sure to match them to the specific job you want:

• Recruiting and Finding Talent: Finding people, doing interviews, and getting them on board.
• Employee Stuff: Helping with problems, making sure everyone is treated fairly, and keeping things positive.
• Pay and Goodies: Managing paychecks, benefits, and making sure everything follows the rules.
• Training: Making training programs and helping people learn.
• Checking Performance: Giving feedback and helping people do better.
• Following the Rules: Making sure you follow all the laws and company rules.
• HR Tech: Knowing how to use computer systems like Workday or Oracle HCM.
• Talking to People: Being able to talk and write well and get along with others.
• Solving Problems: Looking at HR data and figuring out solutions.
• Thinking Big: Helping HR fit into the company's overall goals.

Making Your HR Resume: Step by Step

Let's break down how to make a human resources resume that rocks!

1. Pick the Right Style

How you set up your resume matters. It needs to be easy to read. Here are a few ways to do it:

• The Timeline (Chronological): List your jobs from newest to oldest. Great if you've had a steady career.
• Skills First (Functional): Focus on what you're good at, not just where you worked. Good if you have gaps in your work history or want to change careers.
• Mix It Up (Combination): A bit of both! Show your skills and your work history.

For most HR jobs, the timeline or mixed style works best. It shows your experience and what you can do. Think about what the job needs and what you're good at.

2. Make Your Header Awesome

Your header is your contact info. Make it clear:

• Your Name: Make it a bit bigger and use a professional font.
• Phone: One where people can actually reach you.
• Email: Keep it professional ([email protected]).
• LinkedIn: If it's good, link to it!
• Where You Are: City and state are enough. No need for your full address.

3. Write a Killer Summary

This is your chance to shine! It's a short intro to who you are. Think about this:

• Summary (Experienced): Got years in HR? Highlight what you've done and the skills that matter. Example: "HR pro with 8+ years doing recruiting, employee stuff, and pay. I can create HR plans that get people excited and make the company better."
• Objective (Newbie): Just starting out? Focus on your skills, excitement, and what you want to do. Example: "Recent grad with HR knowledge looking for a junior HR job where I can help a company grow!"

4. Talk About Your Work

This is the most important part of your human resources resume. For each job, list:

• Job Title: What you were actually called.
• Company: The full company name.
• Dates: When you started and ended.
• What You Did: Show how you made a difference! Use strong words and numbers to prove it. What did you achieve?

Example:

HR Person | ABC Company | January 2018 – Now

• Hired people for all kinds of jobs, cutting down hiring time by 15%.
• Made a new training program that made people 20% more likely to stay.
• Managed employee benefits and made sure we followed all the rules.
• Fixed employee issues fairly and kept the workplace happy.

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to tell your stories. It helps show what you did and why it mattered.

5. Show Off Your Education

List your schools from newest to oldest:

• Degree: Like "Bachelor's in HR."
• What You Studied: "Human Resources Management."
• School Name: Full name of the university.
• When You Graduated: Month and year.
• GPA (Optional): Only if it's good (above 3.5).

You can also add classes or certifications here if they're relevant.

6. List Your Skills

Make a section just for skills. Use words from the job posting to match what they want. Group them like this:

• HR Computer Systems: Workday, SAP, etc.
• Recruiting Tools: LinkedIn Recruiter, etc.
• Knowledge of Rules: FLSA, ADA, EEO, OSHA.
• HR Skills: Recruiting, employee stuff, pay, training, etc.
• People Skills: Talking, problem-solving, leading, teamwork.

7. Certifications and Training

Got HR certifications like SHRM-CP or PHR? List them! They show you're serious. Also, add any workshops or courses you've taken.

8. Make It Fit the Job

The most important resume tip? Change your resume for each job! Read the job posting carefully. What skills do they want? Make sure your resume shows you have them. Use their words! This helps your resume get through computer systems (ATS) and get noticed.

9. Check for Mistakes!

Typos make you look bad. Proofread! Ask a friend to read it too. Use a grammar checker.

10. Make It ATS-Friendly

Many companies use computers (ATS) to scan resumes. To get past them:

• Use words from the job posting.
• Keep it simple.
• No tables or images.
• Save it as a PDF.

Extra Tips for an Amazing HR Resume

• Use Numbers: Show how you made a difference with numbers. "Increased employee happiness by 15%."
• Use Action Words: Start sentences with strong words like "Managed," "Developed," "Improved."
• Focus on Results: What good things happened because of you?
• Be Professional: Keep it positive and serious.
• Keep It Short: One or two pages is best.
• Pick a Good Font: Easy to read, like Arial or Times New Roman.
• Use White Space: Make it look clean and easy on the eyes.

Use LinkedIn to Find a Job

LinkedIn is great for job application and meeting people. Make sure your LinkedIn is up-to-date and matches your resume. Use the right words to attract recruiters. Connect with other HR people. Use LinkedIn to learn about companies and find job openings.

Get Expert Help

Having trouble with your human resources resume? Get career advice from a coach or resume writer. They can help you create a resume that stands out. Many schools and groups offer career help too.

You Can Do It!

Making a great human resources resume takes work. But if you follow these tips, you can show off your skills and get that HR job you want! Remember to tailor your resume, proofread, and use LinkedIn. Good luck!