How to Write a Human Resources (HR) CV in 2024

Human Resource professionals and departments are at the centre of changing workplace dynamics. The pandemic propelled them into unfamiliar territory, where they must navigate challenges such as managing remote teams and addressing heightened employee anxieties. Looking ahead, HR trends encompass a broad spectrum, including diversity, equity, and inclusion, employee wellbeing programs, remote work, employee experience, AI and automation, digitised processes, and pay transparency. All these trends are something to keep in mind when writing your HR CV.

The HR field provides a range of career options, spanning from an HR assistant to specialised or senior roles like an HR advisor. Another avenue is becoming an HR generalist, handling recruiting, payroll management, or administration tasks. A well-crafted, keyword-strong CV tailored to your career goals is crucial in today's competitive job market. Various career paths include but are not limited to:

• Recruitment, Learning and Development

• HR Administration

• HR Coordinator

• HR Manager

• HR Business Partner (HRBP)

• Employee Relations/Industrial Relations (ER/IR)

• Merger and Acquisition (M&A) HR

• Organisational Development, Diversity & Inclusion

• HR Director, Business Performance Management

• Compliance, HR Analytics

• HR Consultant

• HR Specialist, Onboarding

• Chief People Officer (CPO)

• Chief HR Officer (CHRO).

Human Resources CV Example

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As an established HRBP with a CIPD Level 5 certification, Natalie has a proven track record of crafting and executing successful HR strategies that drive business growth. Her strengths are building strong relationships, managing projects efficiently, handling change adeptly, and driving continuous improvement. The Auckland CV template allowed her to present this information professionally while being visually appealing.

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What to include in an HR CV?

A company's success relies heavily on its workforce, making the role of HR essential. As the heart of any organisation, HR should prioritise an employee-centric approach, ensuring employees feel valued. The HR department manages staff as human assets, not just as part of operational systems. They're strategic partners, directing projects to support the organisation's mission.

When it comes to creating a CV, it’s very important to tailor it to the specific to ensure success when applying for jobs. You should thoroughly research the company culture and the job’s key requirements. Before you do this, we suggest creating a master CV as a foundation, followed by a job-specific CV. This approach can help you effectively organise your experiences, skills, and achievements and present them in the most relevant way to the job you are applying for. 

To learn more, see the cornerstone article on how to write a good CV.

Personal profile for an HR CV

A personal profile, summary, or HR personal statement provides a quick overview of who you are and what you can bring to the table. Ideally, it should comprise 4 to 6 lines highlighting your essential skills, experiences, and achievements. Emphasise your soft skills in a summary section. As for the hard and technical skills, create a separate section called 'Skills' or 'Hard skills' and include them there. To learn more, read the article on how to write a personal profile on a CV.

For more tips, check out the following CV examples:

• Recruitment CV

• Talent Acquisition CV

• Consutant CV.

Elevate your CV with the best HR skills

Incorporate key HR skills into your CV to enhance ATS compatibility and provide employers with a brief snapshot of your expertise. Choose your top skills that demonstrate your capacity to contribute valuable abilities to the organisation. This not only improves your CV's chances of passing through ATS, which filters applications based on job post keywords but also ensures relevance to the employer.

Examples of HR soft skills on a CV:

• Communication

• Decision making

• Conflict resolution

• Administration

• Adaptability.

Examples of HR hard skills on a CV:

• Recruitment and talent acquisition

• Employee relations and engagement

• Compensation and benefits

• Training and development

• HR analytics and reporting.

Learn more about what skills to put on a CV.

Showcase relevant work experience on your HR CV

A successful HR CV requires more than simply listing your job responsibilities in bullet form. This document aims to provide potential employers with a clear understanding of your abilities and experience tailored to your career aspirations. To achieve this, it is essential to present your work experience in a concise, relevant manner, highlighting not only what you did but also what you achieved. For more information, read the article on how to write work experience on a CV.

HR Assistant, Pixalate, London, UK | 2019 - 2022

Applied strong administration skills to assist throughout the recruitment process, including posting job vacancies, CV screening, scheduling interviews, and conducting background checks. Collaborated with HR manager to create onboarding documents, completed paperwork, conducted orientations, and ensured compliance with company policies and procedures. Maintained employee records and updated HR databases, ensuring accuracy and confidentiality.

• Implemented a new applicant tracking system, resulting in a 20% reduction in time to fill job vacancies.

• Coordinated and conducted a company-wide employee engagement survey, resulting in a 10% increase in overall employee satisfaction.

HR graduate, University of Birmingham, UK | 2023

Recent graduate with a strong academic foundation in HR. Possesses knowledge in recruitment, onboarding, and HR administration. Quick learner with a proactive approach and a commitment to maintaining confidentiality and ethical standards. Eager to apply academic learning in a practical HR setting, contributing positively to team objectives and gaining hands-on experience in diverse HR functions.

• Completed a comprehensive range of HR courses with distinction, showcasing a solid understanding of key concepts in recruitment, onboarding, and HR administration.

• Maintained an impressive academic record, consistently achieving high grades and demonstrating a commitment to excellence in the field of Human Resources.

HR Advisor, Pixalate, London, UK | 2019 - 2023

Provided expert guidance on employee relations, performance management, and policy implementation. Conducted thorough investigations and successfully resolved workplace conflicts. Collaborated with management to align HR strategies with organisational goals. Contributed to the development and implementation of policies and procedures. Demonstrated proficiency in advising on best practices, ensuring legal compliance, and fostering a positive workplace culture.

• Successfully managed and resolved complex workplace conflicts, showcasing strong interpersonal and conflict-resolution skills.

• Collaborated with organisational management to align HR strategies with overall business goals, contributing to the development and implementation of policies that supported the company's objectives.

If you have no experience or have recently graduated in HR, utilising a skills-based CV format for an entry-level HR position is advisable. Moreover, if your hobbies and interests are relevant to your career goals, incorporating them can help capture the attention of recruiters or hiring managers. You can make a strong impression as a candidate by emphasising your skills and qualifications. Refer to the following CV examples and writing guides for more inspiration.

• Student CV

• Gradute CV

• Internship CV.

List education, qualifications, or professional training on your HR CV

In an HR CV, education is a testament to your proficiency, expertise, and qualifications. This helps set you apart from other candidates who may possess different levels of education or credentials. Use it to demonstrate further your relevant experience and prove you’re a qualified candidate. To learn more, read our article on how to write education on a CV.

Master of Business Administration in Human Resource Management, University of Edinburgh, 2016 - 2017

Bachelor of Arts in Business Studies with Human Resource Management, University of Warwick, 2012 - 2016

Boost your CV with HR courses and certificates

When listing HR certificates on a CV in the UK, it is essential to include the certificate's name, the awarding body, the certification date, and any relevant accreditation information.

CIPD Certificate in Human Resource Practice, Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, 2020

In addition, you can opt to include a section called associations. See an example below on how to do so. Including the CIPD qualification indicates that the candidate has achieved a recognised professional standard, which is highly valued in the HR industry. Read the article on how to list courses and certificates on a CV to learn more.

Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), 2018 - present)

Key takeaways

Crafting a CV that effectively showcases your experience, skills, and accomplishments can be challenging for anyone. However, you can differentiate yourself from other candidates with the right approach, tools, and expertise.

Next steps?

By adhering to a structured CV writing process, conducting research, and leveraging relevant skills, you can increase your chances of securing more interviews. If you are not a strong writer or require additional inspiration, contact our team of CV writers or browse our CV examples page for further guidance.

Additionally, refer to our related blog article on the highest-paying jobs in the UK for more information on career prospects and average salary for human resources roles.

FAQ

What is the best HR CV structure and format?

The best structure and format typically follow a professional and clean layout that is easy to read and understand. Make sure you use consistent font type and size throughout while writing concise sentences to make the CV easy to scan. Finally, a CV should be no more than two pages. Refer to the below articles for more information:

• How long should a CV be?

• Chronological CV format.

What are the best CV templates for human resources jobs?

There is no perfect CV template, but rather, the structure and content of a CV will help you land more interviews. We provide expertly designed CV templates, making your writing process even more accessible. You can create, edit, and customise CVs and cover letters without worrying about formatting issues in the professional CV builder.

Do I need CIPD level 5 to work in the UK? 

A CIPD level 5 is not equivalent to a degree but a professional qualification that enhances credibility and career prospects. In the UK, a degree in HR is often required, but with no experience or education, you could start your HR career in entry-level positions.