4 Human Resources Manager Examples & Templates

An HR manager resume is crafted to highlight an individual's expertise in managing human resources functions, enhancing employee relations, and implementing effective HR strategies. It emphasizes the candidate's skills in talent acquisition, employee development, and compliance with labor laws, as well as experience in handling complex HR issues and driving organizational change. The resume for HR managers showcases specific achievements in streamlining recruitment processes, improving employee engagement, and optimizing HR operations.

My name is Danuta Detyna, and I'm a dedicated career expert and Certified Resume Writer. I’m here to assist you in creating an impactful HR manager resume that captures your professional strengths. Below, you'll find several examples of HR manager resumes tailored for different levels of experience.

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HR Manager Resume Example

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Entry-Level / Junior HR Manager Resume Example

An entry-level or junior HR manager is typically new to the field and is gaining experience in various HR functions. They are eager to learn and contribute to the team while developing their skills. Here's an entry-level HR manager resume sample that I’ve created for you:

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Middle HR Manager Resume Example

A middle-level HR manager has a few years of experience in the field and is proficient in various HR functions. They have developed a good understanding of HR operations and can handle more complex HR scenarios. Below, you can see a resume sample for a middle-level HR manager.

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Experienced / Senior HR Manager Resume Example

An experienced or senior HR manager has extensive experience in the field and is highly skilled in managing HR operations, leading HR teams, and handling complex HR issues. They are capable of ensuring high efficiency and effectiveness in various HR functions. Below, you can see a resume sample for a senior HR manager.

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Resume Templates for HR Managers

After analyzing 11 million resumes using the Zety Resume Builder, these are HR managers' top 3 resume template choices.

Cascade

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I recommend the Cascade resume template for HR managers due to its structured dual-column layout. This template excels in separating your contact details and skills on one side, with your professional experience and achievements on the other. Its clear design ensures that your expertise is presented in a concise, accessible format. This clean, minimalist resume template focuses on your qualifications and career accomplishments, ensuring a professional appearance without any unnecessary clutter.

Diamond

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For HR managers, the Diamond resume template stands out with its elegant two-column design. This layout provides a sophisticated framework for displaying your personal information and a professional summary on one side. The other side is dedicated to your detailed work history, education, and certifications. The Diamond template’s use of bullet points and section dividers not only enhances readability but also draws attention to your skills. Diamond’s modern resume design ensures that your resume looks polished and well-organized, making a strong impression on hiring managers.

Concept

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In my opinion, the Concept resume template is perfect for HR managers seeking a contemporary yet functional design. The single-column format, paired with a stylish sidebar, allows for a clear presentation of your contact details and key competencies. The main column offers ample space to elaborate on your work experience and professional achievements. The sleek design of the Concept template helps to highlight your abilities, making it easy for recruiters to see your comprehensive HR expertise at a glance. This visual resume template combines elegance with practicality, ensuring your resume stands out.

How to Write an HR Manager Resume:

1. Choose the Best Format for Your HR Manager Resume

From payroll to hiring to settling employee disputes, you’re going to have your hands full as an HR manager. You’ll need a good organizational method to keep it all straight.

Same on your resume for HR management—to ensure the employer is able to parse it, format the human resources manager resume in a sensible way.

Here are a few resume format rules to follow:

• Start with your phone number and contact info on a resume.
• Split up the parts of a resume into sections with big, legible headings.
• Choose the best resume format, which is usually the chronological resume layout.
• Pick the best font to use for a resume, and don’t crowd your resume with too much text.

Include these resume parts:

• Header: name, professional title, and contact information.
• Summary or Objective: share your resume’s best bits.
• Experience: focus on quantifiable achievements.
• Education: relevant schooling and qualifications.
• Skills: combine soft and hard skills that matter in HR.
• Other sections: such as memberships, personal interests, etc.

Pro Tip: Resume PDF or Word? Send your resume as a PDF unless the job ad explicitly requests one in Microsoft Word. The PDF ensures the resume layout renders correctly across any device.

2. Create the Perfect HR Manager Job Description for a Resume

Any good HR manager knows adding relevant work experience is the core of your resume. Not doing it right equals gross misconduct.

So, here’s how to nail your human resource manager job description:

• List your most recent job first, then the previous one, and so on.
• Place business titles on top, then dates worked, the company’s name, and a few (5 or 6) bullet points that detail your HR manager responsibilities.
• Start each bullet point with resume action words (e.g., spearheaded, initiated, etc.).
• Give them measurable achievements with numbers rather than just broad statements.
• Tailor your resume to one specific HR job instead of sending in a generic resume.

When detailing your experience as an HR manager, focus on your skills in employee management, recruitment, and organizational development. Check out these examples of responsibilities for a human resources manager resume:

HR Manager Keywords for a Resume

• Develop and implement HR strategies and initiatives aligned with the overall business strategy.
• Oversee the recruitment and selection process, including job postings, interviewing, and onboarding.
• Manage employee relations, addressing concerns, grievances, and disciplinary actions.
• Administer compensation and benefits programs, ensuring market competitiveness and compliance.
• Conduct performance appraisals, provide feedback, and develop improvement plans.
• Ensure compliance with labor laws and regulations, maintaining up-to-date knowledge of HR best practices.
• Facilitate training and development programs to enhance employee skills and career growth.
• Develop and maintain HR policies and procedures, ensuring consistency and fairness.
• Manage HRIS systems, ensuring accurate and timely employee data management.
• Lead organizational development initiatives to improve employee engagement and retention.

Don’t forget to use action verbs to communicate your responsibilities and accomplishments effectively. Here are some action verbs suitable for HR manager resumes:

HR Manager Resume Action Verbs

• Developed
• Implemented
• Oversaw
• Managed
• Administered
• Conducted
• Ensured
• Facilitated
• Led
• Maintained

Pro Tip: If you have HR experience, just not in HR management, you don’t need a no experience resume. Simply highlight those times as an HR specialist or assistant where you oversaw a certain project or managed a particular task—that’s HR management material.

3. Make Your HR Manager Resume Education Section Shine

Like a successful HR manager, you need a good retention strategy if you’re to keep the employer’s eyes on your resume. That means listing your educational background on a resume in a way that keeps them intrigued.

Here’s how to list your education on a human resource manager resume:

• Start with your most recent and highest degree at the top, and go backward from there (just like in the job description).
• Add your degree earned, college name, graduation date, and school location.
• Include extra details if relevant to HR manager jobs, relevant coursework, or Latin honors.
• Don’t include high school on your human resources manager resume if you’re still finishing university.

Pro Tip: As a human resource manager job applicant, relevant coursework doesn’t just mean HR-related classes. Be sure to include your lessons in leadership and business management, as well.

4. Highlight Your HR Manager Skills on Your Human Resources Manager Resume

Human resources manager roles, according to the BLS, are expected to increase by 5% between 2022 and 2032. That’s over 10,000 new HR managers to face for the job. To beat them—establish you’re better than the rest by creating the best HR manager skills resume section.

Each of your HR manager resumes should be different (remember: tailored!), so don’t insert just some random human resources skills into your resume.

Show due diligence by doing this instead:

• List both HR management-related soft skills and hard skills when adding professional skills to your resume.
• Get out the HR manager job description to which you are applying.
• To find the best keywords to use on a resume, highlight the skills they’re looking for in the job requirements section of the ad.
• If something on your list matches a highlighted skill from the job ad, put that on your resume!

And for some inspiration, I’ve created an HR manager skills list that you can take a look at below:

Sample Human Resources Manager Resume Skills

• Human Resource Administration
• Recruiting & Staffing
• Dispute Management
• Training & Onboarding
• Employee Relations
• Succession Planning
• Grievance & Dissatisfaction
• Payroll Systems
• Compensation & Benefits
• Health & Safety
• Company Policy Management
• Rules & Regulations Adherence
• Employee Retention
• Exit Interviews
• Confidentiality
• Behavioral Competency
• Attention to Detail
• Works Well Under Pressure
• Communication Skills
• Time Management Skills
• Problem-Solving Skills
• Leadership Skills
• Decision-Making Skills
• Critical Thinking Skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Collaboration Skills
• Management Skills

Read more: Employability Skills: Definition & Essential Examples

5. Add Other Sections to Your Human Resources Manager Resume

You’ve learned how to write a resume for a human resources manager. Well done!

However, every HR management applicant will include those above sections. To stand out as unique, include some choice extra sections.

Here are great additional options for a human resource manager resume:

• Certifications in a resume
• Foreign languages on a resume
• Project portfolio
• Job-related achievements
• Licenses & memberships
• Personal interests
• Volunteer experience

Read more: What Should You Put for Additional Information on Your Resume?

6. Write a Human Resources Manager Resume Summary or Objective

Your professional resume profile is another name for a resume objective or summary.

At just 3–4 lines long, this introduction works like an elevator pitch.

• Choose the human resource resume summary when you’ve had human resource manager roles in the past. The summary quickly introduces you to them, provides some background, and includes a numbered achievement to prove your HR skills.
• Choose the human resource resume objective when you’ve little HR manager experience. The objective statement offers up your career goals instead, though it still gives an accomplishment with numbers to validate your worth to them.

Whichever one you use, make sure it wows them. As their next HR manager, you will be responsible for hiring top employees. They won’t believe you’re capable if you, yourself, don’t offer up a compelling intro!

Pro Tip: The human resources manager resume objective or summary goes at the top, but don’t write it until the end. This way, you’ll know exactly what to sum up.

7. Attach an HR Manager Cover Letter to Resume for Human Resources Manager

How important is a cover letter? 83% of hiring managers say a covering letter is important for their decision-making process. So— Don’t hand in your resume without a human resources manager cover letter.

Here’s how to write a great HR manager cover letter:

• Pick the right cover letter format before beginning.
• Start with a compelling cover letter opening.
• Talk about your HR background and management experience.
• Add key achievements to quantify your skills to them.
• Finish with a strong cover letter conclusion and a call to action.
• Never send in a generic cover letter!

Pro Tip: Don’t forget following up on a job application afterwards. After that, get started preparing for the interview!

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:

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Check out other resume guides related to human resources and management:

• HR Director Resume Sample
• Human Resources Resume Sample
• General Manager Resume Sample
• HR Assistant Resume Sample
• HR Generalist Resume Sample
• HR Coordinator Resume Sample
• HR Specialist Resume Sample
• Entry Level HR Resume Sample
• Recruiting Coordinator Resume Sample
• Sample Resumes for Hundreds of Different Jobs

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This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines. We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.

Sources

• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/human-resources-managers.htm
• https://www.humanresourcesonline.net/are-cover-letters-important-83-of-recruiters-say-yes