What Should I be Sure to Include on a Human Resources Resume?

human-resources-resume If you want to build a successful human resources resume but are not sure what information to include, you are not alone. There is an art to tailoring your background, education and experience to match a specific career. Because the human resources field requires a wide range of talents, skills, strengths and experience, it can be difficult to determine what to include and what is safe to leave out. If you are having trouble structuring your resume, the below guide can give you some ideas on how to make it stand up to your competition.

Communication Skills

The first thing you will need to highlight on your human resources resume is your ability to communicate effectively. Because you will be interviewing potential candidates, writing job postings and handling employee relations, your ability to get your message across verbally and through the written word is crucial. In many situations, you will be the gatekeeper for the company. You will need to be able to communicate with clients, senior executives, job seekers and your own peers. To give your resume an added boost and show how right you are for the job, you should highlight any additional languages you speak.

Educational Background

Since most jobs in human resources require a bachelor’s degree, the next thing you should focus on is your degree and major. If you majored in business, human resources management, accounting or a related field, this information should appear in a prominent location. High GPA scores, paid or unpaid internships, awards and memberships in recognized honor societies can also bolster your resume.

Job-Based Skills

While human resource administrators typically work with people, it is important that they show their competency with computers and technology. If you are Internet savvy and a social media guru, you should definitely include this information. Highlight any experience you have with Microsoft Office, human resource management software or payroll software. Lastly, look for examples in your employment history where you displayed leadership skills, managed projects or supervised employees.

Professional Associations

Joining an association for human resource professionals is a great way to network and show dedication to your career. These groups can provide you with easy access to events, networking opportunities, training, workshops and career services. If you are a member of any national or local professional associations, be sure to include that information on your resume. If you would like to become a member of the largest human resources organization, you can learn about the Society for Human Resource Management at http://www.shrm.org/.

Resource: Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Student Chapters

Keywords to Include on Human Resources Resumes

What many job seekers do not realize is that human beings are not the only ones reading resumes. In a large company, a machine might sort resumes before they make it into human hands. Hiring managers use these machines to scan for keywords related to the position. Because of this, you should be aware of the most popular keywords in your industry. You can search current job listings and consult a thesaurus for ideas. For a human resources resume, think of words that relate to communication, networking, payroll, employment law and benefits.