No other professional understands the power of a well-crafted human resources assistant resume better than you. After all, reviewing heaps of resumes is your daily bread and butter.
But what exactly makes a resume irresistible? Follow our comprehensive guide, brimming with the best writing tips, customizable templates, real-life resume samples, and detailed examples, and find out!
Keep reading to learn how to:
- Choose the most reliable layout for your HR assistant resume
- Write an impressive professional summary for your HR assistant CV
- Include the best skills in your human resources assistant resume
- Write the perfect job description section for your HR assistant resume
- Make your HR assistant education section stand out
- Pick the best extra sections for your HR assistant resume
- Access top resources for job-seeking HR assistants
1. Choose the most reliable layout for your HR assistant resume
Before you even start writing your CV, design the arrangement of your sections to ensure a low page count. Aim at not exceeding two pages, while maintaining your resume easy to navigate.
How to do it?
You may preferably use a two-column layout where your contact details, skills, language competencies, certifications or awards feature in the left column. This way, your professional profile, work experience and education sections can be presented on the right side.
Your resume will look professional and definitely more skim-friendly for someone who needs to browse through stacks of resumes on a daily basis.
Choose your preferred template and make your resume shine.
2. Write an impressive professional summary for your HR assistant CV
Your professional summary is what makes a hiring manager interested in reading the rest of your resume.
It encompasses your skills, experiences and quantified accomplishments in a nutshell.
What if you have no related work history? You can still focus more on your objective. Your drive and determination can certainly amaze any recruiter if you just put it right.
If you already have some related job experience, focus on the most relevant achievements in your roles.
Underperforming HR assistant professional summary
HR Assistant with experience in delivering employee training and designing work policies. Assisted in screening applications and improved the applicant tracking system.
Corrected HR assistant professional summary example
Enthusiastic HR Assistant with 2+ years of experience working in a company with over 150 employees. Skillfully delivered employee training, designed updated work policies and benefit programs. Assisted in screening applications and participated in decision-making processes. Increased daily productivity of our team by 12% through improving the applicant tracking system.
3. Include the best skills in your human resources assistant resume
HR has become a competitive field, and the need to hire self-driven HR assistants who are in line with company’s values is certainly growing. The same way as the number of applicants.
How to tower above other candidates?
Prove the employer that you possess the skills they have been looking for, and what is more, you are able to exceed their expectations.
In order to build a perfect skill-set for your HR assistant resume, always go back to the job posting and tailor your CV sections. Every position is different, and so are the competencies required by each employer.
Let us take a look at this excerpt from a job ad:
What we except
- You have great customer service skills
- You are able to work well in a team and mentor others.
- You are a great communicator (in spoken and in written).
- You can troubleshoot problems promptly and you can work well under pressure.
- You are a great organizer and you can expertly prioritize tasks.
- You are a responsible person who can handle confidentiality on a professional level.
- You have experience in scheduling.
- You are technology savvy.
- You have experience using the HRIS platform.
Based on these requirements, you may perfectly build the following soft and hard skills sections for your resume.
The best HR assistant soft skills
- Customer service skills
- Teamwork
- Outstanding spoken and written communication skills
- Problem solving
- Ability to work well under pressure
- Organization
- Time management
- Responsibility
- Confidentiality
- Diplomacy
- Patience
- Decision making
Effective HR assistant hard skills to put on your CV
- HRIS (Superior Proficiency)
- MS Office (Superior Proficiency)
- Payroll Systems
- Talent Acquisition Techniques
- Candidate Assessment
- Compensation and Benefits
4. Write the perfect job description section for your HR assistant resume
Writing an effective work experience description can be a head-scratcher.
Here’s what to be aware of when detailing your job experience:
- Refer back to the job posting and go through what is expected from you.
- Choose the most relevant duties and responsibilities you had in your role.
- Keep the number of bulleted points moderately low (maximum 6).
- Mention measurable achievements.
- Use powerful verbs such as manage, develop, enhance, mentor, increment, etc.
HR assistant work experience section example
Mark & Benson
Human Resources Assistant
2015–2018
- Delivered employee training, designed updated work policies and employee benefit programs.
- Assisted in screening applications and participated in decision-making processes.
- Programmed and administered 30+ daily aptitude tests.
- Incremented daily productivity of our team by 12% through improving the applicant tracking system.
5. Make your HR assistant education section stand out
Human Resources is a competitive field, and so being qualified in the field is undoubtedly an asset.
However, even if you do not possess a human resource related degree, other qualifications such as psychology, business management or education can be relevant.
As importance is mainly put on your interpersonal and organizational skills, you may show these through mentioning related academic achievements, areas of interest or relevant coursework.
Listing education on an HR assistant resume
University of Europe
BA in Psychology
2010–2013
- Excelled in Organizational Behavior
- Thesis: Conflict Management and Negotiation
- Relevant Coursework: Diversity and Multiculturalism, Organizational Behavior, Methods of Data Collection, Motivation, Individual’s Approach
6. Pick the best extra sections for your HR assistant resume
In the world of HR, being a well-rounded professional goes beyond the basic job requirements. That's why including extra sections in your HR assistant resume is crucial.
These additional sections provide valuable insights into your capabilities, interests, and dedication to professional growth.
Whether it's showcasing your involvement in professional development organizations like the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), highlighting your volunteer experience, or even listing your language proficiency, these extra sections help you stand out from the competition.
Choose extra sections that best fit your HR assistant resume:
- Certifications
- Qualifications
- Awards
- Projects
- Accomplishments
- Interests
- Volunteering Activities
- Testimonials from Employees
- Training
- Conferences
- Language Skills
Here's an example of how to list extra sections on your HR assistant resume
Professional development
- Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Membership
- Active member since 2018, attending workshops and conferences to stay updated on the latest HR trends and best practices.
- HR Certification Preparation Course
- Completed a comprehensive course covering key HR concepts and preparing for the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification exam.
Volunteer experience
- HR Intern, XYZ Non-Profit Organization
- Assisted the HR department in recruitment, onboarding, and employee engagement initiatives. Collaborated with team members to improve HR processes and enhance employee satisfaction.
Languages
- Fluent in Spanish
- Able to communicate effectively in both written and spoken Spanish, facilitating seamless communication with Spanish-speaking employees and stakeholders.
7. Top resources for job-seeking human resources assistants
Congratulations! The fact that you made it this far means that you're more than well-equipped to create a standout human resources assistant resume. But this alone won't be enough to secure the job you want. Because before you even start putting together your resume, you need to find a job posting to apply for:
- Industry-specific job boards: Websites targeted at HR experts, like SHRM’s HR Jobs or HRJobs, are the go-to sources of any HR professional. The best thing is, there's no need to sift through job postings that do nothing for you.
- Job search engines: Still, that doesn't mean that you should ignore platforms with broader reach! Glassdoor, Indeed, SimplyHired, or Monster are just a few drops in the sea of job search websites.
- Networking platforms: The right connection can lead you to opportunities faster than anything else. You can reach out to fellow HR experts or potential employers through platforms like XpertHR Community or LinkedIn. In case of the latter, consider joining specialized groups such as HR Professionals Association and Human Resources Management.
- Professional organizations: Organizations like SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management), National Human Resources Association, and Human Capital Institute (HCI) are treasure troves of job listings, professional training, networking, and other valuable resources.
- Specialized media: Is it even possible to do your job well if you don't keep up with the latest insights, news, and developments? Probably not. Luckily, publications like “HR Daily Advisor,” “HR Magazine,” and “HR Bartender” are here to keep you updated.
- Continuous education: To progress in your HR career, it's essential to keep gaining new skills and learning about the latest HR strategies. And with online learning platforms like Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, or Udemy, finding suitable courses has never been easier.
Remember, every job application is a step closer to finding the perfect role, so stay positive and proactive. Networking, continuous learning, and tailoring your resume for each job can make all the difference in landing your next HR assistant position.
Human Resources Assistant Resume FAQ
How can I effectively use keywords in my HR assistant resume?
Firstly, you need to identify relevant keywords in the job description you're responding to. Keywords often include specific skills, job titles, software tools, and industry terms. For example, if the job description mentions "employee onboarding," "HRIS," and "performance management," make sure to include them in your resume. Remember that the keywords should be sprinkled throughout the entirety of your resume, not just in one section. Using keywords is the surest way to make your resume ATS-friendly.
How long should an HR assistant resume be?
Ideally, your resume should be one page long, especially if you have less than 10 years of experience. This length allows you to present your qualifications concisely without overwhelming the reader. Focus on the most relevant information and avoid unnecessary details. If you have extensive experience or additional certifications, a two-page resume is acceptable, but all information included must be relevant!
Should I include a photo on my HR assistant resume?
That differs from country to country. For example, don't include a photo on your resume if you're looking for a job in the United States and other countries where hiring practices aim to avoid potential discrimination. But in other countries, like Italy or Spain, including a professional photo is the standard. In any case, you should always do a bit of research to learn about local resume practices.
What action verbs should I use to enhance my HR assistant resume?
Using strong action verbs can make you look more proactive and conscientious. For example, instead of starting your bullet points with "responsible for onboarding," try to present your accomplishments and skills like so: "Facilitated onboarding processes for new hires." Action verbs that can be particularly handy for you include: coordinated, administered, managed, streamlined, organized, processed, or conducted.
How can I effectively highlight my experience if I have limited HR work history?
In that case you need to focus on transferable skills and experiences from other roles. If you're a student or a fresher, you can mention any relevant coursework, internships, volunteer work, and any HR-related projects you've taken on. Try to emphasize skills such as communication, organization, and attention to detail.