human resources generalist resume template

Human Resources Generalist Resume Examples and Templates for 2024

Human Resources Generalist Resume Templates and Examples (Download in App)

Most popular human resources generalist resumes.

• Human Resources Assistant
• Human Resources Business Partner
• 15 Human Resources
• Resume Text Examples

How To Write a Human Resources Generalist Resume

• HR Generalist With Three Years of Experience
• Experienced HR Generalist
• HR Generalist With 10 Years of Experience

Human Resources Assistant Resume Example

Human Resources Business Partner Resume Example

15 Human Resources Resume Example

Human Resources Generalist Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples

• HR Generalist Resume With Three Years of Experience
• Experienced HR Generalist Resume
• HR Generalist Resume Example with 10 Years of Experience

Anthony Gentile (123) 456-7890 [email protected] Philadelphia, PA 12345 LinkedIn | Portfolio

An HR generalist with three years of experience specializing in talent acquisition, compensation and benefits administration, and employee engagement. A proven track record of identifying opportunities to enhance daily HR operations and improve employee retention.

Professional Experience

HR Generalist , Corbin Construction Co., Philadelphia, PA | October 2021 – present

• Coordinate all aspects of daily HR operations for a construction firm with 300 employees, including recruiting, benefits administration, payroll management, and employee relations
• Develop sourcing strategies and conduct over 200 interviews to acquire top talent, resulting in a 25% increase in growth over three years
• Create new hire orientation and onboarding programs and successfully reduce average time-to-hire by 15%

HR Generalist , Henderson Residential Inc., Philadelphia, PA | June 2019 – October 2021

• Supported the HR manager in leading a department with 20 personnel, which included managing daily operations, employee compensation, and recruiting
• Identified timely resolutions to complex employee relations issues and collaborated across all levels of the organization to build a forward-thinking work culture, which contributed to a 20% increase in employee retention
• Communication
• Employee relations
• HR administration
• Learning and development
• Talent acquisition

Certifications

• Professional in Human Resources (PHR) HRCI | 2021

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Human Resources Temple University, Philadelphia, PA | 2021

This HR generalist resume is effective because it leverages compelling numbers and data to convey the full scope of the candidate’s achievements. Managing HR operations for midsize companies requires a certain level of expertise, which is further shown by the applicant’s ability to improve hiring processes and retention rates.

Jasmine Brown (123) 456-7890 [email protected] Detroit, MI 12345 LinkedIn | Portfolio

A dynamic HR generalist with seven years of experience leading HR operations for midsize companies with up to 400 employees. A strong history of collaborating with cross-functional groups and leadership teams to develop high-performing organizations.

HR Generalist , Astound Broadband, Detroit, MI | May 2020 – present

• Collaborate with a team of HR business partners to define and implement impactful HR programs and policies for a multinational internet provider with 400 employees
• Align recruitment, employee development, and performance management goals with long-term organizational objectives to facilitate business scaling
• Develop HR policies and procedures to resolve employee relations issues and coordinated with department managers to create employee management plans

HR Generalist , Jensen HVAC Co., Detroit, MI | June 2018 – May 2020

• Defined strategies for workforce planning, business restructuring, compensation, and training and development programs for an HVAC company with 200 employees
• Provided coaching to team managers to enhance performance management and improve employee relations, contributing to a 10% increase in staff retention
• HR operations
• Compensation and benefits
• Training and development
• Program development
• Professional in Human Resources, (PHR) HRCI | 2018

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Human Resources University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI | 2018

In this HR generalist resume example, the applicant highlights their expertise in program management and policy development. These skill sets are integral to any successful business, and featuring these insights helps to demonstrate how the candidate can provide strategic advice to potential employers.

Robert Ortiz (123) 456-7890 [email protected] Nashville, TN 12345 LinkedIn | Portfolio

A results-driven HR generalist with 10 years of experience specializing in operations management, policy development, and employee relations. A proven track record of building and leading dynamic HR teams to drive operational excellence and staff retention.

HR Generalist , Starlight Tech Solutions, Nashville, TN | February 2018 – present

• Act as a strategic partner to executive leadership on all HR matters, including training and development, compensation, people strategy, recruiting, and policy development for a video solutions company with 450 employees
• Coordinate with the HR manager and finance department in administering payroll, employee compensation, and benefits valued at $5.7 million
• Lead the end-to-end recruiting process, including applicant screening, interviewing, sourcing, and offer negotiations

HR Generalist , Alliance Technologies, Nashville, TN | June 2014 – February 2018

• Managed daily HR operations for an e-learning technology company with 250 staff, including talent acquisition, benefits, compensation, and performance management
• Developed and implemented new performance management programs to develop team members and drive employee engagement, resulting in a 20% increase in staff retention
• HR management
• Payroll administration
• Performance management
• Business strategy
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Professional in Human Resources, (PHR) HRCI | 2014

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Human Resources University of Nashville, Knoxville, TN | 2014

This HR generalist resume successfully captures everything the candidate brings to the table. The bullet points include a variety of numbers that stand out with appropriate context for how they were achieved. Also, the document explores the applicant’s leadership capabilities, which could help set them apart from the competition.

To write a great human resources (HR) generalist resume that stands out from the competition, create compelling content that tells your unique story as an HR professional. Think about how your programs, policies, and recruiting initiatives have helped organizations grow throughout your career. Emphasize the true impact of your contributions in terms of business success and employee development. We’ll provide expert tips to help you craft an impactful HR generalist resume.

1. Write a dynamic profile summarizing your qualifications

Leading with a powerful opening summary is a key strategy for any successful job application. As an HR generalist, you understand the intricacies of the hiring process and the importance of making a strong first impression. Leveraging that expertise will allow you to craft a resume profile that encapsulates the most engaging aspects of your HR background.

For example, if a company is looking for a candidate who specializes in talent acquisition and employee relations, emphasize how you acquired top talent and increased staff retention rates. If an employer is seeking an HR generalist with a strong knowledge of Workday, list this skill directly in the first sentence of your summary.

Profile Example #1

An HR generalist with five years of experience specializing in talent acquisition, compensation and benefits administration, and employee engagement. A proven track record of identifying opportunities to enhance daily HR operations and improve employee retention.

Profile Example #2

2. add an accomplishment-driven professional experience section.

Your HR generalist resume needs an accomplishment-driven professional experience section to separate you from other applicants. The key is to craft bullet points that demonstrate the impact of your contributions using hard data. For instance, highlighting the number of employees for the organization establishes a sense of scope for the daily HR operations you’ve managed. You might also draw attention to the number of employees you hired or feature a notable increase in staff retention.

Professional Experience Example #1

HR Generalist, Corbin Construction Co., Philadelphia, PA | October 2021 – present

• Create new hire orientation and onboarding programs and reduce average time-to-hire by 15%

Professional Experience Example #2

HR Generalist, Starlight Tech Solutions, Nashville, TN | February 2018 – present

3. Include relevant education and certifications

The vast majority of HR generalist positions require a bachelor’s degree. In addition to your college education, consider featuring key industry certifications to further demonstrate your comprehensive knowledge of the HR space. Obtaining a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) credential from the HR Certificate Institute could be particularly helpful during the job hunt.

• [Degree Name]
• [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Year]
• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Human Resources
• University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI | 2016
• [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
• Professional in Human Resources (PHR) HRCI | 2019
• Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR), HRCI | 2018

4. List pertinent key skills

With experience in recruiting and talent acquisition, you already understand the role of applicant tracking systems (ATS) during the hiring process. To maximize your odds of generating job interviews, be sure to review each individual posting and identify keywords that match the employer’s needs. Incorporating a mix of HR terminology and leadership skills is a great way to emphasize your versatile skill sets to the hiring manager.

How To Pick The Best Human Resources Generalist Resume Template

No one-size-fits-all template caters to every individual hiring manager’s preferences. When selecting your resume template, opt for a format that places your content first. Graphics and colorful designs may seem attractive. But they don’t usually highlight why you’re qualified for the position, which should always be your main focus during the resume-building process.

Frequently Asked Questions: Human Resources Generalist Resume Examples and Advice

What are common action verbs for human resources generalist resumes -.

Diversifying your usage of action verbs can be challenging. In many instances, a limited number of verbs can properly convey your professional experience. That said, it’s particularly important to open each bullet point with a different action verb to avoid redundancy. We’ve compiled a list of action verbs to craft your HR generalist resume.

How do you align your resume with a human resources generalist job description? -

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that job opportunities for HR generalists are expected to grow by 6% between 2022 and 2032. This equates to over 78,700 new openings each year. Although these growth rates are encouraging, you still need to tailor your resume toward each application to land the most lucrative HR roles.

Say an organization is seeking an HR generalist who excels in performance management. You would emphasize your ability to implement training and development programs that have positively impacted prior organizations. Dig deeper here, illustrating how your efforts improved operational effectiveness and employee retention rates.

What is the best human resources generalist resume format? -

HR generalists should opt for a reverse chronological resume format. This approach ensures that your most relevant and recent work history is featured toward the top of your document. A combination format should only be used if you’re making a career change and want to prioritize certifications and skill sets in lieu of hands-on industry experience.

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Once you’ve completed your HR generalist resume, consider pairing it with an eye-catching cover letter that expresses why you’re interested in a particular organization. To gain more insights, view our human resources (HR) cover letter guide .

Frank Hackett

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW)

Frank Hackett is a professional resume writer and career consultant with over eight years of experience. As the lead editor at a boutique career consulting firm, Frank developed an innovative approach to resume writing that empowers job seekers to tell their professional stories. His approach involves creating accomplishment-driven documents that balance keyword optimization with personal branding. Frank is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PAWRCC).

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Human Resources (HR) Generalist Resume Template

Download in google doc, word or pdf for free. designed to pass resume screening software in 2022., human resources (hr) generalist resume sample.

In the world of Human Resources, an HR Generalist is seen as a jack-of-all-trades. You're the go-to expert handling a broad range of responsibilities, from recruitment to employee relations, benefits, and more. Lately, companies are seeking HR generalists who are not only well-versed in traditional HR skills, but also data-driven and tech-savvy. They're eager to find those who can leverage people analytics and HR Information System (HRIS) software to lead data-backed organizational decisions and streamline HR processes. When crafting your resume, remember that it's your personal marketing tool. It's not merely a list of job responsibilities; it's an opportunity to sell your unique blend of skills, experiences, and traits. Show your value proposition - how you can make a difference in the company's HR practices and overall business strategy. Be specific, include relevant achievements, and quantify them if possible.

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Recruiter Insight: Why this resume works in 2022

Tips to help you write your human resources (hr) generalist resume in 2024,    highlight tech savviness and analytical skills.

In the skills section, emphasize your proficiency in HRIS, applicant tracking systems, and people analytics. Describe specific instances where you used these tools to improve HR processes or make data-informed decisions.

   Showcase a blend of soft and hard skills

As an HR generalist, you need both people skills and technical know-how. Therefore, strike a balance in your resume. List instances where you managed conflict resolution or employee relations, and also detail your understanding of HR laws and compliance.

Human resources generalists can have wide-ranging responsibilities including hiring, administrative tasks, managing employee performance, and developing company policies. If you’re going for this job, use your resume to highlight your versatility and competence in a variety of different human resources-related duties (such as managing payroll or creating programs to boost employee morale).

   Focuses on human resources experience

Generalists need to be able to perform a variety of responsibilities well. Focusing your resume on similar roles that you’ve done in the past -- even if the duties weren’t identical -- shows that you can wear different hats and are experienced with the type of work that you might do in your new job.

   Good use of action verbs which highlight HR experience

Using clear and specific language also paints a clear picture of what you accomplished at past jobs and how you did it. Action verbs such as “managed”, “developed”, and “structured” are very human resources-specific and showcase relevant skills for the job.

Employee Relations Specialist Resume Sample

Talent acquisition specialist resume sample, hr business partner resume sample, senior hr advisor resume sample.

As a hiring manager who has recruited HR Generalists at companies like Amazon, Google, and Deloitte, I've reviewed hundreds of resumes. The best resumes effectively highlight the candidate's ability to support all aspects of the employee lifecycle, from recruitment to performance management. They also demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and the ability to partner with business leaders. Here are some tips to make your HR Generalist resume stand out:

   Highlight your experience across all HR functions

HR Generalists are expected to have a broad range of skills across various HR functions. Make sure your resume reflects your experience in:

• Recruiting and staffing: Partnered with hiring managers to fill 50+ positions annually, reducing time-to-hire by 20%
• Employee relations: Investigated and resolved 30+ employee relations issues, maintaining a 95% employee retention rate
• Performance management: Implemented a new performance review process for 200+ employees, resulting in a 25% increase in employee engagement scores
• Compensation and benefits: Conducted market analysis and made recommendations for compensation adjustments, resulting in a 10% reduction in employee turnover

Quantify your achievements wherever possible to demonstrate your impact.

   Showcase your ability to partner with business leaders

HR Generalists often serve as strategic partners to business leaders. Highlight examples of how you've collaborated with managers and executives to support business objectives:

• Partnered with sales leadership to design and implement a new commission structure, resulting in a 15% increase in sales revenue
• Collaborated with the operations team to develop and deliver training on new safety protocols, reducing workplace accidents by 30%

Avoid using vague statements like:

• Worked with managers on various HR initiatives
• Supported business objectives through HR programs

Instead, be specific about the initiatives you worked on and the results you achieved.

   Emphasize your interpersonal and communication skills

HR Generalists interact with employees at all levels of the organization, so strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential. Use your resume to highlight examples of how you've:

• Mediated conflicts between employees and managers, resulting in a 90% resolution rate
• Delivered training sessions on topics like diversity and inclusion, receiving an average rating of 4.5/5 from participants
• Presented HR metrics and insights to senior leadership on a quarterly basis

Avoid generic statements like "strong communication skills" without providing specific examples to back them up.

   Tailor your resume to the specific job requirements

While HR Generalist roles share many common responsibilities, the specific requirements can vary depending on the company and industry. Review the job description carefully and tailor your resume to highlight the skills and experience that are most relevant.

For example, if the job description emphasizes experience with a particular HRIS system, make sure to call that out on your resume:

Implemented and managed Workday HRIS for a company of 500+ employees, resulting in a 50% reduction in manual data entry and a 25% increase in employee self-service

If the job requires experience with union contracts, highlight any relevant experience you have in that area.

   Include relevant certifications and professional development

HR Generalists are expected to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and best practices in HR. Include any relevant certifications or professional development courses you've completed, such as:

• SHRM-CP (Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional)
• PHR (Professional in Human Resources)
• Diversity and Inclusion Certification from Cornell University

Avoid listing irrelevant or outdated certifications that don't directly apply to the HR Generalist role.

   Use metrics to demonstrate your impact

Wherever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the impact you've had in previous HR roles. This could include:

• Reduced time-to-hire from 45 days to 30 days by implementing a new applicant tracking system
• Improved employee engagement scores by 20% through the launch of a new recognition program
• Reduced turnover rate from 25% to 15% by implementing stay interviews and exit surveys

Metrics help to quantify your achievements and make your resume more impactful. Avoid using vague statements like "improved employee engagement" without providing specific numbers to back it up.

Writing Your Human Resources (HR) Generalist Resume: Section By Section

  summary.

A resume summary is an optional section that appears at the top of your resume, just below your contact information. While not required, it can be a valuable addition for HR generalists, particularly if you have several years of experience or are making a career change. A well-written summary can quickly convey your key qualifications and career goals to a hiring manager, making your resume stand out.

When crafting your HR generalist resume summary, focus on highlighting your most relevant skills, experiences, and achievements. Tailor your summary to the specific HR generalist position you're applying for, incorporating keywords from the job description. However, avoid simply repeating information that already appears elsewhere in your resume.

To learn how to write an effective resume summary for your Human Resources (HR) Generalist resume, or figure out if you need one, please read Human Resources (HR) Generalist Resume Summary Examples , or Human Resources (HR) Generalist Resume Objective Examples .

1. Highlight your HR expertise and key skills

In your HR generalist resume summary, emphasize your core HR skills and areas of expertise that align with the job requirements. Consider including:

• Years of experience in human resources
• Specific HR functions you specialize in (e.g., recruiting, employee relations, benefits administration)
• Key skills relevant to the HR generalist role (e.g., HRIS systems, compliance knowledge, talent management)

Here's an example of a summary that effectively highlights HR expertise:

HR professional with 5+ years of experience in full-cycle recruiting, employee relations, and benefits administration. Adept at leveraging HRIS systems to streamline HR processes and ensure compliance. Proven track record of implementing successful talent management strategies to drive employee engagement and retention.

2. Showcase your impact and achievements

While it's important to highlight your HR skills and experience in your summary, avoid making generic statements or using corporate buzzwords. Instead, focus on showcasing your impact and achievements.

Compare these two examples:

• Results-oriented HR generalist with a proven track record of success.
• Highly motivated and dedicated HR professional with strong communication skills.

Instead, quantify your achievements and provide specific examples:

• HR generalist who reduced time-to-hire by 30% through implementing a streamlined recruiting process.
• Developed and delivered training programs that increased employee satisfaction scores by 25%.

By showcasing your measurable impact, you demonstrate the value you can bring to the organization and make your resume summary more compelling.

  Experience

The work experience section is the heart of your resume as an HR generalist. It's where you showcase your relevant skills, accomplishments, and impact in previous roles. Craft this section carefully to demonstrate your value to potential employers.

1. Highlight HR initiatives and projects

As an HR generalist, you've likely led or contributed to various HR initiatives and projects. Showcase these effectively in your work experience section.

Instead of simply listing your responsibilities, describe the specific initiatives you worked on and their impact. Use metrics to quantify your achievements whenever possible.

• Implemented a new applicant tracking system, reducing time-to-hire by 30% and improving candidate experience scores by 25%
• Developed and delivered a comprehensive training program on diversity and inclusion for 500+ employees, resulting in a 15% increase in employee engagement scores

2. Showcase your expertise in key HR functions

HR generalists are expected to have a broad skill set across various HR functions. Use your work experience section to showcase your expertise in areas such as:

• Talent acquisition and recruitment
• Employee relations and performance management
• Compensation and benefits administration
• Training and development
• HR compliance and record-keeping

Provide specific examples of how you've excelled in these areas. For instance:

• Managed the full-cycle recruitment process for 25+ positions annually, sourcing top talent and maintaining a 95% offer acceptance rate
• Conducted thorough investigations into employee relations issues, providing fair and timely resolutions while minimizing legal risks

3. Use strong, industry-specific action verbs

When writing your work experience section, use powerful action verbs that are specific to the HR industry. This helps create a strong impression and highlights your relevant skills.

Instead of generic verbs like 'managed' or 'handled', opt for more descriptive verbs such as:

• Orchestrated - e.g. 'Orchestrated the implementation of a new HRIS system'
• Mediated - e.g. 'Mediated conflicts between employees and management'
• Spearheaded - e.g. 'Spearheaded a company-wide initiative to improve employee wellness'
• Audited - e.g. 'Audited HR processes to ensure compliance with labor laws'

Responsible for onboarding new hires and managing employee records.

Instead, write:

Orchestrated the onboarding process for all new hires, streamlining paperwork and reducing time-to-productivity by 20%. Meticulously maintained employee records, ensuring 100% accuracy and compliance.

4. Tailor your experiences to the job description

While it's important to provide a comprehensive overview of your HR experience, you should also tailor your resume to the specific job you're applying for. Review the job description carefully and highlight the experiences and skills that are most relevant.

For example, if the job description emphasizes experience with employee training and development, focus on your related achievements:

• Created and delivered a leadership development program for high-potential employees, resulting in a 30% improvement in leadership competency scores and 50% reduction in turnover among program participants

On the other hand, if the role requires expertise in HR compliance and risk management, shift your focus accordingly:

• Conducted regular audits of HR policies and practices, ensuring 100% compliance with federal and state regulations. Implemented proactive risk management strategies, successfully avoiding any legal issues or fines.

  Education

Your education section is a key part of your HR generalist resume. It shows hiring managers that you have the knowledge and training to do the job well. Here are some tips for writing a strong education section:

1. Put your degree first if you're a recent grad

If you just finished school, put your education at the top of your resume. This is because your degree is your strongest qualification right now.

• Name of your school
• Location of your school
• Name of your degree
• Graduation year
• GPA (if above 3.5)
• Relevant coursework

For example:

Northwestern University, Evanston, IL Bachelor of Science in Human Resources Management, 2022 GPA: 3.8 Relevant Coursework: Organizational Behavior, Employee Benefits, Talent Acquisition

2. Keep education short if you have 5+ years of HR experience

Once you have a few years of HR experience, your education becomes less important. Hiring managers will focus more on your work history. So keep your education section short and sweet.

Bad example:

• XYZ University Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration Concentration in Human Resources Management Graduated: May 2012 GPA: 3.2

Instead, just include:

• Degree, University

Bachelor of Business Administration, XYZ University

3. Add HR certifications to boost your credentials

HR certifications show that you have specialized knowledge. They can give you an edge over other candidates. Some top HR certifications include:

• SHRM-CP (Certified Professional)
• SHRM-SCP (Senior Certified Professional)
• SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources)

If you have a certification, add it to your education section. For example:

Master's in Human Resources Management, ABC University, 2015 Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), HR Certification Institute, 2020

If you have several certifications, you can also create a separate "Certifications" section.

  Skills

The skills section on your human resources generalist resume is where you showcase the specific abilities and knowledge that make you a strong candidate for the role. This section should be tailored to the job description and highlight the most relevant skills that demonstrate your expertise in HR.

When writing your skills section, consider the following tips to make it stand out to hiring managers and applicant tracking systems (ATS).

1. Include a mix of hard and soft skills

As an HR generalist, you need a combination of technical skills and interpersonal abilities to succeed in your role. Make sure to include a balance of both hard and soft skills in your skills section.

Hard skills are specific, measurable abilities that are often learned through training or education. For an HR generalist, these might include:

• Human resource information systems (HRIS)
• Applicant tracking systems (ATS)
• Benefits administration
• Payroll processing

Soft skills, on the other hand, are personal attributes and traits that enable you to work well with others and handle various situations. Important soft skills for HR generalists include:

• Communication
• Problem-solving
• Conflict resolution

2. Categorize your skills for easy scanning

To make your skills section more organized and reader-friendly, consider grouping your skills into categories. This allows hiring managers to quickly scan your resume and identify the most relevant skills for the position.

For example, you might categorize your skills like this:

Human Resources : Employee relations, performance management, onboarding, policy development Compliance : Labor law, OSHA regulations, EEO compliance Technology : HRIS, ATS, Microsoft Office Suite

Avoid simply listing skills without any context or categorization, like this:

Skills: Communication, empathy, HRIS, payroll, benefits, training, compliance, employee relations, conflict resolution

3. Tailor your skills to the job description

One of the most important aspects of crafting an effective skills section is tailoring it to the specific job you're applying for. Hiring managers want to see that you have the particular skills and experience they're looking for in a candidate.

Before writing your skills section, carefully review the job description and make note of any specific skills, tools, or qualifications mentioned. Then, incorporate these keywords into your skills section wherever applicable.

For example, if the job description emphasizes experience with a particular HRIS like Workday, make sure to include it in your skills section:

Technology : Workday HRIS, ADP Workforce Now, Microsoft Office Suite

4. Highlight your level of proficiency

In some cases, it may be helpful to indicate your level of proficiency for certain skills, especially if you're highly experienced or an expert in a particular area. This can help you stand out from other candidates and demonstrate the depth of your knowledge.

One way to do this is by using proficiency levels next to your skills, like this:

Performance management (Expert) Employee relations (Advanced) Benefits administration (Intermediate) Workday HRIS (Beginner)

However, be honest about your proficiency levels and avoid overstating your abilities. Only use 'Expert' or 'Advanced' if you truly have extensive experience and knowledge in that area.

Skills For Human Resources (HR) Generalist Resumes

Here are examples of popular skills from Human Resources (HR) Generalist job descriptions that you can include on your resume.

• Accounts Receivable (AR)
• Financial Reporting
• Accounts Payable
• Financial Accounting
• General Ledger
• Account Reconciliation
• ADP Payroll

Skills Word Cloud For Human Resources (HR) Generalist Resumes

This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on Human Resources (HR) Generalist job descriptions and resumes. The bigger the word, the more frequently it appears on job postings, and the more likely you should include it in your resume.

How to use these skills?

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Human Resources (HR) Generalist Resumes

• Template #1: Human Resources (HR) Generalist
• Template #2: Human Resources (HR) Generalist
• Template #3: Human Resources (HR) Generalist
• Template #4: Employee Relations Specialist
• Template #5: Talent Acquisition Specialist
• Template #6: HR Business Partner
• Template #7: Senior HR Advisor
• Skills for Human Resources (HR) Generalist Resumes
• Free Human Resources (HR) Generalist Resume Review
• Other Other Resumes
• Human Resources (HR) Generalist Interview Guide
• Human Resources (HR) Generalist Sample Cover Letters
• Alternative Careers to a Human Resources Manager
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Jobscan > Resume Examples > Human Resources Resume Examples, Skills and Keywords > HR Generalist Resume Examples, Skills, and Keywords

HR Generalist Resume Examples, Skills, and Keywords

As an HR generalist you know that going the extra mile will help you get noticed by potential employers. Use these HR generalist resume samples and skills to help you land your dream job.

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HR Generalist Resume Sample

If you’re an HR generalist, looking for a job may seem like a fairly easy endeavor. After all, you’re a people person and you already know the secret tips and tricks to bypass the applicant tracking system (ATS) and land an interview. Still, looking for a job can be an intimidating task regardless of your HR expertise and experience. It’s best not to overthink the resume-writing process too much, though. Use your HR wisdom in your favor.

Let your HR generalist skills shine through by writing a stellar resume that hits all the skills and keywords a hiring manager will be looking for. If you need a little extra push, we’re here to walk you through the whole process and help you get that job. All you need to do is complement what you already know with the below suggestions on how to put together an HR generalist resume that stands out from the rest.

To get you started, check out this recruiter-approved HR generalist resume example. This can help you get a good idea of how to format your resume.

New Orleans, LA 70032 • (555) 555-1234 • [email protected] • linkedin.com/in/g-kilgariff

HUMAN RESOURCES (HR) GENERALIST

Professional Human Resources Manager with over 13 years’ experience in diverse HR assignments, including talent acquisition, employee relations, performance management, and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). Exceptionally skilled at administering corporate HR initiatives, and prioritizing and managing multiple projects and deadlines concurrently.

Talent Acquisition & Development | Engagement | On-Boarding| Performance Evaluation | Leadership Development | Program Management | Operational Performance | Process Improvement HRIS – SAP | Oracle | Peoplesoft | Payroll / ADP | Regulatory Compliance | Data & Analytics

Drive efficacy in the SAP payroll system by analyzing payroll data. Process a full range of payroll transactions including garnishments, benefit deductions, overtime, bonus payments, and commissions, bi-weekly for over 5,000 exempt and nonexempt employees in multiple states.

• Complete weekly and bi-weekly payroll, including adjustments when required, effectively utilizing HR/Benefits software
• Collaborate closely with Director of Payroll and IT staff to maintain the integrity of employee data and relevant payroll and benefits data
• Responsible for all HR related vendor invoices including auditing and preparation for remittance of all weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, and quarterly vendor invoices
• Liaise with Payroll department, benefits broker and carriers to resolve employee payroll and benefits matters • Serve as a consultant for difficult situations; provide best practices to workplace disputes, coach and drive positive organizational change, and maintain high ethical standards and confidentiality

Managed talent acquisition, onboarding, payroll administration, and records management. Maintained and updated employee benefits and records; collaborated with an accountant to ensure accurate payroll.

• Developed and implemented internal HR processes, FMLA and other LOA processes and recruiting procedures, including: classification of positions, job postings, interviews, and applicant tracking system
• Designed a more comprehensive and coordinated approach to the recruitment and talent acquisition process, which yielded improved alignment of job postings, interviews, orientation, and training
• Managed HRIS system and assisted employees at all levels with work related issues including FMLA, workers’ compensation, benefits, career development and employee relations issues
• Administered on-boarding process for new employees and new-hire orientation program • Assisted in the development of training programs and delivery of various supervisory and employee training Reduced employee-related driving incidents by 85%.

Coordinated 20-30 volunteers for a newly created childcare program. Established Parent Liaison role to act as a link between employees and parents, to cultivate trust and develop sound partnerships.

• Facilitated Human Resources (HR) functions, including on-boarding, new hire orientations and trainings; scheduling and conducting interviews, creating weekly volunteer schedules, and managing all correspondence

Established and managed the HR function for a newly created non-profit organization. Managed staff recruitment, orientation, and benefit programs, including healthcare, dental, retirement, life insurance, disability, and unemployment insurance.

• Developed and administered human resources plans and procedures for all company personnel, and assisted in driving company culture
• Planned and developed policies, annual goals/objectives, and the financial program set by the Board of Directors
• Contributed to setting the foundation for company success by serving as a member of the Performance Evaluation Team, and on the first Strategic Planning Committee
• Implemented and updated compensation program, rewrote job descriptions, developed salary budget, analyzed compensation monitored the performance evaluation program
• Evaluated results in relation to established goals, and recommended new approaches, policies and procedures to effect continual improvements in efficiency

Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM)

Professional Human Resources Certification

Resume written by Lezlie Garr

Why this resume works

HR Generalist Resume Skills and Keywords

As an HR generalist, you’re likely well-acquainted with ATS already, but it’s always good to brush up on your skills. Below are some HR generalist resume keywords to help you bypass any ATS that recruiters and hiring managers may be using. These are the most common HR generalist resume skills to look for within any job description. When you see these skills listed, incorporate them into your resume to increase your chances of getting hired.

Top 30 HR Generalist Resume Skills

• Technical recruiting
• Customer service
• Employee benefits
• Company policies
• Evaluations
• Job postings
• Employment law
• Interviewing
• Research data
• Microsoft Office
• Performance appraisal forms
• Recruiting strategies
• Human resource planning
• Applicant tracking systems
• Employee handbooks
• Equal employment opportunity compliance
• New hire paperwork
• Active listening
• Communication
• Accountability
• Time management
• Attention to detail
• Multitasking

5 Resume Writing Tips for HR Generalists

Now that you’ve put together a list of your skills and the appropriate keywords, you’re one step closer to landing any job you want in the HR generalist field. But before you start writing your HR generalist resume, make sure to take the following tips into account.

1. Follow the application instructions thoroughly

Don’t start writing your resume before you know what the recruiter is looking for. Some hiring managers ask for specific things from all applicants before they will consider them. Failing to follow instructions accordingly might automatically disqualify you from the application process. This means you won’t even make it to the ATS stage and all your hard work will be in vain.

Examine the job post with extreme care and look for:

• Special formatting requests
• Particular keywords
• Questions you might need to answer
• Information to avoid

2. Make sure your writing is flawless

As an HR generalist, you already know how hard it is to make a good first impression, especially on paper. You don’t want to blow your chances of getting hired by showing little attention to detail. Spelling mistakes, typos, and poor grammar will kick your resume to the bottom of the pile. Always make sure that your writing is free of mistakes. If not, you’ll come across as an unprofessional candidate.

Of course, sometimes it’s hard to spot errors in your own writing. It can be helpful to let your resume simmer overnight once you’re done and come back to it with a fresh set of eyes in the morning. You can also use a spelling or grammar checker, but those won’t catch everything. If you can, find someone you trust to proofread your document. Whatever you do, don’t submit your resume until you’re 100% satisfied with it.

3. Catch any prospective employer’s eye with the right language

The way you present your experience and skills will set a good resume apart from just an okay one. Stay away from generic language that will make your document look like everybody else’s. Steer clear from cliched terms like:

Instead, use more proactive language and incorporate action words . Avoid using passive voice. You want to keep the focus on the person of the hour: you. This will make your document engaging and a lot easier to read.

4. Customize your HR generalist resume

You’ve probably heard this tip a million times before: Sending the same resume to all prospective employers won’t get you very far. Most hiring managers can spot a general resume immediately. A tailor-made resume will show recruiters and hiring managers that you did your homework and that you want to work exclusively for them . A customized resume with just the right job-specific keywords will also give you a better chance to bypass the ATS.

5. Tell your dream employer what you’re looking forward to

Sure, talking about your past achievements is extremely important if you want to properly showcase your HR expertise. But you should also add a small section to talk about what you want to learn and accomplish moving forward. This extra bit of information will give you an edge over other candidates. It will show your prospective employers that you see yourself working with them long term and that you’re already thinking about what you can bring to the table.

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• Human Resources Generalist Resume Example

Resume Examples

• Common Tasks & Responsibilities
• Top Hard & Soft Skills
• Action Verbs & Keywords
• Resume FAQs
• Similar Resumes

Common Responsibilities Listed on Human Resources Generalist Resumes:

• Conducting new employee orientations and onboarding processes
• Managing employee benefits programs and enrollment
• Assisting with performance management and employee relations issues
• Maintaining employee records and ensuring compliance with legal requirements
• Developing and implementing HR policies and procedures
• Conducting exit interviews and analyzing turnover data
• Coordinating employee training and development programs
• Assisting with recruitment and selection processes
• Managing HR-related projects, such as employee engagement initiatives or diversity and inclusion programs
• Providing guidance and support to managers and employees on HR-related matters.

Speed up your writing process with the AI-Powered Resume Builder . Generate tailored achievements in seconds for every role you apply to. Try it for free.

Human Resources Generalist Resume Example:

• Spearheaded recruitment and onboarding process, propelling the organization toward increased candidate retention and efficiency driven success
• Posted job ads and organized interview logistics for 200+ applicants, resulting in a successful onboarding rate of over 89%
• Designed and implemented a comprehensive performance management system to evaluate employee progress, resulting in a 15% increase in staff retention and a 12% reduction in workplace grievances
• Established key performance indicators and implemented corrective policies to streamline employee development objectives
• Optimized employee compensation and benefits package, resulting in a 17% reduction in expenditures while still strengthening incentives to attract and retain top talents
• Sourced an array of benefit plans and maintained compliance with all applicable employment laws
• Conceptualized and implemented a benefit package, including insurance and retirement plans, to increase employee satisfaction and retention
• Designed a human resource database system to register, monitor, and evaluate personnel changes; resulting in a 25% increase in efficiency
• Created an efficient recruitment process that filled positions faster and at a lower cost, enabling the organization to stay competitive
• Recruitment and onboarding
• Performance evaluation and management
• Employment legislation/compliance
• Benefits packages/compensation optimization
• Human resources database systems
• Resourceful decision-making
• Organizational skills
• Interpersonal communication
• Analytical thinking
• Negotiation/influencing
• Data analysis
• Problem-solving
• Time management/planning
• Conflict resolution
• Discretion and confidentiality
• Adaptability
• Training and development
• Business Administration
• Employee Relations

Top Skills & Keywords for Human Resources Generalist Resumes:

Hard skills.

• Recruitment and Selection
• Performance Management
• HRIS Management
• Compensation and Benefits Administration
• Training and Development
• Compliance and Legal Knowledge
• HR Metrics and Analytics
• Onboarding and Offboarding
• Conflict Resolution
• Succession Planning
• Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives

Soft Skills

• Communication and Interpersonal Skills
• Conflict Resolution and Mediation
• Problem Solving and Decision Making
• Time Management and Prioritization
• Attention to Detail and Accuracy
• Empathy and Emotional Intelligence
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Leadership and Team Management
• Organizational and Planning Skills
• Active Listening and Feedback Incorporation
• Cultural Awareness and Diversity Management
• Ethics and Professionalism

Resume Action Verbs for Human Resources Generalists:

• Administered
• Coordinated
• Implemented
• Facilitated

Build a Human Resources Generalist Resume with AI

Resume FAQs for Human Resources Generalists:

How long should i make my human resources generalist resume, what is the best way to format a human resources generalist resume, which keywords are important to highlight in a human resources generalist resume, how should i write my resume if i have no experience as a human resources generalist, compare your human resources generalist resume to a job description:.

• Identify opportunities to further tailor your resume to the Human Resources Generalist job
• Improve your keyword usage to align your experience and skills with the position
• Uncover and address potential gaps in your resume that may be important to the hiring manager

Complete the steps below to generate your free resume analysis.

Related Resumes for Human Resources Generalists:

Beginner human resources, entry level human resources, experienced human resources, fresher human resources, hr assistant, human resources coordinator, human resources intern, junior human resources.

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• Human Resource Generalist

Human Resource Generalist resume examples & templates

As someone who’s usually on the other end of the job hunt, you know how important an impressive resume is. If reviewing other candidate’s applications seems a bit easier than creating your own human generalist resume, we’re here to help.

Resume.io has a host of powerful resources for job seekers including guides and resume examples for 300+ professions, backed up by an easy-to-use resume builder . We’ll help you stand apart from other applicants with a human resource generalist resume that resonates.

This guide, along with the corresponding human resource generalist resume example, will cover the following topics:

What does a human resource generalist do?

• How to write a human resource generalist resume (tips and tricks)
• The best format for a human resource generalist resume
• Professional resume layout and design hints.

Your title has the word “generalist” in it so you can be assured that you will be supporting the department in a range of tasks. Depending on the size of the company, you may be solely responsible for some functions or work to support others in their areas of expertise.

HR generalists may:

• Coordinate benefits
• Organize personnel reviews and salaries
• Investigate complaints from employees
• Recruit and hire new employees
• Perform orientations and keep staff records
• Assist with payroll and staff budgeting
• Devise and recommend strategies to keep employees happy and motivated

The market for HR generalists, also known as human resources specialists, is predicted to grow 10% in the next decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics . The median salary in the profession is $63,490.

See similar resume examples from the Human Resources field:

• HR Director resume sample
• Chief Happiness Officer (CHO) resume sample
• Entry Level HR resume sample
• Recruiter resume sample
• Human Resources Assistant resume sample
• Human Resources Manager resume sample

How to write a human resource generalist resume

When you look at a resume, you want to be able to scan quickly. That means structure. Your human resource generalist CV should contain the following elements:

• The resume header
• The resume summary (aka profile or personal statement)
• The employment history section
• The resume skills section
• The education section

You work with Applicant Tracking Systems, so you have a better understanding than most about what they do. Make sure you apply your knowledge of keywords and phrases to your own resume. Skipping the important step of reviewing the job listing and personalizing the language can cost you the interview.

Choosing the best resume format for an HR generalist

This is not the place to get creative. We recommend sticking with the most common resume format: reverse chronological order. Why? Because it allows professionals like yourself to find the information they seek quickly. Do you want to spend extra time hunting for a candidate’s most recent experience? No. Neither do your prospective colleagues.

Resume summary example: core values

Focus your human resources resume summary, AKA profile, on your burgeoning career and positive work style. Demonstrate your knowledge of company culture and express how you will enhance it in the 3-4 lines you have to show off your personality. Think about the types of people you want to work with and echo those qualities as you develop this section.

See the resume example text below for summary ideas.

Energetic human resources generalist with 6+ years of experience working within HR clinical teams, effectively managing multiple recruitment and retention priorities. Committed to channeling my passion for human resources to ensure department operations run smoothly and deliver maximum value to the organization. 

Employment history sample: show your growth mindset

What have you achieved as your career has taken off? Answer that question in each of the bullet items within the employment history section of your human resource generalist resume. Show action, growth and career successes demonstrate your ability to learn and take on new tasks as well as your value add to the company.

See resume sample content below for ideas on your employment history.

Human Resources Generalist at New Orleans East Hospital, New Orleans  March 2017 - October 2021 

• Planned, developed and implemented an innovative program of recruitment and placement for hospital personnel.
• Managed the interviewing, screening and referral of qualified applicants.
• Worked collaboratively with management to promote a climate conducive to attracting and retaining personnel.
• Provided optimal support to employees regarding various HR-related topics.
• Played an integral role in the development and implementation of human resource policies.
• Worked to foster high job satisfaction ratings by resolving issues promptly.

Junior Human Resources Generalist  November 2014 - February 2017

• Provided full spectrum recruitment for all open positions as assigned by the human resource director.
• Meticulously sourced and screened candidate pools in an effort to provide hiring managers with high-quality candidates.
• Scheduled interviews and follow-ups, as well as on-boarding procedures for new hires.
• Provided ongoing guidance to departments to ensure adherence to all company policies, regulations and laws.

CV skills example: core competencies

What does the particular job for which you are applying require? As a human resource generalist, each position will be different. Make sure you are customizing the skills you list on your CV with the skills your prospective employer wants. As you know, this will also help you avoid the ATS filter.

Below you will find an adaptable skills resume sample.

• Employee Relations
• Employee Recruitment & Retention
• HRIS Technologies
• Communication Skills
• Change Management
• Training & Development
• Employee Engagement

Human resource generalist education resume example

Most human resource generalist positions require at least a bachelor’s degree in HR or a related field. Your education section is a simple list of your academic achievements. The education section of your resume may also include any training you have completed. If you have earned higher than a bachelor’s degree, you may eliminate your high school diploma from this section.

Below you will find an education resume sample as a formatting guide.

Bachelor of Art in Human Resources Management, Tulane University, New Orleans  September 2010 - May 2014

Resume layout and design: visual engagement

The look of your human resource generalist resume is almost as important as the content. First impressions count! Give your CV professional polish by using clean lines and leaving ample white space. Highlight your contact information and section headings with bold and slightly stylized fonts. Above all, keep it error free and ultimately readable. 

Consider using one of our expert-tested resume templates to eliminate the time-consuming job of formatting.

Key takeaways for a human resource generalist resume

• Use your knowledge of what hiring staff looks for when you develop your own HR resume.
• Think about your best colleagues and what traits you have in common with them as you create your profile.
• You have inside information, so don’t forget to take the ATS into account.
• Check out our human resources resume samples to get more ideas for layout and content.

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HR Generalist Resume: Example for Download & Useful Tips

As an HR Generalist, there’s no doubt you know what it takes to find new employees and show them the ropes, but is your office knowledge not translating to resume building? Use our resume templates as the best resource to get hired.

HR Generalist Resume Example MSWord® Download our free HR Generalist Resume Template in Word to go from being recruited to the one doing the recruiting.

You’re a people person, and you just know that a corporate HR department is where you’d best fit for a career path.

Firstly, to create a strong entry-level Human Resources Generalist resume, or one with five years experience, you might begin by asking yourself:

• How is my experience best detailed for my HR Generalist resume?
• What information do experts recommend most in the education section?
• Where should a list of my skills appear on my resume?

In addition, you will need to consider adding an HR Generalist resume summary or objective , as well as any sections that show off your professional certifications , achievements, or other essential information.

Don’t worry; you are not on your own when putting together your best application. We’ll show you a sample HR Generalist resume along with plenty of examples of different sections, so you have a clear vision of what your own document will look like.

Our free online resume builder will also help you put together exactly what you need to get hiring managers interested in you as a candidate. Try it for free now.

Want more? We have plenty of resume examples and professional resume templates that can help you complete your rock-solid resume.

HR Generalist Resume Sample

Before you can start recruiting for a company, you need to be recruited yourself. Check out this resume for a Human Resources Generalist to see what’s included in a successful document.

[Janine Davis]

[HR Generalist]

[1989 Beacon Place, Pasadena 91104 | 626-555-2007 | [email protected]]

Professional, certified HR Generalist with 6+ years experience in talent acquisition, performance assessment, job analysis, and employee relations. Exceptional skills in areas of interviewing, collaboration, negotiations, and conflict management. Proven success in employee retention rates and implementation of training programs.

HR Generalist

Sheldon-Leonard Manufacturing, Los Angeles, CA

07/2018 – Present

• Recruited highly qualified talent through the use of job boards, ATS, and personal networking
• Created and implemented employee training programs and materials, leading to a 30% increase in job performance at management levels and 24% in non-management positions
• Streamlined interviewing process, cutting hiring costs by 18%
• Implemented employee bonus program, job incentives, and employee recognition program, leading to 37% increase in employee retention
• Introduced employee surveys to conduct feedback on organizational policies, resulting in a 14% morale boost and 20% increase in job satisfaction
• Trained HR staff of four employees in employee relations practices

HR Assistant

Soft Kitty Productions, Los Angeles, CA

09/2016 to 06/2018

• Provided direct support to HR administrator in the update and publication of organizational policies and initiatives
• Coordinated interview schedules
• Developed and maintained new personnel filing system containing recruiting, job performance, and payroll information
• Assembled new hire packets and directed new hire orientation
• Collaborated with six department heads to assess departmental needs and generate job descriptions

MBA in Human Resources, 2017

California State University,

Fullerton, CA

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – HR Management, 2015

• Paychex Flex
• Problem-solving
• Communication
• Change management
• Collaborative
• Negotiation
• Organizational

Professional Certifications

• SHRM-Certified Professional (CP)
• HRCI Professional in Human Resources (PHR)

However, an entry level HR Generalist resume, or even one with a couple of years experience, will not typically reflect the level of experience detailed in the sample above.

Entry Level HR Generalist Resume

Starting out is tricky, no matter the profession. You’re probably asking yourself “how do I write a resume for human resources with no experience?”

Creating an entry-level HR resume may be a bit more of a challenge when you’ve never done it full-time before.

However, there are some strategies that you can use.   

For starters, emphasize any experience you have that most closely ties to the type of skills and job duties represented in the posting for the HR generalist job you are pursuing.

For example, a veterinary technician often has great people skills, connecting to various customers and problem-solving quickly. An administrative assistant usually excels in data entry and organization – all skills required of a great HR generalist.

By understanding the skills a Human Resources Generalist needs , you can create a resume that touches on a number of keywords and satisfies a hiring manager or ATS software .

Put Your Best into Your Entry-Level Human Resources Resume

If you know what skills are required for entry-level HR employees you’ll give yourself a great chance. Luckily there are plenty of skills in a past position or internship that gifted you with some relevant competencies! 

For example the following skills can transfer to an Human Resources Generalist position:

• Negotiation skills
• Customer service
• Technical proficiencies
• Data entry and reporting
• Project management

In the case of little or no experience, you could also expand your education section , listing relevant coursework, clubs you might have been a member of, and even your GPA if it is at least 3.50. 

Review the job posting for the HR generalist position you are applying for and take note of specific skills the company is looking for; list any that you possess in your Skills section and use examples of any of these skills in your Experience section.

Adjust your Experience and Skills section accordingly for each HR generalist job you are applying for to align most closely with the skills and responsibilities outlined in each individual job listing. Personalization is key!

Recruit a Strong HR Generalist Resume Summary or Objective

Engage a hiring manager right off the bat with the right HR Generalist resume summary.

With some HR experience under your belt, a resume summary that’s two to three sentences long will quickly show any company your capabilities, achievements, and skills level.

Secondly, be sure to mention a couple of strong, relevant skills , your job title, and possibly a measurable success, such as how you utilized certain skills to raise employee retention rates or cut hiring costs.

HR Generalist Resume Summary Example

Accordingly, a strong HR Generalist resume summary might look like this:

Self-motivated, productive HR Generalist with 4+ years of comprehensive human resources experience in various industries. Proven success in organizational policy development and implementation, benefits administration, training and onboarding. Specific expertise in employee relations and retention; streamlined interviewing practices led to l 38% reduction in hiring costs across across technical recruiting for a financial startup.

Comparatively, here’s a sample HR Generalist resume summary that might not work so well:

HR Generalist with years of experience in HR administration and planning. Ability to develop policies while adhering to company goals and objectives. Oversaw compliance projects and employee customer service.

All in all, this summary lacks details and quantifiable success. It has no specifics, successes, or context. In short, an HR Generalist resume summary like this is not likely to result in you getting an interview.

HR Generalist Resume Objective Example

Moving on to a resume for entry-level human resources, or with only a few years experience. In this case, you would write a career objective statement rather than a summary.

What might an objective look like on an entry-level human resources resume?

Eager entry-level candidate seeking an HR Generalist role, bringing valuable communication and teamwork skills honed as a sales clerk. Committed to applying these transferable strengths to enhance employee engagement and support organizational growth naturally. Assisted in improving customer satisfaction by 20% and staff retention rates by 13% in previous roles.

By and large, this is the type of HR Generalist resume objective that could give you a competitive advantage over other candidates.

It illustrates that you have sought-after skills and specific achievements within the HR field that many hiring managers would appreciate.

On the other hand, you are unlikely to ascend the career ladder with this HR Generalist resume objective.

Retail store clerk seeking to assume HR Generalist role in an expanding company. While I have no direct experience in the HR field, I bring good interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to create and adhere to staff schedules. Creative, organizational, and a team player.

First, there are no concrete details and nothing to support the stated skills. And while understanding scheduling and being a team player are important qualities, nothing here indicates that you’re ready to step into an HR Generalist role.

Reach Your Goals With a Strong HR Generalist Experience Section

Now, you’ll highlight your knowledge, skills, and abilities in an Experience section.

Here, you’ll feature your best attributes, abilities, and achievements. Then, you’ll review each HR Generalist job description carefully, look at the keywords they have used, and list your experience that best matches what the company is looking for.

HR Generalist Big Bang Consultants 3/2020 – 10/2021

• Interviewed job candidates
• Oversaw benefits administration
• Updated training materials
• Ensured adherence to employment laws

In this case, the candidate has listed pretty general stuff. Nothing here stands out to make a hiring manager sit up and take notice.

Now let’s review an example that better displays the competences looked for in HR Generalist candidates.

• Implemented improved recruiting and interviewing process across technology, creative, and executive level roles for a start-up financial tool; led the hiring process for 15 roles in one year
• Created HR staff training materials and trained two human resources assistants on recruiting, employee relations, and benefits administration practices
• Oversaw compliance practices to meet federal and state employment law regulations
• Collaborated with Payroll Director to streamline payroll processes, implementing a new direct pay process that cut client fees and paid employees faster
• Designed a comprehensive new hire orientation program

Altogether, this is a much better sample as it outlines measurable successes and paints a clearer picture of the candidate’s job responsibilities and duties. An experience listing like this will hopefully set you up with an interview pronto!

Experience Section For Entry-Level Human Resources Resumes

If you have no related work experience , don’t fret, you can still connect other experiences on your entry level HR resume.

In that case, emphasize any tasks or responsibilities that will carry over into a HR Generalist role. Moreover, be sure to focus on how you have grown as an employee.

Head Chef Penny’s Restaurant 10/2019 – 10/2021

• As culinary manager, recruited, interviewed, and hired kitchen staff
• Created and maintained monthly schedules for kitchen staff of 11 employees, including PTO, family leave, and bonus structures
• Skilled in project management and process improvement; streamlined food preparation processes, realizing a 30% decrease in labor costs
• Maintained technical proficiencies for various platforms for guest data, restaurant financials, and employee databases.

Staffing, interviewing, streamlining production processes, and training personnel? You’ve clearly shown you are familiar with and have talent in several areas of human resources!

• Prepared a diverse menu of lunch and dinner meals
• Assisted in running kitchen operations
• Communicated with patrons as needed
• Maintained kitchen inventory

Undeniably, this might be ok if you were remaining in the food preparation industry, but for a career change to an HR Generalist? Not so much.

While it shows some management and communication skills , it does not demonstrate that you are prepared to take on an important role in an HR department.

Add the Benefit of an Education Section to Your Resume for HR Generalist

To further support your display of crucial HR skills, you need to add an Education section to your HR Generalist resume.

Beyond your degree, did you preside over any clubs or student associations? Oversee a group project? Serve as captain on a school sports team? Act as secretary or treasurer for a fraternity or sorority ?

Any of these can easily display management, communication, collaboration, and decision-making skills .

Secondly, if you are creating an entry-level HR Generalist resume or with little experience, your Education section can be more robust than that of an experienced professional.

Human Resources Entry-Level Resume Education Section

If you’re still asking yourself “what should I put on my resume for an entry-level HR position?”, you could also expand your education section. 

Listing relevant coursework , clubs you might have been a member of, and your GPA (if it is at least 3.50).

Here’s how to addyour education to a resume when you’re just starting out:

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Human Resource Management University of Mount Olive, NC, 2021

Graduated magna cum laude

• Relevant Courses: Labor Relations, Employment Law, Management Fundamentals, Compensation & Human Capital
• Member of: Young Leaders in Finance and a 4-year starting forward on the university club soccer team

Experienced Candidates’ Education Section

Conversely, there is no need to include such a detailed education history in a resume if you have more than five years of experience . This is because you will have adequate experience to detail in your work history section, which is more important, relevant, and recent.

In this case, you need only add:

• Your degree earned
• Name of institution
• Dates attended

Carve Out an Effective HR Generalist Resume Skills Section

When writing your resume, remember to give both hard and soft skills equal opportunity.

Straightaway, rather than just listing hard skills, emphasize that you are “proficient” or “expert” in these abilities. Not to mention words like “strong”, “exceptional”, and “advanced”, which can be used to describe the level of your skills as well.

Soft Skills

• Decision-making
• Collaboration
• Attention to detail
• Time management
• Multitasking

Hard Skills

• Expert in Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and Paychex
• Proficient in onboarding, training, and performance management
• Trained in Human Resources Information Software (HRIS)
• Strong background in benefits administration and worker’s compensation
• Constructive and timely performance evaluations
• Scheduling and departmental KPI development
• Compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations

In addition, review your experience section and pick out the skills you utilized most, and list those in your skills section. Remember to use resume power words to emphasize your strengths!

Be sure to take a look at our other resume examples too. These can give you ideas on the most desired skills workplace and how to list them beautifully.

Featured Content 🌟: According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is a good outlook for Human Resource Specialist jobs. The growth rate in this area of work is expected to be 8% between 2021 and 2031 . So now is the time to polish up your skills and let them shine in your resume!

“Other” Sections Can be a Great Resource for Your HR Generalist Resume

Maybe you once spearheaded an important project, managed volunteers at a nonprofit organization, or currently hold a relevant industry certification.

These details are important, but where do they go on your resume?

Make a heading titled “Additional Information” or “Achievements” and list such information as professional memberships, certifications, publications , and awards in this section.

Accordingly, an example “Other” section for a resume for HR Generalist might look like this:

Certifications

• HRCI Professional in Human Resources (PHR), 2018

Memberships

• Member, Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM)

Publications

• Published author, “How to Read Body Language in a First Interview”, HR Magazine, May 2020

Furthermore, freelance and consultant work can be listed in this section, too.

Any interest, hobby, or other activity that demonstrates sought-after skills such as leadership, decision-making, and collaboration, to name a few, can and should also be included here.

Key Takeaway

Summing up, you’ve got all your information gathered for your HR Generalist resume . Now you know which sections are needed and which details you should include. 

Before you’re done, make sure your resume checks off the following:

• Firstly, present a powerful career summary or objective.
• Secondly, list your professional experiences, emphasizing duties and accomplishments that underscore your ability to assume the role of an HR Generalist.
• Include measurable accomplishments and achievements, such as noting a specific percentage of growth a company experienced or specific figure of money a company saved by a program or activity you introduced or implemented.
• Next, name which postsecondary institution you attended, what degree you earned, and the dates you were a student at the school.
• After that, indicate which hard and soft skills you possess. List which skills you have mastered and, when possible, your level of expertise.
• Then, add relevant awards, memberships, certifications , and other activities supporting your skillset and ability to work as an HR Generalist.
• Finally, make sure your resume has the right format: reverse-chronological ; bold header for your name, job titles, and degree; proper font size (10 to 12 pt.) and white space; and proper save format (preferably PDF).

Don’t forget to use the ResumeGiants builder, simply fill in the sections and get your document out into the hands of as many hiring managers as possible.

Before long, you just may be the next hiring manager responsible for reviewing resumes, interviewing candidates, and making decisions about who will fill the current open position in your company.

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• • Streamlined onboarding process reducing new hire ramp-up time by 30%, resulting in quicker productivity uptick.
• • Led a team-wide implementation of a new performance management system, increasing employee engagement scores by 25%.
• • Devised recruitment strategies that filled high-volume roles reducing average hiring time from 45 to 28 days.
• • Managed and resolved complex employee relations issues, retaining 90% of top talent within the organization.
• • Coordinated with department managers to identify staffing needs, increasing department efficiency by 15%.
• • Implemented staff training programs that enhanced employee skills and leadership abilities.
• • Developed quarterly employee satisfaction surveys and action plans, enhancing team morale.
• • Initiated a diversity-focused recruitment plan, boosting team inclusiveness by 20%.
• • Participated in developing workplace policies which cut down on employee grievances by 40%.
• • Filled over 100 technical and non-technical positions through strategic talent acquisition plans.
• • Reduced hiring costs by 18% by optimizing recruitment channels and leveraging social media.
• • Spearheaded the internship program, with 25% interns moving to full-time positions.
• • Launched employee referral programs that increased quality of hires and cut recruitment cycle time by 22%.

5 HR Generalist Resume Examples & Guide for 2024

An HR Generalist handles various human resources functions, including recruitment, employee relations, and compliance with labor laws. Highlight your experience in talent acquisition, conflict resolution, and performance management on your resume. It's beneficial to emphasize strong communication abilities, analytical thinking, and proficiency with HR software. Demonstrating successful implementation of HR initiatives and quantifying improvements in employee engagement can greatly enhance your appeal to potential employers.

All resume examples in this guide

Resume Guide

Resume Format Tips

Resume Experience

Skills on Resume

Education & Certifications

Resume Summary Tips

Additional Resume Sections

Key Takeaways

As an HR generalist, preparing a resume that effectively showcases your diverse range of skills and experiences can be a daunting task. Our comprehensive guide is designed to help you navigate this challenge, providing clear examples and strategic advice to help you create a resume that stands out to potential employers.

• Sample industry-leading professional resumes for inspiration and hr generalist resume-writing know-how.
• Focus recruiters' attention on what matters most - your unique experience, achievements, and skills.
• Write various resume sections to ensure you meet at least 95% of all job requirements.
• Balance your hr generalist technical expertise with personality to stand out amongst candidates.

If the hr generalist resume isn't the right one for you, take a look at other related guides we have:

• HR Analyst Resume Example
• HR Resume Example
• HR Business Partner Resume Example
• Staffing Manager Resume Example
• District Manager Resume Example
• Recruiter Resume Example
• Assistant Operations Manager Resume Example
• Contract Analyst Resume Example
• Continuous Improvement Manager Resume Example
• HR Program Manager Resume Example

Enhancing your hr generalist resume: format and layout tips

Four popular formatting rules (and an additional tip) are here to optimize your hr generalist resume:

• Listing experience in reverse chronological order - start with your most recent job experiences. This layout helps recruiters see your career progression and emphasizes your most relevant roles.
• Including contact details in the header - make sure your contact information is easily accessible at the top of your resume. In the header, you might also include a professional photo.
• Aligning your expertise with the job requirements - this involves adding essential sections such as experience, skills, and education that match the job you're applying for.
• Curating your expertise on a single page - if your experience spans over a decade, a two-page resume is also acceptable.

Bonus tip: Ensure your hr generalist resume is in PDF format when submitting. This format maintains the integrity of images, icons, and layout, making your resume easier to share.

Finally, concerning your resume format and the Applicant Tracker System (ATS):

• Use simple yet modern fonts like Rubik, Lato, Montserrat, etc.
• All serif and sans-serif fonts are friendly to ATS systems. Avoid script fonts that look like handwriting, however.
• Fonts such as Ariel and Times New Roman are suitable, though commonly used.
• Both single and double-column resumes can perform well with the ATS.

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Showcase any ongoing or recent educational efforts to stay updated in your field.

Ensure your hr generalist resume stands out with these mandatory sections:

• Header - the section recruiters look to find your contact details, portfolio, and potentially, your current role
• Summary or objective - where your achievements could meet your career goals
• Experience - showcasing you have the technical (and personal) know-how for the role
• Skills - further highlighting capabilities that matter most to the hr generalist advert and your application
• Certifications/Education - staying up-to-date with industry trends

What recruiters want to see on your resume:

• Proven experience with HR functions such as recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, performance management, and termination processes.
• Familiarity with HR laws and regulations, including FMLA, ADA, EEO, and labor laws.
• Ability to administer and analyze HR metrics for informed decision-making and strategic planning.
• Strong interpersonal and conflict resolution skills, with the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.
• Experience with HRIS (Human Resources Information Systems) and proficiency in MS Office Suite.

Writing your hr generalist resume experience

Within the body of your hr generalist resume is perhaps one of the most important sections - the resume experience one. Here are five quick tips on how to curate your hr generalist professional experience:

• Include your expertise that aligns to the job requirements;
• Always ensure that you qualify your achievements by including a skill, what you did, and the results your responsibility led to;
• When writing each experience bullet, ensure you're using active language;
• If you can include a personal skill you've grown, thanks to your experience, this would help you stand out;
• Be specific about your professional experience - it's not enough that you can "communicate", but rather what's your communication track record?

Wondering how other professionals in the industry are presenting their job-winning hr generalist resumes? Check out how these hr generalist professionals put some of our best practices into action:

• Spearheaded a company-wide policy overhaul which increased compliance with labor laws by 35% and enhanced workforce understanding of HR protocols.
• Implemented a robust employee performance review system that improved staff retention by 25% while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and feedback.
• Executed a successful recruitment campaign that filled 50+ positions with high-quality candidates within a 6-month period, significantly reducing time-to-hire.
• Managed benefits administration for over 800 employees, negotiating with vendors to reduce costs by 20% while maintaining employee satisfaction.
• Led a diversity initiative that increased minority representation in the workforce by 15%, creating a more inclusive and equitable workplace culture.
• Developed and facilitated training on employment law and best practices that reduced legal risks and saved the company $100K+ in potential fines.
• Designed and executed an employee engagement survey that revealed key areas for improvement, ultimately boosting overall employee satisfaction by 30%.
• Played a pivotal role in the launch of a new HR information system, ensuring seamless transition for 500+ employees and gaining praise for project management skills.
• Directed the internship program, increasing conversion to full-time staff by 40%, enriching the talent pipeline.
• Automated several HR processes using HRIS technologies, reducing manual entry tasks by 60% and enabling the HR team to focus on strategic initiatives.
• Collaborated in the development of a compensation structure that aligned with market standards, helping to attract and retain top talent in a competitive industry.
• Coordinated the response to COVID-19, implementing work-from-home procedures and health guidelines that kept employees safe and maintained productivity.
• Launched a wellness program that decreased employee health-related absences by 18%, contributing to enhanced productivity and employee well-being.
• Handled all workplace investigations, resolving 95% of issues internally and mitigating risk of external litigation.
• Revitalized the company's performance management process by integrating a 360-degree feedback mechanism that led to more balanced reviews and employee development.
• Developed a strategic recruitment plan that targeted passive candidates, increasing talent pool quality and filling hard-to-fill roles 20% faster.
• Launched an employee recognition program that improved morale and increased recognition mentions by 50% within one year.
• Facilitated change management during a major corporate restructuring, resulting in a smoother transition and a 10% increase in employee satisfaction scores.
• Overhauled the onboarding process, reducing new employee ramp-up time by 30% and boosting early-stage employee engagement.
• Conducted a wage and hour compliance audit across multiple states, ensuring the company stayed ahead of regulatory changes and avoided penalties.
• Implemented an HR analytics dashboard that provided real-time data on key HR metrics, empowering leadership with insights to make informed decisions.
• Led the transition to a new benefits administration platform, providing a more user-friendly experience for employees and reducing processing errors by 22%.
• Played a key role in negotiating a new employee labor agreement, fostering a collaborative relationship with the union and enhancing operational efficiency.
• Established a company-wide mentorship program that paired junior employees with senior leaders, improving professional development and internal networking opportunities.

Quantifying impact on your resume

• Analyze your past HR initiatives to quantify the percentage improvement in employee retention rates.
• Illustrate your ability to reduce recruitment costs by specifying the percentage decrease achieved over a given period.
• Demonstrate efficiency by detailing the reduction in time-to-hire for new employees through your streamlined processes, using specific percentages.
• Highlight your budget management skills by showcasing the exact amount of money saved through negotiation of benefits and compensation packages.
• Specify the number of training sessions or workshops you have conducted and the subsequent increase in team productivity or performance metrics.
• Cite the volume of employee relations cases you’ve handled and how your intervention led to a reduction in workplace conflicts.
• Exhibit the scale of your HR project management skills by including the number of cross-functional teams you have collaborated with.
• Prove your expertise in compliance by listing the number of audits successfully passed or the percentage reduction in compliance incidents under your watch.

Action verbs for your hr generalist resume

Writing your hr generalist experience section without any real-world experience

Professionals, lacking experience, here's how to kick-start your hr generalist career:

• Substitute experience with relevant knowledge and skills, vital for the hr generalist role
• Highlight any relevant certifications and education - to showcase that you have the relevant technical training for the job
• Definitely include a professional portfolio of your work so far that could include university projects or ones you've done in your free time
• Have a big focus on your transferable skills to answer what further value you'd bring about as a candidate for the hr generalist job
• Include an objective to highlight how you see your professional growth, as part of the company

Recommended reads:

• How to List a Major & Minor on Your Resume (with Examples)
• How To Include Your Relevant Coursework On A Resume

Highlight any significant extracurricular activities that demonstrate valuable skills or leadership.

The right balance between hard skills and soft skills for your hr generalist resume

Wondering what the perfect hr generalist resume looks like? The candidate's profile meets job requirements by balancing both hard skills and soft skills across their resume.

• Hard skills are all the technologies you're apt at using . Prove you have the right technical background by listing key industry hardware/software in your hr generalist resume skills section and noteworthy certifications.
• Soft skills are both your personal, mindset, communication, analytical, and problem-solving talents . Use your hr generalist resume achievements section to show how you've used a particular soft skill to reach a tangible outcome.

When writing about your unique skill set, always make sure to refer back to the job advert to see what are the key requirements. This ensures you've tailored your resume so that it matches closer to what the ideal candidate profile is.

Top skills for your HR Generalist resume:

HRIS Software (e.g., Workday, BambooHR)

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

Payroll Systems

Employee Onboarding Tools

Performance Management Software

Learning Management Systems (LMS)

Compensation Analysis Tools

Time and Attendance Systems

Microsoft Office Suite

Data Analysis Tools (e.g., Excel, Google Analytics)

Communication Skills

Problem-Solving

Interpersonal Skills

Conflict Resolution

Time Management

Adaptability

Attention to Detail

Organizational Skills

List your educational qualifications and certifications in reverse chronological order.

What are the best certificates to add to your hr generalist resume + how to curate your education section

The education and certification resume sections are the underdogs of your hr generalist resume.

They showcase to recruiters that you've invested plenty of time to gain valuable and specific know-how, vital for growth.

As far as the resume education section is concerned:

• Detail only advanced education, specifying the institution and timeframe.
• Indicate your forthcoming graduation date if you're in the midst of your studies.
• Consider omitting degrees that don't align with the job's requirements.
• Offer a description of your academic journey if it underscores your notable achievements.

When curating your degrees and certificates on your hr generalist resume:

• Select only accreditation that matters to the role
• Niche knowledge that could help you stand out as a candidate (as is within the past few years), should be listed towards the top of your resume
• Include any pertinent data for credibility (e.g. institute name, graduation dates, etc.)
• Irrelevant degrees and certifications shouldn't make it on your resume. Those include your high school diploma and any specializations that have nothing to do with the technical or soft skills that are required for the job

As a final note, if you feel tempted to exclude your education or certification from your resume, don't.

These two sections could help you have a better competitive edge over other candidates - hinting that your professional journey in the industry may be for a longer period of time.

Recruiters find all of these hr generalist credentials impressive:

The top 5 certifications for your hr generalist resume:

• Professional in Human Resources (PHR) - HR Certification Institute (HRCI)
• Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) - HR Certification Institute (HRCI)
• SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) - Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
• SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) - Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
• Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR) - HR Certification Institute (HRCI)

If the certificate you've obtained is especially vital for the industry or company, include it as part of your name within the resume headline.

• How To List Certifications On A Resume (Examples Included)

HR Generalist resume summaries or objectives: real-world samples for best industry practices

Grasp recruiters' attention from the get-go of your application with a professional HR Generalist resume summary or objective.

It's wise to select the:

• Resume objective , if you don't happen to have much experience alignment and would like to more prominently feature your dreams and personality.
• Resume summary , if you'd like to have a more standard approach to your application and feature up to five career highlights to help you stand out.

Writing your resume summary or objective should be tailored to each role you apply for.

Think about what would impress the recruiters and go from there.

But, if you need further help with this introductory section, check out some real-world samples in the next part of this guide:

Resume summaries for a hr generalist job

• Accomplished HR Generalist with over 5 years of comprehensive experience in talent acquisition, employee relations, and benefits administration, including a track record of successfully redesigning the onboarding process to improve new hire retention by 25% at a leading tech firm.
• Dynamic professional with a decade of experience in project management and communication, now seeking to leverage transferable skills in a human resources setting, aiming to enhance HR operations through strategic planning and employee engagement initiatives learned from running large-scale projects in the construction industry.
• Seasoned finance manager with 8+ years of budgeting and strategic analysis expertise, eager to apply analytical and problem-solving skills to the human resources field to optimize workforce management and contribute to effective HR policy development in a fast-paced retail environment.
• Enthusiastic individual with a passion for workplace culture and employee development, driven to embark on a career in human resources by implementing a highly praised peer mentoring program during my 2 years as a team leader in the hospitality sector.
• Eager to jumpstart my career in human resources by applying a fresh perspective and undeterred dedication to fostering a positive and productive work environment, underpinned by a strong educational background in psychology and volunteer experience organizing community job fairs.
• Self-motivated recent graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a commitment to learning the intricacies of HR practices; poised to contribute to talent management and employee engagement strategies with a keen interest in developing innovative solutions for workforce planning.

Other hr generalist resume sections to support your expertise and skills

Recruiters are always on the lookout for that hr generalist candidate who brings about even more value to the role.

This can be either via their personality or additional accreditations they have across the industry.

Add to your resume any of the four sections that fit your profile:

• Projects for your most impressive, cutting-edge work;
• Awards or recognitions that matter the most;
• Publications further building up your professional portfolio and accreditations;
• Hobbies and interests to feature the literature you read, how you spend your time outside of work, and other personality traits you deem may help you stand out .

Key takeaways

• Ensure your hr generalist resume uses a simple, easy-to-read format that reflects upon your experience and aligns with the role;
• Be specific within the top one-third of your resume (header and summary or objective) to pinpoint what makes you the ideal candidate for the hr generalist role;
• Curate information that is tailored to the job by detailing skills, achievements, and actual outcomes of your efforts;
• List your certifications and technical capabilities to demonstrate your aptitude with specific software and technologies;
• The sections you decide on including on your hr generalist should pinpoint your professional expertise and personality.

Looking to build your own HR Generalist resume?

• Resume Examples

What Other Companies Are You Interviewing With? - Interview Questions and Answers

How to explain employment gap on resume, how to get a job in silicon valley: industry trends, secrets, and expert advice in 2024, how to include study abroad on a resume, how to use freelance work to add value to your resume, should i put in an incomplete degree on a resume.

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3 Human Resources Generalist Resume Examples for 2024

Human Resources Generalist

Best for senior and mid-level candidates

There’s plenty of room in our elegant resume template to add your professional experience while impressing recruiters with a sleek design.

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Like this template? Customize this resume and make it your own with the help of our Al-powered suggestions, accent colors, and modern fonts.

Human Resources Generalist Resume

Formal human resources generalist resume, elegant human resources generalist resume.

• Human Resources Generalist Resume Writing 101

You start with daily functions like recruiting and hiring, and then handle long-term HR duties to maintain a good workplace, too. You manage benefits, leave, and pay administration alongside ensuring policy compliance.

But you might not be sure whether you should make a cover letter or how to work with a resume template . How long should it be? Which sections should you include or add?

Don’t worry! We’ve distilled years of experience helping human resources generalists like you into these three resume samples with advice to give you a jump start.

or download as PDF

Why this resume works

• Want to speak their language? Build an awesome career objective that summarizes your entire HR career and highlights your best talents like improving training, expediting hiring processes, or boosting employee morale.

Related resume examples

• Human resources (HR) intern
• Human resources (HR) business partner
• Human resources (HR) manager
• Entry-level human resources
• Human resources

What Matters Most: Your Skills & Experience Sections

Set your skills section up for success so that it can do the same for you! Recruiters want to see adaptability and a well-rounded set of abilities that show your technical and interpersonal capabilities.

Always avoid generic terms that could find in any profession. Instead, refine things further and make sure you’re drawing attention to your unique set of abilities that qualify you for the job.

If your communication is great, then say what you use it for. If you’re good with certain types of software, list them specifically by name.

Here are some examples of what we’re talking about:

9 best human resources (HR) generalist skills

• Performance Reviews
• Problem-solving
• Policy Planning
• Benefits/Compensation

Sample human resources (HR) generalist work experience bullet points

While your skills section gives an excellent snapshot of what you can do, recruiters want to see you go a step further. How did you use your data entry skills in the past? How did you use your strategic planning skills to make a positive impact?

You want to bring in a diverse set of examples from your work history that really showcases your ability to make a difference in the workplace with the tools that you have.

And you’ll need to measure the differences you make, too! Use quantifiable data to back up your claims of success, showing recruiters what you can do in percentages, dollars, and numerical rates.

Here’s a handful of ideas from our resume examples :

• Spearheaded recruitment program, enabling competitive hiring practices, boosting morale and productivity to reduce $65K in annual hiring expenses
• Handled all aspects of work performance monitoring with Asana, resulting in an 8% increase in productivity
• Implemented employee recognition program, leading to a 12% drop in resignations
• Restructured employee recruiting plans, emphasizing social media and other modern funnels to increase job visibility by 714%

Top 5 Tips for Your Human Resources (HR) Generalist Resume

• Resume formatting can be everything when you’re polishing up your document. Whichever area is strongest should take the spotlight, whether your skills, certifications, or work experience. As an HR generalist, we’re pretty certain you’ll want to how career advancement, which means you’ll want to present your information in reverse-chronological order.
• As a human resources generalist, highlight your adaptability to shifting situations. Show versatility in your experience and skills, featuring accomplishments ranging from monetary savings to job visibility percentages. Demonstrate your agility!
• HR generalist improving recruitment, hiring, and training processes for 20+ years, harnessing a vast knowledgebase, management experience, and systems optimization. Attention to policies and laws, active research and implementation of department enhancements, and a metrics-driven approach will ensure BookEnds retains qualified, exceptional employees for years to come.
• Your human resources generalist resume should show a clear trend of growth, learning, and advancement. Nail this by providing increasingly complex examples of your success as your points become more recent.
• We know, we know, we already said it. But you really do need to remember this one! Your claims of boosting team morale and reducing hiring expenses are way less impressive and believable without data. Bring in those numbers for reinforcement.

That depends on how long your skills list is and how many certs you have. If you have a lengthy skills list or several certifications, you should probably separate them into disparate sections. If you have just one or two certs, like a PHR cert, they can just go in with your skills.

Generalist doesn’t mean generic! To spotlight this, make sure you take a look at the HR job description and look for unique phrasing or keywords that you can reflect in your resume. Adding these tweaks to your versatile experience points will make you stand out!

You want your resume to look organized, sleek, and professional. That means staying away from distracting colors that pull recruiters’ attention away from your achievements. And use simple, easy-to-read fonts to keep things skimmable.

CAREER GUIDES

• HR Generalist Overview
• HR Generalist Career Path
• How to Become an HR Generalist
• HR Generalist Salary
• HR Generalist Job Description
• HR Generalist Skills
• HR Generalist Interview Questions
• HR Generalist Resume
• HR Generalist Cover Letter
• HR Generalist vs. HR Administrator
• HR Generalist Behavioral Interview Questions
• Human Resources Career Path
• HR Resume Examples
• HR Situational interview Questions
• HR Operations Interview Questions
• HR Operations Skills
• Human Resources Intern Overview
• HR Intern Resume
• How to Become an HR Intern
• HR Intern Job Description
• HR Intern Skills
• HR Intern Interview Questions
• HR Assistant Overview
• HR Assistant Cover Letter 
• How to Write an HR Assistant Resume
• HR Assistant Job Description
• HR Assistant Salary
• HR Assistant Interview Questions
• HR Specialist Overview
• How to Write an HR Specialist Resume
• HR Specialist Skills
• HR Specialist Interview Questions
• HR Specialist Salary
• HR Specialist vs. HR Generalist
• HR Specialist Cover Letter
• Human Resources Administrator Overview
• HR Administrator Salary
• HR Administrator Job Description
• HR Administrator Resume
• How to Become an Human Resources Administrator
• Human Resources Administrator Skills
• HR Coordinator Overview
• How to Become an HR Coordinator
• HR Coordinator Interview Questions
• HR Coordinator Skills
• HR Coordinator Job Description
• HR Coordinator Salary
• HR Coordinator Resume
• HR Manager Overview
• HR Manager Career Path
• How to Become a HR Manager
• HR Manager Interview Questions
• HR Manager Resume
• HR Manager Cover Letter
• HR Manager Skills
• HR Manager Salary
• HR Manager Job Description
• HR Specialist vs. HR Manager
• HR Operations Manager Overview
• HR Operations Manager Salary
• HR Operations Job Description Examples
• HR Operations Specialist Overview
• HR Operations Specialist Salary
• Senior HR Manager Overview
• Senior HR Manager Salary
• Senior HR Manager Job Description
• Onboarding Specialist Overview
• HR Onboarding Specialist Job Description
• Onboarding Specialist Interview Questions
• Onboarding Specialist Salary
• HRIS Analyst Overview
• HR Analyst Career Path
• HRIS Analyst Career Path
• How to Become an HRIS Analyst
• HRIS Analyst Interview Questions
• HR Analyst Job Description
• HR Analyst Salary
• HR Business Overview
• HR Business Partner Career Path
• HR Business Partner Skills
• HR Business Partner Interview Questions
• How to Become an HR Business Partner
• HR Business Partner Salary
• HR Business Partner Job Description
• HR Business Partner Resume
• HR Business Partner Cover Letter
• Google HR Business Partner Interview Questions
• HR Business Partner Behavioral Interview Questions
• HR Business Partner Model
• Senior HR Business Partner Overview
• Senior HR Business Partner Salary
• Senior HR Business Partner Job Description
• Human Resources Director Overview
• How to Become an HR Director
• HR Director Skills
• HR Director Interview Questions
• HR Director Salary
• HR Director vs HR Manager
• HR Director Cover Letter 
• HR Director Resume
• Director of People Overview
• How to Become a Director of People
• Director of People Skills
• HR Executive Overview
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Home › HR Career Path › What Does an Human Resources Generalist Do? › Human Resources (HR) Generalist Resume Examples to Inspire You

Human Resources (HR) Generalist Resume Examples to Inspire You

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Trying to give your resume a boost to land a distinguished HR Generalist job?

Smart decision. 

Building a resume for a human resources position is like baking a cake for a baking pro. HR managers know their businesses and that includes all about resume-building. This means that you have to master it too.

But don’t worry. This guide will walk you through every section of a perfect HR Generalist resume with examples to inspire you. 

How to Make a Winning HR Generalist Resume

The most effective resumes are the ones that include only relevant information for the job you are applying for. 

Recruiters dedicate on average 7 seconds to each resume, which means that you don’t want them to spend this precious time going over things that won’t guarantee that you are an excellent candidate for the role under review.

The secret to winning an interview with your resume is focusing on quality over quantity when it comes to information.

After years of recruiting experience, I found that the best resumes follow a structure that looks like this:

Contact Information

Academic background, profile summary, skills and capabilities, professional experience, certifications.

Whether you should include all these sections on your resume or not, depends on how much experience you have on the field, and whether you hold credible certifications. If you have plenty of professional experience, for example, you don’t necessarily have to include a skills section.

Let’s explore the specifics of each of these sections:

There are no secrets when putting together this first part. Just make sure you include your name, email address, phone number, and home address on the top of the page

Your name should be in evidence, with the other information items underneath it. Make sure to organize this section in a way that doesn’t take much space on your resume page. 

Example for Inspiration:

I’ve seen many applicants leaving this section out. When I ask the reason, they say that they were told that their degree was not very significant.

That’s not true. Even though professional experience has more value in this day and age, your education still counts, especially for entry-level positions. 

Most companies hiring a HR Generalist require candidates to have at least a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, or a similar field.

Just make sure to keep this section simple and direct. There’s no need to mention coursework or honors. 

If your college GPA is higher than 3.5, you can mention it. If that’s not the case, don’t bother to include it.

Your school name, years of completion, degree, and field of study should be enough.

Examples for Inspiration:

The profile summary’s purpose is to maximize the few seconds that the recruiters will spend reading your resume.

In three or four sentences, you will tell them why you are the right fit for the position.

If you succeed in getting their seal of approval on this section, they might dedicate a few extra seconds to review your resume with more attention.

A lot of pressure to make the profile summary right, uh?

To make sure you hit the key aspects, you should include a mix of these three points:

• A summary of your human resources career. For example: “Human Resources generalist and SHRM certified professional with 2 years of experience in the technology industry.”
• Concrete results backed by numbers. For example: “Increased employee engagement rate at [previous company name] by 38% and employee productivity index by 16%.”
• Evidence that you know what it takes to succeed in the role. For example: “Seeking to increase training engagement and decrease cost-per-hire at [company name].”

These sample resumes show three different ways you can format your profile summary:

In this section, you get to use keywords to tell your hiring manager what are your strengths as a human resources generalist. 

But don’t just throw beautiful HR words there at random. To get your recruiters’ seal of approval, you must show you have the right skills for the job.

To find out what these specific skills are, I recommend opening the job post and highlighting keywords that tell you what they are looking for in terms of qualifications, and capabilities.

Once you have these keywords, just choose about six of the most relevant ones (make sure that you actually have these skills) and include them in this section. 

If the job posting has “Generate, organize, and make conclusions from the human capital database” as one of the main job responsibilities, for example, it is a good idea to include “Data-driven” as one of your skills.

Most HR Generalist job descriptions require a combination of a few of these following skills:

• HRIS Expertise
• Data-driven
• Conflict Resolution
• Employee Relations
• Intercultural Sensitivity
• Administration Tasks Expert
• ​MS Office Programs
• Benefits Administration 
• Employee Incentive Programs Management
• Tax Compliance
• ATS and CRM knowledge 
• Employee Performance Management
• Employment Law Expertise
• Talent Acquisition 
• Project Management

The resume format above shows the level of expertise in each of the skills, which helps the hiring managers to understand how far goes each of your capabilities. 

If you prefer not to specify the expertise level, you can use a format that looks like the resume sample below:

This should be the largest section of your HR generalist resume. 

By looking at your previous work experiences in the HR department, recruiters will confirm whether you have the skills you showcased. 

The secret to making this section powerful is including as many solid results as possible. 

Recruiters screen hundreds of resumes in a day, which means that they see lots of conducted this, managed that. Broad descriptions of your responsibilities won’t convince them. Be as specific as you can be and give them solid results.

Each bullet point should increase the hiring manager’s confidence that you can thrive on the position. To do that, you must be intentional and tailor the descriptions to the specific job you are applying for.

These are some examples of the job responsibilities that human resources recruiters will look for underneath your previous job titles:

• Performed new employee orientation and increased onboarding satisfaction by X %
• Generated data and HR policies to base decisions that led to a decrease in cost-per-hire of X %
• Managed staffing processes for X departments from resume and cover letter screening to new hire orientation
• Administered workers compensation and benefits plans based on company policies, market research, and surveys
• Led Diversity & Inclusion committee initiatives which contributed to a significant improvement in employee retention and engagement 
• Streamlined HR operations by appropriate training administration that assisted employees to further their personal and organizational development
• Investigated and managed employee conflicts in the work environment and brought up solutions before they escalated and affected labor relations
• Conducted hiring interviews, performance reviews, and exit interviews 
• Utilized the HRIS to provide, track and maintain data and optimize applicant tracking processes

Keep in mind that the Human Resources Generalist role tends to be an entry-level position in most companies. This means most candidates don’t have many years of experience in the field. 

If that is your case, I recommend thinking of the tasks you had on your previous non-HR jobs and listing the ones that helped on your development as a human resources professional.

Project management tasks, for example, are performed in most administrative jobs and will help you succeed as a human resources generalist. Same for data analysis responsibilities. 

In this last section of your resume, you will showcase your human resources credentials. Not many candidates for entry-level HR jobs hold credible certifications, so if you do, that’s an excellent way to differentiate. If you don’t you might want to start thinking about getting certified.

The most common human resources certification is offered by the Society for Human Resource Management. The institution is recognized globally, and they have different levels of certifications depending on the career stage that you are at.

Many companies require their HR Generalist candidates to hold certifications. 

In this section, you can also include awards or special achievements. Just make sure to adjust the section’s title accordingly.

If you’re interested in learning more about HR certifications to upgrade your resume, then check out our HR Certification Courses.

If you don’t hold any certification or special achievement yet, you can substitute this section for some other section that will show off some other strengths. This could be languages you speak, HR conferences you attended, associations you are part of, or even volunteer work you did.

Give Your Resume a Boost and Land a HR Generalist Job

As a HR professional, you know the power that a well-written professional resume has when recruiters are deciding who will be invited for interviews. 

Customizing your resume for the specific HR functions involved in the role is the best way to show hiring managers that you are the right person for the job.

Follow this resume writing guide and get inspired by these HR generalist resume samples to optimize your job search and land a remarkable job.

If you are new to Human Resources and are looking to break into an HR Generalist role, we recommend taking our HR Generalist Certification Course, where you will learn how to build your skillset in human resources, build your human resources network, craft a great HR resume, and create a successful job search strategy.

We offer a wide variety of programs and courses built on adaptive curriculum and led by leading industry experts.

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