The job of a Human Resources professional isn’t easy – but it’s well compensated. As of March 2023, the average salary for a Human Resources Manager in the US stood at $115,441, with those working in the top niche industries making upwards of $200,000 annually. It is also one of the most promising careers of the future according to SHRM.
The unique and elaborate skill set needed for this role could be the reason why the demand for HR professionals is growing. Here are some of the most essential skills an HR professional must develop to get a high-paying job.
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Best HR Skills on Resume. How to List Them
If you are looking to land a job in human resources, it’s important to highlight the skills that make you a strong candidate on your resume. Human resources is a critical function in any organization, and employers are looking for candidates who possess a range of abilities that can help them manage employees and drive business success.
In this article, we’ll explore the best HR competencies to list on your resume and provide tips on how to showcase them effectively. Whether you’re a seasoned HR professional or just starting out in the field, these tips can help you stand out from the competition and land your dream job.
What Are Human Resources Skills?
Human resources skills refer to the competencies and abilities required to effectively manage employees and support the goals of an organization. These can include recruitment and talent management, employee relations, compliance and legal knowledge, compensation and benefits, HRIS and data management, project management, communication and interpersonal skills, and leadership and strategic thinking. These abilities are critical for effectively managing employees and supporting the success of an organization.
Top Human Resources Skills for Your Resume
Technical/Hard Skills for an HR Resume
In today’s digital age, it’s becoming increasingly important for HR professionals to have technical abilities that can help them navigate HR technology and effectively manage data. Here are some of the top hard skills to include on an HR resume:
- HR Information Systems (HRIS): HRIS are software platforms that help HR professionals manage employee data and automate HR processes. Experience with HRIS platforms such as Workday, SAP, or Oracle can be a valuable ability to include on your HR resume.
“Proficient in utilizing HRIS platforms such as Workday and SAP to manage employee data, run reports, and automate HR processes.”
“Adept in troubleshooting and resolving HRIS-related issues, as well as providing training and support to end-users.”
- Data analytics: HR professionals are increasingly using data analytics to make informed decisions about recruitment, compensation, and employee development.
“Experienced in gathering and interpreting HR data related to employee performance, compensation, and benefits to identify trends and develop solutions to improve HR processes.”
“Proficient in creating data visualizations and dashboards to communicate HR metrics and trends to stakeholders.”
- Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS): ATS are software platforms that help HR professionals manage the hiring process, from job postings to candidate selection. Experience with ATS platforms such as Jobvite, Taleo, or iCIMS can be especially valuable to employers.
“Proficient in setting up and maintaining ATS workflows, as well as generating reports and tracking recruitment metrics.”
“Skilled in developing and implementing effective ATS search strategies to identify top talent and maintain a strong talent pipeline.”
- Social media management: Social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter are increasingly being used for recruitment and employer branding.
“Experienced in managing social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to support recruitment and employer branding efforts.”
“Capable of developing and curating social media content, including job descriptions, employee stories, and company news.”
- Learning Management Systems (LMS): LMS platforms are used to manage employee training and development programs. Experience with LMS platforms such as Cornerstone, Skillsoft, or Udemy are good additions to a resume.
“Successfully managed the implementation and administration of a Learning Management System (LMS) to support employee training and development initiatives.”
“Designed and developed training courses using the LMS platform and managed employee enrollment and completion of courses.”
- Digital communication: HR professionals are increasingly using digital communication tools such as email, chat, and video conferencing to communicate with employees and stakeholders. Experience with digital communication tools such as Microsoft Teams or Zoom can be a valuable skill to highlight on your HR resume.
“Proficient in using digital communication tools such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Skype to communicate with employees, managers, and other stakeholders in a remote work environment.”
“Strong ability to maintain professionalism and ensure effective communication in a digital environment.”
By highlighting these top technical skills on your HR resume, you can demonstrate to potential employers that you have the competencies and abilities required to effectively navigate HR technology and manage employee data.
Soft Skills for an HR Resume
While technical skills are important for HR professionals, it’s also essential to highlight your soft skills on your resume. Here are some of the top soft skills to include on an HR resume:
- Communication: HR professionals need strong communication skills to effectively communicate with employees, stakeholders, and other members of the organization. This includes both written and verbal communication, as well as active listening.
“Successfully developed and maintained positive relationships with employees, managers, and stakeholders through effective communication.”
“Proficient in communicating complex HR policies and procedures to employees in a clear and concise manner.”
- Emotional intelligence: HR professionals need to be empathetic and understand the emotions and needs of employees. This includes the ability to manage conflict, provide feedback, and support employees through difficult situations.
“Demonstrated strong emotional intelligence in providing empathetic support to employees during difficult situations.”
“Recognized employees’ emotional states and responded with appropriate actions and support.”
- Leadership: HR professionals need to be strong leaders who can inspire and motivate employees, as well as influence stakeholders and drive change within the organization.
“Provided clear direction and guidance to team members and ensured that tasks and projects were completed on time and within budget.”
“Fostered a culture of collaboration and accountability, and encouraged team members to take ownership of their work.”
- Problem-solving: HR professionals need to be able to analyze problems, develop solutions, and make informed decisions that support the goals of the organization.
“Worked collaboratively with cross-functional teams to identify areas for improvement and implement process improvements to streamline HR operations.”
“Maintained up-to-date knowledge of HR laws and regulations to ensure compliance and mitigate risk for the organization.”
- Time management: HR professionals need to be able to manage their time effectively and prioritize tasks to ensure that projects are completed on time and deadlines are met.
“Successfully prioritized and managed multiple HR projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.”
“Used effective time-management strategies, including prioritization, delegation, and task scheduling, to optimize productivity and minimize waste.”
- Adaptability: HR professionals need to be able to adapt to changing circumstances and be flexible in their approach to HR challenges.
“Quickly adjusted to new HR policies and procedures and effectively communicated changes to employees and stakeholders.”
“Successfully managed HR operations during periods of high volume and worked collaboratively with team members to ensure that HR services were delivered in a timely and effective manner.”
- Collaboration: HR professionals need to be able to work collaboratively with other members of the organization, including employees, managers, and executives.
“Worked collaboratively with managers and employees to identify areas for improvement and develop effective solutions to HR challenges.”
“Fostered a culture of collaboration and teamwork, encouraging team members to share ideas and work together to achieve common goals.”
By highlighting these on your HR resume, you can demonstrate to potential employers that you have the competencies and abilities required to succeed in the field of HR. Employers are looking for HR professionals who are not only technically proficient but also possess strong communication, leadership, problem-solving, and collaboration skills.
Where to Include HR Skills on Your Resume
When writing a resume, it’s important to strategically place your HR skills in areas that are easily noticeable by recruiters and hiring managers. Here are some tips on where to include HR skills on a resume:
- In the skills section: One of the best places to include HR skills is in a dedicated skills section. This section can be located at the top or bottom of the resume and should highlight the most relevant HR skills you possess.
- In the summary statement: The summary statement at the top of your resume is the first thing that recruiters and hiring managers will read. Including a brief mention of your most important abilities in human resources in this section can help catch their attention and encourage them to read further.
- In the job descriptions: When listing your previous job experience, make sure to include specific skills you utilized in each position. This not only demonstrates your expertise in HR but also shows how you’ve applied your capabilities in real-world situations.
- In bullet points: When highlighting your previous job experience, use bullet points to list specific HR skills you used to accomplish your tasks. This not only makes them more visible but also makes your resume easier to scan.
- In certifications and education: If you’ve obtained certifications or completed education courses related to HR, make sure to list them on your resume. This shows that you’ve taken the initiative to continue learning and improving your HR skills. Attaching your obtained HR field related certificates is especially important when you apply for some niche human resources positions, like martech recruiters, healthcare recruiters, internal communication specialist, etc.
Overall, including HR skills throughout your resume is important to catch the attention of recruiters and hiring managers. By strategically placing your HR skills in relevant sections, you can make your resume stand out from the crowd and increase your chances of landing an HR job.
Top HR Skills to Highlight for Different HR Roles?
Different HR roles require different sets of skills. Here are some of the top HR skills to highlight for different HR roles:
HR Generalist
HR Generalists are responsible for managing various aspects of the HR function, including recruitment, employee relations, compliance, and benefits. Some of the top HR skills to highlight for this role include recruitment and talent management, employee relations, compliance and legal knowledge, compensation and benefits, and project management.
HR Coordinator
HR Coordinators provide administrative support to the HR department, including scheduling interviews, maintaining employee records, and managing HR systems. Some of the top HR skills to highlight for this role include data management, HRIS, attention to detail, communication, and time management.
HR Manager
HR Managers are responsible for managing the HR department and developing HR strategies that support the overall goals of the organization. Some of the top HR skills to highlight for this role include leadership, strategic thinking, project management, communication, and emotional intelligence.
Training and Development Specialist
Training and Development Specialists are responsible for designing and delivering employee training and development programs. Some of the top HR skills to highlight for this role include instructional design, facilitation, communication, creativity, and data analysis.
Compensation and Benefits Manager
Compensation and Benefits Managers are responsible for designing and implementing compensation and benefits programs that attract and retain top talent. Some of the top HR skills to highlight for this role include compensation and benefits knowledge, data analysis, project management, communication, and legal compliance.
By highlighting these top HR skills for different HR roles, you can demonstrate to potential employers that you have the competencies and abilities required to succeed in specific areas of HR.
Tailoring your resume to highlight the most relevant HR skills for the role you’re applying for can increase your chances of landing an HR job that is the right fit for your skill set.
Best Practices for Adding Skills on an HR Resume
Here are some best practices for adding skills on an HR resume:
- Customize skills to the job: Tailor the skills section of your resume to highlight the HR skills that are most relevant to the job you are applying for.
- Use bullet points: Use bullet points to make your skills section easy to scan and read.
- Prioritize skills: Prioritize your bullets based on their relevance to the job you are applying for. This will help recruiters see your most relevant information at a glance.
- Use keywords: Use keywords related to HR skills and job requirements to make your resume more easily searchable by applicant tracking systems (ATS).
- Be specific: Use specific examples and quantifiable results to illustrate your HR abilities and accomplishments. This will help demonstrate your value and experience in HR.
- Keep it concise: Keep your skills section concise and focused. This will help avoid overwhelming the recruiter with too much information.
- Keep it up-to-date: Update your HR skills section regularly to reflect new skills and accomplishments. This will help keep your resume fresh and relevant to potential employers.
FAQ
What Are the Top 3 Skills an HR Professional Should Have?
The top three skills that an HR professional should have are the following:
- strong communication skills,
- excellent problem-solving abilities,
- and a deep understanding of employment laws and regulations.
HR professionals must be able to communicate effectively with employees, managers, and other stakeholders, as well as handle conflicts and manage complex situations. They should also have the ability to analyze problems, develop solutions, and make informed decisions that support the goals of the organization.
Additionally, HR professionals need to stay up-to-date with employment laws and regulations to ensure compliance and minimize legal risk for the organization.
What Are Some Entry Level HR Skills?
Some entry-level HR skills include basic knowledge of HR functions such as recruitment, onboarding, and employee relations, as well as proficiency in Microsoft Office and other common software programs.
Entry-level HR professionals should also have strong communication and interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work well in a team. Additionally, knowledge of basic employment laws and regulations, as well as an eagerness to learn and grow in the field, can be valuable entry-level HR skills.
How to Improve HR Skills?
To improve HR skills, one can consider various approaches such as attending professional development workshops, taking courses or obtaining certifications in HR-related topics, seeking mentorship or guidance from more experienced HR professionals, and staying up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in the field through industry publications and networking events. Additionally, gaining hands-on experience through internships or entry-level positions can be helpful in developing and refining HR skills.
Finally, having a growth mindset and being open to feedback and constructive criticism can also help HR professionals continually improve their skills.