HR Assistant Resume Job Description, Duties & Examples

HR assistant resume examples

An HR assistant works with a senior person in the human resources department to help with various tasks. From basic clerical tasks, such as writing correspondence, to maintaining accurate personnel records, the HR assistant needs a varied skill set to succeed in this role. As such, when writing an HR assistant resume, you must show the hiring manager that you have the skills needed to fit the role.

In this article, you will learn how to include all these details in your resume while following a professional structure favored by hiring managers.

What to highlight in an HR assistant resume

All job roles have different specifications and requirements that you will need to showcase in your resume. When it comes to a human resources assistant resume, you will need to prove that you have the requirements stated in the job description, as these are the attributes that the hiring manager is looking for. Some points you will need to highlight in your resume are:

• Your experience in human resource management and the HR department
• Skills and certifications
• Specific administrative assistant skills that you acquire
• Relevant training and education in business administration

Structure of an HR assistant resume

Before you get started with writing your resume, you will need to find a resume format that works for you. There is an easy way for you to choose between the three resume formats based on your expertise level:

• Functional: If you currently don’t have much experience, following a functional resume format will help you focus the main section of your resume around your skill set.
• Chronological: If you have a lot of work experience that you would like to cover, following a chronological resume format will ensure that you can detail your work history.
• Combination: If you have gaps in your employment history or are changing careers, choosing a combination resume format allows you to focus on your skills and work history.

No matter which resume format you end up going with, you will still need to include the following resume sections:

Header

Every professional resume should start with a header section that gives the recruiter an easy way to contact you. At the top of your resume, in addition to your name, include your phone number and email address. You can also include your professional social media links, such as your LinkedIn profile.

Resume summary

A resume summary is a perfect way to entice hiring managers to continue reading your resume. You can do this by summarizing your most significant accomplishments and professional skills. Your summary statement should be 2-3 sentences in length and you should aim to use action words to create more of an impact. Here is an example:

“Knowledgeable administrative assistant with three years of experience in the human resources department. A fundamental part of the hiring process, with scheduling interviews, onboarding new hires and keeping job postings up to date.”

Skills

Your skills section is where you can incorporate your professional attributes with the hiring manager’s requirements. You want to show that you have new and exciting skills that you can bring to the team, along with the necessary skills needed for the position. Here are some examples of HR assistant skills to consider adding to your HR assistant resume:

• Proficiency using programs such as Microsoft Office, Excel and PeopleSoft
• Understanding of HRIS
• Interpersonal skills
• Time management
• Employee training
• Employee relations
• Perform evaluations and exit interviews
• Ability to run background checks
• Maintain personnel files, including employee records and employee files
• Directing administrative support to the HR Manager
• Proficient with data entry systems
• Perform phone screens
• Knowledge of the recruitment process
• Experienced with office management
• Thorough knowledge of HR policies and how to work with an HR team
• Ability to facilitate employee orientation training to ensure new employees understand company policies.
• Benefits administration and benefits enrollment

Work experience 

Your work experience section should take the hiring manager on an easy-to-follow journey of your work history. For each job, list the company name and dates of employment. Listing your jobs in reverse-chronological order will ensure that recruiters can first see your most recent experience.

Education

Most people who work in human resources have a bachelor’s degree in human resources, business or a related field. Also, if you want to progress up the human resources career ladder, you may obtain an Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR) certification. You don’t need to add your GPA to your resume but if you have received any honors, such as cum laude or been on the Dean’s List, be sure to include that information.

Do’s and don’ts for an HR assistant resume

Here are some valuable tips to keep in mind when writing your resume:

Do:

• Use a resume template to ensure you stick to a professional format that includes every section you need.
• Center your resume content around positive achievements and mention those you are proud of.
• Use action words, such as “Facilitated,” when describing actions you have taken in the workplace to create more of an impact.

Don’t:

• Make generic comments without any evidence to back up your claims.
• Write lengthy points and sentences that make your resume look busy and chaotic.
• Make your resume too long or over two pages.