How to Write an HR Assistant Resume
Want to perfect your HR assistant resume? Then you came to the right place. Since you’ll be reporting to the HR manager, your human resources assistant resume should be top-notch and list relevant skills to land the HR assistant job.
An HR assistant is a mid-career-level position in the HR department. Your job as an HR assistant is to help your HR manager and the department maintain employee records and data, write letters, and perform routine administrative tasks.
A human resources assistant is a lucrative career option with an average salary of$46,900.
Don’t worry. We’re here to help you write that job-winning human resources assistant’s resume.
An HR assistant requires excellent interpersonal and communication skills. They are the department’s helping hands, ensuring its smooth functionality.
The HR assistant job description may differ from company to company, and this guide shows everything you need to write a resume that caters to each of them. Here’s what we’ll be covering here:
- Job-winning HR assistant resume sample.
- List the correct set of relevant skills.
- Mention your qualifications, certifications, and experiences relevant to each job.
- Use the Applicant Tracking System to land job interviews.
- Learn to differentiate yourself from others.
Without further ado, let’s get started.
How to Write an HR Assistant Resume?
An HR assistant reports to the company’s HR manager and works as an administrative assistant with other team members.
Here are four steps in writing a job-winning professional resume for the position of HR assistant:
- Conduct deep research about the company and the HR manager on the official website and Linkedin.
- Create a personalized cover letter.
- Create an HR assistant resume with the relevant skillsets and experiences.
- Proofread and apply.
But before you start applying for the jobs, you need to ask the following questions from yourselves:
- Do you have experience in creating employee orientation programs?
- Have you scheduled interviews with job applicants in the past?
- How did you manage employee relations in your previous company?
- Have you updated yourself with the most relevant human resources knowledge?
- How can you improve the hiring process for the new company?
- Did your previous work experience match today’s human resources knowledge?
Many HR assistants include details not relevant to their resumes. Having these will not create a positive impact on the hiring managers. The problem with these skills is that you cannot quantify them:
- Managed employment records.
- Helped HR managers with hiring.
- Improved recruiting process.
- Worked with the human resources team.
- Created employee paperwork.
- Crafted workers’ compensation programs.
- Assessed employee performances.
- Quality customer service.
As an HR assistant, you are expected to perform the abovementioned responsibilities. But listing them won’t help you land the job. Instead, you must provide the impact you’ve made while working in previous companies. How did you improve the hiring process? What were the results? How did you handle employee requests? What was the process of ensuring confidential information? What steps do you take to improve the new employee orientation process?
How about you rewrite the above statements with quantifiable results? Here’s what they would look like:
- Managed employment records using a human resources information system and saved 30% time in approving leave applications and managing personnel files and documents.
- Helped HR managers in hiring and reduced the new hire orientation process from 3 weeks to 10 days.
- Improved recruiting process for new employees by hiring through job fairs and witnessed a 26% reduction in employee turnover in 6 months.
- Worked with the human resources team to maintain new hire paperwork and digitalize all personnel records.
- Created employee paperwork for new and current employees.
- Developed workers’ compensation programs that increased employee retention by 25% within 3 months.
Did you notice the difference? You need to quantify and justify your results with numbers.
The numbers stand out from the text, creating a positive impression on the HR manager.
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What is the Best HR assistant Resume Example?
The best HR assistant resume example is the one with reverse chronological order. That’s because it saves the precious time of HR managers to understand your most recent work experience. Here are some additional tips to make your resume appealing to the HR manager:
- ATS-compliant with relevant keywords.
- No more than 1 page.
- Attractive copy for each heading and description of work experience.
- Relevant work experiences.
- Results with numbers.
- Relevant certifications.
It is not easy for HR managers to score through resumes for each job application. They need to know the job candidate’s most recent work experience. The manager is preoccupied with several tasks. If you want the manager to have a second look at your resume, it needs to be well-formatted, with the most recent work experience first.
It is your first and only chance to create a solid impression. Don’t take it for granted.
How to Make Your HR Assistant Resume ATS-Friendly?
ATS(Applicant Tracking System) has reduced the time and effort required to scan resumes and shortlist candidates. It is an automated method of searching resumes for relevant skills, keywords, education, and experience. Consider it a Google search engine for hiring managers.
If the resume is a match, ATS will forward it to the
manager.
Once you have added the relevant skills and keywords in the ATS, the system will find resumes that match the criteria. Your employer will only call you if your resume passes through the ATS.
Your resume can never reach the human eye if the ATS rejects it. In short, without relevant keywords, it will be discarded in the black hole of resumes. Consider it like the Recycle Bin of resumes.
Did you know that 99% of Fortune 500 companies use it to scan and find the most relevant applicants for the job? Here’s another eye-opening fact:
Since you are applying as an HR assistant, here are some of the most relevant keywords to include in your resume. Please note that not all skills may be relevant. Only add those specific to the job position:
- Created job descriptions for the recruitment process.
- Crafted human resources policies with the manager.
- Created HR calendar and planned and scheduled meetings.
- Managed employee files in the HRIS program.
- Managed a variety of administrative performance aspects of human resources management.
- Independently developed and adapted techniques and procedures to accomplish work.
- Worked with HR business partners to determine the need for employee training programs.
- Assisted employees with their insurance programs.
- Crafted workers’ compensation programs.
- Hard and soft skills.
- Confidential management of employee data.
- Maintained employee personnel files in the HRIS database.
Here are some additional tips to make your resume ATS-compliant:
- Reverse chronological order with the most recent experience at the top.
- Use long-form and acronym versions of the keywords.
- Use bullet points.
- Don’t use tables, columns, or graphs.
- Use 12-point Times New Roman or Arial font for readability.
- Avoid putting any information in headers and footers.
- Do not submit at multiple openings in the same company.
- Do not stuff your resume with all keywords. Remain relevant.
- Do not try to trick the ATS.
- Only apply to jobs for which you are qualified.
An ATS reads, scans, and parses your resume. Apply the tips above to avoid slipping your resume into the digital file shredder.
What Sections Should You Put on Your HR Assistant Resume?
There are many sections of an HR assistant resume, but you need to include the following ones:
Professional Header
The hiring managers will glance at your professional header when they receive the application.
Make sure to include the following details:
- Full name and contact information, including phone number and email address.
- Job title.
- A portfolio, if you have one.
- City without a residential address.
- Educational institutes with names of degrees and graduation years.
- Relevant skills, tools, and certifications.
Besides the essentials, you must include the most relevant experiences when applying to different jobs. Weigh in on the following factors before finalizing everything:
- Does your resume have relevant keywords?
- Can you justify the skills and results?
- Does it fit one page?
- Do the job responsibilities define your roles?
- Is your resume formatted for ATS?
- Does your resume reflect your personality as a professional HR assistant?
It’s your resume, don’t take it for granted.
Here is one example of the HR assistant resume example and format.
Did you notice it is ATS-compliant? There are no tables, graphs, or columns. Yet, it appeals to the hiring manager.
The most important keywords are in bold, and the resume has no headshot.
HR Assistant Resume Responsibilities Example
HR assistants have on average 5 years of experience working in the HR Department.
What are some of the most important job responsibilities you can write in your HR assistant resume? Here are these:
- Maintained accurate human resource files, employee records, and documentation.
- Answered frequently asked questions related to human resources policies, workers compensation benefits, pay scales, and others.
- Ensured data entry of employee records and other confidential information.
- Performed periodic audits of employee files and records.
- Conducted administrative tasks to support the HR team.
- Assisted the HR team with human resources functions, including payroll processing, bank account openings, and check distribution.
- Provided external customer service to third parties.
- Conducted and assisted the HR team with new employee orientation.
- Assisted the human resources department with planning and executing special events such as benefits enrollment, meetings, employee recognition events, holiday parties, and retirement celebrations.
- Processed documentation and prepared reports relating to staffing, recruitment, training, grievances, and performance evaluations.
- Coordinated HR projects with human resources specialists.
- Handled employee complaints and grievances through a standard procedure.
- Coordinated communication with candidates for scheduling interviews.
- Initiated promotions and bonuses for eligible employees.
- Submitted online job postings.
- Maintained digital and electronic employment records.
- Assist with recruitment by identifying candidates, performing reference checks, and issuing employment contracts.
- Oversee the completion of compensation and benefit documentation.
- Assisted with performance management procedures, including workers’ compensation.
- Coordinated training sessions and seminars.
- Conducted termination paperwork and exit interviews.
- Kept up-to-date with the latest HR trends, best practices, and state and federal laws.
Take into account the following when writing experiences:
- Remain relevant and only list work history specific to the job title.
- Take assistance from a resume builder.
- What HR tools are you proficient in?
- Why are you the best fit for this job?
- What makes you different than others?
Listing Skills
As an HR assistant, you have mastered the art of crafting successful policies, boosting employee morale, orchestrating talent acquisition programs, and advising senior management on the company’s future direction.
It is now time to shine. List these skills under the “skill” section of your resume:
- Office management skills, including employee personnel file handling and maintaining confidential employee documents in a secure database.
- Human resources specialist with demonstrated ability to create and implement winning HR strategies.
- Scheduling interviews for new hires.
- Strong grip over state and federal laws to ensure compliance with EEO.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Ability to manage a team of HR generalists and professionals by delegating tasks.
- Demonstrated ability to learn HRIS and talent management systems.
Listing HR assistant Resume Education
The minimum degree requirement for an HR assistant is a Bachelor’s in HR, business administration, or a relevant field.
Listing Certifications
Investing your time, effort, and hard-earned money in acquiring the latest certifications is crucial to succeeding in a competitive environment. You need to stand out and differ from the rest on all grounds, or you will have a hard time competing with 200+ candidates applying for the same job as you are.
If you’re looking for HR certifications, check available HR.University courses:
Listing Achievements
Hiring managers need to know not the work you’ve done but the results you’ve achieved in the human resources field. Here are some questions to help you write the best achievements:
- How does your work contribute to the business objectives?
- Can you justify and explain human resources policies in the interview?
- What are your biggest strengths and weaknesses?
- What are your career goals?
- How you’ve strengthened the HR Department?
- Have you implemented HR processes leading to improvements?
- How often did you work with the management team?
- What have you done to reduce the employee turnover rate and foster a healthy work culture?
Talk about your work history in numbers.
Many HR assistants will write:
“Overlooked the recruitment process and shortlisted candidates for interviews.”
Here are some great examples of HR assistant achievements:
- Assisted the HR team in introducing orientation programs for newly hired employees, which led to a 24% increase in employee retention.
- Advised the HR manager on organizational policy development and recommended solutions that reduced employee turnover by 30%.
- Researched, created, and launched successful employee health and wellness programs that improved employee morale by 35%, according to a company-wide survey.
Listing Interests
Leave the interests out. Employers are neither interested nor have the time to go through them. They also won’t make any difference in your job prospects.
Listing Languages
Most companies in the US only require exceptional communication skills in the English language. If your hard and soft skills in English are good enough to convince the hiring manager, you need not have command in any other language.
HR Assistant Resume Examples
After going through many human resources resume samples, here is one format you can copy:
This is an excellent HR assistant resume format that fits one page and lists all skills, certifications, and experiences in a well-organized manner.
Shotgun vs Sniper Approach
It doesn’t matter how tempting a job description might be; do not apply unless you’re a qualified applicant. Regardless, here are two approaches that most HR assistants use when applying for different jobs:
- The shotgun approach – Applying on all jobs without customizing your cover letter and resume.
- The sniper approach – Applying on relevant jobs with a customized cover letter.
The shotgun approach works like this:
- 60 job applications submitted
- 2 responses
The laser-focused sniper approach works like this:
- 40 job applications submitted
- 7 responses to interviews
- 4 last round interview
- 2 job offers
The difference is self-explanatory.
How Many Pages Should Your HR Assistant Resume Be?
Employers only skim and scan your resume, so it should never exceed one page.
Five HR Assistant Resume Tips
You must have a clear resume and present your qualifications and skills to land the HR assistant job. Remember, your resume is a reflection of your professionalism. You only have one chance to make an ever-lasting impression and convince the hiring manager to schedule an interview with you.
Here are 5 HR assistant resume applying tips:
1. Personalized cover letter for each role
Many HR assistants send a cover letter shorter than the length of a tweet. In a few lines, many candidates request that HR managers consider them for the job. This is a competitive market, and that’s how cover letters work now. Cover letters need to build your rapport and develop a strong connection with the prospective hiring manager. It should address the person, and be friendly, yet professional. Here are some tips to write a professional cover letter:
- Address the manager with their full name.
- Mention the company name.
- Explain why you are the best person for the role of HR assistant.
- What motivates you to apply for the job?
- Use active voice.
Use the above tips to write a cover letter addressing the hiring manager.
2. Highlight achievements
Including job responsibilities is essential, but mentioning significant achievements in each role is even more critical. Adding numbers is a great way to demonstrate the KPIs you achieved in previous companies.
3. Use 1-inch margins
Your resume should have single spaces between the text, with a 1-inch margin across all sides.
4. Proofread your resume before applying
One grammatical error or spelling mistake is enough to get rejected. If you’re having difficulty proofreading your HR assistant resume, let an expert copyeditor do it.
5. List your LinkedIn profiles
You should do so now if you haven’t created a LinkedIn profile. Linkedin is the most popular social media platform for HR professionals. Hiring managers often go through your LinkedIn profile and other social media accounts to study the type of person you are.
HR Assistant Resume Don’ts
Here are a few don’ts.
Resume objective and summary
Your skills, education, and relevant work history do the job for you. Do not add in objective and summary.
Headshot
Do not add a picture when applying in the US, as the ATS may not scan your resume for the relevant skills and keywords.
Old experience
The average experience of an HR assistant is 4 to 5 years. Many career experts do not advise including work experience older than 10 years on your resume.
Where Can You Apply with Your HR Assistant Resume?
Here are some of the most common and popular websites with great openings for the HR assistant position. Use your resume and apply to these job boards:
HR Assistant Resume Template
[Your Full Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, Zip]
[Your Email Address] | [Your Phone Number] | [LinkedIn Profile URL]
Professional Summary
Detail-oriented HR Assistant with [X] years of experience supporting HR operations, including onboarding, software management, and record maintenance. Proven ability to streamline processes, maintain accurate documentation, and support positive employee experiences. Skilled in communication and organization, contributing to efficient and effective HR functions.
Key Skills
- Employee Onboarding: Facilitate new hire processes, orientation, and initial training coordination.
- HR Software: Proficient in [HR Software Name(s) – e.g., ADP, Workday, BambooHR].
- Record Management: Skilled in maintaining employee files and ensuring compliance with company policies.
- Communication: Strong interpersonal skills, fostering positive interactions with employees and HR teams.
- Administrative Support: Experience in scheduling, filing, data entry, and other support tasks.
Professional Experience
HR Assistant
[Company Name], [City, State]
[Month Year – Present]
- Assisted in onboarding, ensuring smooth orientation for all new hires.
- Managed employee records using [HR software], maintaining up-to-date and accurate information.
- Supported HR managers in daily administrative tasks, including scheduling meetings and handling communications.
- Contributed to team projects, such as [specific project or initiative], improving overall department efficiency.
HR Coordinator
[Previous Company Name], [City, State]
[Month Year – Month Year]
- Organized onboarding sessions for new employees, facilitating a welcoming start to their roles.
- Maintained employee documentation in compliance with company and legal standards.
- Collaborated with HR team to implement [specific initiative], enhancing employee engagement.
Education
Bachelor of [Your Major]
[University Name], [City, State]
[Month Year]
Certifications
- [Certification Name, e.g., PHR or SHRM-CP] – [Issuing Organization], [Month Year]
References
Available upon request.
FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about HR assistant resumes.
What should I include in my HR assistant resume?
An HR assistant resume should highlight key skills and experiences relevant to the HR assistant role. Focus on your understanding of onboarding, proficiency with HR software, and any administrative experience that supports human resources functions. Be sure to include achievements in previous roles that demonstrate your ability to streamline processes, support HR operations, and contribute to a positive work environment.
How can I emphasize my experience with employee onboarding on my HR assistant resume?
Onboarding is a crucial part of many HR assistant roles, so emphasizing your experience here can make your resume stand out. Highlight specific tasks you’ve managed, such as coordinating new hire orientation, preparing onboarding documents, or facilitating initial training sessions. This experience showcases your ability to help new employees acclimate, a valuable skill in the HR field.
Why is HR software experience important for an HR assistant?
Many HR departments rely on specialized HR software to manage employee records, track compliance, and streamline processes. Including HR software proficiency on your resume shows potential employers that you can handle essential administrative tasks efficiently. Whether you’ve worked with HR Information Systems (HRIS), payroll software, or other HR-related tools, listing these experiences will strengthen your application.
What skills are essential for an HR assistant role?
The HR assistant role requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and proficiency in handling administrative tasks. Effective communication, basic knowledge of employment laws, and familiarity with onboarding are also crucial. Experience with HR software further adds value, demonstrating your capability to use tools that improve HR efficiency and accuracy.
How can I demonstrate my organizational skills on my HR assistant resume?
As an HR assistant, organizational skills are critical for managing various HR functions, from onboarding to record-keeping. On your resume, mention specific instances where you maintained or improved organization within an HR department. This might include managing filing systems, updating employee records, or helping to organize training sessions or team events.
If you are new to Human Resources and are looking to break into an HR role, we recommend taking our HR Certification Courses, where you will learn how to build your skillset in human resources, build your human resources network, craft an excellent HR resume, and create a successful job search strategy.
