Navigating the myriad of CVs to identify the right candidate can be a daunting challenge for an HR generalist. Our comprehensive guide offers targeted strategies and practical tools to streamline the selection process, enhancing your ability to pinpoint the ideal match for your team efficiently.
In this Enhancv hr generalist CV guide, you'll find out more about how to:
- Answer job requirements with your hr generalist CV and experience;
- Curate your academic background and certificates, following industry-leading CV examples;
- Select from +10 niche skills to match the ideal candidate profile
- Write a more succinct experience section that consists of all the right details.
Do you need more specific insights into writing your hr generalist CV? Our guides focus on unique insights for each individual role:
Resume examples for hr generalist
Explore additional hr generalist cv samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.
By Experience
Senior HR Generalist
- Crisp and Cohesive Structure - The CV is organized with distinct sections that seamlessly flow into each other, from summary to experiences to skills. It uses concise bullet points that maintain clarity, ensuring that each key responsibility and achievement is easy to grasp quickly.
- Strategic Career Growth and Industry Relevance - This individual demonstrates significant career progression, advancing from an HR Generalist role at HSBC to a Senior HR Generalist at Unilever. The trajectory shows a consistent climb in responsibility, with a focus on HR roles in large and complex organizations likely met with multifaceted challenges.
- Impactful Achievements with Business-Centric Results - Achievements highlighted in the CV are not only quantified but also illuminate their business impact, such as reducing compliance issues and enhancing retention. This demonstrates how Harper's HR initiatives align with and support broader organizational objectives.
Junior HR Generalist
- Structured Progression in HR Roles - William Hall's career trajectory from an HR Intern to an HR Coordinator shows a clear path of growth and increasing responsibility within the HR field, signaling a solid understanding of HR operations and a capability to scale in his role.
- Robust Soft Skills and Leadership Abilities - His roles demonstrate significant soft skills, with an emphasis on communication and organisational skills, which are essential for managing events and onboarding processes. His ability to enhance team cohesion and streamline office operations highlights his leadership qualities and interpersonal effectiveness.
- Impactful Achievements in Role - The CV details quantitative achievements, such as a 20% increase in employee satisfaction and a £5,000 saving in office expenses, which clearly illustrate his ability to contribute to business objectives and improve operational efficiency.
Entry-level HR Generalist
- Structured Experience Chronology - Theodore Green’s CV is organized in a chronological fashion that clearly outlines a logical progression and significant career growth. It begins with an HR Coordinator role and advances through positions to an HR Specialist, indicating a steady rise in responsibilities and capabilities within the HR domain.
- Diverse Skillset and Tools Proficiency - The CV highlights a comprehensive range of skills such as Recruitment, Onboarding, Performance Management, and HR Systems Management, coupled with project management and data analysis competencies. The inclusion of specific HR systems and methodologies he’s proficient in, like the absence management strategies, adds depth and shows industry-specific technical expertise.
- Impactful Achievements with Quantifiable Results - Theodore has documented specific achievements that reflect significant business impact, such as a 25% improvement in recruitment efficiency and an 18% reduction in absenteeism. These accomplishments, which go beyond mere numerical data, underscore the tangible improvements he has facilitated in his roles, thereby enhancing organizational effectiveness and employee satisfaction directly.
Mid-level HR Generalist
- Structured Career Progression - Eva Fisher's CV illustrates a clear growth trajectory in the HR domain, transitioning from an HR Coordinator to a Senior HR Specialist, and finally to an HR Generalist. This progression shows her increasing responsibility and expertise within the field, emphasizing a deepening understanding of HR functions and leadership roles.
- Technical Expertise and Methodologies - The candidate demonstrates specialized skills by utilizing tools like ADP payroll software and QuickBooks, showcasing her technical competency in HR-specific technology. Her implementation of a new HRIS system that reduced processing times by 30% underlines a strong ability to leverage technology to improve organizational efficiency.
- Impactful Achievements with Business Relevance - Achievements listed such as a 25% increase in new hire retention and a 20% boost in payroll efficiency are directly tied to business outcomes, illustrating her role in driving significant improvements that enhance both employee satisfaction and operational effectiveness.
By Role
HR Generalist in Healthcare
- Structured Career Progression - Isabelle's CV reflects a clear trajectory, showcasing her growth from an HR Coordinator to an HR Business Partner. This progression highlights both her dedication to the field and her ability to take on more complex and impactful roles over time.
- Focus on Compliance and Policy Implementation - The CV emphasizes her expertise in UK legislation and policy implementation, essential skills for an HR Generalist managing compliance within diverse organizational settings. This focus is reinforced by her achievements in reducing absenteeism and enhancing policy compliance.
- Cross-Functional Leadership - Her roles reflect significant cross-functional experience, with achievements like leading a cross-functional team to harmonize benefits plans at Siemens UK and coordinating wellbeing initiatives. This adaptability suggests she can bridge various departments for cohesive HR strategies.
HR Generalist in Manufacturing
- Structured and Concise Presentation - Freddie Hughes' CV is meticulously structured, beginning with key personal details and a succinct summary of expertise. The experience section is organized in reverse-chronological order, providing clear insight into career progression. Bullet points are used effectively to summarize achievements, ensuring readability and facilitating quick comprehension of core competencies and accomplishments.
- Impressive Career Trajectory with Leadership Progression - The CV reflects a strong career trajectory, marked by consistent upward movement into roles of increasing responsibility. Transitioning from an HR Specialist at Diageo to a Senior HR Generalist at Unilever demonstrates Freddie's success in gaining leadership roles. Each position shows expanded responsibilities, highlighting their growth from managing employee onboarding to driving strategic HR initiatives.
- Achievements with Significant Business Impact - Freddie’s CV effectively articulates achievements not just through statistics but by demonstrating their business relevance. For instance, reducing recruitment costs by 25% at Nestlé and decreasing time-to-hire by 20% at Unilever directly translate to increased organizational efficiency and cost savings, illustrating their ability to deliver strategic value to organizations.
HR Generalist in Non-profit Organisations
- Content Presentation and Clarity - The CV is structured in a logical and concise format, allowing for an easy review of qualifications and achievements. Each section is well-defined and uses bullet points effectively to present information succinctly, which makes it accessible and reader-friendly for recruiters. The use of specific percentages and outcomes aids in presenting a clear picture of the candidate's competencies and achievements.
- Career Trajectory and Growth - Finley Robinson's career trajectory is well-documented, showing a steady progression from an HR Coordinator to an HR Generalist. This indicates not only growth in terms of responsibilities but also a deepening of expertise within the HR domain, specifically within manufacturing operations. The career path reflects strong stability and an ongoing commitment to professional development within the same field.
- Unique Industry-Specific Elements - The CV highlights the candidate's experience with industry-specific tools such as Oracle Fusion and HCM, reflecting technical depth in HR analytics and systems. Robinson's involvement in implementing data integrity protocols and HR system integrations highlights a proficiency with tools and methodologies that are central to efficiently managing human resources in a manufacturing environment.
HR Generalist in Education
- Clarity and Organization - The CV is well-structured, with each section clearly delineated and easy to navigate. The concise bullet points effectively outline the applicant's responsibilities and achievements, allowing the reader to quickly grasp the candidate's qualifications and experience.
- Strategic HR Focus - Emphasizing strategic HR functions, the CV highlights the candidate's ability to implement compliance training and improve decision-making processes, which demonstrates a high level of expertise in aligning HR initiatives with business objectives.
- Cross-Functional Skills - Beyond traditional HR roles, Poppy Griffiths showcases cross-functional expertise through achievements like enhancing data analytics tools and implementing new grievance handling systems. This indicates a strong adaptability and capability in leveraging technology to enhance HR operations.
HR Generalist in Information Technology
- Structured and Direct Content Presentation - The CV is well-organized with clear headings, facilitating an easy read. Each section delivers crisp and relevant information, reflecting the individual's ability to present complex data succinctly. This ensures that key professional details are quickly accessible, highlighting overall clarity and effectiveness in communication.
- Diverse and Progressive Career Path - Amelia's career trajectory shows a solid progression from roles such as HR Systems Coordinator at Oracle to HR Technology Analyst at Capita Plc. This progression illustrates her growth in responsibilities, including tackling cross-functional team leadership and handling large-scale system implementations. Her movement across renowned companies indicates adaptability and steady upward mobility.
- Specialized Skill Set in HR Technology - The CV emphasizes Amelia’s expertise in specific tools like UKG Pro, and courses geared toward advanced Excel and HR tech vendor management reflect her in-depth technical capabilities. Her capacity to integrate, optimize, and manage HR systems reveals specialized knowledge crucial for an HR Technology Analyst role.
Experienced HR Generalist in Retail and experience
- Comprehensive career trajectory in HR - Thomas Walker's CV eloquently outlines a well-defined path of career progression within the human resources domain, transitioning smoothly from HR Advisor to HR Business Partner. This trajectory exemplifies a steady growth in responsibility and expertise, demonstrating his capability to handle increasingly complex HR challenges.
- Adaptability and cross-functional collaboration - The CV showcases Thomas's adaptability through his involvement in various HR initiatives such as succession planning, talent development, and cultural shifts. He demonstrates an ability to collaborate across departments, integrating HR strategies that align with broader business objectives, which is crucial for a role like HR Business Partner.
- Focus on measurable achievements and impact - Walker's experience and achievements sections highlight the business relevance of his contributions with specific metrics. For example, a 25% increase in retention rates and a 15% boost in operational efficiency underscore his effective strategic initiatives and their direct impact on organizational success.
HR Generalist in Financial Services
- Career Growth and Progression - Rosie's CV demonstrates a clear upward trajectory in her HR career, evolving from an HR Specialist at HSBC to an HR Business Partner at Legal & General. This progression highlights her ability to take on higher responsibilities and more complex challenges over time, which is a testament to her growing expertise and leadership capabilities in human resources.
- Practical Achievements with Business Relevance - The CV effectively uses metrics to illustrate Rosie's business impact, such as a 15% reduction in grievance cases and a 20% shorter time-to-hire through improved recruitment processes. These accomplishments not only reflect her contribution to enhancing organizational efficiency but also underscore her ability to drive significant, positive changes that align with business objectives.
- Comprehensive Skill Set Relevant to HR - Rosie presents a robust set of skills tailored for HR roles, including Employee Relations, UK Employment Law, Data Analysis, and Conflict Resolution. Additionally, her completion of advanced courses in Employee Relations and Strategic Talent Acquisition indicates a commitment to continuous professional development, enhancing her capability to adapt HR strategies to changing business needs.
HR Generalist in Hospitality
- Structured and Clear Presentation - The CV's content is systematically organized, starting with personal details and a succinct summary, followed by relevant sections such as experience, education, skills, and achievements. This structure not only showcases Finley Robinson's expertise but also ensures clarity and easy navigation for potential employers.
- Progressive Career Growth and Industry Expertise - The candidate's career trajectory reveals consistent progress through increasingly senior roles, from HR Advisor to HR Manager. This upward trend within reputable hospitality brands like The Savoy and Marriott International indicates both professional development and deep industry expertise.
- Focus on Measurable Achievements - The CV effectively highlights quantifiable achievements, such as reducing turnover and enhancing recruitment quality, demonstrating Robinson's ability to impact business outcomes significantly through strategic HR interventions.
HR Generalist in Government
- Structured and Concise Presentation - The CV effectively organizes career highlights, experiences, and skills in a clear and concise manner. Each section is straightforward, providing key information without overwhelming details, which allows for easy navigation and quick comprehension for HR managers or recruiters.
- Progressive Career Trajectory - Oliver's career progression is well-mapped, demonstrating growth from HR Coordinator to HR Business Partner, and finally HR Generalist. This upward movement highlights both promotions and a depth of experience across prestigious organizations such as International SOS, Bupa, and the NHS, substantiating his credentials and expertise in the field.
- Substantial Achievements with Business Impact - The CV features Oliver’s significant achievements, such as a 25% increase in employee retention and a 20% improvement in engagement scores. These accomplishments are not only quantitative but also indicative of his ability to align HR strategies with corporate goals, ensuring meaningful contributions to organizational success.
HR Generalist in Logistics
- Structured Clarity - The CV is meticulously organized, making it easily navigable for readers. Clear headings and concise bullet points allow for quick identification of relevant details, ensuring that the depth of experience and specific skills are immediately accessible without overwhelming the reader with unnecessary information.
- Strategic Career Progression - Theodore Green's career trajectory illustrates a clear and strategic progression from an HR Generalist to a Senior Human Resources Manager. This shows their ability to take on new challenges within the HR domain, adapt to larger roles, and deliver substantial organizational benefits, demonstrating a trajectory of consistent growth and development within leading UK companies.
- Impactful Achievements - The CV effectively highlights achievements that go beyond mere metrics, demonstrating impactful contributions to business outcomes. For instance, the improvement of employee retention and internal promotions shows the candidate's capability to influence organizational culture and talent advancement, which are critical components of business strategy in HR contexts.
HR Generalist in Real Estate
- Clear Structure and Conciseness - The CV's layout is logically structured, providing clear sections for job experience, education, skills, and achievements, making it easy for the reader to navigate and immediately grasp key information. This clarity and conciseness present a comprehensive snapshot of the candidate's qualifications and career trajectory.
- Career Growth in Human Resources and Manufacturing - The progression from HR Assistant at British Steel to HR Generalist at Diageo showcases a consistent upward trajectory in the HR field within manufacturing and operations. The promotions suggest growth in responsibilities and expertise, reflecting a deepening of knowledge and skills in strategic HR management.
- Data-Forward Approach to HR - The CV highlights the candidate's unique ability to integrate data analysis into HR functions. By leveraging tools such as Oracle Fusion and HR Data Analytics, they demonstrate how data enhances decision-making processes and operational efficiencies, making it particularly valuable in manufacturing operations.
HR Generalist in Energy Sector
- Structured and Clear Presentation - The CV is well-organized, presenting information in a structured and concise manner. Each section is clearly defined, making it easy to navigate and understand the candidate's qualifications and experiences. This clarity ensures that key attributes and accomplishments are immediately noticeable to the reader.
- Strong Career Trajectory with Industry Relevance - Oscar's career progression demonstrates a steady growth in HR roles, moving from an HR Assistant to an HR Generalist. The trajectory highlights a commitment to the HR field within reputable organizations like BP and Shell, showcasing the candidate's ability to adapt and excel in prominent energy sector companies.
- Impactful Achievements with Business Relevance - The CV highlights powerful accomplishments, such as achieving an 87% fill rate for open positions and increasing employee satisfaction survey results by 20%. These achievements not only reflect individual success but also underscore the candidate's ability to drive meaningful improvements in recruitment and workplace culture, contributing positively to business objectives.
HR Generalist in Professional Services
- Structured and Detailed Content Presentation - The CV is structured in a clear and concise manner, with defined sections for experience, education, skills, and achievements. Each section is presented logically, making it easy to follow. Bullet points effectively summarize key responsibilities and achievements, enhancing readability and allowing for quick assimilation of information.
- Career Progression and Professional Growth - Florence’s career trajectory showcases significant growth and upward mobility within the HR field. Progressing from an HR Coordinator to an HR Business Partner within a few years highlights her advancement in both responsibility and expertise, indicating strong proficiency and development in HR competencies.
- Achievements with Direct Business Impact - The CV does an excellent job of going beyond listing responsibilities by highlighting achievements with quantifiable outcomes. For instance, improving employee engagement by 25% and reducing turnover by 10% are not just numbers but reflect significant contributions towards enhancing organizational culture and operational efficiency.
HR Generalist in Construction
- Well-organized structure with clear sections - The CV is meticulously organized into sections such as experience, education, skills, courses, achievements, and languages. This structured approach ensures that the reader can easily navigate through Louis Wood's qualifications, providing a comprehensive view of his professional journey and competencies.
- Demonstrates a progressive career path in HR - The career trajectory outlined in the CV showcases consistent professional growth, progressing from an HR Coordinator to an HR Generalist and Talent Management Specialist. This progression reflects Louis Wood’s ability to leverage his expanding expertise in recruitment and talent management, illustrating a successful climb within the HR domain.
- Emphasizes data-driven achievements - Louis Wood's CV highlights key accomplishments with quantifiable impacts, such as reducing employee turnover by 25% and increasing internal promotion rates by 18%. These metrics provide solid evidence of his ability to implement effective HR strategies that directly contribute to business success, underscoring his proficiency in crafting solutions that yield measurable results.
HR Generalist in Automotive Industry
- Structured presentation emphasizes clarity - The CV is well-organized with sections dedicated to experiences, education, skills, and more, allowing for easy navigation. Each section is clearly labeled, and key information is concisely presented, enhancing the readability and ensuring that the most relevant details are easily accessible.
- Evidence of career progression and leadership development - The candidate has steadily advanced from a Human Resources Consultant to a Human Resources Manager role, demonstrating a clear growth trajectory within the HR field. This advancement reflects not only their growing expertise but also their capability to take on more responsibility and lead complex initiatives effectively.
- Tangible impact through strategic achievements - The CV illustrates significant achievements with quantifiable results, like reducing employee turnover by 18% and increasing productivity by 15%. These achievements are directly linked to business outcomes, showcasing how the candidate's strategic HR initiatives lead to measurable improvements in organizational efficiency and employee engagement.
HR Generalist in Media
- Effective Structure and Presentation - The CV is well-organized, beginning with a concise summary and followed by categorically structured sections such as experience, skills, education, courses, and achievements. Each section presents information clearly and concisely, making it easy for potential employers to quickly understand Ivy Ward's qualifications and experiences relevant to the HR field.
- Demonstrated Career Growth - Ivy Ward's career trajectory shows a clear path of professional growth and advancement within human resources. Starting as an HR Assistant and progressing to an HR Generalist role at the British Broadcasting Corporation demonstrates her capability to handle increasing responsibilities and larger projects, indicating a strong potential for future leadership positions.
- Focus on Impactful Achievements - The CV highlights several achievements with tangible business relevance, such as reducing company hiring costs by 30%, improving employee satisfaction scores by 30%, and increasing team diversity by 10%. These figures not only demonstrate Ivy Ward's effectiveness in project implementation but also underscore her ability to drive significant organizational benefits.
How complex should the format of your hr generalist CV be?
Perhaps, you decided to use a fancy font and plenty of colours to ensure your hr generalist CV stands out amongst the pile of other candidate profiles. Alas - this may confuse recruiters. By keeping your format simple and organising your information coherently, you'll ultimately make a better impression. What matters most is your experience, while your CV format should act as complementary thing by:
- Presenting the information in a reverse chronological order with the most recent of your jobs first. This is done so that your career history stays organised and is aligned to the role;
- Making it easy for recruiters to get in touch with you by including your contact details in the CV header. Regarding the design of your CV header, include plenty of white space and icons to draw attention to your information. If you're applying for roles in the UK, don't include a photo, as this is considered a bad practice;
- Organising your most important CV sections with consistent colours, plenty of white space, and appropriate margins (2.54 cm). Remember that your CV design should always aim at legibility and to spotlight your key information;
- Writing no more than two pages of your relevant experience. For candidates who are just starting out in the field, we recommend to have an one-page CV.
One more thing about your CV format - you may be worried if your double column CV is Applicant Tracker System (ATS) complaint. In our recent study, we discovered that both single and double-column CVs are ATS-friendly . Most ATSes out there can also read all serif and sans serif fonts. We suggest you go with modern, yet simple, fonts (e.g. Rubik, Lato, Raleway) instead of the classic Times New Roman. You'll want your application to stand out, and many candidates still go for the classics. Finally, you'll have to export your CV. If you're wondering if you should select Doc or PDF, we always advise going with PDF. Your CV in PDF will stay intact and opens easily on every OS, including Mac OS.
PRO TIP
Incorporate a touch of colour in headers or section breaks, but keep it professional and ensure it doesn’t detract from readability, especially in more conservative industries.
The top sections on a hr generalist CV
- Professional Summary demonstrates your HR expertise and career goals.
- HR-Specific Experience highlights your work history in human resources.
- Key HR Skills showcases your relevant abilities like recruitment or employee relations.
- Education and Certifications validate your formal HR training and qualifications.
- Additional HR-Related Achievements underline any notable successes or contributions.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Highlight your knowledge of employment laws and regulations, mentioning specific training or certifications you've obtained, such as CIPD qualifications, to substantiate your expertise in safeguarding the organisation's legal compliance.
- Emphasise your experience in managing a full employee lifecycle, from recruitment and onboarding to performance management and offboarding, to show your capability in overseeing HR operations.
- Demonstrate your ability to handle sensitive situations by providing examples of conflict resolution, negotiation, or employee relations issues you've successfully navigated, showcasing strong interpersonal skills.
- Showcase your proficiency in HRIS (Human Resources Information Systems) by including specific platforms you have worked with and how you've utilised these systems to improve HR processes.
- Detail any initiatives you've spearheaded or contributed to, such as diversity and inclusion programs or employee wellness schemes, which reflect your commitment to fostering a positive workplace culture.
Recommended reads:
Our checklist for the must-have information in your hr generalist CV header
Right at the very top of your hr generalist CV is where you'd find the header section or the space for your contact details, headline, and professional photo. Wondering how to present your the name of the city you live in and the country abbreviation as your address;
- are tailored to the role you're applying for by integrating key job skills and requirements;
- showcase what your unique value is, most often in the form of your most noteworthy accomplishment;
- select your relevant qualifications, skills, or current role to pass the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessment. Still not sure how to write your CV headline? Our examples below showcase best practices on creating effective headlines:
Examples of good CV headlines for hr generalist:
- Human Resources Generalist | Employee Engagement Specialist | CIPD Certified | 5+ Years Progressive Experience
- Senior HR Officer | Talent Management & Development | Employment Law Expertise | 8 Years in HR
- Junior HR Generalist | Recruitment & Onboarding Enthusiast | Diversity Advocate | BA in Human Resource Management
- HR Business Partner | Strategic HR Planning | Performance Management | 10 Years Industry Experience
- Associate HR Generalist | Payroll Administration | Employee Relations | SHRM-CP | 3 Years HR Experience
- Lead Human Resources Generalist | Organisational Design | HR Analytics Savvy | MBA | 12+ Years Experience
Your hr generalist CV introduction: selecting between a summary and an objective
hr generalist candidates often wonder how to start writing their resumes. More specifically, how exactly can they use their opening statements to build a connection with recruiters, showcase their relevant skills, and spotlight job alignment. A tricky situation, we know. When crafting you hr generalist CV select between:
- A summary - to show an overview of your career so far, including your most significant achievements.
- An objective - to show a conscise overview of your career dreams and aspirations.
Find out more examples and ultimately, decide which type of opening statement will fit your profile in the next section of our guide:
CV summaries for a hr generalist job:
- Highly-skilled HR Generalist with over 10 years of experience in multinational corporations, adept at managing a wide spectrum of human resources functions. Proven ability to streamline HR processes, enhance workforce productivity, and lead successful employee relations strategies. Key achievement includes revamping the recruitment process, reducing time-to-hire by 30%.
- Dynamic professional with a 5-year tenure in HR management, bringing forth a track record of implementing effective HR policies and programs in fast-paced technology startups. Expertise includes talent acquisition, employee engagement, and compliance with labour laws. Successfully introduced a company-wide developmental program that boosted employee retention by 25%.
- Seasoned marketing strategist transitioning to HR Generalist roles, equipped with a comprehensive understanding of corporate dynamics and employee development needs. Keen to apply 8 years of people-focused experience and strategic planning capabilities to enhance human resources initiatives. Exceptional communication skills honed with cross-functional teams and large customer bases.
- Financial analyst with 6 years of experience making a career pivot into human resources, eager to leverage analytical capabilities and data-driven decision-making skills. Committed to applying a strong foundation in team leadership, project management, and budgeting to foster a positive work environment and manage talent effectively.
- Aspiring HR professional, freshly graduated with a Master's degree in Human Resources Management, seeking to put academic knowledge into practice. Eager to develop hands-on experience in recruitment, employee relations, and HR analytics, while bringing fresh perspectives and enthusiasm to contribute to employee success and organisational growth.
- Motivated individual with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, aiming to embark on a career in HR by engaging in a challenging environment that values continuous learning. Determined to leverage strong interpersonal skills and a dedication to fostering workplace culture to become a valuable asset in managing and nurturing talent.
More detailed look into your work history: best advice on writing your hr generalist CV experience section
The CV experience is a space not just to merely list your past roles and responsibilities. It is the CV real estate within which you could detail your greatest accomplishments and skills, while matching the job requirements. Here's what to have in your experience section:
- Prove you have what the job wants with your unique skill set and past successes;
- Start each bullet with a strong, action verb, and continue with the outcome of your responsibility;
- Use any awards, nominations, and recognitions you've received as solid proof of your skill set and expertise;
- align your experience with the role responsibilities and duties.
For more help on how to write your CV experience section, check out the next section of our guide:
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Efficiently managed a diverse workforce of over 200 employees, leading to a 15% decrease in staff turnover through strategic engagement initiatives and a robust career development programme.
- Implemented an updated HRIS system that streamlined the employee data management process, reducing manual errors by 25% and improving overall HR productivity.
- Championed the company’s equality and diversity policies, resulting in a 40% increase in diversity hires and the successful establishment of an inclusive workplace culture.
- Developed effective onboarding programmes which accelerated employee ramp-up time by 30%, enhancing productivity and early-stage employee satisfaction ratings.
- Handled complex employee relation cases with a 95% resolution rate without escalation, evidencing strong conflict resolution skills and adherence to legal and policy guidelines.
- Designed and facilitated targeted training workshops covering leadership, customer service, and compliance, increasing the average skills rating of participating staff by 20%.
- Played a pivotal role in salary benchmarking activities and annual compensation reviews that led to industry-competitive pay structures and a 10% reduction in pay disparities.
- Conducted monthly HR analytics reports to track talent acquisition effectiveness, workforce trends, and training ROI, enabling data-driven decisions that supported HR strategic goals.
- Collaborated with senior management to align HR functions with business objectives, resulting in the seamless integration of HR strategy with organisational expansion plans.
HR Generalist
Human Resources Generalist
Unilever
01/2020-Ongoing
- Implemented and streamlined recruitment processes, cutting down time-to-hire by 30% and improving the quality of candidates.
- Led a successful employer branding campaign which increased our LinkedIn followers by 150%, enhancing our market presence.
- Developed and oversaw a performance management system that boosted employee productivity by 25% within the first quarter of its introduction.
HR Professional
HR Generalist Officer
Accenture
05/2016-12/2019
- Facilitated the digital transformation of the HR department by implementing a new HRIS system that resulted in a 40% reduction in administrative tasks.
- Managed a workforce restructuring project, ensuring 100% compliance with employment laws and minimising disruption to ongoing operations.
- Launched a diversity and inclusion initiative that saw a 20% increase in minority representation in leadership roles within two years.
HR Practitioner
HR Generalist Executive
IBM
11/2013-03/2016
- Designed and rolled out an employee well-being programme that reduced absenteeism by 15% and increased employee satisfaction scores by 10 points.
- Contributed to international recruitment drives, successfully staffing 50+ key technical positions with top-tier talent from around the globe.
- Negotiated with insurance providers to enhance employee benefits while cutting annual costs by 20%, directly impacting staff retention rates.
HR Position
HR Generalist Associate
Shell
08/2011-10/2013
- Orchestrated the merger of departmental HR policies following a company acquisition, aligning 500+ employees with new organizational standards.
- Conducted comprehensive job evaluations resulting in a revised grading structure to ensure market competitiveness, affecting over 300 positions.
- Initiated a leadership training programme that upskilled 40 managers in people management, enhancing team effectiveness.
HR Coordinator
HR Generalist Specialist
Tesco
02/2017-03/2020
- Spearheaded the development of a company-wide career progression framework that increased internal promotions by 35%.
- Coordinated with department heads to manage a workforce of 1000+, including talent acquisition, development, and exit strategies.
- Piloted a flexible working hours scheme that improved employee work-life balance and reduced turnover by 18%.
HR Role
HR Generalist Consultant
Vodafone
07/2009-05/2013
- Drove company compliance with new GDPR regulations, conducting training for all 800 employees and mitigating data breach risks.
- Implemented a corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme that engaged employees and contributed to a 10% uplift in brand reputation.
- Renegotiated with external recruitment agencies to lower hiring fees by 25%, resulting in significant cost savings.
HR Executive
Senior HR Generalist
AstraZeneca
04/2012-12/2014
- Developed a bespoke onboarding programme that accelerated new hire ramp-up time by 50%.
- Played a pivotal role in internal conflict resolution, decreasing the number of formal grievances by 70% through effective mediation techniques.
- Crafted a rewards and recognition scheme that uplifted employee motivation levels, reflected in a 20% improvement in NPS scores.
HR Associate
HR Generalist Lead
Barclays
06/2014-07/2017
- Collaborated on the development of a cutting-edge e-learning platform for employee training, reaching 100% completion rates for mandatory courses.
- Led a team of 4 in the HR department, ensuring high service delivery standards that supported 600+ employees.
- Streamlined expatriate management processes, reducing relocation issues by 40% and enhancing the experience for international assignees.
How to ensure your hr generalist CV stands out when you have no experience
This part of our step-by-step guide will help you substitute your experience section by helping you spotlight your skill set. First off, your ability to land your first job will depend on the time you take to assess precisely how you match the job requirements. Whether that's via your relevant education and courses, skill set, or any potential extracurricular activities. Next:
- Systematise your CV so that it spotlights your most relevant experience (whether that's your education or volunteer work) towards the top;
- Focus recruiters' attention to your transferrable skill set and in particular how your personality would be the perfect fit for the role;
- Consider how your current background has helped you build your technological understanding - whether you've created projects in your free time or as part of your uni degree;
- Ensure you've expanded on your teamwork capabilities with any relevant internships, part-time roles, or projects you've participated in the past.
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
If you have experience in diverse fields, highlight how this has broadened your perspective and skill set, making you a more versatile candidate.
Hard skills and soft skills to showcase your unique skill set on your hr generalist CV
Did you know that your CV will mostly likely be assessed by recruiters based on skill alignment? And that means that the way you feature your key skills across different CV sections will play a crucial role in landing you that first interview. We recommend you add your:
- technical capabilities or hard skills in your CV experience, certificates, projects, etc. Use your past accomplishments to prove your technical capabilities. List up to a dozen different software or hardware in your dedicated skills section to match the job keywords;
- personal and communication skills or soft skills in your CV strengths, achievements, summary/ objective, etc. Soft skills are a bit more difficult to prove. How do you define your aptitude in active listening? So, instead of just listing the skill name, include a tangible metric to show your success.
On a final note, when you're in a hurry to create your profile, you may misspell a particular technology or soft skill. That's why we suggest you copy and paste the particular skill name (or keyword), directly from the job advert. This would also help you to pass any initial Applicant Tracker System (ATS) tests.
Top skills for your hr generalist CV:
HARD SKILLS
Employee Relations
HR Policies and Procedures
Recruitment and Staffing
Payroll Processing
Benefits Administration
Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS)
Performance Management
Compliance with Employment Law
Training and Development
HR Analytics
SOFT SKILLS
Communication
Interpersonal Skills
Problem-Solving
Organisational Skills
Confidentiality
Adaptability
Teamwork
Attention to Detail
Critical Thinking
Empathy
PRO TIP
Focus on describing skills in the context of the outcomes they’ve helped you achieve, linking them directly to tangible results or successes in your career.
Further professional qualifications for your hr generalist CV: education and certificates
As you're nearing the end of your hr generalist CV, you may wonder what else will be relevant to the role. Recruiters are keen on understanding your academic background, as it teaches you an array of hard and soft skills. Create a dedicated education section that lists your:
- applicable higher education diplomas or ones that are at a postgraduate level;
- diploma, followed up with your higher education institution and start-graduation dates;
- extracurricular activities and honours, only if you deem that recruiters will find them impressive.
Follow a similar logic when presenting your certificates. Always select ones that will support your niche expertise and hint at what it's like to work with you. Balance both technical certification with soft skills courses to answer job requirements and company values. Wondering what the most sought out certificates are for the industry? Look no further:
PRO TIP
Focus on describing skills in the context of the outcomes they’ve helped you achieve, linking them directly to tangible results or successes in your career.
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Key takeaways
Here are five things you need to remember about writing your hr generalist CV for success:
- Sort your experience based on the reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent career items, to showcase how you've grown your career;
- Include within your CV header your relevant contact details, a headline that could spotlight your unique value, and a photo - if you're applying for roles outside the UK or US;
- Decide to use the CV summary, if you happen to have more professional experience, and an objective, if you want to showcase your career goals;
- Within the experience section, write your bullets using action verbs, skills, and success, instead of just merely listing your on-the-job responsibilities;
- Prove your technical skills, using your education and certificates, and your soft skills, with your achievements and strengths sections.
