One CV challenge you might face is ensuring that the selection process is free from unconscious biases, which can be difficult to pinpoint and address. Our guide provides practical strategies and tools to help you recognise and mitigate these biases, ensuring a fairer approach to candidate evaluation.
- Applying the simplest CV design, so that recruiters can easily understand your expertise, skills, and professional background;
- Ensuring you stand out with your header, summary or objective statement, and a designated skills section;
- Creating your CV experience section - no matter how much expertise you have;
- Using real life professional CV examples to enhance the structure and outline of your profile.
If you still have no muse to write your professional CV, find some more industry-leading examples.
How to ensure your profile stands out with your hr manager CV format
It's sort of a Catch 22. You want your hr manager CV to stand out amongst a pile of candidate profiles, yet you don't want it to be too over the top that it's unreadable. Where is the perfect balance between your CV format simple, while using it to shift the focus to what matters most. That is - your expertise. When creating your hr manager CV:- list your experience in the reverse chronological order - starting with your latest roles;
- include a header with your professional contact information and - optionally - your photograph;
- organise vital and relevant CV sections - e.g. your experience, skills, summary/ objective, education - closer to the top;
- use no more than two pages to illustrate your professional expertise;
- format your information using plenty of white space and standard (2.54 cm) margins, with colours to accent key information.
Once you've completed your information, export your hr manager CV in PDF, as this format is more likely to stay intact when read by the Applicant Tracker System or the ATS. A few words of advice about the ATS - or the software used to assess your profile:
- Generic fonts, e.g. Arial and Times New Roman, are ATS-compliant, yet many candidates stick with these safe choices. Ensure your CV stands out by using a more modern, and simple, fonts like Lato, Exo 2, Volkhov;
- All serif and sans-serif fonts are ATS-friendly. Avoid the likes of fancy decorative or script typography, as this may render your information to be illegible;
- Both single- and double-column formatted CVs could be assessed by the ATS;
- Integrating simple infographics, icons, and charts across your CV won't hurt your chances during the ATS assessment.
PRO TIP
Be mindful of white space; too much can make the CV look sparse, too little can make it look cluttered. Strive for a balance that makes the document easy on the eyes.
The top sections on a hr manager CV
- Professional Summary outlines career goals and HR expertise.
- HR Management Experience shows relevant work history and achievements.
- Key HR Skills highlights specific HR competencies and knowledge.
- Professional Development details HR-related training and certifications.
- HR Project Highlights showcases successful initiatives and contributions.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Emphasise your understanding of employment law and experience in compliance; demonstrate specific scenarios where you've successfully navigated legal challenges or updated company policies to reflect legislative changes.
- Highlight your experience in talent acquisition and workforce planning by outlining strategies you've developed or led that improved the recruitment process and retention rates within previous organisations.
- Showcase your leadership and interpersonal skills by mentioning any successful HR initiatives you've pioneered that have improved employee engagement, satisfaction, or company culture.
- Detail your experience with HR metrics and data-driven decision-making by providing examples of how you've used analytics to solve organisational problems or enhance HR operations.
- Include instances where you've led training and development programmes, focusing on how your efforts have boosted staff performance and contributed to succession planning and employee career advancement.
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Making a good first impression with your hr manager CV header
Your typical CV header consists of Your typical CV header consists of contact details and a headline. Make sure to list your professional phone number, email address, and a link to your professional portfolio (or, alternatively, your LinkedIn profile). When writing your CV headline , ensure it's:
- tailored to the job you're applying for;
- highlights your unique value as a professional;
- concise, yet matches relevant job ad keywords.
You can, for examples, list your current job title or a particular skill as part of your headline. Now, if you decide on including your photo in your CV header, ensure it's a professional one, rather than one from your graduation or night out. You may happen to have plenty more questions on how to make best the use of your CV headline. We'll help you with some real-world examples, below.
Examples of good CV headlines for hr manager:
- Senior HR Manager | Chartered CIPD | Talent Development | 15+ Years Experience | Strategic HR Leadership
- HR Business Partner | Employee Relations Expert | CIPD Qualified | 10 Years Progressive Experience | Change Management
- HR Manager | Recruitment & Retention Specialist | MA Human Resources | 8+ Years Experience | Compliance Guru
- Associate HR Manager | Graduate CIPD | Performance Management | 5 Years in HR | Workforce Planning Enthusiast
- Lead HR Advisor | Diversity & Inclusion Champion | CIPD Level 7 | 12 Years HR Expertise | Culture Shaper
- HR Operations Manager | Payroll & Benefits Oversight | CIPD Accredited | 7+ Years HR Excellence | Data-Driven Strategist
Opting between a hr manager CV summary or objective
Within the top one third of your hr manager CV, you have the opportunity to briefly summarise your best achievements or present your professional goals and dreams. Those two functions are met by either the CV summary or the objective.
- The summary is three-to-five sentences long and should narrate your best successes, while answering key requirements for the role. Select up to three skills which you can feature in your summary. Always aim to present what the actual outcomes were of using your particular skill set. The summary is an excellent choice for more experienced professionals.
- The objective is more focused on showcasing your unique value as a candidate and defining your dreams and ambitions. Think about highlighting how this current opportunity would answer your career vision. Also, about how you could help your potential employers grow. The objective matches the needs of less experienced candidates, who need to prove their skill set and, in particular, their soft skills.
Still not sure about how to write your CV opening statement? Use some best industry examples as inspiration:
CV summaries for a hr manager job:
- Dedicated HR Manager with over 12 years of experience specialising in talent acquisition, employee relations and performance management for multinational corporations. Successfully implemented comprehensive HR strategies that reduced staff turnover by 25% in the financial sector and streamlined recruitment processes to enhance workforce quality.
- Accomplished HR professional transitioning from a 10-year tenure in sales leadership, bringing forth a unique blend of interpersonal and strategic planning skills. Mastery of conflict resolution and labour law compliance has defined my career, leading to a 30% improvement in employee satisfaction scores within the retail industry.
- Dynamic Human Resources enthusiast with a strong background in operational management, seeking to leverage 8 years of team leadership and organisational restructuring experience into a flourishing HR career. Recognised for deploying highly effective training programmes that increased productivity by 40% in the manufacturing sector.
- Seasoned Project Manager aiming to pivot to Human Resources, offering 15 years of experience in complex project execution and team development. Proficient in analytics and change management, eager to apply these skills towards fostering a productive and engaging workplace environment in the technology industry.
- Aspiring to initiate my career in Human Resources, my objective is to contribute fresh perspectives and a steadfast dedication to fostering a productive, engaging work culture. My strong academic background in business administration and my internship experience in employee onboarding prepares me to become an asset in staff development and retention.
- Recent graduate with a Master's in Human Resources Management, I am eager to translate my academic knowledge into practical expertise. My objective is to provide exceptional support in talent management and employee relations while actively learning from seasoned HR professionals and contributing to organisational success.
How to meet job requirements with your hr manager CV experience
We've now reached the essence of your actual CV - your experience section. This is the space where you can list your career roles and on-the-job successes. Many candidates tend to underestimate just how much time and effort they should put into writing this CV section. Your experience shouldn't be a random list of your responsibilities, but instead:
- Match the job description with your skills, values, and accomplishments;
- Start each bullet with a strong action verb, followed up with one key skill and your outcome of applying this skill;
- Spotlight parts of your career history that are relevant to the job you're applying for.
Before we move on, make sure to check out some professional CV experience sections.
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Developed and implemented HR strategies and initiatives aligned with the overall business strategy, driving organisational effectiveness and workforce planning.
- Managed a variety of HR functions, including recruitment, onboarding, performance management, and employee relations, ensuring compliance with legal requirements and best practices.
- Led the talent acquisition process, securing high-calibre candidates by optimising recruitment channels and enhancing employer brand visibility.
- Designed and facilitated comprehensive training and development programmes to foster employee skills, engagement, and retention.
- Championed diversity and inclusion initiatives, creating and upholding policies that foster a respectful and equitable workplace environment.
- Administered employee compensation and benefits programmes, ensuring market competitiveness and internal equity.
- Played a key role in change management processes, providing leadership and support to teams during restructuring and organisational growth.
- Conducted regular HR audits and reported on HR metrics to senior management, offering insights and recommendations for continuous improvement.
- Mediated and resolved complex employee grievances and conflicts, demonstrating strong negotiation and problem-solving skills.
- Led a team of 10 HR professionals to drive the recruitment process, successfully filling over 200 positions across multiple departments.
- Implemented a new performance management system tailored for a workforce of 500, resulting in a 25% increase in overall employee satisfaction according to annual surveys.
- Championed diversity and inclusion programmes which led to a more diverse candidate pool and a 15% increase in minority hires over a 2-year span.
- Redesigned the onboarding process, integrating e-learning tools that reduced orientation time by 30%, which directly decreased time-to-productivity for new hires.
- Managed a budget of £1.2 million for HR initiatives and successfully negotiated vendor contracts that cut costs by 20% while maintaining quality of services.
- Coordinated with international teams to align HR policies and established a unified set of best practices for the company’s overseas branches.
- Implemented an advanced applicant tracking system that improved hiring efficiency by 35% and provided actionable data on recruitment metrics.
- Developed a leadership training program that nurtured internal talent, resulting in the promotion of 12 middle-managers to senior roles within the company.
- Orchestrated a company-wide cultural transformation programme that bolstered employee engagement scores by 22% within the first year.
- Spearheaded the successful negotiation of a new employee benefits package that enhanced offerings while reducing company costs by 10% annually.
- Played a pivotal role in the strategic planning committee that determined workforce expansion, contributing to a growth strategy that saw 150 new hires over 5 years.
- Initiated a robust employee relations programme that substantially decreased employee turnover by 18% over three years.
- Revamped recruitment advertising strategy to leverage social media, increasing brand visibility and attracting a higher caliber of candidates.
- Conducted a company-wide salary audit that addressed pay disparities, subsequently boosting morale and establishing equitable pay scales.
- Facilitated the merger of HR processes following a company acquisition, assuring a seamless transition for 200+ employees without disruption to business operations.
- Established a comprehensive employee wellness program that led to a 20% decrease in reported mental health days off taken.
- Implemented and adjusted HR policies to comply with changing employment laws, ensuring zero penalties in annual audits for the duration of tenure.
- Drove automation of HR record-keeping through the adoption of an HRIS, freeing up the team to focus on strategic initiatives and reducing manual errors by 95%.
- Lead a cross-functional project team to develop a mobile-friendly employee portal that increased self-service transactions by 50% and improved employee experience.
- Analysed and restructured the compensation and rewards system, affecting over 600 employees which led to a 5% decrease in annual turnover rates.
- Oversaw critical incident management response for HR related issues, consistently resolving matters within a 48-hour window, minimising operational disruption.
- Launched a company-wide inclusion initiative that educated 1,000+ employees on unconscious bias, fostering a more inclusive work environment.
- Streamlined the recruitment process with advanced analytics, reducing time-to-hire by 25% whilst improving the quality of candidates.
- Cultivated a partnership with local universities, enhancing the graduate recruitment programme and offering internships that converted 30% of participants to full-time roles.
What to add in your hr manager CV experience section with no professional experience
If you don't have the standard nine-to-five professional experience, yet are still keen on applying for the job, here's what you can do:
- List any internships, part-time roles, volunteer experience, or basically any work you've done that meets the job requirements and is in the same industry;
- Showcase any project you've done in your free time (even if you completed them with family and friends) that will hint at your experience and skill set;
- Replace the standard, CV experience section with a strengths or achievements one. This will help you spotlight your transferrable skills that apply to the role.
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PRO TIP
Describe how each job helped you grow or learn something new, showing a continuous development path in your career.
Describing your unique skill set using both hard skills and soft skills
Your hr manager CV provides you with the perfect opportunity to spotlight your talents, and at the same time - to pass any form of assessment. Focusing on your skill set across different CV sections is the way to go, as this would provide you with an opportunity to quantify your achievements and successes. There's one common, very simple mistake, which candidates tend to make at this stage. Short on time, they tend to hurry and mess up the spelling of some of the key technologies, skills, and keywords. Copy and paste the particular skill directly from the job requirement to your CV to pass the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessment. Now, your CV skills are divided into:
- Technical or hard skills, describing your comfort level with technologies (software and hardware). List your aptitude by curating your certifications, on the work success in the experience section, and technical projects. Use the dedicated skills section to provide recruiters with up to twelve technologies, that match the job requirements, and you're capable of using.
- People or soft skills provide you with an excellent background to communicate, work within a team, solve problems. Don't just copy-paste that you're a "leader" or excel at "analysis". Instead, provide tangible metrics that define your success inusing the particular skill within the strengths, achievements, summary/ objective sections.
Top skills for your hr manager CV:
HR Policies & Procedures
Recruitment & Staffing
Employee Relations
Performance Management
Compliance & Labour Laws
Benefits Administration
HRIS Technologies
Training & Development
Compensation & Payroll
Data Analysis & Reporting
Leadership
Communication
Problem-solving
Organisational
Empathy
Negotiation
Teamwork
Conflict Resolution
Adaptability
Decision-making
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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.
Education and more professional qualifications to include in your hr manager CV
If you want to showcase to recruiters that you're further qualified for the role, ensure you've included your relevant university diplomas. Within your education section:
- Describe your degree with your university name(-s) and start-graduation dates;
- List any awards you've received, if you deem they would be impressive or are relevant to the industry;
- Include your projects and publications, if you need to further showcase how you've used your technical know-how;
- Avoid listing your A-level marks, as your potential employers care to learn more about your university background.
Apart from your higher education, ensure that you've curated your relevant certificates or courses by listing the:
- name of the certificate or course;
- name of the institution within which you received your training;
- the date(-s) when you obtained your accreditation.
In the next section, discover some of the most relevant certificates for your hr manager CV:
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If you have received professional endorsements or recommendations for certain skills, especially on platforms like LinkedIn, mention these to add credibility.
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Key takeaways
Here are five things you need to remember about writing your hr manager 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.
