HR Intern Resume: Examples, Template & Skills

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Table of contents

Human Resources intern resume examples
HR intern resume sample to copy and paste
How to format an HR intern resume
How to write an HR intern resume in just 5 steps
Add a cover letter
Key takeaways for an HR intern
FAQs from job seekers

Starting a career in human resources can be exciting and challenging. While you’re enthusiastic and ready to dive in, sometimes you need a bit of guidance to navigate the job market.

Don’t worry — you’ve landed in the right place.

Our guide is designed to help aspiring HR professionals like yourself create a resume that truly shines. We understand the qualities and skills that employers in this industry value, and we’ll show you how to highlight them effectively.

Our comprehensive guide covers:

Examples of HR intern resumes.
Tips for selecting the best format and template.
Advice on creating a compelling resume.
Guidance for writing a powerful cover letter.
Essential takeaways for aspiring HR interns.

Need help with your resume? Use our AI Resume Builder. With tailored templates and content suggestions specific to HR roles, you’ll have the tools to craft a resume that sets you apart from the competition.

Human Resources intern resume examples

Resume example for an HR intern

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Here’s why this resume works:

Includes an objective statement
Laying out your career goals and objectives when you don’t have much professional experience is a good place to start. An objective statement communicates your enthusiasm and reasons for wanting to join the team.
Uses quantifiable achievements
Rather than simply listing job duties, highlight specific accomplishments that demonstrate your impact. For example, mentioning a 20% increase in hiring efficiency provides concrete evidence of your contributions in previous roles.
Education featured prominently
At the beginning of your career, it’s beneficial to highlight your education near the top of your resume. This allows potential employers to quickly see your educational background and relevant qualifications.

Browse other popular samples

HR intern resume sample to copy and paste

Please copy and paste this text as a starting point for your internship resume. This applicant chose the chronological format because she already has genuine work experience.

Emma Johnson
Seattle, WA
(555) 123-4567
emma.johnson@example.com

Objective Statement

Enthusiastic and detail-oriented human resources student seeking an HR internship position to apply skills in employee relations, recruitment and administrative support. Eager to contribute to a dynamic team while gaining hands-on experience in HR practices.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Human Resources Management (In Progress)
University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Expected Graduation: June 2024

Experience

Administrative Assistant
ABC Company, Seattle, WA
June 2023 – Present

Assisted with scheduling and coordinating 50+ meetings per month for the HR department.
Maintained employee records and updated HR databases, improving data accuracy by 25%.
Supported the recruitment team with resume screening and interview scheduling, resulting in a 20% increase in hiring efficiency.

Customer Service Representative
XYZ Retail, Seattle, WA
September 2021 – May 2023

Provided excellent customer service to over 100 customers daily and resolved customer issues promptly, achieving a 95% customer satisfaction rate.
Trained 15 new employees on company policies and procedures, reducing onboarding time by 30%.
Handled cash transactions totaling $10,000+ daily and managed inventory records, reducing discrepancies by 10%.

Office Assistant
Downtown Community Center, Seattle, WA
June 2020 – August 2021

Answered 50+ phone calls daily and greeted visitors, providing information and assistance, improving visitor satisfaction by 15%.
Organized and maintained office files and supplies, reducing office supply costs by 20%.
Assisted in planning and coordinating 10+ community events and programs, increasing event attendance by 25%.

Skills

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Strong organizational and multitasking abilities
Basic knowledge of HR software and applicant tracking systems (ATS)
Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion

How to format an HR intern resume

Creating an outstanding resume requires careful organization and emphasizing the most important information.

There are three resume formats to choose from:

For many HR interns, a functional resume is a great option. This approach focuses on your skills and abilities over your work history, making it ideal if you’re new to the field or have a unique career path.
If you already have some experience, you might consider using a chronological resume, which is the most traditional format. This format lists your work experience from the most recent position backward, highlighting your career growth and achievements.
For those looking to balance both skills and experience, a combination resume can be an excellent choice. This format integrates the strengths of both the functional and chronological approaches, allowing you to showcase your key skills while also detailing your professional experience.

Looking for more advice? Check out our formatting guide for additional tips and examples.

Now, let’s talk about templates.

Choosing an ideal template

Create your resume

Whether you’re crafting a functional, chronological or combination resume, selecting a clean, professional template can help you present your information clearly and effectively.

With resume templates, you can simply plug in your skills and experiences. Templates range from creative designs to simple ones that work in any industry.

If you aim to work for an innovative or forward-thinking company, a creative template might be the perfect fit. Conversely, for more traditional HR roles, a simple template often works best.

The key is to follow your passion and pick a template that feels right for you. Just make sure it stays professional and well-formatted. Now, let’s walk through the step-by-step process of creating your resume.

How to write an HR intern resume in just 5 steps

Ready to land that HR intern position? Let’s get started on creating a standout resume.

Step 1

Customize your resume for each job

Start by carefully examining the job postings.

Imagine you’re preparing for an important presentation — you need to understand the audience and what they’re looking for. Each job ad contains vital information about the skills and experiences that are essential for the role.

Job descriptions often include keywords that are crucial for applicant tracking systems (ATS). Incorporate these keywords into your resume to improve your chances of getting noticed by recruiters.

Each job might value different skills and experiences. By tailoring your resume for each application, you show that you’ve done your research and are the ideal candidate for the role.

Step 2

Begin with a strong introduction

Your resume should open with a compelling objective statement that grabs the reader’s attention and highlights your enthusiasm for the HR intern role.

As an intern, you’re likely new to the HR field, so an objective statement rather than a professional summary is the best way to introduce yourself. This section should convey your passion for human resources, your eagerness to learn and the unique qualities you bring to the table.

Here are some examples:

Resume objective example 1:

Motivated and detail-oriented student pursuing a degree in human resources management. Seeking an internship to apply strong organizational and communication skills, with a commitment to supporting the HR team and contributing to a positive workplace culture.

Resume objective example 2:

Aspiring HR professional eager to gain hands-on experience in employee relations, recruitment and HR administration. Bringing a proactive attitude and a dedication to fostering a collaborative and efficient HR environment.

Step 3

Showcase your HR skills

Showcasing a diverse range of HR skills on your resume is how you demonstrate your readiness for an HR role.

Start by emphasizing both your hard and soft skills. Your hard skills in data management, recruitment software and compliance are just as important as your soft skills in communication, empathy and problem-solving.

If you don’t have much professional experience, look to other parts of your life. Here are some ideas:

School projects: If you led a group project at school, this demonstrates leadership, organizational skills and teamwork.
Volunteer activities: Organizing a volunteer event showcases your ability to manage projects, coordinate teams and handle logistics.
Part-time jobs: Experience in customer service or retail jobs can highlight your communication skills, problem-solving abilities and ability to work under pressure.

If you’re transitioning to HR from another field, your transferable skills are particularly valuable. Skills like project management, public speaking and customer service are well-suited for HR roles and should be highlighted.

Presenting a well-rounded mix of hard and soft skills will show potential employers that you have a solid foundation and are prepared to contribute.

Examples of skills for an HR intern:

Hard Skills

Data management
Recruitment software
HR compliance
Payroll processing
Benefits administration

Soft Skills

Communication
Empathy
Problem-solving
Teamwork
Time management

Pro tip

One thing you’ve undoubtedly learned in school is how to conduct good research. Make sure you highlight that fact! Your research skills are incredibly valuable in HR.

Step 4

Showcase your work experience

While applying for an HR internship, you might not have extensive professional experience. However, you can leverage school projects, volunteer efforts and part-time jobs to demonstrate your skills and accomplishments.

Clearly list your previous roles and projects to show potential employers what you’ve achieved. Use bullet points to describe each job, starting with your most recent position. Provide context about the scope and impact of your roles.

If you’ve volunteered or led school projects, detail these experiences as you would for any job.

Here’s how to write a work experience entry based on a volunteer job:

Volunteer Coordinator, Community Outreach Program
Seattle, WA
January 2023 – Present

Organize and manage volunteer efforts for community events, coordinating over 30 volunteers for each event.
Develop a volunteer training program, improving volunteer readiness and efficiency by 15%.
Manage volunteer records and schedules, ensuring accurate documentation and effective communication.

Pro tip

Use numbers to show your impact. For example, “Developed a volunteer training program, improving volunteer readiness and efficiency by 15%.” Numbers make your accomplishments clear and tangible.

Step 5

Include your education

Your educational background is crucial for your resume, especially when your education is still in progress. Highlight relevant studies in human resources, business administration or related fields, and demonstrate how your studies have prepared you for a career in HR.

When your education is still ongoing, include details such as your expected graduation date. You can also call out any special projects or coursework that are particularly relevant to the HR field.

Here’s an example:

Education:

Bachelor of Science in Human Resources Management (In Progress)
University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Expected Graduation: June 2024

Special Project: Led a team project on improving employee engagement strategies, which was presented to the university’s HR department and received top marks for its practical application and innovative ideas.

Certifications:

SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)
Professional in Human Resources (PHR)

Optional sections for an HR intern resume

Relevant coursework

Including relevant coursework shows that you have a solid theoretical foundation in key HR concepts. This section is especially useful when you lack extensive work experience.

Here’s how to list your coursework:

Employee relations.
Organizational behavior.
Human resource management.
Labor law and compliance.

Awards and honors

Highlighting awards and honors reflects your dedication and excellence. This can include academic recognitions, scholarships or other accolades.

How to list your honors and awards:

Dean’s List, Fall 2022.
Recipient of the HR Excellence Scholarship, 2023.

Special projects

Detailing significant projects highlights your practical application of HR principles. This can include school projects, case studies or independent research.

Here’s an example:

Employee Engagement Strategy Project: Led a team to develop an employee engagement strategy for a simulated company, presented findings to the HR department and received top marks for innovation and practicality.

Hobbies and interests

Including a brief section on interests can provide a more well-rounded view of you as a candidate. Ensure that any interests listed are appropriate and relevant to the workplace culture.

Here’s how to list your hobbies:

Volunteer work with local animal shelters.
Member of the university debate team.
Passionate about travel and experiencing new cultures.

Language skills

Proficiency in multiple languages can be a significant asset in diverse workplaces or multinational companies. This section showcases your ability to communicate effectively across different cultures.

Here’s how to show your language proficiencies:

Fluent in Spanish and English.
Basic proficiency in French.

Add a cover letter

Create your cover letter

A cover letter can make a big difference, especially early in your career when you need someone to give you a shot. As an HR intern, a cover letter allows you to go beyond your resume and really sell yourself as the perfect candidate for the job.

When you’ve been in the HR field for a while, you’ll appreciate how much effort candidates put into their cover letters. You’ll see firsthand how a thoughtful cover letter can provide insights into a candidate’s personality, skills and fit for the team.

Looking for inspiration? You can find samples in our library of cover letter examples, and if you need assistance, our cover letter generator is readily available.

Let’s wrap up with some key takeaways.

Key takeaways for an HR intern

Pick an appropriate template
Choose a resume template that reflects your professionalism and aligns with the company culture.
Start with an objective statement
Identify the key skills and requirements mentioned in the job descriptions and incorporate relevant keywords into your resume.
Customize for every job
Identify the key skills and requirements mentioned in the job descriptions and incorporate relevant keywords into your resume.
Highlight a mix of skills
Showcase a balance of both hard and soft skills on your resume. This combination demonstrates your readiness to handle various HR tasks.
Add a cover letter
A well-crafted cover letter can make a significant difference, especially early in your career when you need someone to give you a chance.

FAQs from job seekers

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Don is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with more than 10 years’ experience creating digital content, including four years helping job seekers develop their careers. He holds an M.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University.