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Table of contents

HR generalist resume examples
Related resume examples
Choose the right resume format for your human resources generalist resume
How to write an HR generalist resume in 5 simple steps
Add a cover letter
Key takeaways for your HR generalist resume
Commonly asked questions about resume writing

You’re a human resources wizard. From managing a wide range of HR tasks to collaborating with a diverse group of professionals, your organizational and interpersonal skills enable you to make decisions that contribute to a stronger and healthier workplace culture for everyone.

But what good are your impressive HR skills without the right role at a supportive organization that will help them grow and flourish? To land that role, you need a resume that proves that you’re an indispensable asset. We can help you pull it off. With the help of our resume samples, professional writing tips and step-by-step guidance, writing the ideal HR generalist resume is within reach.

This guide will cover:

Inspiring HR generalist resume examples.
Steps to write a strong resume.
Optional sections to enhance your HR resume.
The importance of writing a persuasive cover letter.
Key insights to improve your job-seeking journey.

Want a professional resume generated in just a few minutes? Try our AI Resume Builder. Choose a design that reflects your personal brand and receive expert guidance for each section, ensuring your content truly showcases your HR skills and expertise.

HR generalist resume examples

Entry-level HR generalist resume example

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Why this entry-level HR generalist resume sample works:

Goal-oriented
This resume focuses on the candidate’s aspirations for his career. This is an especially strong choice because the candidate is changing careers.
Focuses on skills
This candidate is relatively inexperienced, so his resume focuses on his transferable skills, rather than the work history that he lacks.
Includes certifications
Certifications demonstrate this candidate’s expertise and commitment to continuous learning.

Experienced HR generalist resume example

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Why this experienced HR generalist resume sample works:

Simple style
This resume is neatly organized with a professional styling that demonstrates the candidate’s personal brand without introducing any distractions.
Includes soft skills
Leadership and interpersonal skills are just as important to an effective HR career as technical expertise. This resume presents a well-rounded balance.
Focuses on experience
Because this candidate has a lot of experience, focusing on work history allows her to put her best foot forward and emphasize her strengths.

Choose the right resume format for your human resources generalist resume

Choosing the right resume format is one of the first important decisions you must make when building your resume. Your selected format should show off your strengths by organizing your resume around the areas that you excel at. Let’s take a look at the three main resume formats that successful candidates use:

The chronological resume format is ideal for seasoned professionals. It presents your HR experience in reverse-chronological order, so that hiring departments can read your career story beginning with the most relevant and fresh experience.
The combination resume format combines your career history with a comprehensive skills section. It’s well-suited for midcareer candidates and those looking to change careers or enter management roles.
The functional resume format highlights your HR skills, making it an excellent choice for HR generalists who are entering the field or transitioning from roles such as internships or academic programs.

Now that you’ve selected the perfect format, it’s time to choose your resume template.

Choose the right resume template for your HR generalist resume

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Your resume template should reflect the dedication, professionalism and style expected of an HR generalist.

For HR generalists looking to create a professional resume quickly, a simple resume template may be the ideal choice. Its minimalist design places your HR skills and experience front and center with no distractions.

For a resume that leaves a lasting impression, consider a creative or modern resume. These styles add a touch of character and allow you to showcase your professional and personal brand.

Our resume templates are available in a variety of file types, including Word resume templates and Google Doc templates that are free options for downloading and customizing to suit your unique needs.

Now that you’ve chosen a template that represents you, it’s time to write the content of your resume.

How to write an HR generalist resume in 5 simple steps

Your resume is your introduction to the hiring department at the role you want. It’s important that every word is thoughtfully chosen to represent your skills and experience and align with the needs of the role. We’ll help you do it.

Let’s break down this process step by step.

Step 1

Review the human resources generalist job listing for keywords

The content of your resume should be customized to match the specific role that you’re seeking. This makes your writing stronger and allows you to really show off why you’re the best fit for the role. It also gives you a better chance of standing up to applicant tracking systems (ATS). ATS is used by many employers to screen applicants based on keywords that reflect the qualifications they’re looking for. Without the right keywords, your resume might not even make it into human hands.

To create a resume that’s compatible with ATS systems, ensure your content incorporates terms from the job description. For instance, if “HR strategy” or “team leadership” is emphasized, include these in your professional summary, skills section and work history. Just be sure not to lie about your abilities. Honesty is the best policy!

Step 2

Summarize your career achievements

Most resumes start off with an introduction of some kind. This is usually done in the form of a resume profile. There are two primary types of resume profiles: professional summaries and career objectives, and both have different merits for different candidates.
A professional summary provides an overview of your HR career, focusing on specific achievements that you want to draw attention to right away. It’s particularly impactful for HR generalists who have many years of experience to quickly showcase.

Conversely, a resume objective outlines your career aspirations. It’s a great choice for HR generalists new to the field, like recent graduates or those transitioning from other HR roles. This format underscores your dedication to growing your career.

Let’s explore how each of these would appear on an HR generalist’s resume.

HR generalist professional summary example:

Experienced HR generalist with over a decade of success in leading HR initiatives and fostering collaborative HR teams. Known for transforming HR strategies into actionable solutions and consistently exceeding HR goals. Skilled at aligning HR practices with business objectives to drive organizational success.

HR generalist resume objective example:

Aspiring HR generalist with a solid foundation in HR practices and a passion for HR excellence. Eager to leverage my HR expertise, teamwork skills and problem-solving abilities to enhance HR processes and contribute to organizational growth. Committed to promoting HR innovation and delivering impactful results in the dynamic HR field.

Step 3

Highlight your essential HR generalist skills

Your skills are what allow you to get the job done. Your skills section should list your most important technical and nontechnical HR skills, providing a well-balanced blend of both.

Begin by deciding which hard skills you want to draw attention to. As an HR generalist, your most important hard skills are things like proficiency in HR software, HR strategy development, HR project management and a deep understanding of HR principles. These are skills that you’ve learned through experience, education and training.

Next, choose some soft skills to highlight. Your soft skills are the interpersonal attributes and leadership qualities that allow you to thrive in your role. Effective communication, team collaboration and the ability to inspire your team are vital in the world of human resources. These skills demonstrate your capability to lead HR projects successfully.

Let’s explore the skills commonly featured on resumes of HR generalists.

Key skills for a human resources generalist resume:

Hard Skills

Proficiency in HR software
HR strategy development
HR project management
Understanding of HR principles
Employee relations

Soft Skills

Effective communication
Team leadership
Adaptability to evolving HR trends
Problem-solving
Conflict resolution

Here’s an example of a persuasive HR generalist skills section:

Proficient in HR software and HR analytics, enhancing decision-making processes.
Experienced in HR strategy development and project management, resulting in optimized HR practices.
Skilled in employee relations and conflict resolution, fostering a positive HR environment.
Effective communication skills, facilitating collaboration and problem-solving.
Demonstrated ability to adapt swiftly in a dynamic workplace environment.
Efficient in motivating and inspiring HR teams to achieve exceptional results.

Pro tip

Stay updated on the latest trends and innovations in the HR field, including HR software and emerging HR practices. Demonstrating your awareness of cutting-edge HR methods and tools can emphasize your commitment to delivering exceptional HR results.

Step 4

Describe your HR generalist work history

As an HR generalist, your role is dynamic and multifaceted. Your resume should vividly showcase how your dedication and expertise thrive in fast-paced HR environments.

When writing your work experience section, remember that you’re not just listing job roles; you’re highlighting your skills, from your ability to enhance HR processes to your leadership in HR initiatives.

Discuss specific projects that challenged your abilities as well as the techniques you used to solve them and the quantifiable results that you achieved.

To highlight your contributions, use action words in your resume. Words like “optimized,” “implemented,” and “mentored” emphasize the energy and enthusiasm you bring to your HR role.

Example human resources generalist work history entry:

HR Generalist, Vinton Consulting
Birmingham, AL
March 2019 – Present

Managed diverse HR projects, leading cross-functional teams to success.
Acted as a key HR liaison between clients and cross-functional faculty teams, ensuring transparent communication and client satisfaction.
Designed and implemented HR strategies that enhanced employee engagement, resulting in a 20% increase in HR retention.
Utilized cutting-edge HR software and techniques to streamline HR processes, reducing HR turnaround times by 30%.
Mentored and guided HR teams, nurturing their talents and elevating the company’s HR practices to industry-leading standards.

Pro tip

Illustrate your HR accomplishments with quantifiable metrics. Whether it’s increased HR retention, accelerated project delivery or elevated HR practices, numbers convey the impact of your leadership and commitment.

Step 5

Showcase your education

Begin with your highest level of education and create a concise education section. Emphasize any relevant HR training, workshops or certifications in addition to your academic degree.

How to present your education and credentials:

EDUCATION

B.A. in Human Resources
New York University, New York, NY

CERTIFICATIONS

Certified HR Professional (CHRP), HR Certification Institute
Advanced HR Strategies Certification, HR Innovators Academy
HR Software Expert Certification, HR Tech Institute

Additional sections for your resume

Languages

Communication is key for maintaining a supportive and diverse workplace. The ability to speak multiple languages introduces new possibilities for open communication and showcases cultural awareness and sensitivity. If you are multilingual, list your languages on your resume to make the most of this asset.

How to list languages on your resume:

Fluent in English and Swahili
Proficient in French

Hobbies and interests

Including personal projects, interests or hobbies, especially those related to HR, teamwork or leadership, offers a more comprehensive view of your passion for human resources and your personality as a professional.

How to feature hobbies and interests on your resume:

Initiated a mentoring program for HR professionals, fostering career development and networking opportunities.
Volunteered as an HR consultant for a nonprofit organization, providing HR guidance to support their mission.

Community engagement and collaboration

Highlighting your involvement in community projects, especially those related to HR, showcases your dedication to promoting HR excellence beyond your professional role.

How to showcase community engagement on your HR generalist resume:

Collaborated with local schools to initiate HR education programs, promoting HR knowledge among students and supporting their HR development.
Participated in community HR initiatives, contributing to the local HR scene and engaging with fellow HR professionals to promote HR excellence.

Add a cover letter

Create your cover letter

A cover letter is an important step toward producing a resume that wins the attention of hiring departments. Use your cover letter to add important context to your resume, explain any gaps or unconventional career paths and describe why the role interests you.

For expert guidance on crafting a compelling cover letter, explore our comprehensive guide on how to write a cover letter and draw inspiration from our extensive library of cover letter examples.

To maintain a cohesive personal brand between your cover letter and resume, consider using a professionally designed cover letter template from our Cover Letter Generator.

Your cover letter is an opportunity to communicate with the hiring department. After all the work you put into your resume, don’t neglect the cover letter!

Key takeaways for your HR generalist resume

Personalize your resume for each opportunity
Tailor your resume to align with the specific requirements of each HR generalist role, emphasizing your skills in HR management, strategic thinking and effective team leadership.
Highlight your HR experience
Showcase your hands-on involvement in HR projects, from HR strategy development to implementation, demonstrating your ability to excel in dynamic and ever-evolving HR environments.
Emphasize your dedication to continuous learning
Highlight any advanced courses, certifications or workshops you’ve undertaken in the realm of HR management, underscoring your commitment to staying abreast of the latest HR trends and cutting-edge HR practices.
Express your passion for HR leadership
While your resume provides a snapshot of your skills, a well-crafted cover letter can convey your genuine passion for driving HR initiatives and the driving force behind your career choice. It adds a personal touch.
Highlight measurable achievements
If you’ve contributed to enhanced HR retention, accelerated HR project delivery, or led successful HR campaigns, emphasize these accomplishments with concrete metrics and results.
Showcase collaboration and team leadership
In the realm of HR management, collaboration is key. Highlight instances where you’ve seamlessly collaborated with multidisciplinary teams, showcasing your ability to foster teamwork and innovation within an HR setting for exceptional outcomes.