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In the world of Human Resources, an HR Generalist is seen as a jack-of-all-trades. You're the go-to expert handling a broad range of responsibilities, from recruitment to employee relations, benefits, and more. Lately, companies are seeking HR generalists who are not only well-versed in traditional HR skills, but also data-driven and tech-savvy. They're eager to find those who can leverage people analytics and HR Information System (HRIS) software to lead data-backed organizational decisions and streamline HR processes.
When crafting your resume, remember that it's your personal marketing tool. It's not merely a list of job responsibilities; it's an opportunity to sell your unique blend of skills, experiences, and traits. Show your value proposition - how you can make a difference in the company's HR practices and overall business strategy. Be specific, include relevant achievements, and quantify them if possible.
In the skills section, emphasize your proficiency in HRIS, applicant tracking systems, and people analytics. Describe specific instances where you used these tools to improve HR processes or make data-informed decisions.
As an HR generalist, you need both people skills and technical know-how. Therefore, strike a balance in your resume. List instances where you managed conflict resolution or employee relations, and also detail your understanding of HR laws and compliance.
Human resources generalists can have wide-ranging responsibilities including hiring, administrative tasks, managing employee performance, and developing company policies. If you’re going for this job, use your resume to highlight your versatility and competence in a variety of different human resources-related duties (such as managing payroll or creating programs to boost employee morale).
Generalists need to be able to perform a variety of responsibilities well. Focusing your resume on similar roles that you’ve done in the past -- even if the duties weren’t identical -- shows that you can wear different hats and are experienced with the type of work that you might do in your new job.
Using clear and specific language also paints a clear picture of what you accomplished at past jobs and how you did it. Action verbs such as “managed”, “developed”, and “structured” are very human resources-specific and showcase relevant skills for the job.
As a hiring manager who has recruited HR Generalists at companies like Amazon, Google, and Deloitte, I've reviewed hundreds of resumes. The best resumes effectively highlight the candidate's ability to support all aspects of the employee lifecycle, from recruitment to performance management. They also demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and the ability to partner with business leaders. Here are some tips to make your HR Generalist resume stand out:
HR Generalists are expected to have a broad range of skills across various HR functions. Make sure your resume reflects your experience in:
Quantify your achievements wherever possible to demonstrate your impact.
A resume summary is an optional section that appears at the top of your resume, just below your contact information. While not required, it can be a valuable addition for HR generalists, particularly if you have several years of experience or are making a career change. A well-written summary can quickly convey your key qualifications and career goals to a hiring manager, making your resume stand out.
When crafting your HR generalist resume summary, focus on highlighting your most relevant skills, experiences, and achievements. Tailor your summary to the specific HR generalist position you're applying for, incorporating keywords from the job description. However, avoid simply repeating information that already appears elsewhere in your resume.
The work experience section is the heart of your resume as an HR generalist. It's where you showcase your relevant skills, accomplishments, and impact in previous roles. Craft this section carefully to demonstrate your value to potential employers.
When writing your work experience section, use powerful action verbs that are specific to the HR industry. This helps create a strong impression and highlights your relevant skills.
Instead of generic verbs like 'managed' or 'handled', opt for more descriptive verbs such as:
Responsible for onboarding new hires and managing employee records.
Instead, write:
Orchestrated the onboarding process for all new hires, streamlining paperwork and reducing time-to-productivity by 20%. Meticulously maintained employee records, ensuring 100% accuracy and compliance.
Your education section is a key part of your HR generalist resume. It shows hiring managers that you have the knowledge and training to do the job well. Here are some tips for writing a strong education section:
The skills section on your human resources generalist resume is where you showcase the specific abilities and knowledge that make you a strong candidate for the role. This section should be tailored to the job description and highlight the most relevant skills that demonstrate your expertise in HR.
When writing your skills section, consider the following tips to make it stand out to hiring managers and applicant tracking systems (ATS).
Here are examples of popular skills from Human Resources (HR) Generalist job descriptions that you can include on your resume.
This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on Human Resources (HR) Generalist job descriptions and resumes. The bigger the word, the more frequently it appears on job postings, and the more likely you should include it in your resume.
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