As a recruiter, you face the unique challenge of meeting high expectations when preparing your CV. Having reviewed many CVs yourself, you understand the importance of presenting a well-organised, structured, and professional document. You know from experience that a candidate’s CV is a crucial part of their first impression, so yours also needs to be easy to read and navigate.
STEP 1Add your contact details
They should be prominently displayed at the top of the CV for easy access. Include your full name, phone number, email address, and location. In addition, consider including a link to your LinkedIn profile.
Example of a contact section:
Andrew Hamilton
07912 345 678
andrew.hamilton@example.co.uk
London
STEP 2Open with a strong personal statement
Immediately below your contact details, include a personal statement that highlights why you’re the ideal candidate for the role. Keep it to three to four sentences, focusing on your HR experience, areas of specialisation, key achievements, and relevant skills. This section should act as a quick introduction to showcase your strengths and make a strong first impression.
Below, you’ll find examples of how to craft a compelling personal statement tailored specifically to the HR sector.
Example of a personal statement for a recruitment consultant:
Experienced recruitment consultant with a proven track record of success in matching top talent with leading organisations. Specialises in full-cycle recruitment, including sourcing, interviewing, negotiating offers and onboarding. Has a strong background in IT and finance, with a proven ability to build strong relationships with both clients and candidates, leading to consistently high satisfaction rates.
OR
Example of a personal statement for an HR administrator CV:
Detail-oriented HR Administrator with over 4 years of experience in managing employee records, payroll, and benefits administration. Skilled in streamlining HR processes, ensuring compliance with employment legislation, and providing exceptional support to both employees and management. Proven ability to handle confidential information with discretion and maintain accurate and organised documentation. Committed to improving efficiency in the workplace and willing to use strong organisational and communication skills.
STEP 3Summarise your work experience
To effectively demonstrate your suitability for the HR role you’re applying for, carefully polish your work experience section to clearly show the progression of your career.
Start by listing your roles in reverse chronological order, with the most recent first, to emphasise your current expertise. Focus on HR positions that are directly relevant to the job, and clearly outline your responsibilities and key achievements for each role. Highlight measurable results that reflect your ability to manage HR processes, improve employee relations, and contribute to the organisation’s success.
Example work experience section for a recruitment consultant CV:
Recruitment Consultant
Hero Recruitment, Manchester
October 2022 – Current
- Managed the full recruitment cycle for a diverse portfolio of clients, specialising in the IT and Finance sectors across Greater Manchester.
- Successfully placed over 100 candidates into key roles, achieving a 90% client satisfaction rate.
- Built strong relationships with clients and candidates, resulting in a 30% increase in repeat business.
- Conducted comprehensive candidate screening and interviewing, ensuring high-quality hires that met client needs.
Junior Recruitment Consultant
Top Talent Solutions, Manchester
January 2019 – September 2022
- Assisted senior consultants in sourcing, screening and placing candidates for mid-level roles across a range of industries.
- Supported client account management, ensuring consistent communication and alignment with hiring needs.
- Coordinated interview schedules and provided feedback to candidates, enhancing the overall candidate experience.
- Contributed to the development of job descriptions and recruitment marketing strategies.
OR
Example work experience section for an HR administrator CV:
HR Administrator
Beautex Inc, Leeds
April 2021 – Current
- Managed employee records for over 200 employees, ensuring accuracy and compliance with data protection regulations.
- Assisted in the development and implementation of HR policies, contributing to a 20% improvement in employee satisfaction scores.
- Processed payroll and resolved employee queries regarding compensation and benefits, improving payroll accuracy by 15%.
HR Assistant
Lustrify Ltd, Leeds
August 2018 – March 2021
- Provided administrative support to the HR department, including maintaining employee files and updating HR systems.
- Assisted in the coordination of training programmes, resulting in a 10% increase in employee participation in development initiatives.
- Managed the leave tracking system, ensuring accurate records and compliance with company policies.
STEP 4List your human resources skills
Highlighting skills on the CV is essential for showing potential employers the qualifications and responsibilities an applicant can handle. Focus on both technical and interpersonal skills to present a well-rounded HR profile.
Start by emphasising technical expertise in areas like HR systems, payroll, and employment law. Also, highlight specialised skills such as talent acquisition, employee relations, and benefits administration to match specific HR roles.
Equally important are interpersonal skills like effective communication, conflict resolution, and teamwork, which are key to fostering a positive working environment and managing employee relations.
A balanced mix of technical and interpersonal skills will demonstrate the ability to succeed in HR and make a significant impact.
Desirable technical skills for jobs in human resources:
- HRIS Proficiency
- Payroll Management
- Employee Benefits Administration
- Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)
- Talent Acquisition
- Compensation Analysis
- Performance Management Systems
- Employee Relations
- HR Analytics
- Labour Law Compliance
- Training and Development
- Succession Planning
- Organisational Development
- HR Policy Development
- Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives
- Employee Engagement
- Onboarding Process Management
- Conflict Resolution
- Time and Attendance Systems
- HR Audits
- HR Reporting
- Vendor Management
- Workforce Planning
- Talent Management Systems
- Compensation and Benefits Benchmarking
- Change Management
- Health and Safety Compliance
- HR Budgeting
- Employee Exit Processes
- HR Project Management
STEP 5Outline your human resources education
No CV is complete without a well-written education section. List your most recent qualification, including the degree title, institution, and dates attended. If you’re early in your career, highlight relevant coursework or projects that relate to the HR role you’re targeting, as this can help demonstrate your foundational knowledge.
Include any HR-specific certifications, such as CIPD qualifications, which are highly regarded in the industry and reflect your commitment to professional development. In addition, mention any relevant training or courses, such as workshops or online programmes, to demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning. Keep the education section concise and focus on the qualifications most relevant to the job.
Example education sections for a recruitment consultant CV:
Bachelor of Arts in Business Management
University of Manchester, Manchester
September 2015 – June 2018
CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in Human Resource Practice
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)
November 2019
OR
Example education sections for an HR administrator CV:
Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management
University of Birmingham, Birmingham, 2014-2017
CIPD Level 5 Diploma in Human Resource Management
Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development (CIPD), 2019
STEP 6Add any other relevant details
Although not mandatory, an Additional Information section can add significant value to an HR CV. This section is ideal for highlighting qualifications, advanced certifications, or specialised experience that set the candidate apart.
Consider including recent conferences, workshops, and professional memberships to demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning and professional development in HR.
Additional information:
Professional memberships
Member, Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC)
Member, Institute of Recruitment Professionals (IRP)
Certifications
Certified Professional in Recruitment Practice (CPRP), Institute of Recruiters (IOR)