HR CV Example, Template, and Writing Guide

HR recruitment executive CV example

If you’re applying for HR recruitment executive roles, consider using a CV like this:

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How to write an HR CV

To succeed in the field of human resources, you’ll need strong administrative skills, as well as an understanding of labour laws and professional ethics. Knowing how to write a CV highlighting those strengths is important for getting ahead in the job market.

Here are three writing tips to help you write an HR CV that convinces a recruiter you should get an interview.

1. Spotlight your educational qualifications for an HR job

Emphasise your academic credentials to show the expertise you’ll bring to an HR role. A strong academic record — whether that’s a master’s degree or ongoing training — boosts your chances of getting an interview.

In your CV’s education section, list any HR-related degree you hold. If relevant, you can even name the topic of your thesis.

Beyond this, HR certifications show that you’ve got up-to-date knowledge in the industry. Such evidence of ongoing professional development can give you a competitive edge over other candidates.

So if you’ve completed a Digital Transformation in HR Certificate or received a relevant certification from the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD), include it in your education section or in a dedicated certifications section.

2. Highlight your HR skills

Recruiters quickly skim through CVs to find qualified applicants. By emphasising your sought-after HR skills from the start of your CV, you’re more likely to catch employers’ attention and be called in for an interview.

Human resources is a broad field with many specialisations. But all HR officers need a robust set of hard and soft skills.

Hard skills are technical skills and tools learned through training or hands-on experience. These skills are essential for processing data, streamlining recruitment systems, and tracking employee records.

For example, as an HR officer or recruiter you’ll likely work with human resources information systems (HRIS) to accurately capture employee data.

Here’s a list of other hard skills for an HR CV:

• Human resources software like ADP and Kronos Workforce HR 
• Microsoft Office
• Candidate screening
• Recruiting
• Training and onboarding
• Benefits and compensation
• Payroll administration

Complement your hard skills with a list of your top soft skills. Because HR coordinators are employee-facing, you’re expected to have strong interpersonal skills.

Show employers that you have the interpersonal skills they need by adding examples of how you’ve used soft skills like these to your CV:

• Communication skills
• Problem-solving
• Empathy
• Negotiation
• Organisational skills
• Coordination
• Conflict resolution
• Time management skills

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3. Tailor your HR CV to the job description

Employers seek HR officers who understand and support their company’s goals. To show how your skills will help the company reach its goals, customise your CV to the specific job you’re applying for.

Start by picking out keywords or phrases from the job advert. Then, work these words into your CV to show that you’re a perfect fit for your target HR role.

For example, here’s an HR job posting, with its main keywords highlighted:

Looking for an HR officer with experience vetting and hiring new employees. The ideal candidate should be skilled in streamlining the hiring process to reduce cost-per-hire and boost the retention rate of employees. Job duties include managing employment records. Experience working with HRIS is crucial.

And here’s an example of how to use these keywords in a CV work experience entry:

Tailoring your CV to the job posting is also vital to bypassing a company’s applicant tracking system (ATS). This software automatically filters out candidates whose CVs don’t use keywords. To avoid that, use as many keywords from the job advert as you can to write an ATS-friendly CV.

HR job outlook in 2026 — things to know

According to the UK Earnings Explorer provided by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), HR professionals in the UK earn an average annual salary of £20,969.

You can find information about the gender pay gap for HR professionals on the ONS’ website.