sample resume for career change to human resources

Build my resume

• Resume builder
• Build a better resume in minutes
• Resume examples
• 2,000+ examples that work in 2024
• Resume templates
• 184 free templates for all levels
• Cover letters
• Cover letter generator
• It's like magic, we promise
• Cover letter examples
• Free downloads in Word & Docs

25 Human Resources (HR) Resume Examples for 2024

• Human Resources Resumes
• HR Resumes by Experience
• HR Resumes by Role

Writing Your HR Resume

A company’s most valuable resource is its employees, but it takes a great human resources manager to find, manage, and help those employees succeed within an organization.

From hiring to onboarding to benefits, you know how to help colleagues succeed within a company. When it comes to being a successful human resources (HR) professional, you put people first. But although you can spot a great resume from a mile away,  building a resume  of your own is an entirely different beast.

Our HR resume examples and guide have helped HR professionals learn  how to write a resume  and make a cover letter to  land highly coveted jobs with companies like Facebook and Lyft.  Writing an amazing human resources resume has never been easier!

Human Resources (HR) Resume

or download as PDF

Why this resume works

• If you have more than 10 years of experience, you can add a  resume summary  (also called a career summary) to list your HR experience and biggest achievements.
• Space is limited on your resume, but don’t worry—you’ll have more room to discuss the context of your experience in your  human resources cover letter , so you don’t have to try and cram everything onto your resume.
• Whenever possible, quantify the scale or impact of your work on your human resources resume. For example, how many employees did you help hire or onboard? What was the scale of the compensation plan you managed? How many disputes did you resolve? Numbers speak louder than words!

Human Resources (HR) Manager Resume

• Start by listing your hard skills (the tools and technologies you know) and the areas of HR in which you’re an expert, such as Disability or FMLA.
• Don’t make your skills section a laundry list; only include skills that you can readily demonstrate if asked. Honesty is key!
• You can help the reader out by  formatting your resume  with your most recent experience first. That way hiring managers see your best roles right away, which will encourage them to keep reading.

Human Resources (HR) Intern Resume

• Don’t be afraid to showcase your work and accomplishments! Use strong action words like “developed”, “spearheaded”, or “operated” to show hiring managers that you have what it takes to move into roles with more responsibility. 
• In just two to four sentences, let hiring managers know what company you want to work for, the job title you’re seeking, and what specific skills you have that will be an asset to the company.
• The key word here is  specific.  A vague resume objective won’t do you any favors!

Entry-Level Human Resources (HR) Resume

• Have you started a club, held an internship, or had a part-time job? These can all be valuable on your  entry-level human resources resume !
• You can also highlight your academic abilities by listing your GPA or any awards you won during college. You can even list relevant courses to really show off your skills!
• Some employers prefer resumes in different formats, so check the  Human Resources job description  if you need to use a  Google Doc template  or a  Microsoft Word template  to format your entry-level human resources resume correctly.

Junior Human Resources (HR) Generalist Resume

• Woah, cowpoke! Hold off for a minute and use our  resume checker  to ensure your Jr. human resources generalist resume is formatted correctly and that you’re using all the gold-standard grammar and punctuation rules.
• Leverage metrics about the number of employees at each company you’ve worked for, the percent increase in efficiency after implementing a new HR tool, the number of new hires you’ve added, or the increase in qualified applicants you’ve driven through recruitment strategies

Human Resources (HR) Assistant Resume

• Above all, be specific. A generic, vague objective only wastes valuable space. Instead, talk about your qualifications for the position at hand, then mention why you want this particular role with this specific company.
• For example, did you help plan an event that brought in an extra $3K in revenue? Or maybe you collaborated with your HR team to develop new onboarding processes that decreased the cost-per-hire by 21%. Whatever you did, find a way to tell the employer why your efforts mattered on your  human resources assistant resume .

Senior HR Manager Resume

• Tell your story with the help of your past work experiences! Enrich your senior HR manager resume by depicting the growth in your career. Mention your early career and how you’ve managed to go from simply revisiting policies to finally improving employee satisfaction rate as a manager.

HRIS Analyst Resume

• As long as you list tools like Tableau, Oracle HCM Cloud, or even TSheets, you’ll be able to convince a would-be employer that you know the ins and outs of visualizing employee data that help an organization reduce its turnover rates.

HR Analyst Resume

• Make your HR analyst resume more eye-catching by choosing the “Standout” template and picking a yellow tone that is cool on the eyes. Back this visual appeal with a degree such as a Bachelor’s in Organizational Behavior and Human Resources that you’ve accomplished and show that you’re a professional in handling employee behavior and data.

HR Compliance Resume

• Use and highlight bullet points like “lowering instances of compliance violations by 17%” in your previous roles. These metrics will do the job of solidifying your interest and ability to ensure all workspace operations are compliant with state and federal laws.

Human Resources Recruiter Resume

• For example, you must show your unmatched competencies in skills and tools that track, assess, and help onboard new hires smoothly.

Human Resources Administrator Resume

• A great example you can use in your human resources administrator resume is underscoring your input in achieving a 42% increase in promotion rates for employees under your supervision.

Human Resources Associate Resume

• However, it’s not enough to state that you’re a team player; your human resources associate resume must also show your contribution in identifying, interviewing, and onboarding new hires.

Human Resources Executive Resume

• For instance, integrating Tableau’s HR data analytics dashboard to support decision-making would give recruiters a reason to pick your human resources executive resume ahead of others.

Human Resources (HR) Director Resume

• Use your work experience bullet points to showcase a variety of skills, like management, collaboration, data analysis, and mentorship. Think of each bullet point as a separate skill you want to showcase.
• Using a  resume template  can help you easily change stylistic elements to suit your fancy, like colors, font types, and layouts. Be creative and go for it!

Human Resources (HR) Coordinator Resume

• Set a timer for six seconds. Now, read through your resume until the timer runs out. What stands out the most?
• Hopefully, “numbers” was your top answer. Numbers are easier to scan, and they’re great at showing how you improved your workplace, so include them when you can!
• Try to include rates like ROIs, time and cost per hour, the staff you oversee, reviews, error reductions, efficiency improvements, and employee retention time.
• While you don’t have to use an outline, we would recommend it, especially if you haven’t  written a resume  in a while.

Human Resources (HR) Generalist Resume

• Use small amounts of color (and different font types) to break up an otherwise-monotonous page of black text and draw attention to section headers.
• However, if you personalize your summary by calling out the employer and the role by name, as well as listing your most relevant achievements, you should add it in to help make a great first impression!

Human Resources (HR) Representative Resume

• While that’s understandable when you make a  resume outline , your resume must be polished and customized to highlight past experience that is applicable to the new job you desire.
• In general, we recommend including three to four work experience listings total so you can expand on each. Any more than four, and it starts to get pretty overwhelming!
• This way, you can quickly review your resume against the job description to  build a customized resume  for every job for which you apply!

Human Resources (HR) Data Analyst Resume

• Always double (and even triple)  check your resume  for any typos or grammatical errors before you turn it in. Even areas that you think are perfect, like your Contact Information, might have a missed “t” or an extra period.
• We’d recommend having a friend or colleague read your resume, too, since they’re more likely to notice mistakes. 
• Font : are you using two fonts, one for your body text and one for your headers?
• Layout : is your resume easy to read? Do you have headers for each section? 
• Style : does your resume convey your personality? If not, consider adding some color and different font types, provided your resume is still readable afterwards.

Human Resources (HR) Benefits Specialist Resume

• Numbers will encourage hiring managers to slow down and carefully read your text. Plus, they take less space then words and can demonstrate your capabilities faster. So, if you want to demonstrate your capabilities quickly, use numbers! 
• For example, adding a  resume objective  usually isn’t the best option unless you’ve just changed careers or are starting out in the HR field.

Human Resources (HR) Business Partner Resume

• That internship you had back when pagers and Razr phones were a thing? Probably not relevant—instead, pick three to four recent positions where you’ve showcased your leadership abilities. 
• We’d recommend listing your experience in reverse-chronological order (aka putting your most recent work experience at the top) to increase the chances of making a good first impression right away.

Human Resources (HR) Recruitment Coordinator Resume

• That’s right. Your resume doesn’t need to be boring to command respect. In fact, a bold color can demonstrate confidence and individuality, which can make you an even more desirable candidate. 
• A note of caution: While more companies are valuing individuality and personality, there are times when muted colors (think deep navy, slate gray, or hunter green) may be more appropriate. This may be especially true if you’re applying to work in HR for a legal or investment firm.

Human Resources (HR) Specialist Resume

• If yes, use our human resources specialist resume to add a dedicated section where you can add certs and improve your chances of being hired.

Chief Human Resources (HR) Officer ( CHRO ) Resume

• With a cluttered template, you run the risk of leaving an employer overwhelmed and unsure of where to look on your resume. Using a clean template, like our Elegant, Official, Standout, or Professional templates, will let a recruiter focus on what’s important and help you put your best foot forward.

VP HR Resume

• If you’re applying for a senior-level position, like Vice President of HR, you’ve probably got a ton of experience under your belt. Still, your resume should ideally fit into one page, so select your most substantial achievements at each role to mention under your work experience in your VP HR resume.

Related resume guides

• Office Administrator
• Talent Acquisition
• Operations Manager

You could be an employer’s dream candidate, but you won’t be hired if your resume isn’t readable or logical. So before your professional resignation letter hits your current employer’s desk, walk through our guide on the top resume formats, what to include in your contact header, and how to make your HR resume readable for employers and ATS.

Top resume formats

The top three  resume formats  for 2024 are reverse-chronological, functional, and combination/hybrid. Each format showcases your aptitude for the job in different ways.

• Reverse-chronological : This format stresses your career progression by putting your most recent job at the top. It’s easy to skim, but it can reveal gaps in employment or career changes.
• Functional : Skills are the name of the game with this format, which highlights position-related and transferable skills alike. However, it can confuse ATS and recruiters since it’s not common.
• Combination/hybrid : It’s the best of both worlds with an in-depth skills section and a work history section, but it can be hard to format and isn’t ATS-friendly.

We believe the reverse-chronological format, as shown below, is the best choice for a human resources resume because it’s easy for ATS and recruiters to read quickly and tells a consistent, steady of your career.

Include the right details in your contact header

Your contact header is where you list (surprise, surprise) your contact information. In this section, you’ll want to include the following:

• Job title you’re seeking
• Email address
• Phone number
• City/State (optional)
• Professional links (optional but recommended)

Since your contact header is the first thing recruiters will read, you need to design it carefully. Place your contact header at the top of your resume, either centered or left-aligned, to make it easy to spot. If you’re struggling to fit everything, remove the optional elements or go down a font size.  Just make sure it’s no smaller than your resume body text . 

You should also adjust the color, font style, and layout. Giving your name a different font and a color block outline can showcase your personality and desired role. No matter what you do with your contact header, just ensure it’s easy to read and looks professionally appealing.

Our resume examples can offer inspiration if you’re struggling to format your contact header.

Make your HR resume readable for software and people

HR professionals know the hiring process is complex, so ATS can be a lifesaver when used well. That means that when you write your HR resume, keep ATS in mind to avoid getting the boot.

Our tips on formatting elements can help you format your resume to impress ATS and employers.

• Margins : Avoid margins smaller than half-inch or larger than one inch to give your resume a professional and clean appearance.
• Fonts : Sans-serif fonts are the best for ATS readability, but unusual fonts aren’t a good choice. Choose safe standards like Arial, Verdana, and Helvetica.
• Font sizes : Overly large or small fonts are overwhelming and hard to read. Use 10 or 12-point font sizes to keep reading a cinch.
• Header names : ATS systems aren’t programmed to recognize creative header names, so stick to industry standards like “work experience” and “skills.”
• Skills:  Include skill keywords listed on the job description to ensure your resume passes ATS inspection.
• Logical order : ATS and recruiters read resumes quickly, so organize your resume according to industry recommendations. Namely, put your contact header at the very top and put your work experience in the middle.
• One page : Recruiters have limited time to read endless qualifications, so keep your resume to a single page. 
• File type : Some ATS won’t recognize .dot, .txt, .jpg, or other file types that aren’t .docx. Submit your resume as a Word document and PDF to cover all your bases.

Write a Winning HR Resume

Writing an effective resume  is an overwhelming process, but human resource professionals can get it done in no time by writing only a section at a time.

In the following sections, we’ll introduce:

• Using an objective/summary effectively
• Listing your HR experience
• Choosing the appropriate skills
• Writing the education section and adding optional elements
• Tailoring your HR resume
• Editing your resume for maximum impact

Determine whether you should use an objective/summary

Many people will argue that a  resume objective  or summary is a waste of space that’s “me-centric.” Yet, a worthwhile objective or summary can showcase your qualifications and give a snapshot of  how  you can impact a business. 

Good objectives and summaries tell the recruiter why you should be hired in three sentences or less. They should highlight your skills while expressing how you’ll use your unique experience in the role for which you’re applying. 

Objectives are typically used when you’re changing careers or just starting out, and they focus on your strengths and transferable skills. Summaries are used for those who have been in their career field for some time, and they function as a snapshot of your long-standing career.

You may not need a summary or an objective, but if you do choose one, always tailor it to each job for which you apply. 

For example, generic objectives give nothing more than buzzwords like this:

• Talented human resources professional seeking new opportunities. Skilled at hiring, management, and communication.

This doesn’t tell the recruiter anything about the candidate’s unique experience (or  anything  about the candidate at all). A good objective is specific and personable, like this example:

• Compassionate and detail-driven HR professional with 3 years of experience. I want to use my interpersonal communication skills and conflict resolution abilities to increase employee satisfaction at CORE. My goal is always to foster relationships from the start of the onboarding process, resulting in a 15% decrease in ETR. 

Similar to the example above, notice how this savvy candidate tailors the career objective to the target business.

Summaries are excellent tools if you’re further along in your career. If you’re SHRM-SCP certified or have been in management for years, you should use a  summary for your resume . Summaries can be difficult, though, because you have to cram in years of experience, often resulting in something that looks like this:

• Experienced HR professional who is organized and passionate about people. I am certified and ready to bring my 10+ years of communication, training, and administration skills to your company. 

It’s not bad per se, but it’s vague and not tailored to the company. The one below gives examples of the applicant’s skills and what they’ll provide for their employer:

• Onboarding and employee training are my specialties as a PHR-certified manager with 10+ years of HR experience. I’m passionate about talent acquisition, coaching, interviewing, and compensation/benefits. I wish to use my skills to increase employee satisfaction and training effectiveness while decreasing time-to-hire and time-to-productivity at CORE.

Like the visual below, the above summary explains goals, specialties, and what the candidate can do for their future employer. When writing your objective or summary, make sure it’s detailed and concise to showcase your best qualities.

List your HR work experience

HR professionals wear a lot of hats, so it can be tempting to cram in as many past jobs as you can to showcase your adaptability and skills. This results in a resume that’s overloaded without a clear focus.

Instead, list  two to four of your most relevant job experiences . Doing so provides a clear story of your career and gives you room to expand on the responsibilities and skills you obtained from each position. 

If you lack formal job experience, list internships, volunteer/leadership work, and projects related to your desired HR position.

Write actionable bullet points

Bullet points are the bread and butter of your experience section, so your writing should be as specialized as possible in this area. Use active verbs and targeted language without resorting to personal pronouns to create the most impact. Consistency is key, so match your verb tenses and either use punctuation or avoid it altogether.

Excellent bullet points for an HR resume are distinct and concise. Use the following examples to help you craft amazing bullet points on your resume: 

• Enforced compliance with federal, state, and company employment laws
• Created individualized employee performance reviews in collaboration with management quarterly
• Educated employees on company policies, procedures, and compensation during employee training
• Established a standard set of onboarding processes, including interviewing, office setup, and software training

These bullet points showcase your specialized skills and highlight your accomplishments most effectively and efficiently. 

Harness the power of numbers

Metrics are frequently missed in HR resumes, but they’re a huge asset. They’re definitive proof that you’ve done your job well. So, you should aim to include metrics on 50 percent of your job description bullet points.

When discussing your job responsibilities, try to include some of the following  HR metrics :

• Improved time-to-hire
• Increased employee retention
• Increased employee satisfaction
• Increased employee performance

Below are some sample job description bullet points using the above metric types. 

• Established improved hiring processes, including quarterly job description updates, sourcing plans, and training/development opportunities for current staff, reducing the time to hire by 7 days
• Provided individualized guidance through weekly one-on-one meetings with new staff members, resulting in 13% higher employee retention than in previous years
• Distributed satisfaction surveys in meetings and incorporated feedback into procedures over 6 months, resulting in 50% higher satisfaction rates than the previous year
• Encouraged employees in weekly meetings with special shout-outs and consistently pointed employees to HRIS records in case of concerns regarding payroll, benefits, or training, resulting in 15% higher employee performance than the previous quarter

Choose your HR skills selectively

The skills section on an HR resume presents your attributes and qualifications in an easy way to read. Regardless of your experience, this section showcases why you’re the best candidate for the job because you possess the traits and knowledge the employer is seeking. 

This is why ATS prioritizes skill keywords to weed out candidates, so nailing this section is crucial. To ensure you stay on the recruiter’s list, choose skills that appear in the job description or those related to similar HR positions. 

Below are some good examples of hard and soft skills HR recruiters desire:

• Microsoft Office Suite
• Legal Compliance
• Conflict Resolution
• Performance Management
• Compensation and Benefits
• HRIS or HRMS
• PHR Certification
• Planning and Strategy

These  resume skills  show experience in multiple areas, like recruiting and payroll, while also listing some hard skills like ATS knowledge. 

Include education, and decide on optional sections

As displayed in the visual below, you’ll need to include education, as most HR positions require a BA in Human Resources Management or associated degrees. Depending on your education level, years in the workforce, and any specializations and certifications, you may need to include different sections on your resume.

For example, if you have multiple certifications, it may not be wise to crowd them all in your objective/summary. Instead, list them in your skills section. 

You may wonder if you should add a  hobbies and interests section to your resume , but most HR resumes shouldn’t include these. Interests and hobbies can be useful in tipping the scale in your favor, but most often, they don’t increase your chances significantly.

However, if the job description or ad mentions company culture or the importance of interests, you should include an interests and hobbies section. For example, if you apply for an entertainment company position, including your love of Harry Potter and Star Wars might be beneficial.

Adjust your HR resume accordingly

Every job is different, so each resume you submit should also be unique. Human resources jobs will have things in common, so you don’t need to revamp your resume completely. Still, pay attention to the differences with each position. Tailor your  objective/summary ,  your skills , and  your work experience bullet points  to match the job description or ad for every job to which you’ve applied.

Edit your HR resume for optimal impact

Although it’s tempting, don’t submit your resume right away! Even though it’s technically complete, there could be mistakes you’ve overlooked.

Walk away for a day or two and let others read it. Once you’ve refreshed your mind, come back and  check your resume  one last time for any errors. Then make the necessary changes until your HR resume is spotless.

Nail the interview and get hired

The last step is to celebrate and prepare for your interview! You can use our  resume checker  to upload your resume and check it against our AI-powered tips or use our  resume builder , which allows you to create resumes from scratch. Just remember, whenever you apply for a job, you’ll want to tailor your resume again. Good luck—we’re rooting for you!

Career Change Resume for 2024 [9+ Examples]

Thinking of switching careers?

It might feel a lot like taking a leap of faith. 

You’re stepping into the unknown - that alone takes a lot of courage and determination.

You might even feel like a recent graduate all over again.

You have 0 experience, entering an entirely new field, competing with people who’ve been doing it forever!

That sounds pretty scary.

But here’s the thing:

As long as you’re armed with the right resume, the transition can be a piece of cake.

And luckily, we’re here to help and guide you through the process.

So, if you’re thinking of breaking into a new career industry, be sure to read on.

• How to pick the best resume format for a career change
• How to create a skill summary and wow the recruiter
• How to show off transferable work experience
• 3+ other ways to impress the recruiter (even if you have 0 relevant work experience)

Choosing the Best Career Change Resume Format

A big part of creating an effective resume is choosing the right resume format to tell your story with.

You need to structure your resume in a way that best shows your transferable skills and experience.

And when it comes to switching careers, the combination resume format does that best.

Here’s why:

This format places equal emphasis on skills and important work experience . 

This way, you can show you have the right industry transferable skills , even if you haven’t had the actual job title.

The format is ideal for people:

• Making a career change with transferable skills or work experience.
• With some employment gaps.
• With a diverse range of skills and experience .
• Applying to both creative and traditional roles.

And here’s what you include within this format:

• Contact information
• Resume objective or summary
• Skills summary
• Work experience
• Certification

Now, we’re going to go over each of those sections and explain how to write them step-by-step.

Here’s what you need to know:

How to Add Your Contact Information the Right Way

Your contact information is arguably the most important part of your resume.

Even if you’re the most qualified person in the world, it’s not going to matter much if you misspell your email and the HR manager can’t contact you.

So, here’s what you should include in this section:

• First name, last name 
• Phone number - Make sure to include your country code if you’re applying outside your country.
• Email address - Something professional like [[email protected]].
• Location - The company needs to know if you’re located in the region or if they may have to sponsor your relocation.
• Title - Either your current professional title or your new desired one. We’d recommend including the job title you’re applying for word-for-word.

Once you’re done, we’d recommend that you double-check, even triple-check everything. You wouldn’t want to miss your chances of landing the job because of a typo, would you?

• Got an online portfolio? You can also mention the links here. For example, if you’re a developer, you can include a link to your GitHub profile. If you’re a writer, a Medium link, and so on...

All clear? Good!

Now, let’s cover how to write a successful career change resume objective or summary.

Impress the Recruiter With a Career Change Resume Objective or Summary

So you’ve got your contact details down.

Now, you need a reason for the HR manager to continue reading the rest of your resume.

So, how do you get the recruiter to stop and read your career change resume when they only look at resumes for 6 seconds on average?

The answer: by using a resume objective or summary.

Both of these sections explain why you’re the best person for the job and act as a preview to the rest of your resume.

Here’s how the two differ:

Your resume summary shows your best accomplishments that are relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Your resume objective highlights how your current skills are relevant and will transfer to your new position.

As someone going through a career change, you can include either one.

But as a rule of thumb, if you were working in a related field and have some transferable skills, go for a resume summary.

On the other hand, if you were working in a completely unrelated field, go for a resume objective.

Check out these examples to get a better idea of what both of these might look like:

Career Change Resume Summary Example

• “Customer support specialist with over 4+ years of experience in over-the-phone technical support looking to leverage communication skills as a Sales Agent at Company XYZ. Excellent track record of delivering quality support, with an average rating of 4.6/5 over the past 2 years.”

A career change resume summary helps the HR understand how your skillset from your previous job can translate into your new one.

In that case, it’s best to mention:

• Your current relevant skills or experience.
• How your background can help you excel at the current job.

Career Change Resume Objective Example

• “Organized and hard-working employee looking to join XYZ as a marketing assistant. Looking to take advantage of my skills in Photoshop, graphic design, and creative copywriting to help XYZ with their marketing efforts.”

See the difference here?

Even though the person doesn’t have any relevant work experience, their resume objective still shows how their skill set is relevant to the new job.

Show Off Your Know-How With a Skills Summary Section

Your resume summary / objective is only an introduction. Now, you need to show the HR what you’ve got.

To do that, you need a good skills summary section.

Skills summary is a must-have section for just about any career change resume.

It puts more emphasis on your skill-set, as opposed to your work experience. This allows you to show how you’re a qualified candidate, even though you haven’t done the job before.

Here’s what a sample skills summary section might look like for a front-end developer.

Career Change Resume Skills Summary Example

• Built an online personal portfolio and resume website using HTML, CSS, JS.
• Created an online JS/jQuery quiz game that takes multiple answers and shows results to the user.
• Built a beautiful weather app with Angular 8 from scratch, designed UI with Sketch.
• Created responsive website templates (that are also mobile friendly) using modern CSS techniques and JS libraries.
• Worked with design and development groups to create applications from mock-ups in Sketch, Illustrator, and Photoshop.
• Familiar with Git, XDebug, and Chrome Developer Tools.
• Debugged over 10 JS web apps for a SaaS project.

Simple enough, right?

You list out each of your key skills, and then back it up with how you’ve used it in the past.

Now, you might be thinking, “what about the work experience section?” Do I just skip it, and use a skills summary instead?

Nope - you still need to list your work experience.

In this case, though, you’d want to use it to show off your transferable skills. Here’s how:

Use Your Work Experience to Show Off Transferable Skills

Let’s take a different example and say you’re moving from a job in sales to copywriting.

A resume you’d use for sales compared to a more creative field like copywriting is probably going to be a bit different.

But what do both of the roles have in common?

Well, for one, they both require you to have excellent communication skills. You also need to be good at understanding your target market and conveying complex information in simple language.

And that’s the common thread you want to focus on in your work experience section.

So, when listing your previous jobs, think of some transferable skills that you bring to the table that are going to be relevant.

Even unrelated jobs have some universal skills that are helpful everywhere.

To give you a better idea of what we mean, let’s look at some examples:

Sales Executive

Company X - 11/2016 - 04/2019

• Created and presented pitch deck that secured a $500,000 deal - largest for Company X to date.
• Boosted sales for the most underperforming product by 40% by developing helpful and instructional material for prospects.
• Created and edited sales materials, scripts, and technical documents for accuracy and consistency.

Here’s what’s done right:

• Shows transferable skills and achievements.
• Highlights only the parts from the experience that are related to the new role.

While the above example doesn’t talk about product descriptions or ads, communication materials and sales scripts do show that the candidate can write.

So, for a copywriting position, it’s going to be relevant and worth mentioning.

Now, compare that to the career change work experience below:

• Cold-emailed 100+ prospects daily.
• Closed 14+ deals in 2019 so far.
• Hit and exceeded company KPIs for the past 2 years in a row.

Sure, this example is good. But only if the candidate is applying for a sales job.

For copywriting, though, none of the skills mentioned are going to come in handy.

So, when listing previous job positions, you should focus only on what’s relevant.

Now that you know how to properly list work experience, let’s move on to the next section: Education.

Make Your Education Section Shine

Your education section is going to be an important requirement for just about any position above entry-level.

Listing education on your resume is pretty straightforward.

All you have to do is list your latest educational entry (e.g. college degree), and then include all the important stuff below it.

For example, you can include things like:

• Name of degree (Minor - optional): e.g. B.A. International Business Administration.
• Name of educational institution: e.g. University of Groningen.
• Years attended: e.g. 2015 - 2019.
• Location of the program (optional): e.g. Groningen, Netherlands.
• GPA (optional): 3.84 (only include if you excelled).
• Courses that are relevant to the job (optional): e.g. Advanced Business Finances.
• Exchange programs (optional): e.g. exchange program in Florida, U.S.

Here’s what the full listing for this educational entry might look like:

You might be wondering, what if I don’t have the right education for the job? Maybe, you have an M.A. in Philosophy, but you’re applying for a job in marketing. Do you still list it?

The answer is a definite yes.

Even if the degree is not relevant at all, it still shows that you’re passionate about learning and education.

In some cases, you might even be able to show off some transferable skills with your degree.

Let’s say, for example, you have a B.A. in English Literature , and you’re applying for a job in marketing. 

You could stress on how your degree gave you amazing writing skills (a must-have for most marketing roles), like so:

B.A. in English Literature.

University XYZ - 2014-2018

• Excelled in creative writing courses
• Part-time as a reporter for the university website

PS - Do you still have some questions on how to list your education section? Maybe you’re wondering what else you can include? Check out our full guide on how to list education on a resume with 13+ real-life examples.

Done with your education section? Awesome!

This brings us to the next section on your career change resume.

How (and Why) to List Skills On a Career Change Resume

When it comes to the skills section, what most recruiters want to know is if you can actually do what the job ad asks for.

And like with the other sections till now, relevance is key.

You should only ever list skills that are appropriate to the job you’re applying for.

To find out what’s relevant, start by scanning the job listing.

Most job ads usually include a list of requirements or skills they expect for a good candidate to have.

So, all you have to do is mention those exact skills on your resume.

Let’s take a look at an example.

Career Change Resume Skills Example

Assuming the job ad is for a junior front-end developer who has:

• 2-4 Years of professional experience using JavaScript, CSS, and HTML.
• Up to 1 years of visual design experience focusing on strong UX/UI.
• Good communication skills and team-player

You’d want to list the following skills:

• Communication Skills
• Team-Player

So, all you have to do is mention these skills, and you’re good to go!

• Not sure which skills are a must-have for your role? Check out our complete list of all must-have skills for any given field or position!

Showing Career Certifications on a Resume

When you’re switching careers, certifications are an amazing way to show you’re serious about your craft.

This shows you’re willing to put in the work and that you’ve already taken the first steps.

When listing certifications though, make sure they’re relevant to your field.

For a marketing role, here’s what that might look like:

• HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certified, 2019.
• Google Analytics Individual Qualification, 2018.
• SEMrush Content Marketing Toolkit Course, 2018.

And here’s an example done wrong:

• TechCamp Python Bootcamp, 2019.
• Udemy JavaScript 101 Course.

For a marketing role, those certificates are completely irrelevant and aren’t even in the same field.

While they might be impressive on their own, that doesn’t mean they make you a better marketer.

Listing Personal Projects

Another great way to show that you’re the right person for the job is to list personal projects.

This can be just about anything:

• Founding a sports team in university
• Project you did for business class
• A Part-time online store you created on Etsy
• Passion-project for wood-working
• And whatever else you love (that’s relevant for your new career)

Pretty much anything that can make up for your lack of experience in the field counts.

But of course, keep in mind that your projects should be relevant to your new job.

Getting into coding? Here’s what your projects section could look like...

Make sure to stick to relevant projects, though.

The HR manager cares about your CODING experience, not about the fact that you started a basketball team in college.

Now, compare that to:

• Excelled in Anthropology and Archaeology classes at University X.
• Self-taught knitting pro.

You shouldn’t list projects just for the sake of standing out or filling up space. 

The more irrelevant information you mention in your resume, the more likely it is for the recruiter to accidentally skip out on all your must-have sections.

• Still have some space on your resume? You can also include the hobbies & interests section. Check out our guide to learn how (and why)!

How to Write a Career Change Cover Letter

Done with your resume?

But wait, before you get too excited - you’re still not done.

You need to back up your resume with a career change cover letter.

And no - it’s not like the usual cover letter you’re used to writing. 

When you’re switching careers, you want to use your cover letter to highlight WHY you’re switching fields and WHY your skills are a good match for the new role.

To do this, make sure you bring up a ton of examples and call out any key statistics or measurable results to draw upon, if possible.

To help you craft the best career change cover letter, check out the example below:

Here’s what’s done right with this cover letter:

• Addresses the reader (i.e. “Dear Doris” or if you can’t find their name, “To Whom it May Concern.”).
• Makes it clear they want to transition into a different career (from marketing and retail sales into public relations in this case).
• Shows they’ve done the research and the letter is tailored to the company's products and brand.
• Provides specific examples and achievements (“raised more than $ 10,000 for the event.”).
• Ends on a confident note and provides a call-to-action (and where to contact them).

Think your cover letter game is lacking? Check out our complete, step-by-step guide on how to write a cover letter.

If you're thinking about a career change, and want to join a community of global professionals who are also re-designing and reframing their careers, then consider Unsettled’s Lifestyle Incubator.

Unsettled’s Lifestyle Incubator program is a 4-week highly interactive “virtual retreat” for professionals seeking to redefine their career trajectory and be more intentional about designing their next steps.

Through original workshops, weekly live sessions, practical tools, frameworks and peer-to-peer conversations with a global and diverse community of professionals, they will help you identify the core tensions between the lifestyle you want and the career trajectory that aligns your values, interests, and skills.

Key Takeaways

To recap, going through a mid-career transition probably sounds intimidating. 

But if you craft your career change resume focusing on transferable skills and experience - then you’re good to go!

Just make sure you follow these main key tips while working on your resume:

• Use the combination resume format to highlight your transferable skills and work experience.
• Include all the essential career change resume sections - contact information , resume objective or summary , skill summary , work experience , soft and technical skills , certifications and personal projects.
• And while doing so, highlight only what’s relevant to your new position.
• Finally, make sure you attach a tailored cover letter to your resume and mention WHY you’re switching fields and what unique skills you’re bringing with you.

At Novorésumé, we’re committed to helping you land your dream job, every step of the way. Be sure to check out our career blog to stay up to date with the industry-leading advice and more actionable tips.

Suggested Reading:

• How to Get Your Resume Layout Right [3 Free Templates]
• How to Write an ATS Resume
• 20+ One-Page Resume Templates [Free Download]

To provide a safer experience, the best content and great communication, we use cookies. Learn how we use them for non-authenticated users.

If you want to change careers, you’re going to need a great resume to show employers why they should take a chance on you.

You need to convince them that you’ll succeed in their role, even if you’ve done different work in the past.

And while you can do some of this convincing in the job interview, you aren’t going to get interviews if your resume or CV isn’t great , too, so it all starts here!

Don’t worry if this sounds intimidating – this article has everything you need to write an effective resume for career change…

I spoke to multiple professional resume writers, coaches, and other experts and put together this list of resume tips for career changers, as well as real-life examples of resumes that got interviews.

Here’s what you need to know…

Career Change Resume/CV Format

The best resume format for a career change is the chronological resume (also known as “reverse chronological resume”). With this format, your resume or CV lists your work experience in the order it happened, starting with your most recent or current position at the top.

This is what most hiring managers and recruiters are used to seeing and prefer to see, so it’s the best format to use when switching careers (or in any job search, for that matter).

So the first thing to do with your resume is to make sure you’re using this format. Put your most recent position at the top of your “Work Experience” section , and then go backward from there. You’ll see examples of this coming up – don’t worry.

The bottom line is: You aren’t going to hide something or “sneak” through the process by using a less-common (and more confusing) resume format like a functional resume.

This will just confuse and frustrate the hiring manager or recruiter .

So rather than trying to hide gaps in your experience, you should tailor your experience to be as relevant as possible for the job you’re applying to. That’s how to approach resume formatting as a career changer.

Career Change Resume Objective (And Why NOT To Include This)

You should not include a resume objective when changing careers (or on any resume, in fact). A resume objective is an outdated section that should be replaced with a resume summary section – a brief intro summarizing your experience, skills, accomplishments, and anything else you’d like to share.

Coming up next, we’ll look at examples of how to write this “summary” section as a career changer.

Writing Your Resume Summary for Career Change

Rather than a resume objective, you should include a brief Summary section to show employers what you’ve accomplished and how you can help them in their role.

I asked multiple experts for tips and examples of how to write a resume summary for a career change, so here are some tips from coaches, resume writers, and other experts.

Career Change Resume Example: Switching Careers from Business Development at a Skilled Nursing Facility to Medical Device Sales 

This section is contributed by: Virginia Franco – Executive Resume Writer at Virginia Franco Resumes

When writing a summary section for a career change, think about what you bring to the table that aligns with the role you seek, and what makes you less of a hiring risk for the hiring manager or interviewer.

In the example above, my client wanted to pivot from a business development role at a skilled nursing facility into medical device sales. In writing his summary, I:

• Chose a headline that contained some keywords related to the role he currently held AND the role he was targeting.
• Created a tagline that spoke to his success in Skilled Nursing using language that was industry-neutral.
• Identified a few differentiators that would make him appealing to a hiring manager and help outweigh the fact that he was new to the role and industry.

In this case, the fact that he:

• Knew lots of key players meant he could hit the ground running and build a sales funnel fast
• Was multilingual but raised in the U.S. meant he could interface well with many cultures – important in the area where he lived, and in working with surgeons that are often from other countries.
• Kept abreast of the industry and trends meant he was passionate about the industry and that he embraced continual learning.
• Established trust by working to overcome obstacles in a creative fashion meant that he was a problem solver – a trait that would make him attractive to a hiring manager.

In other words, I worked to make him seem like a candidate that was a risk worth taking!

Career Change Resume Example: Changing Careers from Medical Device Sales to Advertising & Technology

This section is contributed by: Austin Belcak – Founder at Cultivated Culture

When your changing careers, one of the biggest resume challenges is getting visibility on the transferable and relevant experience that you have.

Maybe you worked on a relevant project two jobs ago, maybe you took a course that’s buried in your education section, or maybe you’ve been working on a side hustle but are worried about leading with that vs. your current job.

Using resume objectives is a good way to combat this issue.

Resume objectives allow you to cherry-pick the most relevant work experience from your career, education, and side projects and feature it right at the top of your resume. This gives you the chance to lead with the most relevant transferable experience so you make sure it’s seen instead of getting lost in the mix.

This is the exact tactic I used when I was switching careers from medical device sales into advertising/tech.

My day job was in healthcare, it didn’t offer much in the way of traditional skills, but I had been spending nights and weekends learning digital marketing. I took courses, got certified, and even started doing a bit of freelancing. I wanted that to show at the top of my resume so I used an objective to highlight that ahead of my current role:

Tip: Target Everything for the Role You Want

This section is contributed by: Sarah Johnston – Former Recruiter, Executive Resume Writer, and Job Search Coach at BriefcaseCoach.com

When writing a resume for a career change, it’s important to target your resume for the role that you want. I recommend finding a few job descriptions that interest you and scanning for keywords and themes. Use the target job title or skill set in the header to frame the resume.

The Ladders did an eye tracking study that found that recruiters and hiring managers only spend 7.4 seconds scanning a resume before deciding to pass or read more. The heat map showed that better-performing resumes have keywords at the top to immediately draw the eye.

Attached is the top of a career changer sample resume. This hypothetical job seeker is wanting to transition from an account manager role to being an executive assistant . The resume plays up her transferable skills and includes a header that references the job that she wants.

As a former corporate recruiter, I am not a fan of functional resumes. Recruiters are taught to scan resumes chronologically. When you take the experience out of context or “order,” it often gives the recruiter the impression you are trying to hide or fudge experience.

Tip: Use Bullets to Stand Out

This section is contributed by: Madeline Mann – Human Resources Leader & Career Coach, Creator of Self Made Millennial

Consider writing your resume intro or summary in bullet format, as this makes it easier for people to quickly scan it.

The first couple of bullet points should emphasize the most important keywords from the job description.

Get creative with how you integrate these terms into your summary. For example, use phrases like “experience with” and “knowledge of” to indicate tasks that you have become familiar with inside or outside of your job.

Personal projects, volunteering, and education should all contribute to what you describe here. If the most prominent keywords in the job description are tasks and concepts that you are unfamiliar with, that is a sign that you need to build those skills on your own time. Here is a video on how to build these important skills without getting hired.

The next couple of bullet points should focus on the most relevant accomplishments to the role you are pursuing, which may not be from your most recent role.

This is where the magic of the summary section comes into play. Pull in early-career achievements, side projects, and unpaid work where you did tasks that are more closely aligned with your new career. For example, if you are a Psychology Lab Assistant, and you want to be a Building Manager, many of your lab tasks won’t translate.

But, five years ago you were the treasurer of your sorority (budgeting is a keyword), and you handled many contractors to ensure the house was renovated and maintained (knowledge of the trades is a keyword). While that experience may be buried due to it being 5 years ago and not a paid position, it can hop to the top of your career change resume as a highly relevant accomplishment in the summary.

The summary section is an opportunity for you to truly spell it out for the hiring manager where your transferable skills will be too well-matched to ignore!

Editor’s note: Bullets are also a great way to make your resume work history section stand out. This article explains how to do this with 22 resume bullet examples. 

Career Change Resume Work History Section: Samples and Tips

After a brief summary or intro paragraph, you’ll need a powerful employment history section to continue to impress the recruiter or hiring manager. Use the tips below to help you write yours.

Write Your Resume by Working Backward from the Job Description

This section is contributed by: Kyle Elliott – Career & Life Coach and Resume Writer at CaffeinatedKyle.com

The key to a successful career change resume is to work backward from the job posting. I encourage clients to literally pull language from the posting of the job they are targeting, then massage it until it truthfully reflects their experience. You really want to speak the language of the industry you are moving into.

In the example below, my client was targeting sales roles. However, she has several years of impressive experience from working in higher education that we wanted to include on her resume. So we repositioned her earlier experience as a “customer experience manager” role, pulling language directly from the job postings she was targeting.

Add Keywords to Get Past the ATS

This section is contributed by: Susan P. Joyce – Publisher of Job-Hunt.org

When your goal is a career change, be sure that your resume contains the relevant keywords for the career you want. Without these keywords, your resume will not be found in a recruiter’s search of the applications and resumes stored in the applicant tracking system (ATS).

Analyze the job description and pay attention to the job’s requirements as well as the nice-to-have skills. Make a list of the skills and other job requirements you meet. Those terms are typically the terms that will be used most often when the employer is searching for qualified job candidates.

If you have acquired skills or experience outside of work, don’t be afraid to include them, too. These include skills you have acquired while volunteering or participating in other non-work activities, especially if those skills are required for this job (and, thus, important keywords).

One of the best places to start including keywords on your career change resume is your “Skills” section.

The Skills section provides a quick way to show employers that you have the skills they’ve listed on their job description.

For example: Assume the job requires hard skills like QuickBooks or SQL, and you have experience with them or have certifications from training you have taken. Include the appropriate term in your Skills section, like “QuickBooks” or “QuickBooks Certified”.

Then, in the “Experience” section of your resume , include those skills in the descriptions of your past jobs (or volunteering) where you acquired and/or used those skills. This will show the employer when and where you demonstrated your skills, which they always want to see!

Repetition of keywords is usually a good thing when the repetition is natural, relevant, and appropriate. So, having these important terms in both the Skills and Experience sections of your resume will help your resume be found.

However, simply repeating keywords at the bottom of your resume is not smart or useful.

Career Change Resume Templates

You should now have a general idea of how to format and write your resume or CV for a career change.

If you need a great starting point and don’t want to create your resume from scratch (or if your existing resume is outdated and doesn’t look great) then this job search resources page has multiple free resume templates that are great for changing careers.

After clicking the link above, scroll down to the section titled: “ATS-Compliant Resume Templates.” All of the templates on that page are free to use and download.

Recap: How to Write a Resume for Career Change

If you’re planning on switching careers, you should write your resume to make your experience seem as relevant as possible for the job you want next.

Always think of the employer’s perspective when deciding what to put on your resume and what to leave off.

Write your career change CV or resume based on the employer’s job description and you’ll be much more likely to win the interview.

That’s how to get a new job in a new field. Employers want candidates who can step into a role, learn the position quickly, and succeed. They want low risk.  The more you can show similarities between what you’ve done and what the employer needs for this job, the better!

To summarize: Your CV or resume for a career change will be most successful if you start with the employer’s needs in mind, work backward, and think carefully about how to position your own experiences – both professional and personal – to make yourself seem capable of stepping into their job and being a success!

About the Author

Read more articles by Biron Clark

Read our Resume Essentials Guides

10 best free resume builders, top 14 resume skills to add on your resume + examples, does a resume need an objective, resume summary with no experience: examples for students and fresh graduates, resume keywords: 80+ verbs and power words to use, previous work experience examples for a resume, 24 resume summary examples that get interviews, what to put on a resume: 9 things to include, sample list of accomplishments for resume (35+ examples).

Resume Worded   |  Proven Resume Examples

• Resume Examples
• Other Resumes

24 Human Resources (HR) Resume Examples - Here's What Works In 2024

Human resources professionals have a wealth of opportunities across different industries. our sample hr resumes can help you get hired in 2023 (google docs and pdfs attached)..

Human resources (HR) is a dynamic, rapidly expanding field that offers many potential career paths. Any company can benefit from having a skilled human resources professional on board to hire the right people, develop their talents, and help them succeed in their roles. After all, great employees are some of the most valuable assets a company can have. Whether you’re seeking to become a human resources generalist, assistant, manager, or director, you can expect to work closely with other people and influence the culture of the company you’re working for. In addition to hiring and training new employees, your responsibilities could include managing performance, resolving conflicts, and communicating company policies to staff. In the past, human resources roles were more heavily focused on administrative tasks such as payroll and benefits. While modern human resources professionals still do some of these duties, they are also leaders who support team members and provide guidance to others. The demand for these talented professionals is steadily growing, and jobs for human resource managers and specialists are expected to increase by 6-7% over the next decade -- faster than the average growth rate in other professions. If you’re applying for positions within human resources, you’ll need to show that you are adept at working with others and can juggle a wide range of responsibilities. How do you create a human resources resume that reflects the qualities recruiters are looking for in 2023? Read on to see our resume templates for inspiration.

Human Resources (HR) Resume Templates

Jump to a template:

• Human Resources (HR) Manager
• Entry Level Human Resources (HR)
• Human Resources (HR) Business Partner
• Human Resources (HR) Recruiter
• Senior HR Manager & HR Director (Human Resources Director)
• Human Resources (HR) Administrator
• Human Resources (HR) Generalist
• Human Resources Assistant
• Human Resources Coordinator
• Human Resources Specialist
• Vice President of Human Resources
• VP of Human Resources (VP HR)
• Benefits Specialist
• Benefits Manager
• Benefits Analyst
• Benefits Coordinator
• Benefits Administrator

Jump to a resource:

• Keywords for Human Resources (HR) Resumes

Human Resources (HR) Resume Tips

• Action Verbs to Use
• Bullet Points on Human Resources (HR) Resumes
• Related Other Resumes

Get advice on each section of your resume:

Template 1 of 24: Human Resources (HR) Manager Resume Example

The human resources manager is an integral role in any company. The HR manager is responsible for a wide array of duties related to employee satisfaction, retention, and onboarding. They may pilot employee recognition programs, revise benefit packages, create training programs, and much more. Human resources managers are dynamic individuals with great people skills and great problem-solving abilities. To become a human resources manager, you will need at least a bachelor’s degree in a related field such as psychology or sociology. A master’s degree isn’t always necessary but can help you land this role more easily. Hiring managers will look for someone with previous experience as a recruiter, HR generalist, or training specialist. To land this role, you should demonstrate your past experience in improving employee experience and retention.

We're just getting the template ready for you, just a second left.

Tips to help you write your Human Resources (HR) Manager resume in 2024

   highlight previous success in improving employee retention or satisfaction.

Companies rely on HR managers to identify and implement strategies to keep good employees around. For this reason, it’s important to highlight any initiatives you have successfully led regarding employee satisfaction or retention on your resume. If you have it, you should also include the data that shows exactly how much you were able to improve.

   Gain relevant certifications to become a human resources manager

To strengthen your resume, you can gain relevant certifications in human resources. A common certificate to obtain for this role is the SPHR (senior professional in human resources) credential. These certifications show hiring managers you are educated and up-to-date on effective human resources strategies.

Skills you can include on your Human Resources (HR) Manager resume

Template 2 of 24: human resources (hr) manager resume example.

Human resources manager jobs are usually senior roles that come with added responsibilities. As a human resources manager, you’ll likely oversee the interviewing and hiring of new employees, and you’ll also have a hand in planning and carrying out administrative functions at the company. A resume like this one will showcase your years of experience in human resources. You can use your bullet points to illustrate your stellar interpersonal, organizational, and management skills.

   Highlights extensive experience in the human resources field

If you’re seeking a human resources manager job, your work history and accomplishments should be front and center on your resume, as shown in this example. When discussing your previous human resources roles, make sure to give examples of how you managed others, created new policies, devised strategies, and led new initiatives that positively impacted the companies you worked for.

   Shows leadership through promotions

To land a senior-level role, you need to show leadership and initiative. As a human resources manager, you’ll train, coach, mentor, and guide others, so you need to be a strong leader. Pointing out promotions at past jobs shows that you are a leader as well as an exemplary employee who is committed to their professional growth.

Template 3 of 24: Entry Level Human Resources (HR) Resume Example

As an entry level Human Resources (HR) professional, you'll be focusing on supporting various HR functions like recruitment, employee relations, and training. It's essential to stay updated on recent HR trends, such as remote work policies and data-driven decision making. When crafting your resume, keep in mind that employers are looking for candidates who understand the importance of clear communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills within the HR role. In recent years, HR has seen a shift towards a more strategic and data-driven approach. Therefore, ensure that your resume reflects your understanding of these trends and how they can be applied to your potential position. Employers will be looking for someone who is proactive and eager to learn in this ever-evolving industry.

Tips to help you write your Entry Level Human Resources (HR) resume in 2024

   highlight relevant internships or projects.

As a new entrant to the HR field, it's important to showcase any relevant internship or project experiences that demonstrate your understanding of HR concepts and hands-on application. This will help employers see your potential to contribute effectively in the HR role.

   Emphasize people and communication skills

Strong people and communication skills are crucial for success in HR. Make sure to highlight how you have successfully navigated interpersonal situations, resolved conflicts, or led team initiatives in previous roles or academic settings.

Skills you can include on your Entry Level Human Resources (HR) resume

Template 4 of 24: entry level human resources (hr) resume example.

Entry-level human resources professionals can play important roles within a company, too. As human resources assistants or coordinators, they can start learning the ropes of an organization and do clerical duties to help support their department. To get one of these jobs, create a resume like this one to highlight your human resources-related education and internship history.

   Emphasis on HR-related education and internships

This resume starts out with the candidate’s education, and you can clearly see that he or she studied human resources management. If you have this type of degree, make sure to mention it prominently. Any internship experiences in human resources -- as well as achievements such as training and leading team building workshops -- can also help strengthen your job application.

   Relevant school and volunteer projects, related to transferrable skills in HR

In addition to formal education and internships, this resume sample lists school and volunteer projects that relate to human resources. You can use community service and other projects you’ve done to demonstrate other relevant skills such as organization, coordination of activities, and leadership.

Template 5 of 24: Human Resources (HR) Business Partner Resume Example

As a Human Resources (HR) Business Partner, you'll play a crucial role in aligning HR strategies with business needs. The industry has been rapidly evolving, with a growing focus on employee engagement, organizational culture, and data-driven decision-making. When writing your resume, it's important to showcase your expertise in these areas, as well as your ability to adapt to changing business environments and effectively communicate with diverse groups of stakeholders. To stand out as an HR Business Partner, your resume should not only highlight your core HR competencies but also demonstrate your business acumen and strategic thinking skills. Show your prospective employer that you understand their industry and company-specific challenges by tailoring your resume to the unique needs of their organization.

Tips to help you write your Human Resources (HR) Business Partner resume in 2024

   highlight your hr analytics skills.

HR Business Partners increasingly rely on data to drive informed decision-making on workforce planning, talent management, and employee engagement. Ensure your resume demonstrates your ability to analyze data, identify trends, and develop data-driven recommendations to meet business objectives.

   Showcase strategic partnerships

As an HR Business Partner, the ability to collaborate with key stakeholders, including senior management, is essential. Highlight instances where you've successfully partnered with various departments to align HR initiatives with overall business strategies and positively impact organizational outcomes.

Skills you can include on your Human Resources (HR) Business Partner resume

Template 6 of 24: human resources (hr) business partner resume example.

A human resources business partner functions as a consultant to a company’s senior management. These professionals provide insights and develop human resources strategies to benefit employees as well as the company itself. If you’re pursuing one of these roles, choose a resume like this one to show that you have previous experience in the field, strong analytical skills, and strategic decision-making abilities.

   Bullet points feature strong action verbs which stress HR skills

In this resume template, the bullet points begin with strong action verbs that highlight the candidate’s consultative and managerial skills. Using verbs such as “conducted”, “led”, “established” and “educated” helps show your proactivity and frame your achievements in a favorable light.

   Uses specific HR-related metrics

Most of the accomplishments mentioned in this resume’s bullet points also include specific metrics (e.g. “saved the company nearly $200,000” or “cut training hours by 5 hours per session”). It’s essential to use specific examples like these to show how your actions and decisions achieved tangible results.

Template 7 of 24: Human Resources (HR) Recruiter Resume Example

A human resources recruiter is an especially important role at any company. This role is responsible for finding talent, filling open roles, and identifying which candidates' applications will move forward to the next step in the interviewing process. In this role, you will be responsible for tasks such as posting advertising job openings, creating job descriptions, opening conversations with qualified applicants, and determining which applicants should be considered for the role. To become a human resources recruiter, you will need a mix of relevant knowledge and experience. Those chosen for this role typically have a relevant bachelor’s degree in a field like psychology or sociology. Hiring managers will also be looking for someone with HR and/or recruiting experience, such as in previous roles as a headhunter or talent acquisition specialist. Ideal candidates for the human resources recruiter role will have superb people skills, an ability to collaborate internally, and outstanding communication skills, both verbal and written.

Tips to help you write your Human Resources (HR) Recruiter resume in 2024

   highlight previous experience in creating qualified applicant pools.

The recruiter is the person who gives the initial assessment of whether a candidate is qualified for a role or not. For this reason, you should demonstrate any experience you have leading or assisting in the early hiring process. If you do not have that experience, you could also highlight related experiences such as being involved in an internal promotion decision-making process.

   Showcase your ability to give constructive feedback

Often, the human resources recruiter must give candidates feedback about their initial interview. They may also be expected to relay feedback from hiring managers to the candidate. For this reason, you should demonstrate any experience you have conducting difficult conversations or giving constructive feedback, even if it was in a different role or field.

Skills you can include on your Human Resources (HR) Recruiter resume

Template 8 of 24: human resources (hr) recruiter resume example.

Where other human resources professionals oversee staff for the duration of their employment, recruiters focus exclusively on filling open jobs within the company. They may write job postings, review resumes, conduct interviews, and hire the most qualified candidates. When you’re applying for a recruiter position, your resume should demonstrate that you are comfortable and experienced with all aspects of the hiring process, as shown in this resume sample.

   Tailored to the specific recruitment job

This resume example highlights specific work experiences that are relevant to the job at hand. It’s great to point out any previous recruiting or hiring experience you have to show that you can handle duties like enhancing candidate screening, leading recruitment projects, and spearheading diversity initiatives.

   Effective use of skills section to stress core HR & recruiter skills

Being well-versed in software like ATS or LinkedIn Recruiter can make you even more marketable as a candidate since you may need to use these programs on the job. Make sure to use your skills section to list your hard skills in recruiting software.

Template 9 of 24: Senior HR Manager & HR Director (Human Resources Director) Resume Example

As a Senior HR Manager or HR Director, you'll play a critical role in shaping the company's talent management strategy and ensuring smooth HR operations. With the rise of remote work and an increasing emphasis on diversity and inclusion, a strong resume showcasing your expertise is more important than ever. To create a standout resume, focus on highlighting your ability to lead HR teams and develop impactful programs that align with company objectives. In today's competitive job market, employers are looking for HR leaders who can adapt to changing business needs and create a positive employee experience. To catch their attention, your resume should demonstrate your ability to drive innovation and foster a collaborative work environment. Additionally, showcasing your knowledge of HR-related laws and regulations, as well as your ability to analyze data and make informed decisions, will make you a more attractive candidate.

Tips to help you write your Senior HR Manager & HR Director (Human Resources Director) resume in 2024

   highlight your strategic hr skills.

As a Senior HR Manager or HR Director, you need to showcase your ability to think strategically and develop HR initiatives that align with overall business objectives. Include examples of how you've effectively implemented talent management programs, workforce planning, or diversity and inclusion initiatives that drove positive results.

   Provide quantifiable achievements

Rather than just listing your job responsibilities, focus on your resume's impact by providing quantifiable achievements. Mention how you've improved employee engagement, reduced turnover, or streamlined HR processes. Using specific metrics to illustrate your success can help you stand out among other candidates.

Skills you can include on your Senior HR Manager & HR Director (Human Resources Director) resume

Template 10 of 24: senior hr manager & hr director (human resources director) resume example.

If you work in human resources for long enough, you might eventually reach the top of the ladder as a senior manager or director. When you become a human resources director, you’ll be in charge of the entire department, overseeing managers, specialists, assistants, and others. If you want the job, your resume needs to show plenty of experience in human resources as well as management and leadership roles.

Tips to help you write your Senior HR Manager & HR Director (Human Resources Director) resume in 2024

   accomplishments with measurable outcomes related to leadership and hr.

Vague assertions about what you achieved at past jobs don’t tell a hiring manager very much. Wherever possible, provide specific numbers and figures to quantify your impact, especially if you managed large numbers of employees or implemented staffing initiatives that led to significant growth and change.

   Action verbs demonstrate leadership

Beginning your achievements with verbs like “partnered”, “coached”, or “managed” leaves a strong impression on recruiters, and it also accentuates your skills as a manager and leader of people. These are essential for Senior and Director roles.

Skills you can include on your Senior HR Manager & HR Director (Human Resources Director) resume

Template 11 of 24: human resources (hr) administrator resume example.

An HR Administrator sits at the intersection of HR and data, so when crafting your resume, you want to demonstrate you're no stranger to either. From managing databases, to processing employee updates and ensuring regulatory compliance, strong organizational skills and attention to detail are your bread and butter. Lately, we're seeing a shift towards HR tech, with HRIS and ATS systems becoming commonplace. So, understanding these tools is growing increasingly vital. In your resume, remember to highlight how you've used data insights to drive HR decisions. Modern companies value data-driven decision-making, so showcasing your ability to use analytics to shape initiatives can make your resume stand out. Additionally, remember that HR is about people - showcasing your interpersonal skills is equally important.

Tips to help you write your Human Resources (HR) Administrator resume in 2024

   include hr tech proficiency.

As technology reshapes HR, knowing your way around an HRIS system is a big selling point. Don't just list the systems you've used, though. Go a step further: illustrate how you've used these tools to make HR processes more efficient.

   Highlight Regulatory Knowledge

The regulatory landscape is constantly evolving, and HR Administrators shoulder the responsibility of keeping their companies compliant. Highlight instances where you've navigated regulatory changes or used compliance knowledge to prevent potential issues.

Skills you can include on your Human Resources (HR) Administrator resume

Template 12 of 24: human resources (hr) administrator resume example.

A human resources administrator role can be a stepping stone to a management or director position. Administrators help with tasks like maintaining personnel files, assisting with hiring, preparing documents, and updating databases. To become an administrator, choose a resume similar to this one to showcase your administrative abilities and analytical skills. You should also be able to show that you work well with people and that you have been a leader to others.

   Demonstrates professional growth via promotions

Although human resources administrator roles typically aren’t as senior as management jobs, it’s still beneficial to mention past positions where you were promoted or given more responsibilities. Promotions highlight your proactivity and show that you are capable of being a leader.

   Relevant skills and certifications to HR and recruitment

This resume lists technical skills that are specific to human resources as well as clerical work. It’s helpful to also list any certifications or other credentials you have in human resources so you can be even more competitive for the job.

Template 13 of 24: Human Resources (HR) Generalist Resume Example

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.

Tips to help you write your Human Resources (HR) Generalist resume in 2024

   highlight tech savviness and analytical skills.

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.

   Showcase a blend of soft and hard skills

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.

Skills you can include on your Human Resources (HR) Generalist resume

Template 14 of 24: human resources (hr) generalist resume example.

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).

   Focuses on human resources experience

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.

   Good use of action verbs which highlight HR experience

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.

Template 15 of 24: Human Resources Assistant Resume Example

An HR assistant is tasked with completing everyday administrative tasks in the HR department, as well as any other HR-related task assigned to them. These tasks may include, doing background checks on potential employees, onboarding new employees, assisting in organizing payroll, etc. 
Recruiters will be looking for an educational background in HR or a related field, as well as experience as an HR assistant. Here is an example of a strong HR assistant resume.

Tips to help you write your Human Resources Assistant resume in 2024

   include hr-specific tools..

While you will need to be experienced with administrative tools, you also need to make sure your tools section includes HR-related tools such as ATS software, and resume databases. Ensure you keep up to date on the newest software being used, and consistently update your tools list accordingly.

   Use metrics to show your workload capabilities.

Show recruiters how much you can do by including figures when discussing your experience in previous positions. E.g. this applicant ‘copied 200 documents, sent 490 emails…’. Recruiters will always want to hire someone whom they know will be value for money and will get a lot done efficiently.

Skills you can include on your Human Resources Assistant resume

Template 16 of 24: human resources coordinator resume example.

This is an entry-level position where you will be tasked with HR administrative duties and with serving as a middleman between employees and managers, directors, or third parties. In essence, your job is to receive any questions or concerns employees may have and work to get them the assistance they need. To thrive in this position you need to have excellent communication skills, an in-depth knowledge of the workings of the HR department, and experience with industry-standard HR tools. Take a look at this strong HR coordinator resume.

Tips to help you write your Human Resources Coordinator resume in 2024

   get an internship in hr if you have no experience..

Internships are a great way to bolster your resume if you have no professional experience in the HR department. They are slightly easier to get, and can give you a good training and great accomplishments to list on your resume. This will be beneficial when applying for a full-time position.

   Show experience in a range of HR tasks.

As a general coordinator, you may find yourself handling tasks in a variety of areas of HR. Show recruiters that you are well equipped for this, by showing them that you have experience in most tasks under HR’s purview. This applicant did this by listing the main tasks under the ‘Technical Skills’ section.

Skills you can include on your Human Resources Coordinator resume

Template 17 of 24: human resources specialist resume example.

The HR specialist position is an entry-level position. Tasks that may be assigned to you include, hiring staff, onboarding, maintaining employee records, training staff, and mediating workplace disputes, among others. Recruiters will expect to see a bachelor’s degree in human resources or a similar field at the very least. Beyond this, they will be looking for experience in the HR field and evidence of skills useful for the position. Take a look at this strong HR specialist resume.

Tips to help you write your Human Resources Specialist resume in 2024

   gain hr certification..

Stand out from the crowd by going the extra step to get certifications in the HR field. It shows recruiters your dedication to the profession and also shows your capabilities.

   Ensure your skills list is updated and thorough.

Ensure all the industry-standard HR tools are listed in your skills section. Do a crash course for those you are not familiar with. Go the extra step and research what tools the company you are applying to use and ensure all those tools are listed.

Skills you can include on your Human Resources Specialist resume

Template 18 of 24: vice president of human resources resume example.

A vice president in HR is an executive in charge of overseeing the department's operations. Your purview is broad and your tasks may be many. Tasks you can expect include hiring HR managers, participating in the creation of HR’s goals and strategy, ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations, etc. Soft skills required include excellent communication skills, organizational and management skills, and problem-solving skills, just to name a few. As this is an executive-level position, a strong and impressive resume is a must. Recruiters will expect to see a bachelor’s degree in HR, or a similar field, and will highly prefer to see a Master’s in HR, law, or a similar field. Beyond your qualifications, you will need to show a long and successful history working in management or executive positions in HR. Take a look at this recruiter-approved resume.

Tips to help you write your Vice President of Human Resources resume in 2024

Many recruiters will require HR certification for this executive-level position. It might be certification like SHRM or whichever certification is recognized in the state or country of application.

   Create a balanced skills list.

Your skills and tools should be a balance between management tools and HR tools. Ensure the industry standard tools for both functions are included and take a crash course for any you are not yet familiar with.

Skills you can include on your Vice President of Human Resources resume

Template 19 of 24: vp of human resources (vp hr) resume example.

The VP of Human Resources is a senior level position found in most companies. The VP of HR is responsible for overseeing the operations of the entire human resources department. This means they set the framework for several HR functions, including the hiring and firing process. The VP of Humans Resources is also responsible for reviewing employee benefits packages, compensation plans, and training resources. Hiring managers will be looking for someone with several years of experience and strong leadership skills for this role. A good candidate will have at least a bachelor's degree in human resources or a related field like sociology or psychology. A master's degree in any of these disciplines may help you stand out. Hiring managers will also be looking for someone with several years of progressive HR experience.

Tips to help you write your VP of Human Resources (VP HR) resume in 2024

   showcase leadership skills used in prior roles.

As the VP of Human Resources oversees an entire department’s operations, it’s important for the VP of HR to be knowledgeable and effective in leading others. Previous leadership experience, such as a role as the director of HR, will show you have experience overseeing the complexities of the HR department. Bonus points if you can point to a difficult task you lead, such as negotiating employee salaries, in a previous role.

   Consider obtaining a certification in human resources

Though a relevant education and experiences may be enough to land this role, gaining additional certifications in human resources will only enhance your resume for this senior-level role. There are several certifications available, such as the SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources) credential. Taking and passing a course like this shows hiring managers you have in-depth knowledge of high level human resources responsibilities.

Skills you can include on your VP of Human Resources (VP HR) resume

Template 20 of 24: benefits specialist resume example.

As a Benefits Specialist, you're the one that understands the ins and outs of employee benefits programs, and you help others navigate this often confusing space. From health insurance to retirement plans, you're the go-to person for all these corporate well-being plans. Recently, there's been a shift in the industry, with many companies prioritizing employee happiness and wellness, leading to a broader scope for benefits specialists. When you're drafting your resume, it's critical to showcase your expertise in this area, and also evidence of your ability to keep up with evolving trends and ensuring the benefits programs are current, comprehensive, and competitive. For a role like this, your resume needs to clearly communicate your knowledge of benefits administration and your ability to work well with employees at all levels of the company. Showcasing your interpersonal skills is crucial as well, as a significant part of your role involves interacting with staff, explaining benefits, and addressing their concerns. Also, since benefits can have legal and financial implications, it's essential to highlight your understanding of relevant legislations and your attention to detail.

Tips to help you write your Benefits Specialist resume in 2024

   include specific benefits programs expertise.

As a Benefits Specialist, your understanding of specific benefits programs is a key selling point. Be sure to list the ones you've worked with, for example, health insurance, 401(k) retirement plans, or wellness programs, and how well you navigated them.

   Showcase problem-solving skills

You often resolve complex issues related to benefits administration. Discuss a few instances where you've resolved such problems effectively. Maybe you helped a team understand a new retirement plan or streamlined the benefits enrollment process, making it easier for all.

Skills you can include on your Benefits Specialist resume

Template 21 of 24: benefits manager resume example.

As a benefits manager, you're the person who makes sure employees get the most out of their compensation packages. From healthcare to retirement plans, you're the expert on all the perks a company can offer. The trend in the industry is to offer more tailored and flexible benefits, so having a knack for customization would be a bonus. When crafting your resume, realize that you're not simply listing your experiences - you're selling your ability to enhance employee welfare and the company's bottom line. The game is changing with a growing focus on employee wellness and work-life balance. In line with this, businesses are seeking benefits managers who can innovate and propose creative, holistic packages. They're particularly interested in individuals with a solid understanding of legal compliance and the capacity to negotiate effectively with vendors. For your resume, remember it's not just about what you've done, but how you've made a difference.

Tips to help you write your Benefits Manager resume in 2024

   show experience in negotiating and dealing with vendors.

Since a Benefits Manager is frequently involved in negotiating costs and services with vendors, include specific examples where you saved money or improved service levels. Talk about the size, scale, and outcomes of your negotiations, and how you made the workforce's life better.

   Demonstrate your ability to innovate

Prospective employers are looking for Benefits Managers who can think outside the box. Provide examples of creative benefits initiatives you initiated, focusing on those that had significant positive impact on employee satisfaction and retention.

Skills you can include on your Benefits Manager resume

Template 22 of 24: benefits analyst resume example.

If you're aiming for a Benefits Analyst role, you're probably a whiz at dissecting insurance plans, retirement packages, and employee perks. But remember, it's a field that's evolving with the rise of remote work and changing work dynamics. Gone are the days when this role was limited to crunching numbers - in today's world, you'll need to demonstrate an understanding of a diverse range of benefits that cater to an increasingly disparate workforce. When you're crafting your resume, focus on how you can help prospective employers strike the right balance between cost-effective and competitive benefits packages that attract and retain talent. As a Benefits Analyst, you've got to keep up with the latest industry trends such as wellness programs and flexible work arrangements. This knowledge can reflect well in your resume and help you stand out. Modern companies are not just looking for a benefits guru, but someone who can communicate effectively with employees about their packages. This could translate to explaining complex benefit terms in easy-to-understand language or breaking down financial implications of varying benefit options. So, when you're polishing your resume, make sure to include examples that display your analytical skills alongside your knack for clear and effective communication.

Tips to help you write your Benefits Analyst resume in 2024

   display understanding of benefits trends.

Include on your resume any experience or knowledge you have about trending benefits such as remote work structures, health and wellness programs, mental health benefits, etc. Tailoring your resume to reflect these trends shows your proactive approach and your adaptability to changing work dynamics.

   Showcase communication skills with technical knowledge

As a Benefits Analyst, it's fundamental to harmonize technical knowledge with communication skills. You're not just interpreting complex data, but also explaining it to employees. Use your resume to demonstrate this balance. Include specific instances where you've simplified complex benefits information for diverse audiences.

Skills you can include on your Benefits Analyst resume

Template 23 of 24: benefits coordinator resume example.

Writing a resume for a Benefits Coordinator role is akin to creating a roadmap of your expertise in employee benefits and program management. As the middle ground between employees and management, a Benefits Coordinator needs to show a deep understanding of benefits administration, compliance regulations, and a keen eye for detail. Lately, there's been a trend for Benefits Coordinators to take on more strategic roles with a greater focus on employee wellness and engagement. Balancing this dual function of administrative expertise and strategic insight should be your resume's primary goal. When crafting your resume, remember that it's your first impression to a prospective employer. Make it count. Show data-driven achievements that can quantify your contribution to previous employers. Prove your knowledge of industry software and your ability to negotiate with benefits providers. And don't forget to demonstrate your communication and interpersonal skills, which are crucial for this role.

Tips to help you write your Benefits Coordinator resume in 2024

   include specific benefits programs you've managed.

Benefits Coordinators work with a variety of programs, so indicate your experience managing health insurance, retirement plans, or employee assistance programs. This showcases your familiarity with different benefits and exhibits your versatility.

   Show evidence of your strategic involvement

You should mention initiatives where you've contributed strategically, such as implementing wellness programs or driving engagement through benefits offerings. This illustrates your ability to think beyond mere administration and highlights your capacity for strategic thought.

Skills you can include on your Benefits Coordinator resume

Template 24 of 24: benefits administrator resume example.

Being a Benefits Administrator is a blend of technical knowledge and dealing with people. Your job primarily involves managing employee benefits programs, understanding complex legal and tax regulations, and making sure these are communicated effectively to employees. Recently, companies are turning to these folks to help introduce wellness programs and assist in managing mental health benefits, two growing trends. On your resume, it's valuable to show not just your ability to handle the nitty-gritty of the role, but also how you've helped people understand and make the most of their benefits.

Tips to help you write your Benefits Administrator resume in 2024

   show proficiency with benefits software.

As a Benefits Administrator, you are expected to be familiar with benefits administration software. Detail any experience you have with specific platforms, such as Workday or PeopleSoft, which can enhance your credibility.

   Illustrate your communication skills with examples

Listing 'excellent communication skills' isn't enough. Provide examples of how you've explained complex benefits information in a clear, easy-to-understand way to employees. This will show hiring managers you are not just proficient in benefits administration, but can also effectively convey this information to others.

Skills you can include on your Benefits Administrator resume

We consulted with hiring managers and recruiters at top companies like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft to gather their best advice for creating a winning Human Resources (HR) resume. The following tips will help you craft a resume that stands out and showcases your HR expertise.

   Highlight your HR specialties

Emphasize your experience in specific HR areas, such as:

• Talent acquisition and recruiting
• Employee relations and conflict resolution
• Performance management and employee development
• Compensation and benefits administration

By showcasing your expertise in these areas, you demonstrate your value to potential employers. For example:

• Developed and implemented a new performance management system, resulting in a 25% increase in employee engagement scores
• Negotiated and administered employee benefits packages, reducing healthcare costs by 15% while maintaining competitive offerings

   Quantify your HR accomplishments

Use metrics to illustrate the impact of your HR initiatives. Avoid vague statements like:

• Improved employee retention
• Streamlined hiring process

Instead, provide specific numbers and percentages to show the measurable results of your efforts:

• Reduced employee turnover by 30% through the implementation of a comprehensive onboarding and mentoring program
• Decreased time-to-hire by 40% by optimizing the recruitment process and leveraging social media and employee referrals

   Showcase your HR certifications and training

Include any relevant HR certifications or training you have completed, such as:

• SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP (Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional or Senior Certified Professional)
• PHR or SPHR (Professional in Human Resources or Senior Professional in Human Resources)
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training
• Conflict resolution or mediation courses

These certifications and training programs demonstrate your commitment to professional development and your expertise in the HR field.

   Tailor your resume to the company culture

Research the company's values, mission, and culture, and align your resume accordingly. For example, if the company emphasizes work-life balance, highlight your experience in implementing flexible work arrangements or employee wellness programs.

Avoid using generic language that could apply to any company, such as:

• Seeking a challenging HR role in a dynamic organization

Instead, customize your resume to the specific company and position:

• Passionate about contributing to [Company Name]'s mission of fostering an inclusive and empowering work environment through innovative HR practices

   Demonstrate your leadership and collaboration skills

HR professionals often serve as leaders and collaborators within their organizations. Showcase your ability to work effectively with various stakeholders, such as:

• Partnering with executive leadership to develop and implement HR strategies aligned with business objectives
• Collaborating with department heads to identify and address talent gaps and training needs
• Leading cross-functional teams to drive HR projects and initiatives

Provide specific examples of how you have demonstrated leadership and collaboration in your previous roles, and the positive outcomes you achieved as a result.

   Highlight your experience with HR technology

Showcase your proficiency with HR technology platforms and tools, such as:

• Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) like Taleo, iCIMS, or Greenhouse
• Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS) like Workday, PeopleSoft, or SAP SuccessFactors
• Performance management software like 15Five, Lattice, or BambooHR

Demonstrating your experience with these tools shows that you are tech-savvy and can efficiently manage HR processes in a modern workplace. For example:

Implemented and administered Workday HRIS for a 500-employee organization, streamlining HR processes and improving data accuracy and reporting capabilities.

How can you use your resume to make yourself even more competitive for a human resources role? Here are a few words of advice.

   Highlight your achievements in past human resources roles

When you primarily work with people, your achievements may not always be easy to put into numbers. But whenever you can, you should include specific, quantifiable results that you achieved. Hiring managers want to see evidence that you’ve made a difference at places where you have previously worked. For example, if you launched an initiative that improved employee retention by 70% at one of your old jobs, that is a measurable accomplishment worth noting in your resume. Or you could estimate how many people you interviewed, hired, and onboarded. It might not always be possible to quantify what you achieved, but whenever possible, you should quantify the results of your efforts.

   Tailor your resume to reflect human resources-specific skills

Are you a team player with outstanding relational skills? Are you organized to a fault and a pro at time management? Emphasize these skills through examples from your previous work, internship, or educational experience. It’s also helpful to mention any experience you have with management, analytics, payroll, benefits, hiring, training, and coaching, as well as any proficiencies with human resources-related software. And on top of that, you should tailor your resume to the specific job you’re applying for so it stands the best chance of getting through an automated tracking system (ATS). You can customize your resume by finding common keywords in human resources job descriptions and sprinkling them throughout your document.

   Describe what you’ve accomplished using strong bullet points

We’ve mentioned this point before, but you should always use bullet points in your work experience section to talk about your achievements at your former jobs. And there’s a big difference between strong bullet points -- the kind that will help you get hired -- and weak ones that don’t provide any information. A strong human resources resume needs to have bullet points detailing how you’ve led teams to success, improved company culture, and implemented new strategies at places where you’ve worked in the past. Let’s look at a couple examples of weaker and stronger bullet points.

• Helped with hiring new team members

This is a weak bullet point because it contains very little information and raises some questions. In what way did you help with the hiring process? What part did you play? How many people did you hire and how did it impact the company you worked for? More details and stronger language would help make this point more compelling.

• Interviewed, hired, and onboarded 150 new trainees during first year on the job.

The above bullet point is much stronger than the first example because it a) leads with a strong action verb, b) specifies what role you played in bringing new trainees on board, and c) quantifies how many people you hired. An achievement like this one looks much more impressive on a resume and is more likely to catch a recruiter’s eye.

Writing Your Human Resources (HR) Resume: Section By Section

  header, 1. include your name and relevant hr certifications.

Your name should be the most prominent element in your resume header, typically in a larger font size than the rest of your contact information. If you have any relevant HR certifications, such as SHRM-CP or PHR, include them next to your name to immediately showcase your qualifications.

For example:

John Smith, SHRM-SCP 123 Main Street, Anytown, USA | [email protected] | (123) 456-7890

Avoid cluttering your header with irrelevant details or certifications that are not directly related to HR, as this can distract from your key qualifications.

2. Include your location, but not your full address

While it's important to include your location to show that you are a local candidate or open to relocation, there is no need to include your full street address in your resume header. Simply listing your city and state is sufficient.

Good examples:

• New York, NY
• Chicago, IL
• San Francisco, CA

Avoid including your full address, as this takes up valuable space and can raise privacy concerns:

• 123 Main Street, Apt 4B, New York, NY 10001
• 456 Oak Avenue, Chicago, IL 60007

3. Use a professional email address and include your LinkedIn

Your contact information should include a professional email address that incorporates your name, such as [email protected] or [email protected] . Avoid using casual or outdated email addresses like hotmail or yahoo accounts, as these can come across as unprofessional.

In addition to your email, consider including a link to your LinkedIn profile in your resume header. This allows recruiters to easily view your expanded professional history and network.

[email protected] | linkedin.com/in/johnsmith

Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date and optimized before including the link in your resume. A poorly crafted LinkedIn can do more harm than good in your job search.

  Summary

A resume summary for Human Resources (HR) roles is an optional section that can be helpful in certain situations. It's a brief statement at the top of your resume that provides a high-level overview of your skills, experience, and career goals. While a summary is not always necessary, it can be useful if you're changing careers, have a lot of experience, or want to add context that may not be immediately clear from the rest of your resume.

However, it's important to note that you should never use an objective statement in place of a summary. Objective statements are outdated and focus on what you want from an employer, rather than what you can offer them. Instead, use a summary to highlight your most relevant qualifications and showcase the value you can bring to the role.

To learn how to write an effective resume summary for your Human Resources (HR) resume, or figure out if you need one, please read Human Resources (HR) Resume Summary Examples , or Human Resources (HR) Resume Objective Examples .

1. Tailor your summary to the specific HR role

When writing a summary for an HR resume, it's crucial to tailor it to the specific role you're applying for. HR is a broad field with many different specialties, such as recruiting, employee relations, training and development, and compensation and benefits. Your summary should reflect the specific area of HR you're targeting and highlight the skills and experience that are most relevant to that role.

For example, if you're applying for a recruiting position, your summary might look something like this:

Results-driven HR professional with 5+ years of experience in full-cycle recruiting for tech startups. Proven track record of building and executing successful recruiting strategies, sourcing top talent, and improving time-to-hire metrics. Skilled in using applicant tracking systems and social media to identify and engage passive candidates.

2. Quantify your achievements

To make your summary more impactful, include specific metrics and achievements that demonstrate your success in previous HR roles. Quantifying your accomplishments helps provide context and shows the tangible impact you've had on an organization.

Here are some examples of how to quantify your HR achievements in your summary:

• Reduced turnover rate by 20% through implementing employee engagement initiatives
• Improved time-to-fill metrics by 30% through optimizing recruiting processes
• Managed benefits programs for 500+ employees across multiple states

Avoid using vague or subjective statements in your summary, such as:

• Strong communication skills
• Team player with a strong work ethic
• Passionate about helping others

3. Highlight your HR certifications and technical skills

If you have any relevant HR certifications or technical skills, be sure to mention them in your summary. Certifications such as SHRM-CP (Certified Professional), PHR (Professional in Human Resources), or SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources) can help you stand out from other candidates and demonstrate your expertise in the field.

Similarly, if you have experience with specific HR software or tools, such as Workday, ADP, or Taleo, include them in your summary. Many companies use these tools to manage their HR processes, and having experience with them can be a valuable asset.

SHRM-CP certified HR generalist with 7+ years of experience managing employee relations, benefits administration, and compliance for mid-sized companies. Proficient in Workday HCM, ADP Workforce Now, and Microsoft Office Suite. Proven ability to develop and implement HR policies and procedures that align with business objectives and legal requirements.

  Experience

The work experience section is the heart of your resume. It's where you show hiring managers what you've accomplished in previous roles and how you can drive results for them. HR roles require a unique mix of technical knowledge, business acumen and people skills. Here's how to make your work experience section compelling and relevant:

1. Highlight HR projects and initiatives

Instead of listing your daily responsibilities, focus on the key projects and initiatives you led or contributed to. Show how you've made an impact on the organization. Some examples:

• Implemented a new applicant tracking system that reduced time-to-hire by 20%
• Launched a diversity and inclusion program that increased underrepresented minority hires by 15%
• Conducted a compensation benchmarking study and revised pay bands to ensure external competitiveness and internal equity

Quantify your accomplishments wherever possible. Numbers jump off the page and make your contributions more tangible.

2. Showcase your HR specializations

HR is a broad field with many subspecialties like recruiting, compensation, learning & development, HRIS and more. Emphasize the areas where you have the most expertise and interest. For example:

• Managed full-cycle recruiting for 50+ positions annually across engineering, sales and marketing
• Administered benefits programs for 500+ employees, including health insurance, 401(k) and wellness benefits
• Developed and delivered management training programs on topics like performance management, coaching and employment law compliance

If you're a generalist, highlight your breadth of knowledge. But if you're targeting specialist roles, double down on your most relevant skills and experiences.

3. Demonstrate your business acumen

The best HR professionals don't just execute HR tasks – they drive business results. Show that you understand the company's goals and can align HR strategies to support them. Some examples:

• Partnered with business leaders to develop a workforce planning model that identified key skills gaps and saved $500K in recruiting costs
• Implemented a new sales incentive plan that increased revenue by 10% while keeping compensation costs flat
• Negotiated a new benefits package that reduced costs by 15% while maintaining employee satisfaction scores above 90%

Think beyond your day-to-day HR duties. Connect your work to the bigger picture of business success.

4. Highlight your progression and promotions

Recruiters love to see candidates who have been recognized and rewarded for strong performance. If you've been promoted or taken on increasing responsibilities, make that clear in your work experience section. For example:

HR Manager (2019-Present) HR Generalist (2017-2019) HR Coordinator (2015-2017) Acme Corporation

This shows a clear trajectory of growth within a single company. Even if you haven't gotten a formal promotion, you can still show progression in your bullet points:

• Managed benefits for 100 employees in 2018; now managing benefits for 500+ employees in 2022
• Supported 10 requisitions per month in 2020; now supporting 30+ requisitions per month in 2022

Highlighting your increasing scope and responsibilities demonstrates your potential to keep growing in your career.

  Education

The education section of your resume is where you list your degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework. It's a critical part of your resume, especially if you're a recent graduate or applying for an entry-level position. Here are some tips to help you write a strong education section for your human resources resume.

1. List your degrees in reverse chronological order

Start with your most recent degree and work backwards. Include the name of the institution, the degree you earned, and the year you graduated. If you have a master's degree, you can leave off your bachelor's degree.

Here's an example of how to list your education:

• Master of Business Administration (MBA), Human Resources Management, 2020
• University of California, Los Angeles

2. Include relevant coursework and certifications

If you're a recent graduate or have taken courses relevant to HR, include them in your education section. This can help show the hiring manager that you have the skills and knowledge needed for the job.

Bad example:

• Relevant coursework: Introduction to Psychology, World History, Creative Writing

Good example:

• Relevant coursework: Human Resource Management, Organizational Behavior, Employment Law

3. Keep it brief for senior-level positions

If you have several years of experience in HR, your education section can be much shorter. You don't need to include as much detail as a recent graduate would.

Bad example for a senior HR manager:

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, concentration in Human Resources University of Texas at Austin Graduated: May 2005 GPA: 3.8 Relevant coursework: Human Resource Management, Organizational Behavior, Employment Law, Compensation and Benefits

Good example for a senior HR manager:

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration University of Texas at Austin

Action Verbs For Human Resources (HR) Resumes

Aspiring human resources professionals should have specific achievements they can point to from past jobs as proof of their skills. Using clear, direct action verbs to talk about these accomplishments can heighten the perceived value of what you’ve done. This list of action verbs includes ones that are especially useful for talking about leadership and mentorship experiences. In human resources positions, you’ll often need to manage, mentor, facilitate, motivate, organize, and counsel -- and using the right verbiage can help you showcase your most relevant skills in only a few words.

• Implemented
• Interviewed
• Restructured
• Streamlined

For a full list of effective resume action verbs, visit Resume Action Verbs .

Action Verbs for Human Resources (HR) Resumes

Skills for human resources (hr) resumes.

For any human resources role, you need to be a “people person” with the ability to communicate well, lead effectively, and handle a variety of interpersonal situations that may arise. You also have to be extremely organized, detail-oriented, and skilled at enforcing policies in a diplomatic but honest way. When applying for a human resources job, carefully craft your resume with specific examples of your people skills, administrative competency, and leadership abilities. Hard skills (such as fluency in Workday or ATS software) should be listed in your skills section.

• Accounts Payable
• Accounts Receivable (AR)
• Account Reconciliation
• Human Resources (HR)
• General Ledger
• Financial Statements
• Financial Reporting
• Bookkeeping
• Accounts Payable & Receivable
• ADP Payroll
• Financial Accounting
• Bank Reconciliation
• Soap Making
• Payroll Processing
• Benefits Administration

How To Write Your Skills Section On a Human Resources (HR) Resumes

You can include the above skills in a dedicated Skills section on your resume, or weave them in your experience. Here's how you might create your dedicated skills section:

Skills Word Cloud For Human Resources (HR) Resumes

This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on Human Resources (HR) job descriptions and resumes. The bigger the word, the more frequently it appears on job postings, and the more 'important' it is.

How to use these skills?

Resume bullet points from human resources (hr) resumes.

You should use bullet points to describe your achievements in your Human Resources (HR) resume. Here are sample bullet points to help you get started:

Identified, assessed and on-boarded 12 mid-level employees for new Boston office in <6 months

Introduced standardized on-boarding templates and training program for 100+ new joiners; reduced employee on-boarding time from one month to just one week

Proposed and implemented new Employee Incentive program, decreasing employee turnover by over 25%

For more sample bullet points and details on how to write effective bullet points, see our articles on resume bullet points , how to quantify your resume and resume accomplishments .

Other Other Resumes

Digital transformation.

Operations Manager

Human Resources (HR) Resume Guide

• Recruiter Resume Guide
• Talent Acquisition Resume Guide
• Operations Manager Resume Guide
• Executive Assistant Resume Guide
• Social Worker Resume Guide
• Makeup Artist Resume Guide
• Journalism Resume Guide
• Supply Chain Planner Resume Guide
• Insurance Resume Guide
• Demand Planning Manager Resume Guide
• Learning and Development Resume Guide
• Special Projects Resume Guide
• Consultant Resume Guide
• Change Management Resume Guide
• Process Specialist Resume Guide
• Non Profit Resume Guide
• Training and Development Resume Guide
• Sourcing Resume Guide
• Correctional Officer Resume Guide
• Production Planner Resume Guide
• Vice President of Operations Resume Guide
• Teacher Resume Guide
• Innovation Resume Guide
• Continuous Improvement Resume Guide
• Training Manager Resume Guide
• Digital Transformation Resume Guide
• Plant Manager Resume Guide
• Recruiting Coordinator Resume Guide
• Diversity and Inclusion Resume Guide
• Loss Prevention Resume Guide
• Business Owner Resume Guide
• Materials Management Resume Guide
• Operational Excellence Resume Guide
• Logistics Resume Guide
• Site Manager Resume Guide
• Orientation Leader Resume Guide
• Human Resources (HR) Manager Resume Example
• Entry Level Human Resources (HR) Resume Example
• Human Resources (HR) Business Partner Resume Example
• Human Resources (HR) Recruiter Resume Example
• Senior HR Manager & HR Director (Human Resources Director) Resume Example
• Human Resources (HR) Administrator Resume Example
• Human Resources (HR) Generalist Resume Example
• Human Resources Assistant Resume Example
• Human Resources Coordinator Resume Example
• Human Resources Specialist Resume Example
• Vice President of Human Resources Resume Example
• VP of Human Resources (VP HR) Resume Example
• Benefits Specialist Resume Example
• Benefits Manager Resume Example
• Benefits Analyst Resume Example
• Benefits Coordinator Resume Example
• Benefits Administrator Resume Example
• Tips for Human Resources (HR) Resumes
• Skills and Keywords to Add
• Sample Bullet Points from Top Resumes
• All Resume Examples
• Human Resources (HR) CV Examples
• Human Resources (HR) Cover Letter
• Human Resources (HR) Interview Guide
• Explore Alternative and Similar Careers

Download this PDF template.

Creating an account is free and takes five seconds. you'll get access to the pdf version of this resume template., choose an option..

• Have an account? Sign in

E-mail Please enter a valid email address This email address hasn't been signed up yet, or it has already been signed up with Facebook or Google login.

Password Show Your password needs to be between 6 and 50 characters long, and must contain at least 1 letter and 1 number. It looks like your password is incorrect.

Remember me

Forgot your password?

Sign up to get access to Resume Worded's Career Coaching platform in less than 2 minutes

Name Please enter your name correctly

E-mail Remember to use a real email address that you have access to. You will need to confirm your email address before you get access to our features, so please enter it correctly. Please enter a valid email address, or another email address to sign up. We unfortunately can't accept that email domain right now. This email address has already been taken, or you've already signed up via Google or Facebook login. We currently are experiencing a very high server load so Email signup is currently disabled for the next 24 hours. Please sign up with Google or Facebook to continue! We apologize for the inconvenience!

Password Show Your password needs to be between 6 and 50 characters long, and must contain at least 1 letter and 1 number.

Receive resume templates, real resume samples, and updates monthly via email

By continuing, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy .

Lost your password? Please enter the email address you used when you signed up. We'll send you a link to create a new password.

E-mail This email address either hasn't been signed up yet, or you signed up with Facebook or Google. This email address doesn't look valid.

Back to log-in

These professional templates are optimized to beat resume screeners (i.e. the Applicant Tracking System). You can download the templates in Word, Google Docs, or PDF. For free (limited time).

   access samples from top resumes, get inspired by real bullet points that helped candidates get into top companies.,    get a resume score., find out how effective your resume really is. you'll get access to our confidential resume review tool which will tell you how recruiters see your resume..

Writing an effective resume has never been easier .

Upgrade to resume worded pro to unlock your full resume review., get this resume template (+ 23 others), plus proven bullet points., for a small one-time fee, you'll get everything you need to write a winning resume in your industry., here's what you'll get:.

• 📄 Get the editable resume template in Google Docs + Word . Plus, you'll also get all 23 other templates .
• ✍️ Get sample bullet points that worked for others in your industry . Copy proven lines and tailor them to your resume.
• 🎯 Optimized to pass all resume screeners (i.e. ATS) . All templates have been professionally designed by recruiters and 100% readable by ATS.

Buy now. Instant delivery via email.

  instant access. one-time only., what's your email address.

I had a clear uptick in responses after using your template. I got many compliments on it from senior hiring staff, and my resume scored way higher when I ran it through ATS resume scanners because it was more readable. Thank you!

Thank you for the checklist! I realized I was making so many mistakes on my resume that I've now fixed. I'm much more confident in my resume now.

Career Change Resume: Examples, How to Write, and Other Tips To Support Your Career Transition

When you make the difficult choice to look for a job in a new industry, it’s important to write a career change resume.

Your old resume, tailored to your old career, won’t suit your new field. For your job search to succeed when you make a career change, you have to make sure that your resume is tailored to the right positions and highlights the right skills.

Important steps for writing a career change resume include:

• Picking the right resume format
• Highlighting transferrable skills
• Tailoring your resume to suit your new industry
• Emphasizing your most relevant experience

Anyone can reach a crossroads in their profession and decide that it's time to make a change. Maybe you've developed new skills, run out of opportunities, or realized that your current career doesn't motivate you like it once did. Whatever the reason, if you want to change jobs, you will need to know how to write a resume for a career change.

• What is a Career Change Resume?

A career change resume is a resume specifically designed and written to explain a career transition. From the objective to the mentioned skills, everything highlights the transferability of past experiences and skills to a new job.

Let’s say, you are a marketer who is trying to transition to a project management position. If you send over a generic resume that lists your marketing skills and experience - it would leave the hiring manager confused to see your resume.

If there’s no explanation of why you are even applying for a job, you would be rejected as the hiring manager would assume you are randomly applying for jobs.

• Why Write a Career Change Resume?

A career change resume better connects your professional work experience and skills to a job when you are applying for either a new job or entering a new industry. You stand out as an applicant as it makes it extremely easy to see relevant past experience and skills that you have is relevant to the job you are applying for.

In our example of marketing to project management career transition, without a career transition resume a hiring manager would not understand:

• Why do you want to apply for this role?
• What relevant skills do you bring to this role?
• What past experience do you have that’s relevant to this role?

Now, some assume that the HR or hiring manager is going to read through their resume and extract the right information. But that in 2023 is a big mistake. No one is going to take the time to read through your resume when there’s no explanation to support the questions above.

But let’s say you did the following to show your marketing management skills are relevant to the project management skills:

• Highlighted how you did planning, organizing, and execution of projects along with timeline management and
• Showcase how your collaboration skills for marketing project management required you to foster collaboration with stakeholders and other employees.
• If you practice agile, scrum, etc highlight that and show how you improved project management through tactical changes (e.g. story points to iteratively improve epics).

The career change resume tips alone make a big difference. But, the real difference maker is how you show relevance for the role through each individual section and your resume layout as well. A good starting point would be to understand how to write a career transition resume.

• How to Write a Career Change Resume

To write a career change resume and explain your career transition better, follow these steps:

• Select the right career change resume format. Reverse chronological isn’t the best choice here. We recommend selecting either a functional or a hybrid resume format.
• While writing your resume header, instead of your current job title, write something like “Entry-level {job title}” to show relevance.
• Write an objective instead of a resume summary and mention that you are changing careers in it.
• While listing your work experience, reduce the focus on non-relevant job responsibilities and achievements. Increase focus on relevant responsibilities and achievements. Go as far as removing irrelevant ones. Do this for each job you apply for.
• The skill section of your resume should be changed based on what skills the job actually needs. And, do it for all jobs.
• Highlight relevant education or certifications in your resume.
• At the end, your resume should support your intent to transition in the new role from top to down.

Now that we have looked into how to write a career transition resume, let’s look into each of these in depth.

• The Right Career Change Resume Format

There are three resume formats that you can consider for a career change resume.

• Functional : This format emphasizes skills above work experience, and groups past positions by topic rather than chronologically.
• Combination : This format emphasizes your skills, but still uses a reverse-chronological work history section.

The third resume format is reverse chronological resume format, but we don't advise to use it for you career transition.

We recommend using a combination format for a career change resume. This resume format allows you to showcase your skills while maintaining a clear timeline of your career.

To write a combination resume , create a Skills section near the top of your resume, above your Work Experience section. This is where you can highlight and explain your most impressive and most relevant skills. Your Skills section will be the focus of your resume, as this section is where you can make the case for your skill set, even if your past positions were in a different field.

Your Work Experience section will follow your Skills section. This section can be shorter than in a typical reverse-chronological resume, with less detail than your Skills section, but it should still have a clear timeline. Even if you are changing industries, hiring managers will be interested to see how your career has progressed. A reverse-chronological work experience section allows you to clearly tell that part of your story.

Of course, these aren’t hard and fast rules. You can use a typical reverse-chronological resume format if you prefer. Just make sure you can highlight the right skills and experience for your new industry.

• Selecting the Right Career Transition Resume Template

Any resume for changing careers needs a great template.

Your resume won’t do you any good if it’s difficult to read, no matter how well-targeted your skill set is. Make sure your resume is easy to read, with simple organization and clear headings.

Additionally, ensure that you choose a resume template suited for the industry you want to work in.

If you want to move into a more formal industry, like law or accounting, find a traditional resume template with simple formatting and no colours. If you are moving into a more creative field, like marketing or design, you can look for a more modern template, with pictures or colours.

To find the perfect resume template for your new career, check out these VisualCV resume templates .

• What to Add in Your Career Change Resume Header

Your career change resume should begin with your name and contact information. The hiring manager needs this information to contact you, so you should make it easy to find.

Your resume header should include:

• Prospective job title
• Phone number
• Email address
• City of residence

You can also include hyperlinks to your professional online profiles, such as LinkedIn or Twitter. If you’re applying for a software development position, you can link to your GitHub profile. If you are moving into a creative field, you might have an online portfolio to link to.

You may also want to include a headline or job title in this section. However, if you are changing careers, this could confuse the hiring manager. Avoid using a job title that isn’t supported by your resume.

• Write an Objective instead of Summary for Career Change Resume

A resume summary fails to explain career transition.

For example, consider this resume summary below of a marketer applying for a project management role: Results-driven marketing professional with extensive experience in developing and implementing successful marketing strategies. Demonstrated expertise in brand management, digital marketing, and campaign execution, driving revenue growth and customer engagement.

The candidate would be rejected right away as the hiring manager would find it difficult to understand why this candidate is even apply for a PM job.

Now, let's use an objective instead of summary to better explain career transition.

Career Change Resume Objective Example

Aspiring project management professional with a proven track record of successfully leading and executing complex projects. Skilled in strategic planning, cross-functional collaboration, and delivering results that drive business growth and exceed client expectations.

Notice how this objective better explains career transition here by:

• Clearly stating that the applicant is aspiring to become a project management professional.
• Shifting the focus towards past work experience and achievements relevant to project management.

This would compel a hiring manager to read further dive deeper into your past work experience and skills.

• Highlight your transferrable skills

Your Skills section is the key to your career change resume. Your past roles may not be directly relevant to positions in your new industry, so your Skills section is where you will need to demonstrate that you have what it takes to succeed.

To identify the skills you will need in future roles, study job postings in your new industry, network with professionals in that field, and learn as much as you can before you start applying.

Then, look back on your career and think about the skills you've developed. Some of them will be relevant to the new industry, and will be perfect for your career change resume.

By reading as much as you can about your target profession and brainstorming your existing skills, you should be able to figure out which transferrable skills to highlight. These may be soft skills like leadership, teamwork, creativity, or problem-solving, or hard skills like writing, software expertise, or bookkeeping. Identifying transferrable skills is the key to a successful career change resume.

Once you’ve settled on the right transferrable skills, think about the best way to showcase them. It may be that a simple list will do the trick. If this is the case, create a simple bulleted list for your most relevant and impressive skills.

To really sell your skills, however, you may want place more emphasis on the skills section. Make each skill in the list a heading, and then provide evidence for each skill in bullet points below. The best way to do this is to give concrete, measurable examples of achievements relevant to that skill.

For example, if you count Leadership as a transferrable skill, provide examples of projects you have led, teams you have managed, or decisions you have been responsible for.

Clear, concrete examples are the best way to showcase your skills. When your skills are the focus of your resume, as they will be in a career change resume, it’s important to give your Skills section the attention it deserves.

Career change resume example skills section

• Time Management
• Problem-Solving
• Adaptability
• Communication
• Project Management

How to Support Career Change through Resume Work Experience Section

• Use numbers and measurable successes as much as possible. For example, if you worked in sales in a previous job, give your sales revenue or the number of clients you gained. This approach makes your claims more concrete and impressive.
• Use action words to describe your duties. Terms like accelerated , spearheaded , generated , centralized , and mentored can add some energy to your work experience section and make your roles sound impressive.
• Emphasize any transferrable skills. Your resume should be focused on your next job, including when you describe past ones.
• Make it clear to the hiring manager that you have the skills to succeed in the new industry.

In each job description, be sure to focus on the accomplishments that could be relevant to your new industry. Think about the requirements listed in the job posting, and consider what employers in your new field are seeking. Every job may not be perfectly relevant, but it’s important to show that even though you are changing careers, you have what it takes to be successful in a challenging role.

Career Change Resume Work Experience Example

Researcher ABC Labs, New York Sept 2018 - Present

• Instrumental part of a team that completed government-funded research on Alzheimer’s Disease, resulting in a second phase project funding of $5 million
• Managed and coordinated a 200-person volunteer research program that examined neurological diseases
• Conducted in-depth research to understand the current state of medications and their efficacy for Alzheimer’s Disease
• Collaborated on data analysis and contributed to research paper on progressive neurological disorders
• Presented findings at three annual conferences
• Wrote monthly press releases to update the public about our work and findings

How to List Education on a Career Change Resume

Your education is an important part of your career story. You should list your any degrees, diplomas, and certificates in your resume, even if they aren’t immediately relevant to your desired field. It’s important to show that you can work towards a goal and complete a degree, even if that degree is in an unrelated field.

If your education is completely irrelevant, simply listing your degrees and the institution name is sufficient.

If you would like to give your education more emphasis, however, you can give more details. For example, you may want to give your GPA, list academic awards, or describe relevant projects or areas of study.

Example of a Career Change Resume Education Section

MSc in Mechanical Engineering University of Iowa

• New Product Development
• Advanced CAD
• Advanced Static Analysis

BSc in Mechanical Engineering University of Iowa

• Engineering Concepts
• Systems modelling
• Material analysis
• Customize your Career Change resume for every application

You should customize your resume for every application.

While this is true for any resume, it is especially true for a career change resume. Your resume has to be perfectly targeted to prove that you have the right skills not only for a new job, but for a new career.

To do this, study each job posting and identify the specific keywords that the company is using. They will be looking for specific skills and experience. Then, look at your own background and identify the skills that overlap, and use the same words or phrases to describe your skills. This will ensure that the keywords match, and get your resume to the next round.

• Career change resume example

Experienced accounting professional and recent Bachelor of Education graduate seeking a role in education. Proven ability to communicate clearly to all levels of an organization, including legal, technical, and executive, to ensure objectives are met. Versatile mentor with experience teaching and training new hires. Several years of experience in financial analysis, accounting, and auditing. Excellent financial reporting, budget forecasting and team management skills. Experience closing leads and building and maintaining a client base. Established track record of successfully managing and executing multiple projects under tight deadlines to achieve successful results.

• Team Management
• Financial Analysis and Reporting
• Client Education
• Financial Statement Analysis

Bachelors of Education State University

Master of Business Administration University of Northampton

Work Experience

Financial Accountant Andrew Industries Limited

• Manage and oversee the daily operations of the accounting department.
• Hire, train, and mentor new employees.
• Meet accounting financial objectives by forecasting requirements, preparing an annual budget, scheduling expenditures, analyzing variances and initiating corrective actions.
• Educate department heads regarding important accounting processes.
• Analyze and interpret financial information that corporate executives need in order to make sound business decisions.
• Communicate with other departments by researching and interpreting accounting policy.
• Recommendations courses of action in plain language.
• Monitor and analyze accounting data.
• Produce financial statements and reports.
• Confirm financial status by monitoring revenue and expenses.
• Preparing special reports for Banks, creditors and for investors.
• Maintain accounting controls by establishing a chart of accounts, defining accounting policies and procedures.

Senior Accountant Ambition UK

• Prepared individual and consolidated financial statements and other accounting reports as per defined policies and applicable accounting standard.
• Prepared monthly and quarterly management reports with evaluation of divisional performance.
• Developed and implemented in the effective internal control system to enhance the company financial performance.
• Set policies for transferred pricing and critical success factors for divisions & branches and relevant financial key performance indicators to align the division’s goals with the organization.
• Monitored and controlled the costs of activities under different projects. Monitored revenue growth and margin.
• Monitored the liquidity in banks accounts, management of Daily working capital & liquidity planned.
• Letter of Credit, Bank Guarantee, Performance bound & other banking transactions.
• Ensured the maintenance of day to day financial records & transactions as per Group policies and procedures.
• Ensured the arrangement of funds for timely Processing of payroll.
• Ensured the proper recording of inventories and monthly adjusting entries.
• Finalized financial statements, Trail Balance, & formulated various analyses of general ledgers & other documents for submission to external auditors.
• Participated in various internal audit reviews in the Group as directed by Group Chief Financial officer.

Community Success Manager & CV Writing Expert

Ben is a writer, customer success manager and CV writing expert with over 5 years of experience helping job-seekers create their best careers. He believes in the importance of a great resume summary and the power of coffee.

We live in a world where working as a freelancer is easier than ever. An Internet connection alone makes it possible for an artist to land a gig designing a logo for a company on the other side of the planet or a writer producing marketing copy from a coffee shop.

November 11, 2015

Co-Founder & Director

The top hiring and human resource statistics for 2024, including data on AI resumes, job interviews, remote work, and recruiting.

December 8, 2023

This guide will prepare you to change careers past 30. It's never too late for a great career!

July 12, 2022

Content Writer + Resume Expert

Copyright © 2024 Workstory Inc.

Select Your Language:

• • Spearheaded a digital transformation project, integrating innovative patient education tools into our services, leading to a 40% increase in patient engagement.
• • Managed a team of 15, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration, which reduced patient wait times by 25%.
• • Oversaw the implementation of a new EHR system, improving data accuracy and accessibility for medical staff.
• • Negotiated with vendors to secure state-of-the-art medical equipment, staying within budget constraints and ensuring high-quality patient care.
• • Led cross-functional teams in the development of healthcare programs that received national accreditation, enhancing the hospital's reputation.
• • Initiated community health outreach programs, increasing healthcare access and preventive care awareness.
• • Directed multiple healthcare projects with budgets over $500K, completing all on time and under budget.
• • Implemented a patient feedback system, analyzing data to drive continuous service improvements.
• • Collaborated with IT and medical staff to enhance patient care technology, resulting in a 15% improvement in treatment outcomes.
• • Managed vendor contracts, ensuring compliance and maximizing investment in healthcare technologies.
• • Facilitated training sessions for medical staff on new protocols, ensuring high standards of patient care.
• • Coordinated patient care plans, improving efficiency and patient satisfaction by 20%.
• • Assisted in the development of an innovative care model, reducing hospital readmission rates by 15%.
• • Led community health workshops, increasing public knowledge on preventative care.
• • Managed scheduling and logistics for patient services, enhancing operational workflows.

5 Career Change Resume Examples & Guide for 2024

Customize this resume with ease using our seamless online resume builder.

All resume examples in this guide

Resume Guide

How to format a career change resume

How to write your career change resume experience

How to list your hard and soft skills on your resume, how to list your certifications and education on your resume, how to write your career change resume summary or objective, key takeaways.

Embarking on a career change is an exhilarating journey filled with opportunities for growth and discovery. Whether you're transitioning from healthcare to graphic design, from education to IT, or from hospitality to digital marketing, the process of reinventing your professional self can be both thrilling and challenging. Crafting a resume that captures your unique blend of skills and experiences is a critical step toward securing your dream job in a new field.

As you navigate this transition, it's essential to focus on the transferable skills that bridge your past and future careers. Highlighting your adaptability , problem-solving abilities , and lifelong learning mindset can make your resume shine, even if your direct experience in the new field may seem limited at first glance. It's about painting a picture of a candidate who is not only capable but eager to embrace new challenges and contribute meaningfully from day one.

A recent poll found  that approximately half (52%) of American employees are considering making a career change this year. 44% are already planning to make the switch.

While the task may seem daunting, especially when trying to align your previous experiences with your new career goals, remember that your unique path adds value. Your diverse background brings a fresh perspective that can differentiate you from other candidates. Embrace the narrative of your career change with enthusiasm , focusing on how your journey has equipped you with a rare and valuable combination of skills.

Yes, there may be moments of doubt or hurdles along the way, such as mastering new industry jargon or gaining specific technical skills. Yet, with persistence, a willingness to learn, and a strategic approach to your resume, you're not just changing jobs—you're stepping into a future brimming with possibilities. Let your resume be a testament to your journey, an invitation for employers to be part of your exciting next chapter.  Remember, every skill you've acquired, and every challenge you've navigated, has prepared you for this moment. Now, it's time to leap confidently into the new adventure that awaits.

Making a big life change is pretty scary. But, know what’s even scarier? Regret.

Looking for some more information related to career change? Here are some further links that may be interesting for you:

• Career Change Cover Letter Guide
• How to Write a Career Change Resume Summary
• LinkedIn Headline for Career Changers
• How to Answer the "Why Do You Want to Change Your Career Path" Interview Question
• Tried and Tested Career Change Resume Tips
• Which Resume is Considered Most Useful for Changing or Starting Careers

How to format a career change resume

The most effective way to format a career change resume  is by using a combination or hybrid resume format  as opposed to reverse-chronological  or functional formats . This approach allows you to showcase your transferable skills and competencies upfront, followed by a reverse-chronological listing of your employment history.

Here’s why this format works best for career changers:

• Highlights transferable skills:  Start with a strong summary  or objective statement  that articulates your career change goal and value proposition. Follow this with a skills section  that highlights transferable skills  relevant to the new field. This setup ensures that your applicable abilities capture the hiring manager’s attention first.
• Demonstrates relevant experience:  After the skills section, include a "Relevant Experience" section where you can list any direct experience, projects , or roles (including volunteer work ) that relate to your new career path, even if they weren't part of your main job duties previously.
• Includes professional experience: Continue with a reverse chronological order of your professional experience , focusing on achievements and responsibilities that demonstrate skills applicable to the new field. Use bullet points to quantify achievements  and show how your work contributed to organizational goals.
• Education and continuous learning:  Clearly list your educational background  and any additional certifications or courses that are relevant to your new career. This shows your commitment to developing the necessary skills for the transition.
• Custom sections for extra impact:  Depending on your unique situation, you might add sections for projects, certifications , or professional affiliations  related to your new field. These can further demonstrate your interest and engagement with the industry you’re moving into.

Remember, the key is to tailor your resume  for each job application, emphasizing the skills and experiences most relevant to the job description. This targeted approach, combined with a hybrid format, can make your career change seem not just plausible but advantageous to potential employers.

It’s not all smooth sailing though.

The biggest challenges facing individuals making a career change resume

We have gathered several common issues that many career changers come across while creating a resume for a new position in a new field. Have a look before we go on to remedy them:

• Writing a compelling career objective: Career changes often necessitate a brand new objective or personal statement at the top of the resume. The challenge is making this compelling and convincing to prospective employers.
• Translating skills and experiences to fit the new industry:  Many skills learned in one profession may be transferable to another. The challenge is translating these applicable skills on paper in a way that the hiring manager from the new industry can appreciate and value.
• Understanding industry jargon:  Different professions have different vocabularies. Making a career change may mean encountering unfamiliar terms, tools, or protocols. Without a good understanding, it can be a challenge to create a resume that speaks to the specific needs of the industry.
• Using relevant job posting websites: Every industry has its specific job boards . If switching from tech to finance, for example, platforms like Dice or TechCrunch might not be as relevant as eFinancialCareers or Wall Street Oasis.
• Identification of relevant further training or certification programs:  Depending on the industry you're moving into, you may need to highlight in your resume relevant qualifications or certifications that demonstrate your dedication and eligibility.

Here are the most important sections you’ll be focusing on while crafting your next resume.

The top sections on a career change resume

• Objective or professional summary : It helps recruiters understand your career intent and how it aligns with the role.
• Skills:  This section helps showcase your capabilities and proficiencies, as they relate to your new career path.
• Relevant training and certifications:  Detail any training you've taken or certifications earned to show you're acquiring the necessary skills for the new job.
• Transferable experience:  Highlight your past experiences that apply to the new role, showing you have a relevant background.
• List of references:  It adds credibility and allows recruiters to verify your skills and capabilities.

It’s not all about format, it’s about content, too. Throughout your resume aim to communicate and demonstrate the following elements.

What recruiters want to see on your resume

• Relevant skills:  These are prioritized to see if you possess the necessary capabilities for the role you're transitioning to.
• Transferable skills: Recruiters look for these to gauge if previous experiences can benefit the current role.
• Willingness to learn: Emphasizing this shows your initiative and drive, crucial for someone changing careers.
• Networking connections:  If you have connections in the new field, it may indicate a smoother transition.
• Career change rationale:  Your reasons for changing careers are crucial; they can demonstrate your commitment to the new path.

This can be the trickiest section for anyone changing careers. When writing the work experience section on a career change resume, focus on transferable skills that align with the new role.

Unlike a regular resume, you need to:

• Emphasize how your past experiences, though in different industries, have equipped you with skills relevant to the new job.
• Highlight achievements and tasks that demonstrate universal competencies like leadership, problem-solving, and communication.
• Use action verbs and quantify achievements to show impact.
• Tailor each entry to reflect how your background is an asset to the new field, making connections between your past roles and your future career goals clear and compelling.

Let’s take a look at one possible experience entry and how to direct it towards a career change.

• • Spearheaded a team of 10, enhancing team productivity by 25% through strategic leadership and effective communication skills.
• • Implemented a customer feedback system that reduced response times by 30%, demonstrating keen problem-solving abilities and a focus on efficiency.
• • Led cross-functional training programs that improved team adaptability and technical knowledge, showcasing an ability to educate and empower others.
• • Negotiated with suppliers to reduce costs by 15%, highlighting strong negotiation and financial management skills.

So although the actual position may not be related the skills are. They highlight transferable skills like leadership, efficiency, problem-solving, and financial savvy, making the candidate's experience

How to quantify impact on your resume

On a career change resume, quantifying impact, once again, involves highlighting accomplishments that demonstrate transferable skills and relevance to the new field, similar to a regular resume but with a focus on universality and adaptability .

Here’s how:

• Use numbers and percentages : Just like on any resume, include data and metrics to quantify your achievements. For example, "Increased sales by 20%" or "Reduced customer complaints by 30%."
• Emphasize transferable outcomes:  Choose metrics that showcase results relevant to your desired field. For instance, if moving to project management, highlight achievements in organization, leadership, and efficiency, like "Managed a team of 5" or "Completed projects 10% under budget."
• Highlight efficiency improvements:  Demonstrate how you made processes more efficient or saved time/money, as these are universally appreciated skills. For example, "Streamlined inventory management, saving 5 hours weekly."
• Focus on problem-solving:  Quantify your impact by showing how you addressed and solved problems, "Resolved a recurring issue, improving customer satisfaction by 25%."

The key difference is ensuring that the way you quantify your achievements not only reflects success in your past roles but also aligns with the priorities and values of your new industry, demonstrating your potential for impact even without direct experience.

In the skills section of your resume  prioritize transferable ones. List hard skills relevant to the new field first, followed by soft skills demonstrating adaptability and potential. Unlike a regular resume, emphasize how each skill applies to the new industry, even if acquired in a different context.

Hard skills  are technical abilities or knowledge learned through education or training, specific to a job (e.g., software proficiency).  

Examples of transferable hard skills for a career change resume

• Technical proficiency:  Skills in software and applications relevant across industries, such as Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, or programming languages.
• Data analysis:  The ability to collect, analyze, and interpret data, using tools like Excel, SPSS, or Google Analytics.
• Project management:  Experience with project management methodologies and tools, such as Agile, Scrum, or project management software like Trello or Asana.
• Foreign languages:  Proficiency in additional languages can be a significant asset in many fields.
• Financial literacy:  Skills in budgeting, financial forecasting, and using financial software.
• Digital marketing:  Knowledge of SEO, content marketing, social media marketing, and using platforms like Google Ads or Facebook Business Manager.
• Technical writing:  The ability to produce clear, concise, and useful documentation and reports.

Soft skills  are interpersonal attributes and traits that affect how well you can work or interact with others (e.g., communication, teamwork).

Examples of transferable soft skills for a career change resume

• Communication:  Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Problem-solving:  The ability to identify problems and find effective solutions.
• Adaptability:  Being able to adjust to new environments and challenges.
• Teamwork:  Working well with others towards a common goal.
• Team leadership:  The ability to lead and motivate others.
• Time management:  Efficiently managing your time to meet deadlines.
• Emotional intelligence:  Understanding and managing your emotions and those of others.
• Critical thinking:  Analyzing information and making reasoned decisions.
• Creative thinking:  Generating innovative ideas and solutions.
• Interpersonal skills:  Building and maintaining strong work relationships.

Properly listing certifications and education on your resume is crucial for career changers for several reasons.

On a regular resume, education, and certifications complement your work experience directly related to the job. For career changers, these sections are critical to highlight transferable skills and new knowledge that align with the career shift.

By strategically presenting your certifications and education, you can bridge the gap between your past career and your desired new path, making it easier for employers to see how your background equips you for a successful transition.

Here’s what you should consider while you list them:

• Prioritize relevance:  List the most relevant education and certifications near the top of your resume. If you've taken courses or earned certifications specifically for your new career, highlight these first.
• Include details:  For each certification or course, include the name of the certification/course, the issuing organization, and the date of completion or expiration. For education, include your degree, field of study, and the institution.
• Explain relevance:  Briefly mention how specific certifications or aspects of your education are relevant to the new field, especially if it’s not immediately obvious. This can be done in a short bullet point or parenthetical note.

It’s time to explore perhaps the most essential element of your career-changer resume— the resume profile .

The resume summary or objective statement is crucial on a career change resume as it immediately clarifies your intent to shift fields and highlights your transferable skills and motivation.

A resume summary  highlights your top achievements, skills, and experience relevant to the job, aimed at experienced professionals. An objective statement  outlines your career goals and what you aim to achieve in the role, often used by new graduates or those changing careers, focusing on how they can benefit the employer.

For a career change, focus on crafting a compelling objective statement that outlines your career goals, why you’re transitioning, and how your existing skills and experiences align with the new field.

Include specifics about your professional background, emphasize your eagerness to learn, and mention any relevant skills or training you have undertaken to prepare for the change. This approach personalizes your application and demonstrates your commitment to the new career path.

Below you can see an example of an effectively written objective statement doing just that.

This is what’s done right:

• Clear transition:  It explicitly states the shift from healthcare to tech, guiding the employer through the career change narrative.
• Highlights transferable skills:  The statement emphasizes skills like project management and communication that are valuable in both sectors.
• Demonstrates enthusiasm:  Shows eagerness to contribute to the new field, which can be compelling to potential employers.
• Focuses on contribution : It's oriented towards how the candidate can benefit the new industry, not just what they wish to gain.

Tailor your objective statement to the specific job and industry you’re targeting by incorporating keywords from the job description. This customization not only shows your genuine interest in the role but also helps your resume pass through Applicant Tracking Systems  (ATS), making it more likely to reach the hiring manager.

Crafting a career change resume is a strategic endeavor that highlights your transferable skills, showcases your adaptability, and demonstrates your passion for a new field. With careful tailoring and a focus on your unique journey, your resume can open doors to exciting opportunities and mark the beginning of a fulfilling new chapter.

Here are some key takeaways from our article:

• Focusing on transferable skills is crucial for a career change resume.
• A combination or hybrid resume format is most effective for career changers, allowing them to showcase transferable skills and relevant experience up front.
• Including a clear objective statement helps articulate career change intentions and how past experiences align with new roles.
• Translating skills to fit the new industry, understanding jargon, using industry-specific job boards, and identifying relevant training are common challenges.
• Demonstrating suitable skills, related experiences, willingness to learn, and networking connections are key.
• Hard skills like technical proficiency and soft skills such as communication are equally valuable in new careers.
• Education and certifications should be listed with relevance to the new field in mind, showing commitment to transitioning successfully.

Looking to build your own Career Change resume?

• Resume Examples

The Best Words to Describe Yourself on a Resume

How to show recruiters you're willing to relocate on your resume, should you include irrelevant experience on your resume, how to make waitressing sound good on a resume, how to become a teacher in the us [salary, key skills & job application tips], how to answer the, "do you have any questions for me" interview question.

• Create Resume
• Terms of Service
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Preferences
• Resume Templates
• AI Resume Builder
• Resume Summary Generator
• Resume Formats
• Resume Checker
• Resume Skills
• How to Write a Resume
• Modern Resume Templates
• Simple Resume Templates
• Cover Letter Builder
• Cover Letter Examples
• Cover Letter Templates
• Cover Letter Formats
• How to Write a Cover Letter
• Resume Guides
• Cover Letter Guides
• Job Interview Guides
• Job Interview Questions
• Career Resources
• Meet our customers
• Career resources
• English (UK)
• French (FR)
• German (DE)
• Spanish (ES)
• Swedish (SE)

© 2024 . All rights reserved.

Made with love by people who care.

• Resume Writing
• Resume Examples
• Cover Letter
• Remote Work
• Famous Resumes
• Try Kickresume

How to Write a Resume If You’re Changing Careers in 2024 (+Example)

• Kaja Jurcisinova , 
• Updated January 16, 2024 6 min read

Changing careers is both scary and exciting. While you're happy about starting a new adventure, you may also wonder where to begin. Well, updating and tailoring your resume is always the best start for a career change. 

At first, the prospect of starting from scratch all over again may seem daunting. But remember that you're not alone in this. People change careers all the time for all kinds of reasons, and they do so successfully. 

What's more, you won't really have to start from scratch, will you? After all, now you have all the skills you've acquired during your career up until now. You just need to be able to demonstrate that you can also make use of them in your new professional path. 

So if you're among those who are brave enough for a career change , we've got tips and advice for how to write about your skills and abilities in your resume so you can land a job in a new field.

Table of Contents

Click on a section to skip

Are you ready for a career change? 

1. choose the right resume format, 2. open strong with a resume objective, 3. emphasize transferable skills, 4. make your past work experience relevant, key takeaways: career change resume.

First of all, are you really sure that you're ready for a career change? Or are you just temporarily fed up and rather than a new professional calling, you need a nice long vacation (or a sabbatical )? 

There are some “signs” that can help you determine it.

Take a look at these four common reasons why people decide to make a career change :

• Low career satisfaction. There's nothing really wrong with your workplace, but you just know that the job you do now isn't your calling. 
• Low salary. Half of the respondents would be willing to change a job if they were offered a higher salary, according to a FlexJobs survey . And you may be among them. After all, a good salary can easily make you feel satisfied in a position that you otherwise wouldn't consider staying in long-term.  
• Bad work-life balance. Do you have enough time for family, friends, and hobbies? Or do you have to work constant overtime and long weekends? We should work to live and not the other way around, right? 
• Bad workplace relationships. There's a difference between not being friends with your colleagues, and dreading coming to the office every morning because of that one mean colleague, or a rude boss.

Are any of these reasons on your list as well? If yes, it truly may be the right time to move on. 

Here's how to do that:

Introduce yourself with a BANG!

Create a new resume for your new career right now.

Once you've truly made up your mind about changing careers, it's time to take concrete steps. 

In this case, you should start by tailoring your existing resume to the needs of your newly chosen career path.

Most likely, you'll have to re-arrange your resume sections in such a manner that you'll be able to make your transferable skills shine through and push less important information towards the same end of the document.

What will help you do this is choosing the most appropriate resume format . 

Generally, there are three common resume formats: 

• Chronological resume format. This is the standard type of the resume. The work history is the primary section of this resume format. Simply list your current/most recent job first and then continue in reverse-chronological order.
• Functional resume format. This format lets you put more emphasis on your skills and most important accomplishments. The reverse-chronological list of your work experience is seen as less important. Place it at the bottom of your resume and describe it in less detail.
• Combination resume format. The combination of the previous two types. You still want to place your work experience below skills and accomplishments, but you describe it in bigger detail (as you would in the chronological resume).

At the end of the day, the functional (or the combination) format is the best choice for your resume if you're switching careers.  

These two resume formats will let you highlight the skills you've developed over years of hard work, while putting less emphasis on the fact that they have been gained in a different industry. 

After you've successfully chosen the right resume format, let's see what else you can do to impress the recruiter at your new workplace. 

HR managers are busy people. They don't have much time to go through each resume in detail, as they receive dozens or hundreds of them. 

What's more, many of these resumes may come from people who, unlike you, have plenty of industry-related experience.

Because of that, you want to catch the hiring manager's attention from the get-go. This will allow you to take control of how they interpret your lack of experience .

Do so by putting a well-written resume objective at the very beginning of your resume .

However, your resume objective should do much more than just make the recruiter pay attention to the rest of your resume. 

A good resume objective can also help you to:

Explain your lack of experience in the industry

Address the elephant in the room before they even notice it's there. As a career changer, you need to take control of your story as soon as possible. Otherwise, they might see you simply as someone who lacks the necessary skills — and you know there's more to you than meets the eye. After all, you've gained success in your previous career. There's no reason why you should be less successful in the new one.

Communicate your motivations 

Why would anyone want to change careers? In the end, employers are going to ask you about your motivations at some point. The sooner you explain your "why", the better. Just like everybody else, hiring managers are more inclined to trust those candidates whose motivations they can understand and relate to. However, never say anything negative about your past employers . Rather articulate your reasons in a way that emphasizes future growth and opportunities.

Emphasize your transferable skills

You need to look for intersections between your old and new career. Take a look at the job advertisement and emphasize any points where the two overlap. Even if you're transitioning into a completely unrelated field, you should be able to fall back upon your soft skills like leadership, communication, or even your language skills.

Show that you've already embarked on a new career

Chances are you've already come in contact with the field you want to transition into. Ideally, you've even acquired several related hard skills. Emphasize them in your resume objective to show you're serious about pursuing your new career.

How does this advice translate to reality? Take a look at this resume sample below: 

Career Change Resume Example

This resume was written by our experienced resume writers specifically for this profession.

Now, let's take a closer look at the resume objective and see if it follows the guidelines we've just outlined:

Career Change Resume Objective Example

Certified Human Resources Associate aiming to leverage an extensive background in experience in digital marketing to develop a career in human resources.

Knowledge of multiple HR software programs, such as Bamboo HR and Zenefits.

Results-oriented and self-driven professional with exceptional communication and leadership skills, and the ability to adapt quickly to change.

Looking for a human resources-related job within a company that offers flexibility and opportunity to grow both personally and professionally.

Here's a rundown of the strongest points made in the resume objective above:

Pros: 

• Engracia ' s background in digital marketing and her goal to transition to HR is clearly presented right at the beginning.
• The focus is on relevant hard skills and certifications, such as being a certified human resources associate and proficiency in HR software such as Bamboo HR and Zenefits. 
• The last two points highlight the soft skills and personal motivation for a career switch. Both of these bullet points are extremely important when trying to move into a different field, so if applicable, you should include them in your resume objective as well. 

Cons:  

• The resume objective may be a little too long. If the text was divided using bullet points, it would have been easier to read. 
• Placing the “Skills” section right after the resume objective instead of “Work experience” may have worked better for a career change resume.

This brings us to the next point.

As you probably know, there are two types of skills : hard skills and soft skills. 

• Hard skills can be: computer skills, writing skills, management skills, technical skills.
• Soft skills can be: leadership, time management, listening, problem-solving.

In your previous career, you probably gained (or perfected) skills from both categories. But unlike hard skills, most soft skills are easily transferable. 

This will come in handy once you're changing careers, as most of your earned hard skills may no longer be relevant. 

However, there's no need to worry. Despite the name, hard skills are usually easier to learn than soft skills. 

Also, 67 percent of HR managers said they'd hire a candidate with strong soft skills even if their technical abilities were lacking.

Career Coach Advice

“When re-positioning your work history for a role in a different industry, focus on describing how you used your soft skills and the results you achieved by applying them. Your soft skills will be the most transferable, and often transcend niche industry specific experience, making you attractive to hiring managers in other industries.”

Naomi Rothwell-Boyd, Accredited Career Coach and Founder of  Tribe and Seek

How should you include the transferable skills on your resume?

1. First, take a look at the job advertisement . Have you acquired any of the listed hard skills in your previous career? If your answer is yes, bingo! Make sure you include them in your resume.

2. Second, think of any soft skills that could be useful in your new career. Even in more technical jobs, dealing with people is a necessity. Because of that, leadership, negotiation, and communication skills are in high demand in every industry. If you have them, they for sure belong on your career change resume. 

3. Third, avoid buzzwords at any cost . Everybody is flexible. Everybody is hard-working . Today, it's hard to find a single person who's not an out-of-the-box thinker . Unless these words were used in the job advertisement you're responding to, don't use them. Rather focus on skills that are listed in the job ad or skills that are highly relevant for the specific job position.

3. Finally, complement your “ Skills ” section with a strong work experience section . Anyone can say they have leadership skills. But if you tell them about how you've already led a team in your previous job, they'll have one more reason to take you seriously.

Here's an example of a career change skills section:

Career Change Skills Section Example

Languages: Spanish, English, French

Computer skills: ActiveCampaign, Moz, Hubspot Marketing, BambooHR, Zenefits

Interpersonal skills: adaptability, communication skills, change management, leadership skills, negotiation skills, project management, team work, time management

So — what did Engracia do right here? 

First, she divided her many skills into various sub-sections. This always increases readability and can help you to draw attention to more important information that you want to highlight. 

Second, the hard skills that she has included are relevant to the HR field. Therefore, she's demonstrating that although she's never worked in the field before, she already possesses the abilities necessary for succeeding in it. 

Don't disregard your past accomplishments just because you've decided to transition into a different field. 

Your past work experience can say a lot about who you are and your work ethic. 

Let's take a look at the career change resume example from before and see how Engracia included her work experience:

Career Change Work Experience Example

Online Marketing Specialist 09/2017 – 11/2019 APPR Group, Inc., Barcelona, Spain

– Recruited, trained, and coordinated 5 summer marketing interns and maintained relevant documents and files. – Co-managed the annual digital marketing budget and completed detailed reports on the performance of existing online promotional campaigns. – Awarded employee of the month for completing all assigned tasks and projects ahead of schedule. Special recognition for team work and leadership abilities.

As you already know, Engracia sought to transition from digital marketing to HR. 

Because of that, she first mentioned how she recruited and onboarded summer interns in her previous position. This way, they demonstrated that they already know how to employ the skills necessary for the job they sought to transition into.

Additionally, Engracia was well-aware that HR involves plenty of administrative work. So, she didn't forget to mention that in her past position, she "maintained relevant documents and files" and "completed detailed reports" .

All that remained was to convince potential employers that she's dependable and has a way with people. She did that by including the fact that she was awarded an employee of the month for timeliness and teamwork. 

Pro tip: Ultimately, you want to make use of your past experience to show that you’re already familiar with some aspects of the new industry and that you’re a reliable and proactive employee who’s eager to learn. 

Now that we've covered the basics, let's see the final things that you can do to ensure that your career change resume will land you an interview: 

• It's a good idea to do some work related to your new career before actually transitioning into it. Attend related courses, take a part-time job, or try job shadowing and volunteering in the desired field. Then include it in your resume. 
• A good place to start are these 30+ best online courses to get a job which include courses provided for free by institutions like MIT, Harvard University or top companies like IBM (e.g. AI Chatbots without Programming course by IBM ).
• Tailor each resume to a specific job opening. Sending a generic resume rarely leads to success. 
• Double-check, proofread , and avoid typos. 
• Use bold text. Highlight any essential and the most impressive parts of your resume information that needs to get noticed by the recruiter. 
• Be critical when deciding what's relevant. You don't have to include everything that you've ever done. Focus on the most relevant things and the biggest achievement of your past career. 

And that's it! If you'd like more general tips on how to write a resume, refer to our complete guide . 

Not a fan of writing?

Kickresume’s AI writer tool will write the first draft of your resume for you.

So, for a quick recap let's look at how to write a resume if you’re changing careers.

The functional resume format is the best choice for your resume if you're switching careers. It places your skills to the forefront and will, thus, let you highlight the skills you've developed over years of hard work, while putting less emphasis on the fact that they have been gained in a different industry. 

A well-written resume objective can help you 1.) explain your lack of experience in the industry, 2.) communicate your motivations, 3.) emphasise your transferable skills, and 4.) show that you've already embarked on a new career.

In your previous job, you probably gained both hard and soft skills. Lucky for you, unlike hard skills, most soft skills are easily transferable. This will come in handy once you're changing careers, as most of your earned hard skills may no longer be relevant. Hard skills are, however, easier to learn.

Highlight specific achievements, tasks, or experiences that demonstrate how your previous roles have prepared you for success in your new field. Connect the dots between your past and future roles to showcase your adaptability and the value you bring to the table in your career transition.

This article was recently updated. The original article was written by Martin Poduska in 2019.

Kaja Jurcisinova is a junior copywriter at Kickresume. Kaja completed her undergraduate degree in Art History at the University of St Andrews in 2018 and graduated with a Master’s in Arts and Culture from the University of Groningen in 2021. She was an intern at multiple cultural institutions across Europe, including the Dutch Museum Association in Amsterdam, the Matter of Art Biennale in Prague, and the European Cultural Centre in Venice. At the moment, she resides in Visby on the Swedish island of Gotland.

Related Posts

Bad resume examples: these are the 10 worst resumes ever written, what is the ideal resume length for you, share this article, join our newsletter.

Every month, we’ll send you resume advice, job search tips, career hacks and more in pithy, bite-sized chunks. Sounds good?

Privacy preference center

We care about your privacy

When you visit our website, we will use cookies to make sure you enjoy your stay. We respect your privacy and we’ll never share your resumes and cover letters with recruiters or job sites. On the other hand, we’re using several third party tools to help us run our website with all its functionality.

But what exactly are cookies? Cookies are small bits of information which get stored on your computer. This information usually isn’t enough to directly identify you, but it allows us to deliver a page tailored to your particular needs and preferences.

Because we really care about your right to privacy, we give you a lot of control over which cookies we use in your sessions. Click on the different category headings on the left to find out more, and change our default settings.

However, remember that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience of our website. Finally, note that we’ll need to use a cookie to remember your cookie preferences.

Without these cookies our website wouldn’t function and they cannot be switched off. We need them to provide services that you’ve asked for.

Want an example? We use these cookies when you sign in to Kickresume. We also use them to remember things you’ve already done, like text you’ve entered into a registration form so it’ll be there when you go back to the page in the same session.

Thanks to these cookies, we can count visits and traffic sources to our pages. This allows us to measure and improve the performance of our website and provide you with content you’ll find interesting.

Performance cookies let us see which pages are the most and least popular, and how you and other visitors move around the site.

All information these cookies collect is aggregated (it’s a statistic) and therefore completely anonymous. If you don’t let us use these cookies, you’ll leave us in the dark a bit, as we won’t be able to give you the content you may like.

We use these cookies to uniquely identify your browser and internet device. Thanks to them, we and our partners can build a profile of your interests, and target you with discounts to our service and specialized content.

On the other hand, these cookies allow some companies target you with advertising on other sites. This is to provide you with advertising that you might find interesting, rather than with a series of irrelevant ads you don’t care about.

Career Change Resume Example

Get invited for more job interviews & find ideas for your new resume with this carefully composed Career Change resume example. Make a copy of this resume sample for free or revise it in our powerful resume maker.

Related resume guides and samples

How to write a powerful advertising manager resume?

How to write an irresistible brand ambassador manager resume?

How to write a content manager resume

How to write an impactful digital marketing resume?

How to write a job-winning event coordinator resume?

How to write a great marketing assistant resume?

How to write a great marketing manager resume

How to write an effective public relations resume

Career Change Resume Example (Full Text Version)

Engracia collazo.

Results-oriented and self-driven professional with exceptional communication and leadership skills and the important ability to adapt quickly to change. Certified Human Resources Associate aiming to transition a solid background and extensive experience in digital marketing to a further career development in human resources. Possessing knowledge of multiple HR software programs and excellent teamwork abilities, Engracia is currently looking for a human resources-related job within a company which offers flexibility and the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally.

Work experience

• Participated in the development of a new company online marketing strategy and plan to increase brand awareness and reduce unnecessary advertising expenses - decreased the costs by 17% in 2018.
• Assisted in the creation of original digital content for multiple social media platforms, including Instagram, Youtube, and LinkedIn.
• Co-managed the annual digital marketing budget and completed detailed reports on the performance of existing online promotional campaigns.
• Recruited, trained, and coordinated 5 Summer Marketing Interns and maintained relevant documents and files.
• Awarded Employee of the Month for completing all assigned tasks and projects in a timely manner.

Master's degree

Bachelor's degree

The 2015 Dean's Award winner for achieving exceptional academic results

Clubs and Societies : Marketing Society, Political Society, TEDx Club

Graduated with Distinction (Grade 1 - A/excellent equivalent in all 6 subjects)

Activities : Debate Club, Swimming Club

Volunteering

Certificates.

Milan Šaržík, CPRW

Milan’s work-life has been centered around job search for the past three years. He is a Certified Professional Résumé Writer (CPRW™) as well as an active member of the Professional Association of Résumé Writers & Careers Coaches (PARWCC™). Milan holds a record for creating the most career document samples for our help center – until today, he has written more than 500 resumes and cover letters for positions across various industries. On top of that, Milan has completed studies at multiple well-known institutions, including Harvard University, University of Glasgow, and Frankfurt School of Finance and Management.

Edit this sample using our resume builder.

Let your resume write itself — with ai..

Similar job positions

Facilities Manager Marketing Manager Training Specialist Marketing Assistant Administration Brand Ambassador Manager Front Desk Receptionist Human Resources Assistant Recruiter Advertising Manager Public Relations (PR) HR Manager

Related human resources assistant resume samples

Related human resources cover letter samples

Let your resume do the work.

Join 5,000,000 job seekers worldwide and get hired faster with your best resume yet.

• Knowledge Base
• Free Resume Templates
• Resume Builder
• Resume Examples
• Free Resume Review

Nowadays, the competition in the US job market can be fierce, and this is especially true for those seeking a career change.

The first and foremost element of your job search is your resume, and without a strong one, it is not possible to stand out from the crowd.

But the part where it gets tricky is a resume summary for a career change!

For those looking to transition to a new career field, a well-crafted summary can be particularly powerful, providing a snapshot of your transferable skills and value proposition.

We will discuss the key components of an effective resume summary for a career change and also provide real-world examples of career summaries along with tips for crafting your own. Check out our topical breakdown for the same:

• Key points to keep in mind for writing a resume summary
• Writing a resume summary for a career change
• Dos and don'ts of a resume summary for a career change

How to Write a Career Summary for a Resume?

Start by identifying your key strengths and professional highlights relevant to the new position and include them in the resume summary.

Make proper and optimum use of action verbs and power words , and quantify your accomplishments wherever possible to demonstrate your impact.

Also, tailor your resume summary by including keywords and phrases from the job description. This will show the employer that you have taken the time to understand the position which, in turn, will reflect you as a strong candidate for the job.

Remember, your resume summary should be concise and to the point. Keep it up to 3 to 4 sentences and focus on the most important information that showcases your qualifications for the job.

Also read : What are some good resume summary examples for freshers?

How to Write a Resume Summary when Changing Careers?

Start with this thought! Your resume summary for a career change should not only emphasize relevant skills but should also address the career shift.

We will elaborate upon these keynotes for writing an effective resume summary for a career change:

Importance of Addressing the Career Change

The resume summary is the first section of the document that potential employers will read, making it a prime opportunity to address the career change head-on.

By acknowledging the shift in your career path up front, you can highlight your motivation for the change and showcase your enthusiasm for the new field.

Strategies for Emphasizing Transferable Skills

When writing a resume summary for a career change, it is essential to focus on transferable skills that are relevant to the new position.

Consider highlighting any soft skills that are transferable to the new role, such as leadership or communication abilities.

Also, mention any hard skills or technical knowledge that can be applied in the new field, such as proficiency in data analysis or project management .

Examples of Effective Resume Summaries for Career Change

Here are a few resume summaries for career change examples that you can refer to for writing your own:

Experienced marketing professional seeking to transition into human resources. Highly skilled in project management, communication, and employee relations. Passionate about supporting individuals and teams to achieve their goals.

4+ years customer service representative with a background in hospitality seeking to transition to a career in sales. Demonstrated track record in building strong relationships with customers, identifying their needs, and providing effective solutions. Eager to leverage these skills in a sales environment.

Former teacher seeking to transition into healthcare administration. Proven track record of effective communication, organizational skills, and problem-solving under challenging circumstances. Passionate about improving patient experiences and outcomes.

Also read : How to explain career change during an interview?

Dos and Don'ts of Writing a Resume Summary for Career Change

There are certain Dos and Don'ts that you must comply with while writing a resume summary for a career change.

Here are some tips to help you craft an effective summary, and common mistakes to avoid:

Highlight transferable skills : Emphasize your skills that can be applied to your new career. This can include both soft skills and hard skills.

Mention relevant experience : Highlight any experience that can be transferred over, but first assess if it has enough potential for your new field. For example, if you are switching from marketing to sales, highlight any experience you have with client relations or customer service.

Customize the summary to the job : Tailor your resume summary to the specific job you are applying for. Research the company and the job description to get a sense of what skills and experience they are looking for and mention them if you possess them (if not, upskill-upskill-and-upskill!).

Overemphasize unrelated experience : While it is important to highlight transferable skills, you need to be selective, prompt, and aligning them to your new job should not drain the life out of you. Don’t spend too much time pondering over unrelated experiences.

Generic language : Stay away from generic language that could apply to any job seeker. Use specific keywords and phrases that align with the job you are applying for. It is best to target keywords from your job posting wherever suitable.

Irrelevant personal information : Your resume summary should focus on your professional experience and skills. Avoid including any personal information such as hobbies or interests. They are only acceptable in the case of freshers as they lack professional experience.

By keeping these dos and don'ts in mind, you can craft a strong resume summary that highlights your transferable skills and relevant experience, and increase your chances of landing a job in your new career.

Also read : What is the CV-making process to demonstrate a career change?

What is a resume summary for a career change, and why is it important? A resume summary for a career change is a brief statement highlighting your relevant skills and professional achievements that align with your new job. It is the first thing a hiring manager will read, and it can help you demonstrate your interest in the career shift head-on.

How do I write a resume summary for a career change? Start by identifying the key skills and experience required for the job. Then, highlight your relevant experience and transferable skills that demonstrate your ability to perform well in the new role. Be concise and specific, and do not go beyond 3 to 4 lines.

Can I use the same resume summary for every job I apply for? No, you should customize your resume summary for each job you apply for. Tailor your summary to highlight the skills and experience that are most relevant to the position, and make sure to optimally use keywords and phrases from the job description.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when writing a resume summary for a career change? Don’t use generic statements that don't differentiate you from other candidates, avoid focusing on all of your experience rather than your transferable skills and relevant experiences, and do not use industry-specific jargon that you or the hiring manager may not be familiar with.

Lastly, if you want to optimize your resumes as per the latest practices in 2023, use Hiration's next-gen ChatGPT-powered career platform, which offers a solution to every obstacle faced by job seekers across the US.

Try it out today to enhance your job search and take your career to the next level.

Share this blog

Subscribe to Free Resume Writing Blog by Hiration

Get the latest posts delivered right to your inbox

Stay up to date! Get all the latest & greatest posts delivered straight to your inbox

Is Your Resume ATS Friendly To Get Shortlisted?

Upload your resume for a free expert review.

Brought to you by:

Self Development 101: Introducing The Wheel of Self

By: Maja Djikic

Everyone wants to continue developing over time, in a variety of areas of our lives. But certain aspects of the self are particularly important for attempting self-change. The author, a psychologist…

• Length: 5 page(s)
• Publication Date: May 1, 2024
• Discipline: Organizational Behavior
• Product #: ROT499-PDF-ENG

What's included:

• Educator Copy

$4.50 per student

degree granting course

$7.95 per student

non-degree granting course

Get access to this material, plus much more with a free Educator Account:

• Access to world-famous HBS cases
• Up to 60% off materials for your students
• Resources for teaching online
• Tips and reviews from other Educators

Already registered? Sign in

• Student Registration
• Non-Academic Registration
• Included Materials

Everyone wants to continue developing over time, in a variety of areas of our lives. But certain aspects of the self are particularly important for attempting self-change. The author, a psychologist and professor at the University of Toronto, presents her framework, the Wheel of Self. She explains that the self has five distinct parts: motivation, behaviour, emotions, mind and body. When most of us try to change, we often focus only on our behaviour, forgetting that behaviour is influenced by the other four parts of the self. In the end, she provides key insights about how the self really works-and how to facilitate its development.

May 1, 2024

Discipline:

Organizational Behavior

Rotman Management Magazine

ROT499-PDF-ENG

We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience, including personalizing content. Learn More . By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies and revised Privacy Policy .