Resume Writing Tips for HR & Administration Manager

Introduction

In HR and administration, your resume is your first impression. Hiring managers seek leaders who streamline workplace operations, foster positive employee relations, and implement efficient policies. Your resume must reflect these qualities clearly and concisely. An optimized resume demonstrates your ability to manage people, processes, and projects while leveraging technology and data to drive organizational success.

1. Resume Summary

Your resume summary is the elevator pitch that hooks recruiters within seconds. For HR & Administration Managers, your summary should highlight your years of experience, core competencies, leadership style, and measurable achievements. Avoid generic statements—focus on results and your unique value proposition.

Example: “Dynamic HR & Administration Manager with over 8 years of experience driving talent acquisition, employee relations, and operational efficiency. Proven track record in reducing turnover by 15% and enhancing onboarding processes that increased new hire retention by 20%. Adept at cross-functional leadership and implementing HRIS systems for streamlined workflows.”

2. Key Skills

Include a robust skills section that emphasizes both hard and soft skills essential for HR & administration leadership roles. List at least ten relevant skills to maximize keyword optimization for ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) and appeal to recruiters.

• Talent Acquisition & Recruitment
• Employee Relations & Engagement
• HRIS & Payroll Systems
• Policy Development & Compliance
• Performance Management
• Training & Development
• Conflict Resolution
• Workforce Planning
• Vendor & Office Management
• Data Analysis & Reporting

3. Achievements

Highlight accomplishments rather than just listing responsibilities. Use action verbs and quantify achievements wherever possible to demonstrate real impact. This helps differentiate you from candidates who only describe duties.

For example, instead of “Handled employee onboarding,” write “Revamped onboarding process, reducing new hire ramp-up time by 25% and increasing employee satisfaction scores by 10%.”

4. Tailor to Job

Customize your resume for each application. Closely analyze the job description and integrate keywords and relevant skills. Tailoring ensures your resume passes ATS filters and resonates with hiring managers by addressing their specific needs and priorities.

5. Tools

• Workday
• BambooHR
• ADP Workforce Now
• SAP SuccessFactors
• Taleo
• Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Slack
• Google Workspace
• Zoom & Microsoft Teams
• Concur Expense Management

6. Metrics

• Employee turnover reduction percentage
• Time-to-fill open positions
• Cost savings from process improvements
• Training completion rates
• Employee satisfaction scores

7. Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field
• Relevant certifications such as SHRM-CP, PHR, or Six Sigma

8. Format

• Use clean, professional fonts like Arial or Calibri in 10-12pt size
• Employ ample white space, bullet points, and clear section headings for readability

9. Concise

Focus on brevity—limit your resume to two pages. Use concise language and impactful phrasing to communicate your qualifications without overwhelming the reader.

10. Bonus

• Include a LinkedIn profile link with a complete, professional online presence
• Add a section for professional development or relevant webinars and workshops attended

Examples

• “Led a talent acquisition project that decreased the average time-to-fill from 45 to 30 days, supporting a 20% growth in headcount without sacrificing quality.”
• “Developed and implemented a new employee wellness program resulting in a 12% uptick in engagement scores and a 10% drop in sick days taken.”

Conclusion

When crafting your HR & Administration Manager resume, showcasing your impact through measurable achievements, leadership qualities, and analytical skills is paramount. By clearly articulating how your expertise drives employee satisfaction and operational efficiency, you position yourself as an invaluable asset. A well-written, ATS-optimized resume tailored to each role can significantly improve your chances of progressing to interview stages and advancing your career.