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Table of contents

What are human resources skills?
The best HR skills in 2024 [50+ examples]
How to put HR skills on a resume
More skills resources
HR skills — key takeaways

In a competitive career path like human resources, a generic resume simply won’t cut it.

One of the top problems job seekers face is identifying and highlighting the specific skills employers are looking for. If you’ve worked in HR, you know the problem well.

This is where we come in. Our guide will give you a roadmap for putting your HR skills into action on your resume and beyond.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

The essentials about HR skills.
A lengthy list of HR skill examples.
How to add HR skills to your resume.
Additional skill sets to explore.

Creating or updating an HR resume? Consider using a AI resume builder. These tools streamline the resume creation process, offering access to a library of HR skills and industry-specific bullet points that you can add with a single click.

What are human resources skills?

HR skills are the abilities required to effectively manage human resources within an organization. These skills include a range of competencies, from interpersonal abilities to technical know-how.

Among the most common HR skills are soft skills like communication, empathy and conflict resolution, and hard skills like data analysis, HR software proficiency and knowledge of labor laws.

HR skills are important if you want to work in human resources, but they come in handy in other sectors, too. Professions like management, customer service and project coordination also use HR skills.

Now, it’s time to run down some examples.

The best HR skills in 2024 [50+ examples]

Every HR resume should have a healthy mix of hard and soft skills. After all, while soft skills help you build relationships and manage people, hard skills ensure you have the technical know-how to perform your job effectively.

Check out the examples below — many of these would make great additions to your resume.

Soft skills for an HR resume

Everyone knows HR is designed to be people-centric, which requires a huge dose of soft skills. These skills will help you navigate the complex dynamics of the workplace with the finesse of a seasoned diplomat.

Here are some HR soft skills to add to your resume:

Communication
Empathy
Conflict resolution
Teamwork
Adaptability
Problem-solving
Negotiation
Emotional intelligence
Time management
Leadership
Active listening
Cultural competence

Hard skills for an HR resume

Hard skills are the underdog of the HR toolbox. On the surface, they seem purely technical and data-driven, but in reality, they are just as important as soft skills in ensuring the smooth operation of HR functions.

Here are some HR hard skills to add to your resume:

Recruitment and selection
Employee onboarding
Performance management
Compensation and benefits
HR analytics
Training and development
Labor law compliance
Policy implementation
Workforce planning
Succession planning
Employee relations
Talent management

Technical skills for an HR resume

Technical skills are a slight variation of hard skills. When highlighting technical abilities, we are more likely to speak about specific software and tools or systems that streamline HR processes and improve efficiency.

Here are some technical skills perfect for an HR resume:

Human Resource Information System (HRIS) Management
Payroll software proficiency
Applicant tracking systems (ATS)
Data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, Tableau)
Learning management systems (LMS)
Employee engagement tools
Performance management software
Time and attendance systems

Other skills to consider

But that’s not all! As we wrap up, it’s essential to recognize additional skills that can set you apart and make your HR resume even more compelling.

Here are 20 more skills that work on an HR resume:

Project management
Change management
Organizational development
Strategic planning
Diversity and inclusion initiatives
Mediation
Health and safety management
Coaching and mentoring
Confidentiality
Job analysis
Compensation analysis
Benefits administration
Employee wellness programs
HR metrics and reporting
Vendor management
Event planning
Public speaking
Crisis management
Cross-functional collaboration
Networking

How to put HR skills on a resume

As an HR professional, you know what a good resume looks like. But making your own resume and filling it with skills is an entirely different task.

However, there is no one more prepared than you to write a strong resume. Let’s start.

Step 1

Read the job ad closely

It all begins with the job listing.

Maybe you’ve written job ads before. They are the roadmap of the job market and your guide to targeting the right skills.

Each bullet point in a job listing is strategically placed to highlight the skills and qualifications the employer is seeking. These bullet points are likely programmed as keywords in the employer’s applicant tracking systems (ATS). If you don’t include them on your resume, you might get overlooked entirely and passed over for other candidates the employer sees as more qualified.

Here’s an example of a job ad’s skill requirements:

Excellent communication skills.
Strong knowledge of HRIS systems.
Proven experience in recruitment and selection.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
Effective conflict resolution abilities.
Experience with project management.
Familiarity with labor law compliance.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Once you have your skills’ list, it’s time to add them to your resume.

Pro Tip

Don’t just rely on the job ad — visit the employer’s website to gain a deeper understanding of their values, culture and priorities. This can help you identify additional relevant skills and keywords to include in your resume.

Step 2

Add them to your skills section

Add the skills you highlighted in the job listing as a starting point for your skills section.

The skills section is your resume’s showcase, so list both your top skills and the ones that don’t fit anywhere else on your resume.

Here’s an example of a skills section that includes some of the skills listed in the job ad:

Written and verbal communication
Knowledge of HRIS systems
Recruitment and selection
Microsoft Office Suite proficiency
Conflict resolution
Project management
Labor law compliance

Don’t neglect your transferable skills. Transferable skills are valuable as they demonstrate your ability to adapt and succeed in various roles and industries.

Pro Tip

If you are brand new to the field or changing careers, consider using a functional resume format to highlight your transferable skills and relevant experience. For those with a steady career path, a chronological resume works best to showcase your career progression and achievements.

Step 3

Sprinkle HR skills throughout your resume

Your whole resume should be full of skills.

Take your professional summary or objective statement, for example. A summary is simply three to four sentences near the top of your resume that touch on your most relevant career highlights. This is a great place to include a couple of keywords from the job ad.

There’s also your work history section. Make sure to incorporate at least one relevant skill in every bullet point.

Here’s an example of a work experience entry with the HR skills in bold:

HR Manager
ABC Company
January 2019 – Present

Implement HRIS systems to streamline employee data management, increasing efficiency by 30%.
Lead recruitment and selection processes, successfully hiring over 50 high-performing employees.
Conduct comprehensive employee engagement programs, resulting in a 20% improvement in staff satisfaction.
Resolve conflicts through effective mediation techniques, maintaining a harmonious workplace environment.
Ensure labor law compliance across all HR activities, avoiding any legal discrepancies.

One last stop before we wrap it up — your cover letter.

Pro Tip

If you are early in your career, be sure to highlight relevant skills in your education section. This can include courses, projects or extracurricular activities that demonstrate your HR competencies.

Step 4

Don’t overlook your cover letter

As we wrap up, let’s not forget the power of a compelling cover letter. HR professionals know better than anyone the impact a well-crafted cover letter can have on a job application.

Think of your cover letter as your personal pitch. In a field where communication and interpersonal skills are key, a captivating cover letter can distinguish you from the competition.

Avoid simply repeating the skills listed on your resume. Instead, use this space to dive deeper into a few of your standout skills, illustrating how they have led to concrete successes and achievements in your previous roles.

Need more inspiration for writing a cover letter? Check out our collection of cover letter examples. They can provide the spark you need to craft a letter that truly shines.

Lastly, we’ll provide a list of links to additional skill guides that might be helpful as you finalize your resume and cover letter.

More skills resources

Looking for more? Check out our other skills guides:

HR skills — key takeaways

Balance soft and hard skills

A well-rounded HR resume should showcase a mix of soft skills, like communication and conflict resolution, and hard skills, such as HRIS proficiency and labor law knowledge.
Always customize

Tailor your resume to each job application by closely reading the job ad and incorporating the specific skills mentioned.
Add your skills everywhere

Integrate HR skills throughout your resume, not just in the skills section. Use your professional summary, work history and other sections to demonstrate how these skills show your career growth.
Use your cover letter effectively

Use your cover letter to elaborate on key skills and achievements that couldn’t be detailed in your resume.

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Don is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with more than 10 years’ experience creating digital content, including four years helping job seekers develop their careers. He holds an M.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University.