Resume Writing Tips for Head Human Resources

Introduction

The role of Head Human Resources is pivotal in shaping an organization's workforce strategy and employee experience. A strong resume for this role should reflect not just your experience, but also your leadership ability, strategic mindset, and measurable contributions. Hiring managers and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) alike look for resumes that clearly showcase these qualities. Therefore, understanding how to structure your resume, emphasizing relevant skills, and incorporating quantifiable achievements can significantly increase your chances of landing an interview and ultimately, the role you seek.

1. Resume Summary

The resume summary is your first impression—a snapshot of your expertise, leadership style, and career highlights. For a Head of Human Resources, this section should combine years of experience with strategic and operational accomplishments, underscored by your ability to drive organizational change and employee engagement.

Example: “Strategic and results-driven Head of Human Resources with over 15 years of experience leading talent acquisition, employee relations, and organizational development initiatives. Proven track record in driving diversity & inclusion programs, optimizing HR technologies, and improving employee retention by 25% in competitive markets.”

2. Key Skills

Highlighting the right skills is essential for ATS ranking and demonstrating your breadth of HR expertise. Here are 10 key skills every Head of Human Resources should showcase:

• Talent Acquisition & Retention Strategy
• Organizational Development
• Employee Relations & Conflict Resolution
• Leadership & Team Building
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)
• HR Compliance & Employment Law
• Performance Management
• Change Management
• HRIS & People Analytics
• Compensation & Benefits Planning

3. Achievements vs. Responsibilities

Employers value what you achieved over what you were responsible for. Highlight accomplishments that demonstrate your leadership impact and results-driven approach. Use metrics to showcase improvements, cost savings, or enhanced productivity.

Example:

• “Led a company-wide talent acquisition initiative that reduced average hiring time by 30%, supporting rapid business growth.”
• “Implemented an employee engagement program that increased retention rates from 78% to 90% within two years.”li>

4. Tailor to Job

Customizing your resume for each role is critical. Analyze the job description carefully and incorporate relevant keywords and phrases. Emphasize skills and experiences that directly align with the company’s needs and values to pass ATS filters and catch the recruiter’s eye.

5. Tools

Demonstrate your familiarity with modern HR tools and technologies, highlighting your technological adeptness and ability to leverage analytics for decision-making. Essential tools include:

• Workday
• SAP SuccessFactors
• Oracle HCM Cloud
• BambooHR
• ADP Workforce Now
• LinkedIn Talent Solutions
• Tableau (for People Analytics)
• Zoom and Microsoft Teams
• Slack
• Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint)

6. Metrics

• Employee retention rate improvements (%)
• Reduction in time-to-hire (days)
• Cost savings from streamlined HR processes ($)
• Increase in employee engagement scores (%)
• Compliance audit success rate (%)

7. Education

• MBA in Human Resource Management or relevant field
• Professional Certifications: SHRM-SCP, SPHR, or CIPD

8. Format

• Use a clean, professional font such as Arial or Calibri, size 10-12pt
• Employ clear section headings and bullet points for readability

9. Concise

Keep information relevant and succinct. Avoid lengthy paragraphs by using action-oriented bullet points that clearly articulate your contributions and results.

10. Bonus

• Include a section for “Professional Development” to highlight workshops, seminars, and courses.
• Use active verbs such as “spearheaded,” “optimized,” “developed,” and “transformed” to convey leadership and initiative.

Examples

• “Spearheaded a talent management framework that decreased voluntary turnover by 18% over 12 months through targeted leadership development programs.”
• “Optimized onboarding processes via automation, reducing new hire ramp-up time by 20% and improving overall new employee satisfaction scores.”li>

Conclusion

For a Head of Human Resources, a resume is more than a career summary—it’s a testament to your ability to lead, analyze, and drive impact within an organization. By showcasing your leadership accomplishments, analytical prowess, and strategic contributions clearly and concisely, you increase your chances of capturing decision-makers’ attention. Following these detailed tips will help you build a compelling, ATS-friendly resume that highlights your unique value and positions you for success in senior HR leadership roles.