Must-Have Human Resources Skills: Progress from Entry-Level to Senior Roles in HR

To work in HR, you need to develop strong human resources qualifications that will help you craft a winning resume and break into the industry. They’ll also lead you to exciting accomplishments in the field. Also, you can use human resources resume example for crafting your perfect resume.In this article, we’ll discuss must-have human resources skills and explore ways to develop and showcase them.

Once you apply for a job

A good pro cv writer will be familiar with the conventions of resume writing in your field and will be able to highlight your accomplishments in a way that is tailored to your specific industry.

What Is Human Resources?

Human resources (HR) is a department that deals with employee-related matters such as hiring, training, and managing people. It plays a crucial role in helping companies to succeed in an ever-changing business environment. 

What does human resources do? HR adds value to an organization in various ways, including:

  • Organize staffing and recruiting;
  • Offer training and L&D opportunities;
  • Process compensation and benefits issues;
  • Improve performance and motivation;
  • Support organizational culture;
  • Organize the onboarding process.

Human Resources Technical Skills

HR professionals need a strong skill set. Here are some basic human resources technical skills: 

  • Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS) navigation;
  • Ability to interpret hiring, performance, and payroll data;
  • Use of applicant tracking system (ATS) and ATS bots for hiring;
  • HRM knowledge;
  • Basic computer skills like database management, communication tools, digital services, presentation software, etc.;
  • Skills to perform administrative duties;
  • Records management;
  • Basic data analytics skills to interpret metrics such as engagement and performance.

Still hesitant about your Resume?
Get a Free Review

Human Resources Non-Technical Skills

Having technical skills is important, but skills for human resources that are the most sought-after by any employer are non-technical or soft skills. To be successful in performing an HR role, you need to develop:

  • Communication skills including effective verbal and non-verbal communication, active listening, empathy, public speaking, etc.;
  • Adaptability to change;
  • Continual learning and development;
  • Company leadership;
  • Cultural awareness;
  • Time management;
  • Conflict management;
  • Decision-making;
  • Talent management and HR planning.

Top Human Resources Skills for Workplace Success

Every HR professional in recruiting firms needs to know how to optimize their work and make it efficient. They grow skills to manage information, engage people, and automate routine tasks to make them less time-consuming. The top skills for human resources are associated with the use of: 

  • HRIS solution;
  • Automated payroll;
  • HR workflow automation;
  • Digital analytics;
  • Talent acquisition with ATS;
  • Automated interview scheduling for recruiters.

Besides, soft skills continue to lead the human resources skills list.

High Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence is one of the essential skills needed for human resources. It allows you to build stronger relationships with people as you can empathize and identify their emotions as well as manage what you feel. 

Creating a supportive and comfortable workplace is the primary responsibility of HR. Emotional intelligence plays an important role in it. It allows HR managers to develop social awareness, understand the needs and concerns of employees, spot problem areas, and develop appropriate solutions.

Fast Decision-Making

Decision-making enables meaningful changes within an organization and improves its work. The ability to make fast and informed decisions helps to connect with employees and improve organizational culture. That is why it is among the skills required for human resources.

Decision-making should be based on the values of an organization and be objective. You can’t allow bias or stereotypes to influence it. Although decision-making is a leadership skill, it’s important to engage all team members in the process to address their issues and concerns.

Communication Skills

Another example of skills of human resources is communication. It’s key to the successful work of a company. Strong communication skills allow human resources to communicate the policy of the organization clearly and transparently and make sure that everyone observes it. 

Effective communication, both verbal and non-verbal, is important in all situations, including relationships among co-workers and work with clients. It helps prevent or respond to conflicts, enhances collaboration, promotes active listening, and strengthens integrity within the organization.

Conflict-Solving Skills

Conflicts are a natural part of life. No matter the prevention strategies, they’re unavoidable in the workplace. Therefore, conflict resolution is on the list of the key human resource skills. 

A problem can occur between individual employees, groups, or leaders of a company. The role of human resources is to find an appropriate solution and address conflicts on time. This way, the outcome of the conflict may even strengthen interpersonal relationships among employees and improve teamwork.

Attention!  As a pro recruiter your Linkedin account has to perform your skills professionally. With the help of professional Linkedin resume service on Skillhub. It's easy, smart and intelligent to address your writing job to a professional Linkedin writer!

How many mistakes are acceptable on a resume? Are you at risk?

Organizational Skills

Organizational skills are a must-have if you want to get a role in human resources. They entail administrative, productivity, analysis, management, planning, and delegation human resources qualifications and skills. 

Organizational skills allow completing tasks, controlling processes, and leading an organization to its goals. They help you to perform your duties and responsibilities with higher efficiency as you become better at planning and delegating tasks. To develop organizational skills, learn to manage your time, set realistic goals, and stay focused in a fast-paced environment.

How to Improve Human Resources Skills

The best way to grow your skills is to get a job in the field. Considering human resources requirements and responsibilities, getting your dream job might seem challenging. However, everything is possible with a professional resume. 

Most organizations use an ATS, a software that streamlines the hiring process for a client. Therefore, to stand out from thousands of other applications, you need an ATS-friendly resume. SkillHub writers can write it for you following your instructions! 

Don't forget about a cover letter! 77% of recruiters said they would give preference to a job candidate who sent a cover letter. Do it yourself (click professional cover letter examples on Skillhub) or skill up your resume with the help of our best cover letter writing service over there.  

Follow Influencers in the Field

To track the latest trends in HR, read thought leaders on Twitter:

  • Aliza Licht (@AlizaLicht) gives tips on how to get a job in HR and take control of your career development. 
  • Trish McFarlane (@trishmcfarlane) is an author and entrepreneur who supports women in HR. 
  • Matt Alder (@mattalder) shares insights on the HR methods that are useful for recruiters. 

You can also learn from HR blogs:

  • Read The Undercover Recruiter to answer: what do human resources managers do?
  • Get the research findings and technology insights for HR professionals on TLNT.
  • Learn all about human resources job requirements on HRZone.

How to Showcase Your Skills

Employers get thousands of applications weekly. The only way for you to stand out is to write a strong resume and highlight your human resources qualification. Here is how:

  • Assess the needs of your potential employer and customize the skills section of your resume accordingly.
  • Showcase your human resources education.
  • Your resume will be scanned by an applicant tracking system, so make sure it’s ATS-friendly.
  • Make your resume optimized for the ATS bots.
  • Match your skills to the human resources job requirements.

Human Resources Skills in a Resume Skills Section

A human resources skill set is an essential part of your resume. It shows your potential employer that you are a qualified candidate. Consider the job-specific abilities you excel in and add them to your resume, but make sure they relate to the position you’re applying for. Here are some of the useful human resource skills:

  • Active listening
  • Administration
  • Applicant tracking system
  • Coaching
  • Collaboration
  • Communication skills
  • Discretion
  • Empathy
  • Employee engagement
  • HR software
  • Integrity
  • Interviewing
  • Leadership 
  • Networking
  • Organizational skills
  • Teamwork

Human Resources Skills to Include in a Resume Work Experience Section

If you have experience working as a hiring manager, L&D manager, HR analytics specialist, or tried other careers in HR, don’t forget to include the specific skills you’ve learned in the work experience section of your human resources skills resume. For example:

  • Developed HR strategies and initiatives.
  • Addressed demands of concerns of employees.
  • Gained leadership abilities.
  • Guided handling sensitive issues.
  • Managed the process of talent acquisition.
  • Analyzed trends in HR.

To Sum Up

To be successful in the HR industry, you need to develop and refine a specific skill set. Good communication, organization, and decision-making skills will help you find and hire talented people, engage them, and improve productivity. These are crucial human resources skills for resume. 

An ATS-friendly resume will help you to get more interviews and land your dream job. Let our resume writers get it done for you! SkillHub professionals will highlight relevant human resources skills and match your qualifications and experiences to what the employer is looking for.

Don't forget a professional resume can lead to a better job career! Hire affordable resume writing services and get it done with ease and no hassle. Save time and get more interviews! 24/7 Live Help! With resume writers the best jobs come looking for you.

Is your Resume ready to compete?
Get a Free Review

Knowledge is Power

Get a list of 50+ books to boost your productivity at work

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.