HR Administrator CV example

This guide will walk you through building a CV that highlights your administrative skills, HR processes knowledge, and your ability to work accurately and efficiently. Whether you’re experienced or entering HR from an administrative background, you’ll learn how to present yourself as the ideal HR Administrator.

An effective HR department depends on structure and organisation – your CV structure should follow the same principles. Hiring managers need to quickly see your administrative strengths, HR expertise, and technical know-how without digging through unnecessary details.

Here’s the layout a good CV should follow:

• Name and contact details – Place personal details at the top so employers can get in touch easily.
• Profile – Give a brief summary highlighting your HR expertise, administrative skills, and understanding of HR processes.
• Core skills – Highlight your key abilities, from data management to employee support.
• Work experience – Walk through your HR roles, focusing on administrative duties, HR software proficiency, and process support.
• Education – Go through the relevant qualifications, HR training, and degrees which underpin your expertise.
• Additional info – Optional, but this could include professional memberships, awards, or hobbies.

If a hiring manager can’t skim your CV and see the essentials straight away, it’s going to the bottom of the pile. Your CV format should reflect the professional standards expected in HR –  clear and professional. When you’re writing a CV, remember that HR managers will expect to see well-organised sections and easy-to-scan information, free from mistakes.

To keep your CV looking professional, follow these tips:

• Bullet points – Use bullet points to break down responsibilities and achievements for quick reading.
• Divide sections – Clearly label each section so nothing gets overlooked.
• Use a clear and readable font – Stick to professional and clean fonts, and a sensible colour scheme.
• No more than 2 pages – Keep it concise to maintain their interest while still covering all the essentials. This is the right length to achieve that.

Your CV profile is your chance to introduce yourself as a capable HR Administrator. This section should give hiring managers a quick snapshot of your administrative strengths, HR knowledge, and your ability to support a busy HR department. 

It’s the first thing they’ll read: if it doesn’t catch attention, they won’t even make it to your impressive spreadsheet skills.

Here’s what to include in your profile:

• HR administration experience – Briefly mention your years of experience and the types of companies you’ve worked for.
• Key HR processes supported – Reference areas like onboarding, employee record management, and payroll assistance.
• Attention to detail – Emphasise your ability to maintain accurate records and handle confidential information professionally.
• HR software proficiency – Mention any HRIS systems or payroll software you’ve used.
• Strong communication skills – Highlight your ability to liaise effectively between employees and management.

This is your HR skills checklist – everything the hiring manager needs to know you can handle. Showcase the core abilities that make HR run smoothly – from data accuracy to staying GDPR compliant. It’s a quickfire way to show you’ve got the core competencies to excel in the role – perfect for time-pressed recruiters scanning applications.

Because every HR role can vary, tailor your CV skills section to the specific job you’re applying for. Focus on the skills most relevant to the employer, whether that’s data management, compliance, or employee communication.

Your work experience section should demonstrate how you’ve applied your administrative skills and HR knowledge in practical settings. Every HR department needs someone who can keep calm when paperwork piles up – this is your chance to prove you’re that person: HR managers want to see how you’ve supported processes and helped keep HR operations running smoothly.

Begin with your most recent role and work backwards. For each position, show the HR processes you supported, the systems you used, and how your attention to detail made a difference.

• Outline – Give a quick overview of the company, its size, and the HR team you supported.
• Responsibilities – Describe your administrative duties, including managing employee records, assisting with recruitment, and coordinating onboarding processes. Use power verbs like “maintained,” “coordinated,” and “supported.”
• Achievements – Mention improvements you helped implement, such as streamlining document processes, introducing new filing systems, or reducing onboarding times.

Your education section should highlight qualifications related to HR, business administration, or office management. For HR Administrator roles, formal HR qualifications can be a great advantage, but experience is the priority: so keep your education section nice and concise.

Include your degree, diploma, or any relevant certifications, especially those from recognised bodies like CIPD. If you’ve taken additional HR courses, such as employment law or payroll processing, be sure to mention them.