HR generalist CV example

An HR Generalist’s CV needs to balance professionalism with a personal touch – just like the role itself. It’s your opportunity to show recruiters that you can manage both policies and people with equal finesse.

After reading this guide, you’ll be writing a CV that showcases your HR expertise, demonstrates your ability to support employees, and proves you’re ready to handle anything that comes your way.

Your HR Generalist CV should be as organised as a company handbook – clear, easy to navigate, and full of essential information.

Here’s how to structure your HR Generalist CV:

• Name and contact details – Personal details belong at the top of your CV, making it easy for potential employers to get in touch. You can add a photo, but it’s entirely up to you.
• Profile – Open with a concise summary that highlights your HR expertise and career aspirations.
• Core skills – Spotlight key capabilities such as employee relations and compliance management.
• Work experience – Walk through your HR roles in reverse chronological order, focusing on key achievements and responsibilities.
• Education – List the qualifications that make you a good fit, like degrees, HR certifications, and professional development courses.
• Additional info – Include anything from your hobbies and interests to the languages you speak – these are all totally optional.

Your CV should reflect the professionalism you bring to HR processes. Even the most qualified candidates can be overlooked if they make the mistake of a poorly-formatted CV.

Here’s how to format your HR Generalist CV:

• Bullet points – Use short, sharp bullet points to present your responsibilities and achievements clearly.
• Divide sections – Make use of distinct headings and logical spacing to guide recruiters through your CV.
• Use a clean font – Prioritise readability with a professional layout and font choice to keep things tidy.
• Keep it the right length – Your CV should be no more than 2 pages. This gives you space to detail your experience while keeping it concise enough to respect the recruiter’s time.

Your CV profile is your CV’s opening pitch, where you give recruiters a snapshot of your HR expertise and accomplishments. For an HR Generalist, this is your chance to highlight your ability to manage both people and processes.

Here are some tips to ensure your profile stands out – like the employee who always volunteers to organise the Christmas party.

• Where you’ve worked – Tell the recruiter which industries or organisations you’ve gained HR experience within.
• Your top qualifications – Specify your degrees, CIPD accreditation, or relevant certifications.
• Key skills – Note the tangible abilities like recruitment, compliance, and employee relations which make you the right fit.
• People you’ve supported – Reference teams, departments, or workforce sizes you’ve managed or supported.
• Policies you’ve implemented – Mention key HR initiatives or programs you’ve introduced to improve the workplace.

Think of your core skills section as your CV’s employee handbook – highlighting the best practices (in this case, your skills) that keep the workplace running smoothly.

For HR Generalists, this should include a mix of administrative skills, employee relations expertise, and compliance knowledge. Tailor these to the job description to ensure your skills align with the employer’s needs.

Your work experience section is where you demonstrate your HR versatility and the value you’ve added to organisations. Highlight your ability to balance multiple responsibilities and contribute to a positive workplace environment.

List your roles in reverse chronological order, focusing on measurable results and key contributions.

• Outline – Provide an overview of the organisation, your role, and the HR responsibilities you managed.
• Responsibilities – Highlight tasks like recruitment, employee relations, or policy implementation. Use action verbs like “managed,” “developed,” or “streamlined.”
• Achievements – Showcase measurable results, such as reduced turnover rates, improved employee satisfaction, or successful compliance audits. Include figures wherever possible to add impact.

Your education section is the foundation of your CV, like the employee training manual everyone pretends to have read but really needs. Include degrees, certifications, and relevant training.

List your qualifications in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent.