Explore Human Resources

Technical Skills & Qualifications for an HR Resume

Technical skills, also known as hard skills, require specific job training to build competencies in measurable ways. Often, certain technical skills overlap with others to ensure a well-rounded skillset. Using a computer program to manage employees or speaking a foreign language to establish an inclusive company culture are some examples of technical skills that could benefit an HR professional. Here are a few more that would stand out on a human resources resume:

Recruitment & Hiring Skills

Human resources professionals' main responsibilities primarily focus on an organization's employees, including:

• Recruiting and staffing
• Professional networking
• Background check coordination
• Salary and benefit negotiation
• Contract negotiation
• Safeguarding private data
• Interviewing and hiring
• Policy setting and training

Recruiting and staffing for a company can involve professional networking - knowing the right people and agencies that can connect a company with top candidates. However, HR professionals need to be able to balance the effectiveness of a talent source with budgetary concerns of the company.

Once potential employees are found, it can fall under the role of the human resources team to coordinate any necessary background checks, salary and benefit negotiations, contract terms, as well as safeguard appropriate personal data. HR members may also be involved in the interviewing and hiring process, including ensuring new employees have access to required company policy and training materials.

Training Skills

While a new employee's team or supervisor might provide training for job-specific tasks, Human Resources develop and present training materials for broad company-based policies and procedures, such as:

• Employee handbook or manual
• Compensation and benefits packages
• Mandatory compliance training
• Skills assessment and skill-gap training

Training involves mastering several technical and soft skills, including proficiency with certain computer software and both written and verbal communication skills.

Project Management Skills

Another technical skill that integrates expertise in multiple domains, project management in the HR realm focuses more on organizational administration than specific projects. However, the elements of project management remain the same:

• Initiating and planning team and company functions
• Scheduling and coordinating meetings and events
• Identifying and minimizing risks to the company
• Budgeting, procurement, and inventory management
• Company-wide project lifecycle management

Projects handled by the HR department can involve the entire company, making scheduling and organization somewhat complicated. HR projects consider company liability and budgetary concerns on a large scale, while also taking into account the effects on each department and team within the organization. Like any project, HR members must adhere to deadlines and generate reports.

Technology Skills

Human resources professionals use data entry skills and their knowledge of standard office production software and specialized programs to manage personnel files and records. Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS) and Human Resource Management Systems (HRMS) secure and organize company and employee information, including compensation and payroll processing, performance reviews and employee feedback, benefits packages, workforce management, time tracking, documentation and reports, and tax information.

Having experience with HRIS and HRMS platforms is vital to an HR professional. Companies use these systems to ensure their processes are compliant with current regulations and their employees' data is centralized and secure. This allows HR teams to stay organized and access the most up-to-date information.

There are other technology skills and expertise that can help an HR professional's resume stand out:

• Website development - HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, Perl, .NET
• Automation tools - Python, SQL, VBScript, Java
• Social media - marketing, recruiting, company branding
• Office suites - Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, iWork, WPS Office
• Graphic design - photo/image manipulation, logo design, video production
• Artificial intelligence - ChatGPT, AutoGPT, DALL.E 2, machine learning

Soft Skills for an HR Resume

Soft skills, or people skills, are critical to those in human resources, since much of their work is coordinating and interacting with the people within and outside an organization. While soft skills can be learned, mastery of some may come more easily to people based on their personality type. For example, extroverted people might be more comfortable with public speaking while those who have always lived in culturally diverse places could be more proficient establishing an inclusive company culture. Some soft skills that would look exceptional on an HR resume include:

Communication

The cornerstone of interacting with people is being able to communicate, and HR professionals need to be skilled at both written and verbal communication. Whether drafting a company policy or giving a presentation, they need to provide clear and accurate information. On the flip side, attentive and active listening skills are just as essential and applicable to many facets of a role in human resources.

Collaboration & Teamwork

Everyone within an organization - from the CEO to the newest hire - engages with the HR team, making it important for them to all ensure they're aligned and working together toward the same goal.

Decision Making & Critical Thinking

The human resources team are often the decision makers regarding employee issues within an organization. The ability to assess a situation and apply critical thinking to identify solutions helps them make the correct decisions. Mastering this soft skill also shows leadership characteristics.

Problem Solving & Conflict Resolution

Working with people almost ensures there will be problems and conflict, and it's the job of human resources to maintain a cooperative workplace, resolve disagreements, and strive for employee satisfaction while prioritizing company values and goals. To do this, HR specialists need to be proficient at policy enforcement and de-escalation in the workplace in a respectful yet firm manner.

Administration & Operations

HR does much to keep an organization running smoothly. Managing compensation and benefits for a company requires regulation and legislative monitoring to ensure the company is legally compliant. They're also responsible for establishing a safe, inclusive, and culturally sensitive workplace.