Payroll Resume Example
Starting a career as a payroll specialist gives you the chance to gain experience in processing payroll accurately and managing employee records. A professional resume for payroll specialist applications will showcase your relevant skills and career achievements, to help you stand out from the crowd. In this article, we'll outline how to write a winning resume to boost your chances of success in your payroll specialist applications.
After reading this guide, you'll know what it takes to create a resume that really stands out from other payroll specialist applicants. You'll find valuable tips on writing a resume that best showcases your unique skills and achievements. There is also extensive guidance on how to structure your resume to match the job description, and to reflect your experience levels to impress HR specialists and employers. Continue reading to find the best payroll resume tips from careers experts at Jobseeker.
Key sections for a payroll resume
It's essential to include a few core sections in your payroll resume, while there are also a few optional sections you can make use of to strengthen your application.
A functional or skills-based resume format might be best for applications where you have little or no relevant payroll specialist experience. This layout prioritizes your skills and education sections above your work experience. Focus the content of your resume on your soft and transferable skills, and any hard or technical skills you've learned from your studies or career to date. You can also mention any relevant internships, training courses or voluntary roles you've taken on.
For those with some prior experience as a payroll specialist work experience is the most important element of a resume. Use a traditional, reverse-chronological resume format to emphasize your career timeline and achievements. By using this resume format you can focus on showing how your experience has helped you develop the required skills for the job. Review the job description to understand which key skills and experience to focus on.
If you're applying for senior payroll specialist positions, you'll want to list career achievements and successes that emphasize your senior status. Use a reverse-chronological format and add extra sections to show key career highlights. Your senior resume will likely be more comprehensive than resumes for more junior roles. You can add extra details about your career, such as awards, publications presentations, professional memberships or certifications.
You will have some choice over your resume layout and structure, but be sure to include these sections as the core of your document:
Resume Header and Personal Information
In your payroll resume header, list your name, email address, phone number and address or location. You can also add your LinkedIn, if you have one, to help employers better understand your work history and skills. While in some countries, you might include additional personal information or a photo, these aren't necessary. Create a clear, well-structured header that acts as the headline of your resume. Use color accents and blocks to help this section stand out and catch the eye of the reader.
Make sure the email address you list in your header is professional-looking and doesn't contain any inappropriate content such as nicknames or unsuitable language. Opt for an email address based on your name or profession, or a combination of both. Finally, check your contact details before sending your resume, to ensure everything's up-to-date.
Zoe Diaz
zoe.diaz@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
29 Acacia Road, Nutwood, CA
linkedin․com/in/zoe–diaz123
Resume Summary
Next, write a short paragraph to introduce yourself. You could also call this section 'resume summary' or 'personal profile'. In two or three sentences, explain your professional background, achievements and key skills. If you choose to write a resume summary, this focuses on your career experience to date. On the other hand, a resume objective addresses your future plans and career ambitions. Furthermore, when writing your profile, focus on two or three key skills and achievements that showcase your suitability for payroll specialist roles.
Alternatively, you could use this section to reference your objectives and ambitions, and how this role would fit into your career journey.
A good resume summary is short and snappy, and focused on the skills and experience listed in the job description, with evidence to back it up. It will also help the reader to form their first impressions of you by providing an insight into your personality and unique qualities. See below for some great examples of how to approach your payroll resume.
Good example:
Detail-oriented Payroll Specialist with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and extensive experience as a Payroll Administrator. Proven track record in managing payroll operations, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and delivering accurate and timely payroll processing. Strong analytical skills, adept at resolving discrepancies, and committed to maintaining confidentiality and data integrity. Proficient in payroll software and systems, with a demonstrated ability to streamline processes and improve efficiency
Bad example:
Worked in payroll with a degree in accounting. Handled payroll tasks and made sure things were done on time and followed rules. Good at looking at numbers and fixing issues, while keeping information private. Used payroll tools and found ways to make things run smoother
On the other hand, a resume summary can be ineffective if it lacks specific information about how your skills align with the job description, or fails to paint a picture of your unique qualities and talents. In the graphic above you can find some negative examples of how to write a resume summary.
Work Experience
In your work experience section, list any previous relevant roles you've worked in, as well as your key achievements as a payroll specialist. For each entry, list the job title, the name of the employer, its location and the dates you worked there. Add each job in reverse-chronological order, starting with your current or most recent role.
For each job listed in this section, add some bullet points so the employer can understand the skills you developed, and your achievements. Focus on showcasing the impact you made on the organization, and show evidence of how you made a difference.
A good resume work experience section includes your most relevant previous jobs and highlights your key achievements in each role. To make the best possible impression on hiring managers, make sure each entry in your work experience section references skills and experience listed in the job description, and shows how you added value to each role with quantifiable evidence and outcomes. See the examples below for some ideas of what a great resume work experience looks like.
Good example:
Payroll Administrator, January 2022 - Present
Pioneer Payroll Solutions, Irving
- Successfully managed payroll processing for over 500 employees, ensuring 100% accuracy and compliance with all regulatory requirements
- Implemented a new payroll software system, reducing processing time by 30% and minimizing errors
- Conducted comprehensive payroll audits, resulting in a 15% reduction in discrepancies and improved financial reporting
Bad example:
Payroll Administrator, January 2022 - Present
Pioneer Payroll Solutions, Irving
- Assisted with payroll tasks and supported team efforts in various projects
- Contributed to payroll operations and collaborated with colleagues
- Participated in payroll processes and ensured smooth workflow
In the graphic above you can see a great example of what to avoid when writing your resume work experience section. Less effective resume work experience sections might take a more vague, descriptive approach to previous jobs. They focus on responsibilities and everyday duties rather than referencing career achievements and the value you've added for previous employers.
Education
Under education, add details of any degrees or professional qualifications relevant to payroll specialist roles.
If you're applying for payroll specialist positions you'll typically need to have a degree. A Bachelor of Science in Accounting will usually help your chances of success. You could also list any qualifications that demonstrate your excel proficiency or tax regulations knowledge.
List your relevant qualifications in reverse-chronological order. Add the name and level of the award, the institution, its location (if this isn't obvious from the name) and your dates of study. You can also add some bullet points outlining any high grades, awards you won or specialist subjects you studied. Adding this information will show the employer your dedication to learning and your areas of specialist knowledge.
If you took part in any volunteering or you were a leader or member of any university societies, you could also mention these in your education section.
Bachelor of Science in Accounting, 2017 - 2020
University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
Skills
Listing your key skills can help to prove your suitability for payroll specialist jobs. These could be timekeeping systems, confidentiality and integrity or various other relevant skills. Additionally, read the job description to make sure your skills match those required for payroll specialist positions. You could also include some unique skills that help you stand out as a candidate.
Listing hard skills on your payroll resume
Under hard skills, add any specialist skills you possess that are specifically required for payroll specialist jobs. These tend to be technical skills and industry knowledge essential to the position. Furthermore, these skills are essential for a payroll resume as they showcase your expertise in the field. Include around four or five key hard skills that are listed in the job description. These skills will help to convince the hiring manager that you're a good fit for the position.
Your resume hard skills list should reflect your unique and specific industry expertise and experience, while also fulfilling the requirements listed in the job description. See the examples below for an idea of what an effective payroll resume hard skills list looks like.
- Payroll processing software
- Tax regulations knowledge
- Excel proficiency
Showcasing your best soft skills
Soft skills are the personal skills and qualities that make you a good fit for the job. They include transferable skills and strengths that help you settle into the role, adapt to new challenges and build effective working relationships. Indeed, transferable skills are growing in importance in the modern world of work, so make sure you include several of these in your resume. Think of your best soft skills and add up to five that match the requirements of the job description.
An effective payroll resume soft skills section should be targeted to include skills that reflect your personality and unique characteristics, while also matching the job description. The graphic below includes some examples of good resume soft skills.
- Attention to detail
- Time management skills
- Problem-solving abilities
Certifications and Training
Under certifications and licenses, add any further qualifications that show you're a good fit for the job. These could be official licenses required for the job or certifications that improve your employability. Therefore, include the details of any licenses and professional certifications required for payroll specialist roles, along with completion dates so employers can see you're up-to-date.
Take a look at some example certifications for a payroll resume below:
- CPP Certification, 2022
- FPC Certification, 2022
- SHRM-CP Certification, 2022
Jobseeker Tip:
Optional Resume Sections
There are several additional sections you could add to a payroll specialist resume, to improve your chances of success. Choose any optional sections that showcase essential or desirable skills or experience for payroll specialist jobs.
Hobbies and Interests
Adding your hobbies and interests is a legitimate way of showing off your skills and personal qualities. Consider listing hobbies and interests to help your resume stand out, or to provide the employer with some insight into your personality and wider interests. They're perfect for candidates who might lack genuine work experience as a payroll specialist. Think about adding hobbies and interests to your resume if they add some insight into your personality that you can't express elsewhere in your application.
Voluntary Work
Adding voluntary roles can be a useful way of showing relevant experience and skills for payroll specialist roles beyond your main employment history. Include the title of your volunteer role, who you volunteered for, as well as the dates you carried out the work. Provide brief details of your responsibilities and the impact you made.
References
Although it's rare to include references on a payroll resume, some employers may ask for it. Don't add references unless they're specifically mentioned by the employer in the job advert. Be sure to prepare your referees in advance, so they've agreed to provide a reference and are ready to be contacted.
References will be available upon request.
Best strong verbs for your a payroll specialist resume
Add strong verbs to your work experience section to show the hiring manager the impact you made in your previous roles. Choose from the list of words below to make the best possible impression.
- Processed
- Calculated
- Managed
- Audited
- Reconciled
- Administered
- Implemented
- Updated
- Coordinated
- Maintained
For help creating an eye-catching resume design to catch the attention of hiring managers, see Jobseeker's professional resume layouts. You can also use our clear, effective cover letter templates to complete your application.
Example resume for payroll specialist applications
The payroll resume example below incorporates all the information from above into a full-designed resume template, so you can see how a final resume will look:
29 Acacia Road, Nutwood, CA
•
zoe.diaz@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/zoe–diaz123
Experienced Payroll Specialist with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a proven track record as a Payroll Administrator. Proficient in managing payroll processes, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, and utilizing advanced payroll software. Adept at problem-solving, data analysis, and maintaining accuracy in high-volume environments. Strong organizational and communication skills with a commitment to enhancing payroll efficiency and accuracy
Payroll Administrator
2020
-2022
PayMaster Solutions Inc (Nashville)
- Processed payroll for 300+ employees accurately and on time, reducing payroll errors by 25% within first six months
- Implemented new payroll software system, resulting in a 40% increase in processing efficiency and a reduction in manual errors
- Conducted payroll compliance audits, ensuring 100% adherence to federal and state regulations, leading to zero compliance issues over two years
Bachelor of Science in Accounting
2017
-2020
Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN)
Payroll processing software
Tax regulations knowledge
Excel proficiency
Attention to detail
Time management skills
Problem-solving abilities
CPP Certification
FPC Certification
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Do's and don'ts of a payroll specialist resume
Advice to help you craft a winning resume
- Order your work experience in a reverse-chronological timeline, starting with your most recent position.
- Mention your key educational achievements, such as degrees and professional qualifications, along with grades such as your GPA, if they're high.
- Mention key skills that show you're suited to the job throughout your resume, as well as in the dedicated skills section.
- Kick off your payroll resume with a strong summary or objective statement that highlights your key skills and achievements.
- Review your resume thoroughly and correct any errors before sending it, to avoid unnecessary harm to your chances.
Steer clear of these common resume writing errors
- Don't include irrelevant work experience in your resume because it takes up valuable space and is unlikely to improve your chances of success.
- Don't use passive language because it's less engaging for the reader. Change phrases like 'the target was exceeded' to 'I helped the team exceed the target'.
- Don't use an email address that contains unprofessional content, and if necessary create a new, more professional email address.
- Don't mention hobbies or interests unless they help you prove a skill required for the role, that you haven't included elsewhere.
- Don't exaggerate, lie or hide details about yourself as these can all undermine your chances of success with payroll specialist applications.
How to make your resume ATS compliant
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are one of the key ways recruiters and employers manage the hiring process. The systems can screen candidates by scanning and ranking resumes based on each candidate's likely suitability for the vacancy. When you're writing your payroll resume, there are several things you can do to make sure your resume stands the best chance of passing the ATS stage.
Follow these guidelines to create the best ATS-friendly resume:
- Opt for an established, traditional resume format such as a reverse-chronological or functional structure. These will ensure your resume includes all the necessary details ATS systems scan for.
- Add keywords that match the job description throughout your resume, as ATS applications scan for these and well-placed, considered use can help your resume rank more highly.
- Using clear, simple headings makes it easier for an ATS application to scan your resume, as it can easily identify what's in each section of your document.
- Utilize a clean, clear resume design that helps make your content more readable. Use simple fonts and subtle color accents and design elements that don't detract from the written content.
- Use simple, concise language to keep your resume to a maximum of one to two pages in length. This will make it easier for ATS software to read.
If you need help creating a professional resume, take a look at our expert career articles and variety of resume examples created by careers experts.
Frequently Asked Questions about a payroll specialist resume
Alongside your payroll resume, it's important to produce a professional cover letter that creates a similar positive impact on the reader.
Firstly, think about whether you want to write a full, formal cover letter or whether a brief email to introduce yourself and draw attention to your resume will suffice.
A traditional cover letter should follow formal letter-writing conventions and structure, including a header, the recipient's address and professional greetings and sign-offs. For the main body of the letter, open with a short paragraph introducing yourself and explaining your reasons for applying for the payroll specialist role. Follow that with an explanation of your skills and experience and how they're relevant to the position. Close by expressing your gratitude and enthusiasm, and leaving a call to action that encourages the employer to open a dialogue with you.
You can create a professional cover letter in just a few simple, easy-to-follow steps using Jobseeker's tried and tested cover letter templates.
If you have no experience, it's still possible to write a professional payroll resume that makes a positive impression on hiring managers. Choose a resume structure that best showcases your key skills for the role, such as a functional format. This places your skills and education above your work experience. Use the additional information sections at the end of your resume as a showcase for relevant skills and achievements. These can be a particularly useful way of proving you have the skills necessary for the job.
You can use a resume headline to introduce your document and set the tone for your payroll specialist applications. Resume headlines can also help you pass the ATS stage of the selection process, by highlighting the job title and one or two key details. Write a concise headline including the job title, a reference to your experience or track record and one or two key skills.
Here's an example of a strong resume headline:
- Junior Payroll Specialist Seeking Opportunities
- Expert Payroll Management Professional
- Experienced Senior Payroll Specialist
The resume format that gives you the best chances of success depends on your experience levels, as well as the type of job you're applying for and its seniority level. If you're applying for a junior position or changing careers, you might want to consider a functional resume. This highlights your skills and education over your work experience. If, however, you have experience in your chosen profession, a traditional, reverse chronological resume format might be the way to go. This showcases your relevant skills and achievements in your work experience section.
Takeaways for a winning payroll resume
Writing a strong, impactful resume is about using your experience to demonstrate your relevant skills and achievements. You can do this through your work history or other resume sections. Use a suitable resume format and tailor your resume for every application you submit.
HR-approved resume templates and other tools by Jobseeker are the easiest way to create a winning job application. Sign up and follow the simple instructions to complete a resume that stands out from the crowd. A stylish, professional cover letter can make all the difference to your job prospects. See Jobseeker's cover letter examples, written by careers experts, to help you craft an eye-catching application.
Sources:
(1) Tips for Writing a Federal Resume, U.S. Department of Labor: https://www.dol.gov/general/jobs/tips-for-writing-a-federal-resume
(2) Resume Tips, Duke University: https://careerhub.students.duke.edu/resources/resume-tips/
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