People Manager Resume Example
Working as a people manager can provide a rewarding career, involving leading team meetings and coaching team members. To succeed in your applications for people manager roles, you'll need a resume that reflects your relevant skills and experience. In this article, we'll highlight tips and examples for creating a people manager resume that makes a winning impression on recruiters and hiring managers.
This comprehensive guide will give you all the tools you need to craft a people manager resume that positions you strongly against other candidates. You'll find useful insights on constructing a resume that makes the most of your unique skills, experience and strengths. You'll also learn how to tailor your resume according to the job description, and depending on your experience levels. Continue reading to find expert tips and advice from Jobseeker that will help you with your people manager resume.
Main sections of a people manager resume
The key sections to include in a people manager resume are similar to those for any role or profession.
A functional or skills-based resume format might be best for applications where you have little or no relevant people manager experience. This layout prioritizes your skills and education sections above your work experience. Draw attention to your soft and transferable skills, as employers will value these highly for entry-level roles. You could also mention any internships, training or volunteer work that helps you showcase skills relevant to the position.
If you're already working as a people manager, concentrate on proving your credentials with your work achievements. Use a reverse-chronological resume format to place work experience prominently in your resume. In your resume work experience section, outline your relevant achievements and showcase the impact you've made in your career to date. Make sure everything you include is relevant to the job description.
If you're applying for senior people manager 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. Expect your senior resume to be slightly longer than resumes for more junior roles. This is because you 'll want to add details of professional memberships, awards, publications, presentations and other achievements expected of senior professionals.
The order you present these sections can vary according to your career stage, but it's still essential to include each of the following:
Resume Header
In your people manager 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. Make sure your resume header is as brief as possible and doesn't take up too much valuable space. Choose a clear, professional design that sets the tone for your application.
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.
Donald Torres
donald.torres@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
221B Baker Street, New York, NY
linkedin․com/in/donald–torres123
Resume Objective
Your resume personal profile is a short, concise paragraph to highlight two or three key skills and achievements in people manager roles. You may also see this section named as 'resume summary' or 'resume objective'. Resume summaries tend to focus on your career experience, while resume objectives cover your ambitions and plans for the future. In addition, your objective should highlight why you're an ideal candidate for people manager roles by showing key skills and qualities that reflect the job description.
Alternatively, write a paragraph that concentrates on your career objectives and how this role fits with your wider ambitions and progression.
A great resume summary should highlight why you're an ideal candidate for people manager roles by showing key skills and qualities that reflect the job description and provide evidence to support them. It should also introduce your personality and unique qualities to the reader, to help them start to form an opinion about you as a candidate. The graphic below showcases some good examples of what to include in your people manager resume summary.
Good example:
Results-driven People Manager with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resource Management and extensive experience as a People Operations Manager. Proficient in optimizing HR processes, enhancing employee engagement, and driving organizational effectiveness. Proven track record in developing and implementing HR strategies, managing talent acquisition, and fostering a positive workplace culture. Skilled in conflict resolution, performance management, and aligning HR initiatives with business goals. Adept at leveraging data-driven insights to inform decision-making and improve operational efficiency
Bad example:
People manager with some background in business and HR. Worked in roles where I helped with hiring and improving workplace vibes. Have experience in dealing with issues and making sure things run smoothly. Focused on using information to make decisions and trying to keep things efficient
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. See above for some examples of things to avoid when writing your people manager resume summary.
Work History
Your resume work experience section is the chance to show your relevant previous jobs and career achievements as a people manager. Add each previous employment in reverse-chronological order. This means starting from your current or most recent role and working back in time from there. Include your job title, the company name, the location of the job and your dates of employment.
Add some bullet points under each job entry, explaining your achievements in the role, so the reader can see how you contributed towards success for the company. Provide evidence of your impact and make sure each point addresses a requirement listed in the job description.
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. There are some examples of strong resume work experience sections below.
Good example:
People Operations Manager, January 2022 - Present
Harmony Human Resources Ltd, Atlanta
- Streamlined onboarding process, reducing new hire integration time by 40% and increasing employee retention by 25%
- Implemented data-driven performance management system, enhancing productivity metrics by 30% and identifying key talent for leadership roles
- Spearheaded diversity and inclusion initiatives, achieving a 50% increase in diverse hires and fostering a more inclusive workplace culture
Bad example:
People Operations Manager, January 2022 - Present
Harmony Human Resources Ltd, Atlanta
- Improved team processes to enhance efficiency and collaboration
- Led initiatives to support a positive work environment
- Managed projects to drive organizational goals and objectives
The example above can give you some idea of what not to include in your resume work experience section. A poor resume work experience section would typically use vague descriptions of activities in previous jobs, while focusing too much on responsibilities rather than achievements. Failing to focus on the skills and experience that match the job description is likely to harm your chances of success.
Educational Achievements
Your resume's education section provides space for you to list your highest and most relevant qualifications for people manager roles.
If you're applying for people manager positions you'll typically need to have a degree. A Bachelor of Arts in Human Resource Management will usually help your chances of success. You could also list any qualifications that demonstrate your HR regulatory compliance or performance review techniques.
Enter the name and level of the qualification, the institution you studied at, its location and your dates of study or graduation. 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 were a member of any clubs or societies, or volunteered for any causes while studying, you could also mention these in your education section.
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Human Resource Management, 2017 - 2020
Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts
Hard and Soft Skills
The skills section of a people manager resume is a chance to list any skills you have that match those of the job description. You could include HR regulatory compliance, emotional intelligence (EQ) or any other skills that show you're a suitable candidate. Again, refer to the job description and make sure you include skills that the employer has listed as essential or desirable for employment as a people manager.
How to include hard skills on your people manager resume
Under hard skills, add any specialist skills you possess that are specifically required for people manager jobs. These tend to be technical skills and industry knowledge essential to the position. Furthermore, your hard skills list helps to show employers how competent and experienced you are at key people manager duties and responsibilities. It's best to aim for four or five key hard skills that match the job description. These can really showcase your suitability for the job.
The best resume hard skills sections focus on specific technical skills necessary for the job, showcasing skills that you have particular expertise in. There are some examples of valuable hard skills for a people manager resume below.
- Project management skills
- Performance review techniques
- HR regulatory compliance
Adding soft skills to your people manager resume
In your soft skills list, include any personal characteristics that make you a good fit for a people manager job. Soft skills tend to be more universal than hard skills, but they're no less important. Indeed, transferable skills are growing in importance in the modern world of work, so make sure you include several of these in your resume. You should generally look to include up to five soft or transferable skills that match the job description.
Your soft skills section should make the most of your unique personal qualities and strengths, while also reflecting the requirements laid out in the job description. See below for some examples of useful soft skills for a people manager resume.
- Communication and collaboration
- Emotional intelligence (EQ)
- Conflict resolution skills
Certifications and Training
In your certifications section, list any professional certifications or licenses that are relevant to working as a people manager. These could be professional accreditations and licenses, or certifications that improve your level of suitability for the position. Therefore, make sure you list the dates of your certifications and licenses so employers can see they're up-to-date and valid.
Below you can find several examples of certifications for a people manager resume:
- PMP Certification, 2022
- SHRM-CP Certification, 2022
- PMI-ACP Certification, 2022
Expert Tip:
Optional Information
If you need to provide further evidence of your suitability for the job, optional sections can be useful for a people manager resume. Choose any optional sections that showcase essential or desirable skills or experience for people manager jobs.
Personal Interests
Adding your hobbies and interests is a legitimate way of showing off your skills and personal qualities. They also help to show a different side of your personality, and can help your resume create a more memorable impression on hiring managers. If you're short on real world work experience, hobbies and interests can be a useful way of providing more information about your qualities. Don't include hobbies and interests in your resume unless they showcase a specific interest or aspect of your personality. You'll want them to add something to your application that you can't add elsewhere.
Voluntary Work
Voluntary work can help you develop useful skills, so it's a valuable addition to your people manager resume. Write your volunteer section in a similar format to your work experience, including your role, the organization name, relevant dates and the details of your contribution.
References
It's not typical to include references in a people manager resume, but some employers might ask for them. Don't add references unless requested by the employer. Include a maximum of three professional references, being sure to check with your referees before including them in your resume.
References are available upon request.
Best words to use in a people manager resume
Add strong verbs to your work experience section to show the hiring manager the impact you made in your previous roles. Add strong verbs from the list below to create a greater impact with your work experience section.
- Lead
- Mentor
- Develop
- Coordinate
- Strategize
- Motivate
- Facilitate
- Evaluate
- Implement
- Resolve
Jobseeker's resume templates were created by careers experts to help you produce a professional resume in minutes. You can also find cover letter templates to complete an eye-catching job application that gets you noticed.
Example resume for people manager applications
Now that you know everything that needs to go into your people manager resume, let's review an example resume that you can use as a guide when creating your own:
221B Baker Street, New York, NY
•
donald.torres@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/donald–torres123
Dynamic and results-driven People Manager with a Bachelor of Arts in Human Resource Management and extensive experience as a Team Lead. Proven expertise in talent acquisition, performance management, and employee engagement. Adept at fostering a positive work environment and driving team productivity through effective leadership and strategic HR initiatives. Skilled in conflict resolution, training and development, and organizational development. Committed to leveraging HR best practices to achieve business objectives and enhance workforce capabilities
Team Lead
2020
-2022
Synergex Solutions Inc (Durham)
- Led a cross-functional team of 15, increasing project delivery speed by 30% and achieving a 95% customer satisfaction rate
- Implemented agile methodologies, reducing project bottlenecks by 40% and improving team productivity and collaboration
- Spearheaded a major software upgrade, resulting in a 25% reduction in system downtime and a 20% increase in operational efficiency
Bachelor of Arts in Human Resource Management
2017
-2020
Michigan State University (East Lansing, MI)
Project management skills
Performance review techniques
HR regulatory compliance
Communication and collaboration
Emotional intelligence (EQ)
Conflict resolution skills
PMP Certification
SHRM-CP Certification
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Tips for people manager resumes
Simple tips for creating a winning resume
- Reference your key qualifications and educational achievements, including grades if these help you stand out from other candidates.
- Showcase your key people manager qualities with a strong resume summary or objective to catch the attention of the reader.
- Use a clear, professional resume format to make your document as accessible as possible, including a readable font and appropriate headings, margins and line spacing. This will make your resume easier for recruiters and hiring managers to read.
- Showcase your key skills throughout your resume, as well as in your dedicated skills list, with each skill reflecting the job description.
- Action verbs can help show the actions you've taken and the impact you've made in people manager jobs (e.g. 'facilitate', 'evaluate', 'implement').
Keep away from these common resume mistakes
- Don't use complex and elaborate formatting that can make your people manager resume less readable and more difficult for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan.
- 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 an email address with offensive, funny or casual connotations. Instead, create a professional email address based on your name.
- Don't use jargon or acronyms when you can use simple, straightforward language to say the same thing.
- Don't use out-of-date contact information. Always make sure your email address and phone number are correct before sending your resume.
Tips on creating an ATS-optimized resume
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) are increasingly taking responsibility for the management and processing of job applications, helping hiring practices to become more efficient. This can include screening resumes by scanning and ranking each application according to how closely it matches the job description. When writing your people manager resume, a few simple tips can help you pass the ATS stage with a higher-ranking resume, giving you a better chance of success with your applications.
Here are a few quick tips for creating an ATS-friendly resume:
- Use a traditional resume format, such as reverse-chronological or functional. These will give your resume a structure that's easier for ATS systems to scan.
- Include keywords throughout your resume that align with the job description. ATS software tends to compare your resume to the job description for points of similarity, so careful, considered use of keywords should help your chances of success.
- Add each section with clear headings that match the established resume conventions, so ATS software can easily identify each part of your resume.
- 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.
- Make sure your resume is as concise as possible, so ATS applications can easily scan and identify the required details.
If you're looking for inspiration for your resume, discover our comprehensive resume examples and in-depth, expert career blog.
Frequently Asked Questions about a people manager resume
As well as writing a professional people manager resume, you'll need a cover letter to introduce yourself and emphasize your credentials.
Firstly, choose whether you're going to write a full cover letter, or whether a brief email confirming your application and drawing attention to your resume will be sufficient.
If you choose to write a full cover letter, follow traditional letter-writing conventions surrounding greetings, sign-offs and use of professional language. The body of the cover letter tends to be three paragraphs. The first introduces yourself and the role you're applying for, giving reasons for your application. The second briefly covers your key skills and achievements that are most relevant to people manager roles. Finally, the third paragraph re-emphasizes your interest in the role and leaves a call to action, encouraging the employer to reach out to you.
Jobseeker's HR-approved cover letter templates can help you produce a cover letter that really catches the eye of employers.
Writing a people manager resume with no experience needn't be a daunting task. There are still plenty of ways to impress hiring managers with your resume. Opt for a skill-based resume format instead of a traditional layout. This places your skills and education in a more prominent position on your resume. Utilize additional sections at the end of your resume to show you've got what it takes to do the job. These include hobbies and interests, voluntary roles, certifications and internships.
You can use a resume headline to introduce your document and set the tone for your people manager applications. A well-written resume headline is also a way to increase your chances of passing the ATS resume scanning stage, by referencing keywords that match the job description. Take the time to draft a concise, eye-catching headline which includes the job title, one or two key skills and reference to either your experience level or track record.
See below for an example of a well-constructed resume headline:
- Aspiring Team Leadership Specialist
- Dynamic Leader Driving Team Success
- Senior Leadership and Team Development
The best resume format for you depends on two things. Firstly, it depends on your experience level. Secondly, it depends on the type and level of position you're applying for. For applicants without much relevant work experience, a functional resume format tends to be best. This places the emphasis on your key skills and relevant qualifications. 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 people manager resume
If you want to catch the eye of employers and recruiters, you need a professional resume that showcases your best skills and career achievements. Choose the most suitable resume format for your experience levels, and focus on tailoring your resume based on the requirements listed in the job description.
Remember, Jobseeker resume templates and other tools make it easy to create a resume and cover letter that leaves a positive impression on hiring managers. Sign up now to start building your perfect resume. Whether you're a junior or senior candidate, a professional cover letter can help to grab the attention of the employer. Jobseeker's cover letter examples were created by careers experts to provide useful tips and ideas for your cover letter.
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/
Impress potential employers with your resume
Follow step-by-step professional guidance to create a polished resume in minutes.
