Automatically apply for jobs with Zippia

Upload your resume to get started.

Human resources clerk skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

6 min read

Quoted experts

Dr. Vickie Hall,

J. Adam Shoemaker Ph.D.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical human resources clerk skills. We ranked the top skills for human resources clerks based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 16.4% of human resources clerk resumes contained data entry as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a human resources clerk needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 human resources clerk skills for your resume and career

1. Data Entry

Data entry means entering data into a company's system with the help of a keyboard. A person responsible for entering data may also be asked to verify the authenticity of the data being entered. A person doing data entry must pay great attention to tiny details.

Here's how human resources clerks use data entry:

Welcomed and assisted staff as office receptionist handling a variety of administrative duties including phone management and data entry.
Maintain information in Oracle including data entry of training certificates/sessions, performance review completions and employee conferences.

2. Customer Service

Customer service is the process of offering assistance to all the current and potential customers -- answering questions, fixing problems, and providing excellent service. The main goal of customer service is to build a strong relationship with the customers so that they keep coming back for more business.

Here's how human resources clerks use customer service:

Recognized repeatedly for superior customer service, including a customer professionalism displayed during an on site incident.
Provide excellent customer service and consistent communication during the resume and cover letter writing process.

3. Background Checks

Here's how human resources clerks use background checks:

Filed candidate documentation * Scheduled interviews for candidates * Conducted background checks * Handled incoming calls regarding applicant questions
Processed all employee and potential client applications and performed necessary security background checks.

4. I-9

I-9 is a government verification form that indicates, whether an individual is eligible for work in the US. The form was created by the United States Department of Homeland Security division, named as the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) which requires that all US citizens must fill out and submit an I-9 form to start their working career in the US. An I-9 form includes a person's identification information and education credentials, that are ought to be verified by the employer.

Here's how human resources clerks use i-9:

Maintain information required for compliance with legal requirements and government reporting agencies associated with I-9 information.
Assisted in verifying prospective applicant work documents presented for I-9 verification.

5. HRIS

Here's how human resources clerks use hris:

Facilitated part-time hiring, including criminal background investigations, verifying identification and entering data into HRIS.
Entered and updated information into HRIS software following established guidelines.

6. Front Desk

Here's how human resources clerks use front desk:

Provided adequate coverage at the department front desk, handling questions and concerns of applicants, employees, managers, etc.
Notified salaried employees when their appointment or guest/client has arrived & is waiting for them at the front desk.

Choose from 10+ customizable human resources clerk resume templates

Build a professional human resources clerk resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your human resources clerk resume.

7. PowerPoint

Here's how human resources clerks use powerpoint:

Completed special projects including creating a diversity training PowerPoint presentation and developed an outplacement packet for displaced staff.
Maintained database used Microsoft software excel to generate reports, prepared PowerPoint presentations for training and seminars.

8. Office Equipment

Here's how human resources clerks use office equipment:

Scan all personnel documentation into database and operate office equipment.
Operated all automated office equipment.

9. Clerical Support

Clerical support performs activities that must be done in every workplace in order to support the company going forward. These duties, which come within the category of clerical support, are typically delegated to entry-level employees since they are simple and easy to learn. Even though clerical duties like printing and filing are easy, they require time and in many instances, other workers are preoccupied with other activities and unable to keep up with all that needs to be accomplished. As a result, many businesses employ clerical support staff who are solely responsible for these duties.

Here's how human resources clerks use clerical support:

Provided clerical/administrative support to Human Resources Department
Provided clerical support to three person department Assisted with employee evaluation process Tracked and maintained training requests and documentation

10. Word Processing

Here's how human resources clerks use word processing:

Performed clerical and administrative support to Human Resources Director, including word processing correspondence, memos and reports.
Use various software packages such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases to input daily information of new personnel.

11. Computer System

Here's how human resources clerks use computer system:

Assisted with new employee orientation*Maintained confidential employee files*Entered employee information into hospital computer system*Answered phones and performed all office duties
Called applicants and scheduled appointment interviews with AIRS computer system; data-entry and telephone

12. Reference Checks

Here's how human resources clerks use reference checks:

Conducted reference checks, annual and probationary period evaluations.
Performed reference checks on individuals selected for employment.

13. FMLA

Here's how human resources clerks use fmla:

Completed all Unemployment, Welfare, FMLA, Workman's Comp (Zenith) and all other HR mail and paperwork.
Assisted Employee Relations with filing of Terminations, FMLA, Workers comp, Military, EEOC, and HR files.

14. Provides Administrative Support

Here's how human resources clerks use provides administrative support:

Job Description: o Provides administrative support including writing correspondence reports and documents.
Managed reception area and provides administrative support to Human Resource Director on all personnel matters.

15. E-Verify

E-verify is a secure website of the United States homeland security that provides employers with the needed information about the eligibility of their employees before hiring. The DHS is designed for citizens of the United States of America and foreign applicants to ensure offenders and undocumented migrants from gaining access to employment illegally.

Here's how human resources clerks use e-verify:

Performed internal audits utilizing E-verify and HR File Audits periodically to ensure policies and procedures are being followed consistently.
Maintained company records by processing I-9s via E-Verify and updating database/personnel folders.

5 Human Resources Clerk resume examples

Build a professional human resources clerk resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 5+ resume templates to create your human resources clerk resume.

Create my resume

Build a professional resume in minutes using this template.

What skills help Human Resources Clerks find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on human resources clerk resumes?

Dr. Vickie Hall

Director Human Resources Operations, Wayne State University

Those skills that are technical (technology) in nature; customer service skills and facilitation skills abilities

What soft skills should all human resources clerks possess?

J. Adam Shoemaker Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Management & Human Resources, Saint Leo University

FYI, soft skills are a lot more difficult to train than hard skills. This is part of the reason that there is so much demand for soft skills - for the most part, they need to be innate to the candidate.
Here again, communication comes up - and here, it is important to recognize that communication is much more than just telling people. A good communicator is a great listener. He knows when to speak his mind and when to wait and see what happens. She knows how to collaborate effectively with people and how to take action when needed.

What hard/technical skills are most important for human resources clerks?

J. Adam Shoemaker Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Management & Human Resources, Saint Leo University

Even though these skills are much more trainable, it helps if HR professionals are familiar with HR information systems.
There are too many to name them all here (sorry, no free advertising)! It would be difficult for a candidate to be familiar with every platform a company might use for their HRIS, but it is good to know that they generally work in the same ways.
If the company asks if you have experience with a particular platform that you have never heard of, always be truthful but still be ready to ask intelligent questions about it: "I'm not too familiar with that platform, but I'd be curious to know about your employees' experiences with it. How long have you been using it, and how robust is the self-service interface?"

What human resources clerk skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Dr. Michael Pasquale Ph.D.

Professor of Linguistics, Humanities Division Chair, Cornerstone University

Graduates should continue to develop expertise and fluency in their language learning and development. They should focus on developing language fluency in the career areas they are pursuing. For example, they should read extensively and listen to podcasts in their target language to understand the field and how to use the language fluently and effectively in those contexts.

What type of skills will young human resources clerks need?

Paul Johnson Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Bowling Green State University

Educational leaders will need to be adept at leading staff to address the needs of the whole child; the academic, the social, and the emotional, with a special focus on the academic. To accomplish this, leaders must be excellent communicators and group facilitators who "listen before they lead" staff toward the district's vision and mission.

What technical skills for a human resources clerk stand out to employers?

Adam Smith Ph.D.

Bicentennial Professor, Associate Professor of Management, Enactus Sam Walton Fellow, Indiana University Kokomo

That varies by industry, employer, level, and position. Also, it depends on their approach to hiring and training. It is important that students research employers and industries that interest them. But overall, it may be skills such as decision-making, problem-solving, critical thinking, time management, and collaboration that remain vital. Going forward, effective communication, tech savviness, a positive view of change (as opportunity), and an openness to continuous learning may set people apart in organizations.

Do you want to know more?

List of human resources clerk skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a human resources clerk resume and required skills for a human resources clerk to have include:

Data Entry
Customer Service
Background Checks
I-9
HRIS
Front Desk
PowerPoint
Office Equipment
Clerical Support
Word Processing
Computer System
Reference Checks
FMLA
Provides Administrative Support
E-Verify
Kronos
Administrative Tasks

ADP
Open Enrollment
Employment Verifications
Telephone Calls
Scheduling Appointments
Unemployment Claims
Payroll System
Multi-Line Phone System
Drug Screens
Performance Evaluations
Direct Calls
I9
Open Positions
Exit Interviews
Personnel Actions
Travel Arrangements
Transferring Calls

Cobra
Office Machines
Life Insurance
PeopleSoft
Payroll Checks
Scheduling Interviews
Process Payroll
Collating
W-4
Performance Reviews
PTO
Expense Reports
AS400
EEO
Hr Administration

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse office and administrative jobs