Automatically apply for jobs with Zippia

Upload your resume to get started.

Human resources executive skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted experts

Dr. Vinh Nguyen Ph.D.,

Anthony Nyberg

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical human resources executive skills. We ranked the top skills for human resources executives based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 13.7% of human resources executive resumes contained payroll as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a human resources executive needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 human resources executive skills for your resume and career

1. Payroll

Payroll is the sum of all the compensation that an organization has to pay to employees at a specified time. Payroll is managed by the finance or HR department while small business owners may handle it themselves. Payroll isn't fixed as it varies every month due to sick leaves, overtime, etc.

Here's how human resources executives use payroll:

Achieved a zero payroll error percent by validating payroll information at regular intervals resulting in cost control and employee satisfaction.
Maintained daily Management Information System report for the company Reviewed, verified and processed payroll documents.

2. 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 executives use data entry:

Managed critical data entry of campus interviews.
Perform data entry of key demographic elements to create the initial retrospective review.

3. Performance Management

Here's how human resources executives use performance management:

Provided direct oversight of performance management process by setting equitable levels for performance ratings, and coordinating procedures for performance reviews.
Implemented strategies for labor negotiations and workforce planning, leadership development, performance management and succession planning.

4. HRIS

Here's how human resources executives use hris:

Managed and/or directed several HRIS system changes or modifications resulting in increased efficiency and meeting the organization's increasing needs.
Created manpower budgeting and HR count analysis for the company and maintained HRIS too.

5. Exit Interviews

Exit interviews are meetings conducted by management representatives with employees who are separating from the company. These interviews act as a measurement scale to assess the individual's overall experience with the organization. Having a standardized procedure of exit interviews helps the company to manage risks effectively. It can increase employee retention, engagement and helps to decide what decisions are fruitful and what aren't inside the organization.

Here's how human resources executives use exit interviews:

Provide post-employment support such as termination guidance/exit interviews and makes recommendations to the human resource manager and/or management for continuous improvement.
Supported employee retention efforts by conducting exit interviews & worked on various management report and made recommendations to reduce turnover.

6. Succession Planning

Here's how human resources executives use succession planning:

Championed the development and publication of comprehensive workforce analysis and implemented succession planning to address aging workforce issues.
Designed comprehensive organizational plans and corporate policies for succession planning, recruitment/retention, compensation and benefits.

Choose from 10+ customizable human resources executive resume templates

Build a professional human resources executive 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 executive resume.

7. Performance Appraisals

Here's how human resources executives use performance appraisals:

Administered performance appraisal process for teaching faculty and non-teaching staff at the university.
Developed new custom Performance Appraisal program incorporating electronic forms.

8. Manpower

Here's how human resources executives use manpower:

Developed MIS for manpower planning of engineering projects and prepared manpower analysis reports for the management.
Reduced company's costs by manpower planning, budgeting, forecasting, and hiring through a third party vendor.

9. Training Programs

Here's how human resources executives use training programs:

Resolve day-to-day operating crisis such as conflicts/unexpected needs that arise with training programs and Continuing Medical Education programs for our providers.
Identified training needs, prepared training calendar, coordinated with trainers and participants for successful implementation of planned training programs.

10. MIS

Here's how human resources executives use mis:

Maintained MIS which includes - Master Recruitment Tracker, Employee Personnel Database Maintenance, HR Info, and Internal Job Vacancies.
Maintained GEM Awards, GEM of the GEM Awards and Team excellence Awards MIS and was responsible to circulate to corporate.

11. Reference Checks

Here's how human resources executives use reference checks:

Completed security clearance and reference checks.
Conducted phone screens, interviews for potential candidates, reference checks as well as background and drug screening.

12. Background Checks

Here's how human resources executives use background checks:

Assisted with conducting reference and background checks, Arranged for drug tests, technical tests and Computer skill tests.
Conduct new employee background checks to ensure new hires are eligible for employment and resulting in quality hires.

13. Appointment Letters

Here's how human resources executives use appointment letters:

Involved in preparing Appointment Letters, Relieving Letters, Offer Letters, Confirmation Letters, etc.
Issue of appointment letters, confirmations letter and all the joining formalities of new associates.

14. Recruitment Process

Here's how human resources executives use recruitment process:

Assist in arrangement and conducting of interview/initial screening of candidate/helping in recruitment process.
Manage end-to-end recruitment process for all selected candidates.

15. Management System

A management system is a set of policies, processes, and procedures taken by an organization or a business to ensure it can fulfill its tasks and achieve its objectives. A management system makes sure that the company excels financially and improves the user experience. The management system also takes care of the worker's and employees' needs and manages their workload and oversees their performance. Apart from interior matters of the company, a management system also deals with exterior matters like legislations, tax matters, and law issues.

Here's how human resources executives use management system:

Leave & Attendance Management System - Detailed requirements and specification for automating the Attendance Management System.
Identified solution and upgraded staffing management system.

5 Human Resources Executive resume examples

Build a professional human resources executive 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 executive resume.

Create my resume

Build a professional resume in minutes using this template.

What skills help Human Resources Executives 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 executive resumes?

Dr. Vinh Nguyen Ph.D.

Professor of Business Administration, Coe College

The most important skills for new graduates, particularly for HRM majors, are adaptability and problem solving. The ability to continuously learn and change is critical during this crisis and with on-going technological advancements. A willingness to face any problems and to find creative solutions is also highly desirable in this changing world. Thus, people who are highly aware and possess a growth mindset will stand out in the labor market.

What soft skills should all human resources executives possess?

Anthony Nyberg

Department Chair and Professor, Program Director, Master of Human Resources, University of South Carolina - Columbia

In general, the "soft" skills are actually the hardest, and the most important of these skills involves strong communication and an ability to work in teams - most jobs and all companies require people to work together, and this is a very challenging skill, but imperative in the modern workforce.

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

Anthony Nyberg

Department Chair and Professor, Program Director, Master of Human Resources, University of South Carolina - Columbia

HR, like many work environments, is driven by using data to address challenges. This requires a strong analytical foundation.

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

Sandi Dornhecker

Vice President of Human Resources, Chicago Zoological Society

Using technology in a work setting (such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams) and a focus on soft skills such as collaboration and flexibility (being willing to learn and contribute any way you can) will become increasingly important.

What type of skills will young human resources executives need?

Dwaine Turner Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, East Central University

Graduates will need to be multiculturally competent, have great interpersonal skills, and Telehealth exposure. Upcoming graduates will be faced with providing services to a diverse population that will be very challenging, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The graduates will have to implore the usage of their interpersonal skill set to strengthen the therapeutic alliance between counselor and client relationship. Also, the new trend in the profession is virtual sessions, which can be awkward at times but very necessary with the current landscape of society. The graduate will have to be more creative when creating an environment that is therapeutic in a virtual meeting room to allow the client to emote/divulge sensitive information.

Do you want to know more?

List of human resources executive skills to add to your resume

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

Payroll
Data Entry
Performance Management
HRIS
Exit Interviews
Succession Planning
Performance Appraisals
Manpower
Training Programs
MIS
Reference Checks
Background Checks
Appointment Letters
Recruitment Process
Management System
Organizational Development

Internal Database
Leave Management
Labor Relations
Travel Arrangements
Scheduling Interviews
PowerPoint
ISO
FMLA
Medicare
Interview Process
New Joiners
Hr Administration
I-9
EHR
Linkedin
Open Positions

Taleo
Monster
Business Development
PeopleSoft
Selection Process
EEO
Campus Recruitment
Suitable Candidates
Benefits Administration
ESI
Employment Legislation
Hr Planning
BPO
UK

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 executive management jobs