Check your HR advisor CV against the job advert
HR advisor adverts usually test three things: your CIPD level, your casework experience and your knowledge of employment law. Make each one obvious.
Start with your advert
Every HR advisor advert is different. The list below is what adverts for this job usually ask for, not what yours does. So start with your advert:
- Read the advert and copy out every "must have" or "essential" line, then the "desirable" ones.
- For each one, find the line in your CV that proves it. If you can't point to a line, that's a gap.
- Fill the gap with something true: a duty, a setting, a qualification or a result you really have. If you don't have it, say what you have that's closest, or leave it out.
Our guide to matching your CV to a job description goes through this in more detail.
What HR advisor adverts usually ask for
CIPD qualification
Why they askMany adverts ask for CIPD Level 5, or that you're working towards it.
How to show itGive the level, the qualification name and the year, or when you'll finish.
Example lines: fill the gaps with your own facts- CIPD Level [5 / 7] [qualification name], [completed year / due month year].
Employee relations casework
Why they askAdvising managers on disciplinaries, grievances, absence and performance is the core of most HR advisor roles.
How to show itSay what kinds of cases you've handled and your role in them, without identifying anyone.
Example lines: fill the gaps with your own facts- Advised managers on [disciplinary, grievance, absence and performance] cases, from first meeting to outcome.
- Managed a caseload of about [number] employee relations cases across [sites or teams].
Employment law and policy
Why they askAdvisors keep the organisation within the law and its own policies.
How to show itShow where you applied the law or improved a policy.
Example lines: fill the gaps with your own facts- Updated the [policy name] policy to reflect [change in law or practice].
Recruitment and the employee lifecycle
Why they askMany generalist roles include recruitment, onboarding, contracts and leavers.
How to show itList the parts of the lifecycle you've handled.
Example lines: fill the gaps with your own facts- Ran recruitment for [types of roles], from advert to contract and onboarding.
HR systems and data
Why they askAdverts may name an HR system or ask for reporting.
How to show itName the systems and the reports you produced.
Example lines: fill the gaps with your own facts- Kept records and produced [absence / turnover] reports from [HR system].
Only use a line if it's true for you. Swap each [gap] for your own detail: the setting, the number, the tool or the result. If you can't fill a gap honestly, cut that part of the line.
Mistakes that cost HR advisor applications
- Not stating your CIPD level clearly.
- Including identifying details about employees.
- Saying "knowledge of employment law" without showing where you used it.
Questions
Can I get an HR advisor role without CIPD?
Some employers accept equivalent experience, or that you're working towards it. If you're studying, say when you'll finish.