

For laypeople, garden leave means digging deep into hobbies. But, for you, they must still be on the payroll. So prove you know what’s what in an ADP-worthy payroll resume.
So—
How many reminders to approve time cards have you sent to date?
That’s precisely the number of job applications recruiters have to go through to find the perfect candidate.
For each role.
You wish employees took mercy on you, so be an example with your payroll specialist resume. The recruiter won’t even think about reading another one when they’re done with yours.
This guide will show you:
Here’s a payroll specialist resume sample made with our builder.
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Payroll specialist resume made with our builder—See more resume templates here.
Feeling like taking a quick glance over other resume examples? Check related guides:
Tammy M. Friedman, FPC
Payroll Specialist
4429 Raccoon Run
Seattle, WA 98109
206-977-5232
tammymfriedman@email.com
linkedin.com/in/tammymfriendman
Summary
FPC-certified payroll specialist with strong administrative skills, seeking to bring pinpoint accuracy to Workable Inc. Detail-oriented professional with 5+ years of experience processing employee payroll information. Delivered a presentation during the National Payroll Week, leading to receiving 15 internship applications from students.
Experience
Payroll Specialist
Pay Inc., Seattle, WA
January 2016–present
Key achievement: Acted as Payroll Ambassador, leading to receiving over 15 internship applications during the National Payroll Week in the office.
HR Administrator
OHr, Seattle, WA
October 2015–December 2015
Education
2015 BABA, Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration (Accounting)
University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Skills
Certificates
Membership
The American Payroll Association (APA)
Hobbies & Interests
Here’s how to write a payroll resume and work your way out to a new job:
You’re an expert in entering and processing data.
So you know how important are its recipients and users. They beg for clarity.
Why don’t you, then, pick a modern resume template and start right off with formatting?
Go for the reverse-chronological resume format. Apply it to the resume structure (making your work experience section explicit) and layout (sharing the most recent information up top).
Divide your resume into separate sections:
And here are main clues to how you should make your resume entries:
Giving bribes is illegal. But let’s move on to your job accomplishments paying their way.
Now it really comes down to scanning resumes. Pass this recruitment stage by: Writing An ATS-Friendly Resume
Contractors or full-time workers—who’s who?
You’d better match them to correct employee groups or face an angry mob who didn’t get paid.
Similarly, if you don’t match your resume to the job description, say adiós to a career opportunity and don’t get paid either.
Know this—
Recruiters and hiring managers take only six to seven seconds to decide whether you’re fit or not. Horrifying, no?
They look for specific qualities and skills. And, they want to schedule interviews only with those who can prove it.
Go to the job posting and find keywords you should use in your resume. Break it down as if you prepared a pay stub.
See how you list your payroll experience if the ad says (1) has communication skills, (2) works with user interface database, (3) translates and implements tax reforms, and (4) cross-collaborates with HR:
RIGHT |
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Payroll Specialist Pay Inc., Seattle, WA January 2016–present
Key achievement: Acted as a Payroll Ambassador, leading to receiving over 15 internship applications during the National Payroll Week in the office. |
WRONG |
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Pay Inc. 2016 - 2021
|
Start each bullet point with an action verb. This way, you show you did something instead of listing your payroll duties.
Quantify wherever you can. Prove you work hard and make an impact in your workplace.
Use the S.T.A.R. method. Show you have achievements through your actions.
Be relevant. Respond to what your hiring team is looking for. Everything you need is in the job description.
Pay attention to formatting. Don’t ruin your chances because you didn’t work out the details. It’s part of your job.
Now let’s take a look at an entry-level payroll resume.
RIGHT |
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HR Administrator OHr, Seattle, WA October 2015–December 2015
|
WRONG |
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HR Administrator OHr, Seattle, WA October 2015–December 2015
|
You can do your job right, but you for sure need to learn how to write about it.
Managers expect that entry-level applicants have little to no experience. But, if you do have any, make sure it stands out.
Quantify your accomplishments. List actions, not responsibilities. Use power words. Relate to the job ad.
Your successful formula served on a plate.
See how to demonstrate your strengths in the resume: 30+ Ways To Prove Your Strengths On A Resume
When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building a professional resume template here for free.
When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.
You’re no stranger to a background check.
So pray to tell—
Is it worth lying on your resume? We don’t think so.
Is it worth mentioning you finished college when in fact, you didn’t? It’s your risk to take.
Your career is in your hands, so don’t blow it with not telling the truth.
Let’s go straight to examples:
Right |
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2015 BABA, Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration (Accounting) University of Washington, Seattle, WA |
Perfect.
You have relevant experience, so you don’t need to go into the details. Add the graduation date and spell out the full name of your degree. Don’t ask the hiring team to work out what BABA means.
Right |
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Honors BABA, Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration University of Washington, Seattle, WA Relevant coursework: Financial Accounting, Introduction to Law, Introduction to Information Systems Graduated in 2015 |
In resumes where education is your experience, show off what you did and how well you did it. If you worked hard, let everyone see it. Add information about receiving Latin honors or making the Dean’s list.
Relevant coursework on your resume is perfect proof of your knowledge in the field and the skills you’re working towards.
Do you miss a few credits to graduate? See our guide about An Incomplete Degree On A Resume
To join the ranks of the best out there, you pay top dollar because growing your skillset doesn’t come cheap. And—
You need to prove your payroll skills at every corner of your job application.
Start with a list of relevant skills on your resume and get reimbursed for your efforts with a job.
Now—
Avoid copying that list or fear the consequences of pasting without formatting.
Stay relevant and refer to the job description to check what skills your hiring manager wants to see on a payroll resume.
The below example is a response to the required (1) knowledge of tax law, (2) experience in using HRIS and payroll software, (3) skillful reporting in Microsoft Office Suite or similar, (4) strong interpersonal skills, (5) attention to detail, and (6) effective communication.
Right |
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|
What a great mix!
Both soft skills and hard skills should find their place on your resume. It’s a perfect combination of a payroll specialist who applies their knowledge into keeping employee records and relationship building.
What about an entry-level candidate’s skillset:
Right |
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|
Graduate or student resumes won’t show many technical skills because they’re obtainable at a specific job. Instead, write what you’ve learned at school or during internships and what applies to the job description. There are five top skills employers look for in entry-level candidates, so prove them right!
There are more than 99 skills you can put on your resume. See them in our guide: Resume Skills For All Professions
How many times have you gone through job boards and seen the must-haves and nice-to-haves?
Countless.
And, how many times have you lost a job opportunity because you didn’t make room for those additional items in your resume? sigh
Do that no more. Because it says optional, it doesn’t mean it’s there without reason. It’s another way of saying:
“We’ll spend less time, money, and resources to teach you.”
or
“Show us you’re passionate about payroll but better.”
See the examples of additional sections that’ll work in your resume for a payroll specialist:
And now, see how they should work on your resume:
Right |
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Certificates
Membership
The American Payroll Association (APA)
Hobbies & Interests
|
Wrong |
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Certificates
Membership
|
It all comes down to a list of what you accomplished outside of work. But—
That list needs to refer to the industry and the position you’re after. Mentioning social media certification won’t tell your hiring manager much about what you can bring to the payroll team.
Memberships can, too, be tricky—yet, highly recommended. If you belong to a club or organization, do say a few words about what you do or what the membership involves. Don’t be passive.
Right |
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Shadow work
Hobbies & Interests
|
Wrong |
---|
|
Use additional sections to refer to the desired payroll skills. Resumes with no experience should be full of cues that you aren’t a clock watcher. Hobbies & interests can help you prove you’re a problem solver and that you have an eye for detail.
To do or not to do? The answer is in this guide: Resume Dos and Don’ts
What do you do when an up-the-wall employee approaches you and asks to explain why they hadn’t got paid for their overtime? Facts and solutions—apart from the loud inner cry of hopelessness—are the things you provide.
While building your resume profile, you’ll find yourself in a similar position. You need to convince your hiring team that you are the solution, and you can prove it. Do that by creating a resume summary or objective.
Both summary and objective should say you’ll make sure Christmas comes early to the employees.
See how you can do that:
Right |
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FPC-certified payroll specialist with strong administrative skills, seeking to bring spotless accuracy to Workable Inc. Detail-oriented professional with 5+ years of experience processing employee payroll information. Delivered a presentation during the National Payroll Week, leading to receiving 15 internship applications from students. |
Wrong |
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I’m a payroll professional with administrative skills seeking a specialist position at Workable Inc. I have over 5 years of experience in payroll. At Workable Inc., I’ll show I’m detail-oriented and focused on delivering accurate pay on time. |
OK. So—
The second example makes tracking records in Excel seem exciting.
Intrigue the hiring manager so much they’ll carry on with the resume, not wish to go back to writing words on their calculators. (Great fun, though!)
Start strong with an adjective. You’re welcome to mention your certifications and hard and soft skills. But most importantly—highlight your biggest achievement. You should find it in your experience section, so there’s no need to rack your brains and come up with a new one.
Now to the resume objective for freshers:
Right |
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Diligent B.A. in Business Administration with Honors seeking entry-level payroll position at Workable Inc. Determined to add pinpoint accuracy to the payroll team’s portfolio and get hands-on experience with tax payroll processes. Work-shadowed a payroll specialist at a 30-employee company. |
Wrong |
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I’m a hardworking Business Administration graduate with Honors. I’d love to secure a position in the payroll team. I’m determined to put theory into practice. |
Blah blah blah…
Boring!
That’s how the second example sounds. It’s too generic, and your hiring manager will notice that. It'll work with anything, really, when you replace the word payroll. Thus, making you ordinary.
Hear us out loud and clear—
You won’t get the gig if you don’t stand out.
Read more on matching your resume with the resume keywords:Resume Keywords: From the Job Ad to the Office
You can’t bank on the recruiter to invite you for an interview after reading your professional payroll specialist resume. There’s a missing piece in your application, and you play to win, don’t you?
Keep your eyes on the prize and hit the jackpot with a perfect cover letter.
So—
Start by researching the company you’re applying to and find out about them a little—what’s in the news, on their website, social media, or blog.
Work through the job posting. You’ll find there keywords you should use in the cover letter, too.
Format your cover letter and attach it to your resume. If you’re adding more attachments, list them alphabetically in the cover letter enclosure. This way, your hiring manager won’t miss anything when they’re pressed for time.
As in your resume, create a clear cover letter outline that echoes your motivation to join the company.
Write your cover letter introduction in a way to hook the reader and lure them in. Write something surprising—and relevant—you’ve learned recently or elaborate on one of your accomplishments. Then move on to proving your qualifications needed to do the job. Refer to them in bullet points to make scanning easier. And for the last part of your cover letter, reinstate your enthusiasm towards joining the company and make an offer by saying what you’ll bring to the team.
Fit all of that onto one page and get your money’s worth.
Dive deeper into the art of cover letters: Write A Cover Letter To Win The Job
Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:
See more cover letter templates and start writing.
A job-winning resume formula you can take to the bank:
And—
This is it! You’ve done it.
Now, we’d love to hear from you:
Let’s chat below in the comments, and thanks for reading!
You’re in the middle of a career change or have gaps in your employment. Show managers and coordinators how valuable your skills are with a great functional resume.
In this guide you’ll learn *when* and *how* to use a general, universal resume. Plus, you’ll see an easy-to-use template you can copy and tweak in no time.
Not sure what “hard” skills are? You better find out! (And learn how to use them on a resume to score interviews.) Good news? You’ve come to the right place.