Any CV that you send in for a Administrative Assistant position has to show your ability to play an integral role in the running of a busy office. You’ve got to demonstrate your ability to carry out mundane duties such as organizing filing systems, greeting visitors, handling correspondence and compiling reports etc.
A significant number of job seekers find it difficult to concisely put all of this into a CV.
This page can help you to write a polished, professional and targeted CV that includes work experience a well as technical and soft skills that matter most to employers.
By: Iejaz Uddin – Updated 1 December 2024
Page overview
- How to write an Administrative Assistant resume
- Resume structure
- Contact details
- Personal summary
- Administrative Assistant work experience
- Skills
- Education section
How write an Administrative Assistant resume
When crafting an Administrative Assistant resume, it’s essential to only focus on those key skills and information that can enhance your chances of landing the job. Everything else must be ruthlessly excluded. Think about all those things you’ve done which have positively your employers’ operations in the past, these are what you should include in your resume.
Emphasise abilities that resonate with the role such your knowledge of administrative procedures, systems and processes. Keep it well stocked with industry specific keywords which will give you a strong advantage in landing your next role. Next, research the employer to identify the kinds of people it employs, its work culture and any other priorities it holds dear.
Write it in a clear manner that starts with an engaging introduction, followed by as much relevant information about you as possible.
- ATS: Recruiters often receive a large number of applications for each job opening and don’t have the time to go through them all in detail. To make the process more efficient, they use ATS software to help filter out resumes that don’t closely match the job description. It’s vital that you do everything you can to get past these electronic guard dogs.
Guide overview:
- Resume Structure
- Contact details
- Personal summary
- Administrative Assistant work experience
- Skills section
- Education
Resume structure
A well-structured resume not only demonstrates your organizational skills, which is a key attribute for any Administrative Assistant position, it also makes your resume easier to read. Clearly detailing your previous roles, responsibilities, and achievements in a logical stream is vital to having an easily navigable resume.
Organise your resume sections in logical order with consistent colours, plenty of white space, and appropriate margins.
- Length: A resume can be between one to two pages.
Contact details
It’s important to include up to date contact details in your resume, as it’s through these that recruiters will contact you. To make it as easy as possible for employers to contact you, place this information at the top of your resume and check the spelling to ensure is has no mistakes, which can cost you dearly.
Give the following details:
- Full name: Both your first name and last name are required.
- Home address: Just give the name of the city, county or country where you live.
- Phone number: Provide the best number to contact you.
- Email address: Use a professional, work appropriate email address.
Administrative Assistant resume personal summary
A personal summary allows you to directly address the hiring manager and showcase your most valuable strengths and the real value you can bring to the role.
The first objective of this summary is to keep the hiring manager reading and the second one is to get them interested in you. That’s its job in a nutshell. As a jobseeker you should not underestimate its importance in winning you an interview, as the opening scene of your application it can set the scene for the rest of your resume.
When writing it keep it short and sweet, to a maximum of no more than 150 words or 5 sentences.
Administrative Assistant work experience
Recruiters look favourably upon candidates with proven work experience, as they often know the role already and require less training. Therefore, stack this section with all those experiences you possess that resonate with the requirements of the job. Furthermore, stress any special achievements or recognitions you received for your work. Basically, anything that can show you as a action oriented person who gets things done.
Avoid stuffing it with a list of boring unrelated duties and instead present relevant responsibilities. Start every sentence using action words and use numbers and percentages to reinforce the difference you’ve made.
Work duties
When outlining your work experience, be sure to include your employments:
- Company name: Give the official name and avoid abbreviations.
- Job Titles: Specify the precise role you held or currently hold.
- Employment Dates: Include the start and end dates of your tenure in each position.
Skills section
Here is your opportunity to highlight the best skills you have in relation to the job you’re applying for. Treat this section with the importance it deserves and do not underestimate the value it can bring to your job application.
Go for skills that not only show you have the necessary office based administrative competencies, but also your problem-solving capabilities and record of improving existing procedures.
Clearly define the difference between your hard and transferable skills by having two different columns for them. This makes it easier to spot those the reader is looking for. A jumble of words won’t cut it.
Also note that these days, there is an increasing trend towards workplace digitalisation, so it’s advisable to showcase your mastery of digital tools, online platforms, and remote working.
Education section
Enrolling on an online or in class course and earning a certificate, can further demonstrate your commitment to your career and professional development. It’s therefore always worthwhile taking the time to show off your academic credentials.
You should give the title of the course you have completed, as well as the certificate attained, the institution you received it from, and the study dates. If you want you can also give a brief description of what you learnt during the course, which can further demonstrate your knowledge of the subject matter.
More Administrative assistant resume examples
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Related links
Administrative Assistant job description
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