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Entry-Level Administrative Support Resume
This resume example demonstrates the organizational skills and relevant experience of career changers, making it a strong fit for those transitioning into administrative support roles.
Why this resume works:
A skills-focused resume format benefits new administrative support professionals, those returning to the field, or career changers by emphasizing essential skills over work experience gaps.
Mid-Career Administrative Support Resume
This resume example is perfect for administrative support professionals with experience looking to elevate their career by demonstrating proven efficiency improvements and strong organizational skills.
Why this resume works:
This applicant highlights a track record of improving outcomes across multiple settings.
Experienced Administrative Support Resume
This administrative support resume showcases a strong background in office management and leadership, making it perfect for experienced professionals looking to elevate their careers.
Why this resume works:
Leadership roles and advanced certifications underscore the ability to manage complex scenarios.
Looking for something else?
Create Your Standout Resume Today
Use our resume examples for inspiration on organization, color, and design—and learn how to summarize your administrative support skills and experience with confidence.
How to Write an Administrative Support Resume
Learning how to write a resume is important for showcasing your unique value in administrative support roles, rather than merely listing your qualifications. By emphasizing your skills and experiences, you can create a compelling profile that stands out to potential employers.
In the following sections, we will guide you through each step of the resume-writing process. You'll discover essential resume tips on formatting, highlighting relevant experiences, and crafting an effective narrative that captures your strengths.
Start with your contact info
The header section contains all your contact information, which should be prominently displayed at the top of your resume. Begin with your name in a bold, larger font to capture attention immediately. You can also improve visibility by using a clean layout with ample white space around it, ensuring that it stands out without being overwhelming.
Next, include vital contact details such as your email address, phone number, and location; city and state suffice. This information is important for potential employers to reach you quickly and helps applicant tracking systems recognize your application based on local job requirements.
Finally, consider incorporating links to relevant certifications or training programs, along with a personal website or an online portfolio if applicable. These additional resources can highlight your skills and qualifications for administrative support roles, giving recruiters a broader view of what you bring to the table beyond just the resume content itself.
Write a strong professional summary
A professional summary serves as your introduction on an administrative support resume, appearing right below your contact details. This brief section is important as it gives recruiters insight into who you are at a glance.
In this summary, highlight your key qualifications and relevant skills while conveying your enthusiasm for the role. Tailoring this section to fit the specific job description can significantly improve your chances of standing out to potential employers.
To craft an effective professional summary, consider exploring resume summary examples that showcase various styles and structures. These examples can inspire you to create a compelling narrative that aligns with your career aspirations.
Strong vs weak administrative support summary
Strong
"Detail-oriented administrative support professional with over four years of experience in fast-paced office environments. Proven ability to streamline operations, manage schedules, and improve communication among teams, resulting in a 20% increase in overall efficiency. Skilled in document management, data entry, and customer service, with certifications in Microsoft Office Suite and project management. Recognized for exceptional organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple priorities."
Why this example works: This summary describes the job seeker's relevant experience, highlights measurable achievements like increased efficiency, emphasizes key skills such as document management and customer service, and includes important keywords related to administrative support.
Weak
"Administrative support professional seeking a position where I can assist in various tasks and help the team. I have worked in an office environment and enjoy collaborating with others."
Why this example doesn't work: This summary is weak because it is vague, failing to highlight specific skills, achievements, or relevant experience that would demonstrate the job seeker's value.
Craft a personal mission statement that highlights your organizational skills and values, aligning them with the company's objectives. This approach not only showcases your commitment but also emphasizes how you can contribute to a supportive and efficient workplace beyond just your administrative abilities.
Share your work history
Your work history is, arguably, the central and most important part of your resume. List your most recent roles in reverse chronological order. This approach allows employers to quickly assess your latest experiences and skills.
When listing your work history, focus on:
- Job title and organization name
- Employment dates (month and year)
- Key responsibilities (What did you do on a daily basis?)
- Achievements and contributions (What did you accomplish? Did you improve processes, reduce costs, or increase efficiency?)
- Measurable results (Use numbers when possible, such as "reduced response times by 20%.")
Finally, remember to use strong action verbs to convey your accomplishments.
Strong vs weak administrative support work history
Strong
Administrative Assistant, Tech Innovations Inc.
2019–2023
- Managed scheduling for a team of 10, increasing meeting efficiency by 25%.
- Developed an organized filing system that reduced document retrieval time by 40%.
- Coordinated office events and training sessions for over 50 employees, improving team cohesion and communication.
Why this example works: The applicant includes specific accomplishments and quantifiable outcomes in their work history. This allows hiring managers to better assess the applicant’s expertise, skills, and fit for the role.
Weak
Administrative Support
Office Solutions Inc.
- Handled various tasks and managed paperwork.
- Assisted with office duties.
Why this example doesn't work: This work experience entry is ineffective because it provides no specific details about the types of tasks performed or the scope of responsibilities.
To add your resume to LinkedIn and improve your professional visibility, showcase your skills in organization and communication in your profile summary. Connect with industry-specific groups to engage with potential employers seeking administrative support expertise.
Highlight your key skills
The skills section of your resume is essential for demonstrating your strengths in administrative support. Here's a rundown of various skills and their significance in improving your candidacy:
- Soft skills are personal attributes that illustrate your interactions with others, such as organization, communication, and problem-solving. In administrative support roles, abilities like multitasking and attention to detail are important as they ensure smooth operations and improve team productivity.
- Hard skills are specific abilities gained through training, education, or hands-on experience. In administrative support roles, examples include skill in office software, data entry accuracy, scheduling management, and effective communication techniques.
- Technical skills are essential for administrative support roles, requiring expertise with various office tools and software. Examples of these include Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel), Google Workspace, and customer relationship management systems like Salesforce.
If you're new to administrative support, place your skills section near the top of your resume. This highlights your capabilities despite having limited experience. If you have a wealth of experience, position your skills after your work history to showcase how your background demonstrates these abilities.
Top 15 skills for your administrative support resume
When creating your resume, it's essential to choose skills that align with the demands of administrative support roles. Focus on a mix of soft skills, such as organization and communication, along with technical skills like skill in office software. Including transferable skills is key, as they demonstrate how you can adapt to different environments.
Here’s a list of the 15 most popular skills for administrative support professionals based on insights from JobHero users. Highlighting these skills can help your resume catch the attention of hiring managers looking for qualified job seekers in this field.
Build your education section
The education section's significance varies with experience and industry. For seasoned professionals, the emphasis should be on work history over education, especially in roles where specific degrees are not mandatory. In such cases, consider placing your education section toward the end of your resume, or omit it entirely if your experience speaks louder.
Conversely, for recent graduates or those pursuing specialized fields, education often serves as a key qualification. Position this section at the top of your resume to catch the employer’s attention immediately. Highlight relevant coursework and any certifications that bolster your candidacy.
In summary, tailor your education section based on your professional journey. Prioritize effective experiences over educational details as you gain expertise while ensuring that new entrants to the workforce showcase their academic accomplishments prominently.
20 action verbs to add to your resume
Using action verbs in your resume significantly improves its impact, as they convey your experience while fostering an engaging tone. This approach helps hiring managers quickly grasp your accomplishments and skills.
When applying for administrative support roles, it’s important to select action verbs that resonate with the essential skills listed in job postings. This alignment showcases your fit for the position and strengthens your candidacy.
- Organized
- Scheduled
- Prioritized
- Facilitated
- Processed
- Recorded
- Streamlined
- Guided
- Helped
- Oversaw
- Reviewed
- Supplied
- Aided
- Directed
- Distributed
- Updated
- Liaised
- Answered
- Confirmed
- Contributed
Consider additional resume sections
While your core resume provides the most critical information, adding targeted sections can showcase your unique qualifications. These sections help hiring managers quickly identify your skills, experiences, and achievements that go beyond standard resume entries.
Here are optional sections we tend to see on administrative support resumes:
- Technical skills: List software programs and tools you are proficient in (Microsoft Office, project management software, etc.) to highlight your technical capabilities.
- Certifications: Detail any relevant certifications (Certified Administrative Professional, Notary Public) that improve your qualifications.
- Professional development: Highlight recent workshops or training sessions you've attended that show your commitment to improving your administrative skills.
- Achievements: Describe specific projects or initiatives you've led that resulted in improved efficiency or cost savings.
- Volunteer experience: Include any volunteer roles that demonstrate transferable skills relevant to administrative support.
5 Tips for Formatting Your Resume
Proper resume formatting is important for job seekers as it not only captures recruiters' attention but also improves the chances of getting past ATS filters. Using ATS-friendly resume templates can significantly improve your formatting, ensuring your qualifications are presented clearly and effectively.
1. Watch your line spacing and margins
Proper spacing helps your resume look clean and organized, making it easier for hiring managers to read and find key information. It's important to strike a balance between ample white space and effective use of the area available.
- Keep margins between 0.5″ to 1.0″ for a polished appearance.
- Use single spacing between paragraphs and bullet points to maintain clarity.
- Increase spacing to 1.5″ or double-space between sections for better separation.
2. Use a professional font
Choosing an appropriate resume font is key to making a professional impression. Consider using these reliable fonts:
- Arial
- Helvetica
- Calibri
- Garamond
- Cambria
- Verdana
Consider using a slightly bolder or larger font for your name at the top to ensure it catches attention.
3. Organize your resume sections
A resume for administrative support should be clear and easy to navigate. Employ bullet points to convey your roles, avoiding lengthy paragraphs. Begin each bullet with a powerful action verb that captures your responsibilities, such as "Coordinated office schedules, improving team efficiency by 25%."
Highlight measurable accomplishments to stand out from other applicants. For instance, "Implemented a new filing system that reduced document retrieval time by 40%" shows not only what you did but also the positive impact of your contribution.
To ensure your resume is ATS-compatible, use an ATS resume checker. This tool can help identify formatting issues and essential keywords that may improve your chances of passing through application filters successfully.
4. Use colors and design
Using color and design elements in your resume can help you stand out while maintaining professionalism. A well-structured resume not only looks appealing but also highlights your skills and experience.
Begin by selecting a suitable template that reflects your personal style and the role you're applying for. The combination resume format is particularly effective, as it allows for a colored sidebar to emphasize your key skills alongside your work history.
Next, choose a professional color scheme that improves readability. Opt for subtle hues or darker tones like navy blue or charcoal grey to maintain a clean appearance. These colors work well for headings or section dividers without overwhelming the content.
Lastly, steer clear of bright colors that might distract from the information presented. Avoid using any colors associated with competitors or those that could diminish visibility. Aim for a balanced design that showcases your qualifications while remaining easy to read and visually engaging.
5. Keep your resume length to 1-2 pages
Resumes should typically be one page long. This length allows you to present your skills and experience clearly, making it easier for recruiters who spend limited time on each application to see your strengths quickly.
Focus on the most relevant roles and achievements that relate directly to the job you're seeking. Avoid including repetitive tasks or less significant positions that don’t add value.
However, if you have extensive experience or are applying for senior roles, a two-page resume may be warranted to capture your contributions fully. In specialized fields like academia, consider using a CV instead of a resume, as it provides more space for detailed accomplishments and publications.
FAQ
Do I need to include a cover letter with my resume?
Writing a cover letter can significantly improve your application by providing context and showcasing your unique qualifications. It’s an opportunity to highlight your skills and make a memorable impression on hiring managers.
If you're unsure where to begin, explore our collection of cover letter examples tailored to various industries for inspiration. Once you feel ready to create your own, use our cover letter builder that offers step-by-step assistance in crafting a compelling narrative.
What is the best resume format?
The best resume format depends on your individual career needs. The three main formats are chronological, functional, and combination, each serving distinct purposes for different job seekers.
The chronological format is ideal for those with extensive experience, as it emphasizes work history. The functional format is geared toward entry-level applicants or those changing careers by focusing on skills and education. Finally, the combination format suits mid-career professionals by merging work experience with relevant skills for a well-rounded presentation.
How long should my Administrative Support resume be?
Your resume should be one-page long. Hiring managers often sift through many resumes quickly, so keeping it concise helps highlight your key skills and experiences effectively.
Emphasize relevant administrative tasks, software proficiencies, and organizational abilities that align with the job description. Recent roles should take precedence, as they demonstrate your current capabilities. Remove outdated skills or extensive details about non-administrative positions to maintain clarity.
Consider a two-page resume only if you have significant experience in high-level administrative roles or multiple specialized certifications. In these situations, the additional space can showcase valuable accomplishments and qualifications that justify the extended format.
Do I need to include references on my resume?
Including references on your resume is usually not required. However, if you have particularly strong endorsements or relationships that could benefit your application, consider adding them. Just be prepared to provide them separately if requested by the employer.
Build a custom resume in minutes with our professional templates and expert tips.
Gabriela Hernandez
CPRW, Career WriterGabriela is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches and has worked in the career industry for more than four years providing comprehensive guidance on resume writing and job search strategies for individuals across diverse career paths. She holds a bachelor's in journalism and is passionate about helping job seekers present their professional story effectively through well-crafted resumes and cover letters that demonstrate their value, skills, and experience to potential employers. Some of her work has been featured on JobHero’s resume examples career center.
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