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How to Write an Administrative Assistant Resume

Your administrative assistant resume’s format is as important as how you write your resume. This sample resume demonstrates the best resume layout to follow: 1-inch margins, bullet points and clear resume headings for each of the following sections.

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  • Professional header and contact info

    • Include your name, contact information and a professional email address.
  • Compelling summary statement

    • A brief resume summary or objective highlighting two or three administrative-relevant skills, experience or accomplishments.
  • Highlight your skills

    • Create a dedicated section to showcase hard and soft skills specific to administrative work, like office management, calendar management and data entry.
  • Emphasize your work history

    • List your work experience in reverse-chronological order. Include job titles, company names, dates of employment and key responsibilities and achievements for each role in a bullet list.
  • Supporting education section

    • Detail your educational background, mentioning any relevant degrees, diplomas or certifications obtained.
  • Additional sections

    • You can add resume sections for licenses, certifications, industry memberships or unions, awards, volunteer experience or spoken languages.

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How to Write an Administrative Assistant Resume Summary

The resume summary for an administrative assistant is your chance to make a strong first impression on potential employers. It should be concise, compelling and tailored to highlight your relevant skills and accomplishments.

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Good administrative assistant resume example

“Highly organized and detail-oriented administrative assistant with 5+ years of experience supporting executives and managing office operations. Proficient in calendar management, travel coordination, and document preparation. Adept at handling confidential information and maintaining a professional atmosphere. Proven track record of streamlining processes and improving efficiency.”

The well-written example provides a clear snapshot of the candidate’s experience and capabilities. It showcases specific skills relevant to the administrative assistant role and uses quantifiable achievements to demonstrate their impact.

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Poor administrative assistant resume example

“Skilled administrative assistant with experience in various office tasks. Good at multitasking and communication. Worked with executives and assisted in office duties.”

The poorly-written example is vague and lacks specific details. It doesn’t highlight notable achievements or showcase the candidate’s strengths. It leaves employers with little information about the applicant’s qualifications and fails to make a strong impression.

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PRO TIP:

Try the resume objective if you’re a first-time job seeker, career changer or have minimal administrative experience This alternative introduction pitches your transferable customer service skills and downplays your lack of directly-relevant experience.

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How to Add Your Administrative Assistant Work History

The work history section in an administrative assistant resume should effectively demonstrate your experience and the value you bring to an organization. Be specific about your responsibilities and accomplishments to showcase your abilities.

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Good administrative assistant work history sample

Administrative Assistant | Apple
New York, NY | June 2018 – Present

  • Managed executive calendar, scheduled meetings and coordinated travel arrangements, resulting in increased efficiency and on-time appointments.
  • Streamlined document organization and file management system, reducing retrieval time by 30%.
  • Assisted in planning and executing corporate events, ensuring seamless coordination and successful outcomes.
  • Responded to phone inquiries and directed calls to appropriate personnel, enhancing customer service experience.
  • Prepared reports, presentations and correspondence with high accuracy and attention to detail.

The good example details the job seeker’s achievements, demonstrating their organizational, communication and problem-solving skills. It quantifies their impact, such as reducing retrieval time by 30%, which adds credibility to their accomplishments.

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Poor administrative assistant work history sample

Administrative Assistant | Apple
New York, NY | June 2018 – Present

  • Assisted with various tasks in the office.
  • Managed calendars and scheduled meetings.
  • Helped with event planning and preparation.
  • Responsible for answering phone calls and emails.

The poor example needs more detail and showcases the job seeker’s unique contributions. It should be more specific and add descriptions of specific tools or responsibilities related to their previous roles.

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How to Write an Administrative Assistant Education Section

Follow these steps to customize your administrative assistant education resume section with relevant schools, training programs and certifications. You can showcase your academic background and professional development, making your resume more appealing to potential employers.

1Start with your highest level of education

List your highest level, such as a degree or diploma, at the top of the education section. Include the name of the degree, the school or institution, location and graduation date.

Education formatting example:

Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration | UCLA, Los Angeles, CA | May 2021

2Include relevant coursework

If your degree program included courses directly related to administrative assistant duties, mention them to showcase your relevant academic background.

Relevant coursework formatting example:

Relevant Coursework: Office Management, Business Communication, Computer Applications

3Highlight certifications

If you possess any certifications related to administrative tasks, list them after your highest education level. Certifications demonstrate specialized skills and dedication to your profession.

Certifications formatting example:

  • Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) | International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) | July 2020
  • Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Certification | Microsoft | August 2021

4Mention additional training

Include any training or workshops that have enhanced your administrative skills or technological proficiency.

Training formatting example:

  • Advanced Microsoft Office Suite Training | Online Course | April 2021
  • Time Management Workshop | Professional Development Institute | September 2019
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PRO TIP:

Tailor your education section section with relevant education and training that directly align with the skills and requirements of the factory worker position you are applying for.

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15 Skills For Your Administrative Assistant Resume

The skills section of your administrative assistant resume is a critical area to highlight your capabilities and demonstrate your suitability for the role. Here’s a list of soft skills, hard skills and technical skills that are essential for administrative assistant responsibilities:

soft skills

Soft skills

  • Communication
  • Time Management
  • Adaptability
  • Problem-Solving
  • Team Collaboration
hard skills

Hard skills

  • Office Management
  • Calendar Management
  • Data Entry
  • Document Preparation
  • Travel Coordination
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Technical skills

  • Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
  • Database Management
  • Virtual Meeting Software (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet)
  • File Organization and Digital Filing Systems
  • Internet Research
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PRO TIP:

When writing your administrative assistant resume, integrate these skills throughout the work experience and achievements sections.

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20 Administrative Assistant Action Verbs

In the competitive world of administrative support, a well-crafted resume can be your ticket to landing your dream job. To make your resume stand out, incorporating strong action verbs is crucial. Here’s a list of 20 power words specifically tailored to administrative assistant roles.

  • Assist
  • Coordinate
  • Delegate
  • Enhance
  • Facilitate
  • Generate
  • Initiate
  • Manage
  • Organize
  • Prioritize
  • Resolve
  • Schedule
  • Streamline
  • Support
  • Track
  • Update
  • Verify
  • Write
  • Excel
  • Yield

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Additional Resume Sections

Consider adding the following sections to your administrative assistant resume based on your specific circumstances and to enhance your qualifications:

  • Certifications: Include a separate section to showcase relevant credentials, such as Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) or Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Certification.
  • Professional Development: Use a professional development section featuring workshops, seminars or administrative programs to replace or supplement your education section.
  • Awards and Achievements: If you have received recognition or awards for your performance, productivity, or safety record, include a section to showcase these accomplishments.
  • Volunteer Experience: Replace your work history section with a volunteer section if you have less than three years of experience. Use this space to demonstrate relevant skills or attributes, such as communication, time management or adaptability.
  • Language Proficiency: Since administrative work can include a diverse range of employees, advertise your fluency in other languages as a workplace boon!
  • Memberships: Let hiring managers know about your membership to industry-specific organizations or unions.

Use a Cover Letter to Express Yourself

A resume is a concise overview of your skills and experience — a cover letter expands on this foundation. Add a cover letter to share one or two examples of how you excelled in similar roles or how your skills match a company’s needs. Use this sample as a guide or visit our helpful resources to boost your application.

Administrative Assistant Resume FAQ

What should I include in my administrative assistant resume?

In your administrative assistant resume, include a professional summary, work history with relevant achievements, key skills, education and certifications. Use bullet points for easy readability and tailor your resume to match the job requirements. Highlight your organizational, communication, and computer skills and any relevant administrative experience.

How do I make my administrative assistant resume stand out?

To make your resume stand out:

  • Quantify your accomplishments with numbers and metrics whenever possible.
  • Showcase your problem-solving abilities and emphasize your adaptability.
  • Use a clean, visually appealing format, and tailor your resume to the job description.
  • Mention any unique skills or experiences that set you apart from other candidates.

Should I include references on my administrative assistant resume?

It's generally not necessary to include references on your resume. Instead, create a separate document for your references, and have it ready to provide upon request. This ensures you can provide recent and relevant references, and it also keeps your resume focused on highlighting your skills and experiences.

How do I showcase my computer skills on my administrative assistant resume?

Under a dedicated "Skills" section, list the computer programs and software you are proficient in, such as Microsoft Office Suite, G Suite or any other relevant tools. If you have experience with industry-specific software, mention that as well. Additionally, note any certifications or training related to computer skills.

You can also opt to write a skills-based resume like the functional format. We advise that you only use this format for in-person applications as the customizable layout performs poorly with online job boards and their applicant tracking systems.

What if I have limited administrative assistant experience?

If you have limited experience, focus on transferable skills from previous roles or educational experiences. Highlight any relevant volunteer work, internships or coursework demonstrating your organizational and communication abilities. Include extracurricular activities or projects that showcase your attention to detail and ability to handle multiple tasks. Emphasize your willingness to learn and grow in the administrative assistant role.