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How to Format an Office Manager Resume

Your business office manager resume 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 statement highlighting two or three administrative-relevant skills, experience or accomplishments.

  • Showcase your office management skills

    • Devote a section to highlight essential hard and soft skills such as organizational abilities, leadership and proficiency in office software.

  • Emphasize your work history

    • List your work experience in reverse-chronological order, like in a chronological resume. 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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Write an Office Manager Resume Summary

A strong resume summary can set the tone for the entire document, and it’s often the first thing a hiring manager sees. Here are some tips for crafting a practical office manager resume summary:

Highlight relevant experience

Tailor your summary to highlight your relevant experience in office management. Focus on key achievements and responsibilities that demonstrate your ability to excel in the role.

Showcase key skills

Identify and showcase key skills essential for office management, such as organizational abilities, leadership and proficiency in office software. Use specific examples to illustrate how you’ve utilized these skills in previous roles.

Quantify achievements

Whenever possible, quantify your achievements to provide concrete evidence of your success. For example, mention how you improved efficiency or reduced costs in previous positions.

Be concise and professional

Keep your summary concise and professional, avoiding unnecessary jargon or filler words. Aim to communicate your qualifications and value proposition clearly and succinctly.

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Good office manager resume summary example

“Dedicated office manager with over seven years of experience streamlining administrative processes and optimizing office efficiency. Proven track record of implementing cost-saving strategies and improving productivity. Skilled in personnel management, budgeting, and customer relations. Adept at fostering a positive work environment and ensuring smooth operations.”

Why it works:

This summary effectively highlights the candidate’s years of experience and key achievements, demonstrating their expertise in streamlining processes and improving efficiency. It also mentions specific skills relevant to office management, such as personnel management and budgeting. The language is concise, professional and tailored to the target role.

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Poor office manager resume summary example

“Experienced office manager seeking a challenging position in a dynamic company. Skilled in Microsoft Office and customer service. Strong organizational and communication skills.”

Why it fails:

This summary is too vague and lacks specificity. While it mentions some skills, such as Microsoft Office proficiency and organizational skills, it fails to provide concrete examples or quantify the candidate’s experience. Additionally, it needs to impact and differentiate the candidate from other applicants.

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PRO TIP:

If you are new to the workforce or a recent grad, opt for writing a resume objective. It’s ideal for first-time job applicants because it shifts from your lack of experience to your skills aligned with the company’s goals.

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Add Your Office Manager Work History

The work history section of your office manager resume is where you demonstrate your experience and achievements in previous roles. Here’s a guide to help you write a compelling work history section and examples of good and poor office manager resume work histories.

Tailor to the job description

Align your work history with the job requirements you’re applying for. Highlight experiences and achievements that showcase your ability to excel in an office management role.

Quantify achievements

Whenever possible, quantify your accomplishments to provide concrete evidence of your impact. For example, mention how you reduced costs, increased efficiency, or improved customer satisfaction.

Use action verbs

Start each bullet point with a strong action verb to make your accomplishments more impactful. Words like “managed,” “implemented” and “streamlined” convey proactivity and leadership.

Focus on results

Highlight the results of your actions rather than just listing responsibilities. Employers want to see how your contributions positively impact the organization.

Highlight relevant administrative skills

Showcase skills relevant to office management, such as organizationl skills, leadership skills, communication skills and problem-solving skills.

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Good office manager work history example

Medical Office Manager | Uptown Urology Center
Hoboken, NY | June 2021-Present

    • Streamlined administrative processes, resulting in a 20% increase in efficiency.
    • Implemented cost-saving measures that reduced office expenses by 15% annually.
    • Led a team of administrative staff, providing training and guidance to ensure smooth operations.
    • Improved customer service satisfaction scores by 25% through enhanced communication and problem-solving.

This example provides specific achievements and results, such as streamlining processes, reducing expenses and improving customer satisfaction. Each bullet point begins with a strong action verb and demonstrates the candidate’s leadership and problem-solving skills.

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Poor office manager work history example

Office Manager | New York Law
Hoboken, NY | June 2021-Present

    • Managed office tasks.
    • Handled customer inquiries.
    • Oversaw administrative duties.

This example needs more detail and specificity. It merely lists general responsibilities without indicating the candidate’s impact or accomplishments. Employers need more insight into candidates’ abilities or contributions to their previous employers.

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How to Write an Office Manager Education Section

Creating a good education section is crucial to demonstrate your qualifications and background as a office manager to recruiters. Employ these strategies to develop a compelling resume section.

1List relevant degrees or certifications

Include any relevant degrees, diplomas or certifications demonstrating your proficiency in customer service or related fields.

Example

Bachelor of Science in Office Administration
University of Texas, Graduated: May 2018

2Highlight specialized training

Showcase any specialized training or workshops you’ve completed that are relevant to customer service roles.

Example

Certified Office Manager (COM)
International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP), Certified: June 2016

3Include relevant coursework

Mention specific coursework or classes directly related to customer service skills or industry knowledge.

Example

Office Administration
Business Communication
Project Management

4Emphasize academic achievements

Highlight any achievements or awards demonstrating your dedication and excellence in your studies.

Example

Dean’s List: Awarded for academic excellence in the top 10% of the class

5Showcase professional development

Mention any ongoing professional development activities or courses you’re currently undertaking to enhance your skills in customer service.

Example

Completed comprehensive training program covering office management principles, leadership skills and best practices in administrative processes.

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PRO TIP:

Invest in additional courses to augment your skill set, focusing on areas like Effective Communication, Conflict Resolution and certifications in software programs such as Zendesk and Salesforce.

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15 Skills for Your Office Manager Resume

In your office manager resume, the resume skills section is vital for showcasing your expertise and qualifications. It’s crucial to incorporate a blend of technical skills, hard skills and soft skills to underscore your suitability for the role.

soft skills

Soft skills

soft skills

Hard skills

soft skills

Technical skills

  • Accounting principles
  • Customer relationship management (CRM) software
  • Computer skills
  • Office equipment operation (printers, scanners, fax machines)
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
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PRO TIP:

Customize your office manager resume to the job by adding relevant skills and keywords that match the job description. This will help your resume get noticed by ATS scanners.

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20 Office Manager Action Verbs

Recruiters typically spend just 6 seconds reading each resume, so they are drawn to dynamic phrases, recognizing their ability to convey capability and impact. Action verbs, also known as power words, describe your capability and impact in previous roles while quickly catching the recruiter’s attention. Here’s a list of action verbs tailored for customer service representatives:

  • Analyzed
  • Coordinated
  • Delegated
  • Directed
  • Empowered
  • Facilitated
  • Implemented
  • Led
  • Managed
  • Organized
  • Oversaw
  • Prioritized
  • Resolved
  • Scheduled
  • Streamlined
  • Supervised
  • Trained
  • Updated
  • Utilized
  • Verified

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Additional Resume Sections

Consider adding the following sections to your office manager 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, Professional in Human Resources or Certified Facility Manager.

  • Professional Development:

    Use a professional development section featuring workshops, seminars or office management 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 conflict resolution and vendor management.

  • Language Proficiency:

    Since office management 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.

Write a Cover Letter to Stand Out

A resume offers a brief glimpse into your skills and experience, whereas a cover letter delves deeper into your career aspirations. Elevate your application by including a cover letter, where you can showcase your achievements or demonstrate how your skills match the company’s needs. Use our sample for inspiration or explore our resources to enhance your application further.

Office Manager FAQ

How do I format my office manager resume for maximum impact?

Ensure a simple resume layout with clear sections highlighting your skills, experience and achievements. Use bullet points for easy readability.

Should I include references on my customer service representative resume?

It’s generally not necessary to include resume references on your resume. Instead, create a separate document listing references and have it ready upon request. This keeps your resume concise and allows you to provide relevant references tailored to each application.

How can I ensure my resume gets past applicant tracking systems (ATS)?

To optimize your resume for ATS, use relevant keywords from the job description, format it clearly with standard fonts, and avoid using images or graphics. Tailor your resume to each position, focusing on highlighting your skills and experiences that align with the job requirements.

What's the ideal length for a customer service representative resume?

Aim for a concise one-page resume, focusing on the most relevant information. However, if you have extensive experience, extending it to two pages is acceptable.

What is the average salary range for office managers?

On average, office managers in the United States earn between $40,000 to $70,000 per year. However, salaries can range higher for those with extensive experience, specialized skills, or managerial responsibilities in larger organizations. It’s advisable to research salary data specific to your location and industry for a more accurate estimate.