Administrative Assistant Resume

Striving to craft an impeccable administrative assistant resume? Consult our comprehensive guide, examine our expertly crafted samples, and compose a meticulously structured admin assistant resume.

Becoming an administrative assistant is like being the special operations unit for the office. The challenge? Securing the job in the first place. To land it, you’ll require an impeccable administrative assistant resume.

The exciting news is that you’re on the verge of discovering exceptional administrative assistant resume examples. Moreover, you’ll find a comprehensive guide to assist you in crafting an impressive admin assistant resume! Let’s start checking off those to-do list items and secure the job you’re aiming for!

In this guide, you’ll find:

– An administrative assistant resume sample that outshines 9 out of 10 other resumes.
– The ideal appearance for administrative assistant resume samples.
– Options for administrative assistant resume summaries and objectives.
– The top administrative assistant skills for a resume.

Below is an outstanding example of an administrative assistant resume created with our resume builder.

1.What is the optimal format for a resume for an administrative assistant?

The most effective format for an administrative assistant resume is polished and personable. However, there’s additional insight to enhance your admin assistant resume. To truly excel, take a glance at our concise checklist for crafting a compelling document that lands you the job.

How to create an ideal example of an administrative assistant resume?

• Establish clear divisions with distinct sections and categories in your resume. This enhances readability, increasing the likelihood that your recruiter will read the entire document. These sections should encompass:
  • Resume Header
  • Resume Summary Statement or Career Objective
  • Resume Work Experience Section
  • Resume Education Section
  • Relevant Skills
  • Extra Resume Sections 
• Adhere to the reverse chronology resume format to highlight your most recent accomplishments prominently.
• Include your contact details.
• Strive for a one-page resume layout.
• Opt for a contemporary, resume-friendly font.
• Choose appropriate margins for your resume.
• Select a fitting name for your resume.
• Save your resume as a PDF document.

2.Guidelines for Detailing Administrative Experience on a Resume

Now, let’s delve into arguably the most crucial segment of your administrative assistant resume—the experience section. Omitting this part is not an option if you aim to persuade the hiring manager that you are the ideal candidate for the administrative specialist role. Additionally, there are specific steps you should consider taking.

How to Write About Administrative Experience in a Resume?

• Carefully review the job description and customize your resume to align seamlessly with it.
• Highlight your accomplishments on the resume, focusing on achievements rather than past duties.
• Incorporate dynamic action verbs and numerical data wherever applicable in your resume.
• Avoid listing non-essential or routine daily tasks unless explicitly mentioned in the job advertisement.
• If you’ve introduced a procedure or initiative that resulted in time or cost savings, showcase it.
• Apply the Problem–Action–Result approach to discuss your work. For instance: “Negotiated a new deal with the current supplier, saving $3,000 annually on office supplies.” Identify the problem, describe the action taken, and outline the achieved result.
• Now that you are familiar with these principles, let’s explore some examples!

Action Words and Power Verbs for an Administrative Assistant Resume

Use these power words on your AA resume.

3. Enhance Your Administrative Assistant Resume by Elevating Your Education Section

Simply noting the highest education level and proceeding may not be the best approach. It’s essential to think about how far back in your education history you should go on your resume.

For an entry-level administrative assistant resume, a high school diploma suffices. However, executive administrative assistant resumes often require a bachelor of arts degree.

Incorporating education into an administrative assistant resume:

Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics — 2012
State University of New York (SUNY)
Relevant coursework: Introduction to Managerial and Financial Accounting, Advanced English Composition.

Notice that it goes beyond simply stating the degree, date, and school name. The candidate has thoughtfully included relevant coursework aligning with the job requirements for the position.

4.Top Skills to Include on an Administrative Assistant Resume

You’re making great progress toward completing your ideal administrative assistant resume. Considering the limited growth in jobs, competition is fierce. It’s time to shift the balance in your favor by highlighting your administrative skills on your resume.

20+ Top Hard and Soft Skills for Administrative Assistant Resumes

• Appointment Setting
• Communication
• Problem-Solving
• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Phone Etiquette
• Research Skills
• Calendar Management
• Travel Planning
• Time Management
• Foreign Language Skills
• Email Management
• Writing Letters and Emails
• Faxing
• Receiving Visitors
• Customer Service
• Transcription
• Recording Minutes of the Meetings
• Training New Employees
• Order Processing
• Data Entry
• Filling Systems
• Bookkeeping
• Inventory Management
• Billing
• SalesForce
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Outlook
• MIcrosoft PowerPoint

A proficient administrative assistant is comparable to a versatile tool, akin to a Swiss Army knife—reliable and capable of handling various tasks. Take a look at the administrative assistant skills compilation above; it encompasses soft skills, technical proficiencies, and problem-solving abilities. Additionally, there are specific hard and transferable skills that can significantly enhance your prospects of securing the job.

However, don’t simply replicate the entire list onto your resume. Identify your strongest abilities that align with the job requirements, match them to your prior roles, and incorporate them as bullet points in detailing your administrative responsibilities.

If the job description specifies knowledge in accounting, communication management, and proficiency in Spanish, ensure your resume reflects a positive check for each. Observe how this candidate effectively incorporated these administrative skills into her resume:

Unable to quantify or substantiate your administrative skills with achievements?

No need to fret, as not everything can be quantified. Include the remaining pertinent skills in the skills section of your administrative assistant resume template.

Emphasize your proficiency in foreign languages, particularly if you’re a bilingual administrative assistant.

5. Summary or Objective for an Administrative Assistant Resume

Regardless of the introduction you opt for, it should be engaging while brimming with job-relevant skills and experience.

Who should opt for a resume objective in an administrative assistant resume?

– Recent graduates
– Career changers

For experienced administrative assistants, consider an administrative assistant resume summary.

An administrative assistant resume objective functions like an elevator pitch, elucidating your standout skills and how you can contribute to the job.

To kickstart your resume effectively, adhere to these steps:

1. Review your resume as the summary or objective should be the final component.
2. Choose 2–3 key accomplishments and skills most pertinent to the position.
3. Structure your summary or objective using the following formula:
Adjective + Job Title + Years of Experience + Achievements + Skills + Your Intentions for the Employer

Sample Resume Objective for Administrative Assistant (No Experience)

Here’s how entry-level administrative assistant resumes could begin:

Incorrect Example of Administrative Assistant Resume Objective:

Hold on! The initial example does reference experience! In reality, both examples originate from the same candidate. She was crafting an admin assistant resume without prior experience in the industry.

In the improved example, she incorporated relevant work experience related to the position, acquired through internships, freelancing, and during college. This represents a successful approach!

6. What about Drafting a Cover Letter for an Administrative Assistant Position?

You possess impressive communication skills, correct? Don’t follow the crowd and simply list communication skills in your administrative assistant skills section. Demonstrate them by composing a cover letter for the administrative assistant role.

Now, are cover letters indispensable? Absolutely. As 53% of employers still anticipate cover letters, craft an administrative assistant cover letter that leaves them thinking, “Wow! I need this candidate to handle all written communication from now on!”

You possess strong communication skills, correct? Stand out from the competition by not just listing communication skills in your administrative assistant skills section. Showcase them through a well-crafted cover letter for the administrative assistant position.

Are cover letters crucial? Absolutely. A substantial 53% of employers still anticipate cover letters. Craft an administrative assistant cover letter that leaves them with the impression, “Wow! I need this candidate to handle all written communication moving forward!”

How to compose a cover letter?

1. Structure your cover letter to align with your resume consistently.
2. Craft a compelling opening for your cover letter that captures the reader’s attention. Demonstrate your enthusiasm and highlight your accomplishments!
3. Maintain the appropriate length for your cover letter; keeping it to one page is ideal. Strive for conciseness in your administrative assistant resume cover letter.
4. Showcase your skills, demonstrate your familiarity with the company, and present an irresistible offer.
5. Conclude your cover letter effectively, leaving them eager to contact you at the earliest opportunity.