Administrative Assistant Resume Summary with Examples

An Administrative Assistant resume summary provides a brief outline of your skills and qualifications. It shows employers and hiring managers a general overview of your capabilities, helping them to quickly decide if you’re the right candidate for the role. This article shares some examples of effective Administrative Assistant resume summaries to help you write your own resume summary.

What is a resume summary?

A resume summary is a short explanation of your skills and experience as they relate to an open role. You’ll usually add a summary at the top of your resume, right below your name and contact information. That way it’s one of the first things an employer reads. 

Resume summaries are usually two to three sentences or statements. This makes it easy for hiring managers to read quickly to decide if your skills and experience match their needs. To make your resume summary more appealing, you can tailor it for each job you apply for. 

Administrative Assistant resume summary examples 

Here are some various Administrative Assistant resume summaries based on a candidate’s experience, career focus and best qualities: 

General summary

Example: ‘Hardworking and versatile Administrative Assistant with proven organizational skills and thorough knowledge of corporate policies and procedures. Excellent communication and people skills with extensive strategic planning capabilities.’

This example showcases the applicant’s versatility and knowledge in areas essential for office management.

Intermediate summary

Example:  ‘Experienced Administrative Assistant with 5+ years of experience working in a multinational firm. Detailed knowledge of business terminologies and standard practices. Committed and passionate with a focus on professionalism.’

This summary shows the applicant’s experience in a demanding work setting. It also showcases skills that could be valuable in any office environment.

Versatile summary

Example: ‘Multifaceted Administrative Assistant with an extensive background in a variety of office administration duties. Works well in high-pressure settings with minimal supervision in both leadership and team roles. Especially effective at fielding phone calls, coordinating with clients and serving as the liaison between different branch offices.’

This example highlights the applicant’s versatility and the ability to handle multiple roles. It also details a few specific examples of skills that would be useful in any Administrative Assistant position. 

Financial experience summary

Example: ‘Capable and knowledgeable Administrative Assistant with more than five years of experience working in a financial office. Thorough working knowledge of securities and investment practices. Consistently recognized for proven capability in office administration, record keeping, preparing reports and performing customer-oriented tasks.’

This summary showcases the applicant’s knowledge in the financial industry, which is useful when applying for jobs in the same related field. 

Skills and education summary

Example: ‘Administrative Assistant with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and a solid background working in different human resources firms. Well-organized and able to multitask while maintaining a high level of professionalism and attention to detail. Expert level proficiency in all MS Office applications.’

This example mentions the applicant’s educational and professional background, both of which are relevant to an Administrative Assistant position. It also details hard and soft skills that are useful for the job. 

Practical skills summary

Example: ‘Experienced Administrative Assistant with extensive knowledge in office management software. Proven office and personnel management skills, with equal ability in lead and support roles. Competencies include record keeping, document management, personnel support and report presentation.’

In this example, the applicant focuses on technical and practical skills that are helpful in any Administrative Assistant position.

Summary with professional goals

Example: ‘Business Administration graduate with drive and initiative, thorough attention to detail, with excellent time management and task prioritization skills. Seeking an Administrative Assistant position in a globally competitive firm with ample opportunity for professional growth and career advancement. Committed to performing all tasks with the highest level of professionalism and competence.’

This summary emphasizes the applicant’s desire to be a valuable member of the workforce.

Career change summary

Example: ‘Law firm secretary looking to further career by working as an Administrative Assistant. Possesses drive, ambition and an extensive skill set that includes file and document management, inventory and supplies processing, record keeping and more than five years of experience in an executive support role.’

This example showcases relevant experience, as well as potentially useful skills for Administrative Assistants. 

Essential skills summary

Example: ‘Detail-oriented and quality-focused professional with proven interpersonal and communication skills. Seeking Administrative Assistant position at Target Media where I can apply extensive experience in administrative functions. Advanced computer software knowledge, archiving and record-keeping skills and general office management capabilities.’

In this example, the applicant describes the essential skills they can bring to the organization. 

Administrative skills summary

Example:  ‘Committed Administrative Assistant with expert level proficiency in Microsoft Office and 70 wpm typing speed. Looking to secure the Administrative Assistant position at Skylar Enterprises to utilize my professional management skills and extensive clerical experience.’

This summary combines technical skills with more practical skills that are equally essential for administrative functions. 

Education-focused summary

Example:  ‘Highly-motivated and organized individual seeking to use a Bachelor’s Degree in Administration in the service of Blaze Marketing as Administrative Assistant. Solid background in office administration, with excellent multitasking, report presentation and document-keeping skills.’

This summary makes it clear that the applicant has the educational and professional background needed to excel as an Administrative Assistant.

Senior-level summary

Example: ‘Dedicated Administrative Assistant with eight years of experience in leadership roles with strong communications and interpersonal skills. Looking for new opportunities to further grow into the role of an Administrative Assistant. Certified MS Office professional with the ability to manage multiple tasks with a high level of professionalism.’

This example showcases extensive experience and explains the applicant’s goal in applying for an Administrative Assistant position. 

Industry-specific summary

Example:  ‘Dedicated and focused individual with proven capability in office administration seeks a position as an Administrative Assistant in an industrial supply firm. Knowledge in office management best practices and especially capable of handling high-volume tasks with an exceptional level of accuracy. Bringing more than five years of experience to ensure more efficient office functions and personnel performance.’

In this example, the applicant exhibits relevant skills and knowledge, as well as the ability to handle high-pressure situations. 

Career advancement summary

Example:  ‘Office Assistant with a wide range of applicable skills seeks professional growth and career advancement opportunities as an Administrative Assistant. Excellent clerical skills and the ability to oversee and manage multiple tasks simultaneously. Focused and detail-oriented with the drive and commitment to become a valuable contributing member of the Pinnacle Marketing workforce.’

With this summary, the applicant highlights the skills that are necessary for someone who wishes to advance from Office Assistant to Administrative Assistant. 

Similar background summary

Example: ‘Experienced Clerk and Secretary with proven time management and communication skills seeks position as an Administrative Assistant at a fast-paced and industry-leading firm. Competencies include advanced office management skills, ability to handle multiple tasks, inventory control and administrative support.’

This summary describes experience in similar roles. The candidate also explains transferrable skills that are useful for Administrative Assistant roles.

sample summary for administrative assistant resume

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13 Administrative Assistant Resume Examples for 2024

Stephen Greet

  • Administrative Assistant Resume
  • Admin Assistant Resumes by Experience
  • Admin Assistant Resumes by Role

Writing Your Admin Assistant Resume

As an administrative assistant, you hold the keys to the castle. You communicate with nearly anyone, know how to manage the busiest schedules, and can handle multiple high-priority tasks simultaneously. But how can you  build your resume  and write a cover letter to showcase all those skills effectively?

That’s where we come in. We’ve reviewed dozens of administrative assistant resumes that have worked for candidates to land jobs with great companies. So, we’ve learned a lot about what works and what doesn’t for impressive resumes.

We’ve distilled those findings into 13 effective administrative assistant resume samples  for all experience levels, and to top it off, we’ve included detailed  resume tips . Here’s to landing your next job in 2024!

Administrative Assistant Resume Example

or download as PDF

Administrative assistant resume example with 9 years of experience

Why this resume works

  • Metrics are just numbers that provide evidence for your claims. They’re easy to read and great at demonstrating your abilities, so try to include numbers wherever you can.
  • You can include how many people you collaborated with, how much you improved revenue, and how many staff calendars you managed, to name a few.
  • Words like “Microsoft Office Suite,” “Quickbooks,” reporting,” and “organization” are great for assuring employers you’ve got the chops for your future administrative assistant role.

Senior Administrative Assistant Resume

senior administrative assistant resume example with 8 years of experience

  • Luckily for you, there are many Word resume templates and Google Docs resume templates out there—just make sure you have a backup resume on hand in case the employer needs several copies with different layouts.
  • Action verbs like “coordinated,” “prepared,” and “maintained” do an effective job demonstrating ownership within your senior administrative assistant resume .

Administrative Assistant II Resume

administrative assistant ii resume example with 7 years of experience

  • Unlike a resume objective, a summary paragraph is a two-to-four-sentence overview of your achievements and successes in the field. 
  • If your resume summary is strong enough, it can be the selling point of your entire resume, so it’s well worth spending extra time to make sure this section of your resume is perfect. 
  • Focus on including a mixture of different types of metrics, including percentages, dollar values, and hard numbers (such as the number of executive schedules you managed, or the time you saved by streamlining invoicing systems).

Entry-Level Administrative Assistant Resume

Entry-level administrative assistant resume example with 3 years of experience

  • For example, did you lead a club? Volunteer somewhere? Complete a group project while in your classes? There are many options to showcase your leadership abilities!
  • If you’re still working out  how to write a resume , just know it’s okay to include non-relevant work experience on your entry-level administrative assistant resume . No matter the role, it can still highlight soft skills like responsibility, time management, and document preparation.

Administrative Assistant No Experience Resume Example

Administrative assistant resume example with no experience as an administrative assistant

  • In your administrative assistant no experience resume, give precedence to achievements such as solving customer issues over the phone, boosting customer satisfaction, accelerating problem resolution, etc.

HR Administrative Assistant Resume

HR administrative assistant resume example with 4 years of experience

  • Now’s the time to radiate a modern and fresh vibe with the Elegant template! Use colors that catch the eye of any reader at first sight. Next, secure the job by adding all the digital HR tools like BambooHR, JazzHR, and Google Workspace to stay ahead of the competition!

Construction Administrative Assistant Resume Example

Construction administrative assistant resume example with 8 years of experience

  • Flourish your construction administrative assistant resume with bullet points like “Managed site operations for a $10M+ infrastructure project” and “slashing misalignment errors by 13%” to highlight your ability to supervise large-scale projects and keep important metrics like misalignment errors at a minimum.

Real Estate Administrative Assistant Resume

Real estate administrative assistant resume example with 4 years of experience

  • Draw attention to your abilities to solve client problems, streamline office operations, bring new business, and so on.

Executive Administrative Assistant Resume Example

Executive administrative assistant resume example with 10 years of experience

  • That’s where metrics come in! Include the number of people you worked with or the number of clients you assisted so employers know your experience.
  • Change the font, color, and layout to match your preferences and content. Some templates allow for more work experience while others focus more on other sections, so choose accordingly.

Medical Administrative Assistant Resume

medical administrative assistant resume example with 7 years of experience

  • We’d recommend  formatting your resume  using reverse-chronological order to show your most current role first. That way, your future employer sees your most relevant abilities.
  • Include your specific experience verifying information, performing billing responsibilities, and recording data. 

Administrative Assistant/Receptionist Resume

administrative assistant/receptionist resume example with 10+ years of experience

  • If you’re applying for a company with a casual culture, use vibrant colors, like pink and purple. If you’re applying to work as a criminal defense law firm receptionist, you’d better stick with more professional colors like navy or gray.
  • The goal is always to catch an employer’s attention in a good way, and color is a bright, fun way to do that! Whatever color you choose is up to you, but consider your employer when picking out shades. 
  • Hard skills (aka specific technical capabilities and training) are more valuable to highlight and easier to quantify, so include them when you can.
  • Keywords like “bookkeeping,” “Asana,” and QuickBooks” are great examples of technical skills.

Administrative Coordinator Resume

administrative coordinator resume example with 3 years of experience

  • Resumes distill everything about you into one page, so you need to organize all your career details into clearly defined sections with headers.
  • Make sure you include skills that can be relevant depending on what you read in the job description. For example, workspace management software is relatively universal, so if you’re already familiar with Google Workspace, you’ll likely adapt quickly to Microsoft Office Suite.

Administrative Associate Resume

administrative associate resume example

  • Here’s a tip: highlight your achievements in light of the  administrative assistant job description . Look for repeated keywords and phrases that match your experience, then include them on your resume.
  • Want to include more skills but don’t know how? Try adding a  hobbies section to your resume  to highlight some of your abilities outside of work. Pick relevant pastimes that might interest the employer (and give you something to talk about during the interview).
  • Instead of just saying, “collaborated with department staff to source job candidates,” try adding details like the total number of job candidates you hired, or the number of departments you worked with.

Related resume guides

  • Front Desk Receptionist
  • Office Assistant
  • Receptionist

Confused administrative assistant surrounded by folders and challenges of managing day-to-day tasks

As an administrative assistant, you’re the person who keeps the day-to-day operations running smoothly. You’re trusted to act as the face of the company for visitors, and you understand the importance of organization. But you might not realize just how important it is to perfect your resume. Your resume is the first thing hiring managers will look at, so ensure it demonstrates your aptitude for the job.

In this section, we’ll dive into four of the main tips we have for improving your resume, including: 

  • Administrative assistant skills
  • Formatting your administrative assistant resume
  • Quantifying your previous impact
  • Customizing your resume for each job

sample summary for administrative assistant resume

1. Include your administrative assistant skills wisely

If you’re unfamiliar with how hiring managers filter applicants, you may be tempted to overlook the skills section on your administrative assistant resume. But, after learning about ATS, you’ll never make that mistake again.

Hiring managers use the ATS, or applicant tracking system software, to narrow their applicant pool. The ATS works by filtering keywords (usually in your skills section) on your resume and matching them to pre-selected words prioritized by recruiters.  Your resume will be rejected if you don’t have enough matching keywords.  

This system works well when there are a lot of job applicants, but it’s understandably a pain for you, the applicant, to deal with. That’s why it’s important to utilize a skills section that incorporates the right  resume skills . You can do this by focusing on the  administrative assistant job description .

Read this small excerpt from a job description and see if you can pick up on the most relevant skills for this particular administrative assistant job. Then, read ahead to see if your skills list resembles ours: 

Optics Fusion is a fast-growing company seeking a self-starter administrative assistant who can recognize tasks that need completion with minimal supervision. The ideal candidate will thrive on interacting with clients and the public while displaying a high degree of professionalism. Must be comfortable working in fast-paced environments and dividing attention between many day-to-day operational tasks. Computer-savvy assistants are encouraged to apply! 

Compare the list of skills you wrote down from this job description with ours :

  • Scheduling and organization
  • Communication
  • Process automation
  • Independent worker
  • Detail-oriented
  • Health insurance
  • Computer software

The job you apply for may or may not have similar skill preferences, but there will typically be a common thread of recurring keywords.

Some of the following admin assistant skills will likely pop up in job descriptions:

  • Microsoft Office
  • Data analysis 
  • Financial reporting
  • Google Calendar 
  • Answering calls
  • Multi-tasking

sample summary for administrative assistant resume

2. Pick the best resume format

Like your skills section, your resume format is important for determining whether the ATS will properly read and file your resume. Aside from the ATS, formatting your resume properly will make it easier for recruiters to read your administrative assistant resume.

To this end, we suggest using  reverse-chronological formatting , with your most recent work experience listed at the top of your resume. This will help hiring managers quickly evaluate your most relevant and (likely most impressive) work.

These are a few other critical elements for your resume formatting:

  • Page Length:  Keep your resume to  exactly  one page: no more and no less. 
  • Bullet Points:  Bullet points are a useful tool to break up large pieces of text when you’re describing your work experience. Aside from making your resume more visually appealing, they’ll also make writing these sections much easier. 
  • Icons/Images:  Have you considered adding icons or images to your resume? Don’t! Recruiters and the ATS both dislike them. 
  • Job Title:  Customize your job title for every position to which you apply. It shows that you care enough about the position to put in the extra effort, and hiring managers will appreciate it. 
  • Objective/Summary:  If you include one of these, you’ll want to ensure it’s customized (more on this in the next section).

Should you bother with a resume objective or summary?

You might notice that we just hinted that resume objectives and summary statements are optional. While it’s true that they’re not an essential element of an administrative assistant resume, there are a few specific circumstances when they might be helpful. Let’s demystify these optional sections and determine when to consider including one of them on your resume. 

A  resume objective  is a customized two to three-sentence opener typically included toward the top of your resume. In the visual example below, notice how the objective briefly covers the job title, the company name you’re applying to, and why you’re applying to the specific job. We recommend including an objective only if you’re just starting your career or transitioning to another field.

Let’s go over a few of these statements, including both poor and strong examples of each: 

  • This is a poor example of an objective. It’s vague and doesn’t mention anything specific that would help the hiring manager. If you’re unwilling to customize your statement, you shouldn’t include an objective. 
  • This objective is much better. It’s highly specific, mentioning years of experience, a particular job title, the company name, the candidate’s skills, and how they will contribute to the company. 
  • This makes a horrible first impression. Note the misspelled words and abbreviations used. Remember: a good summary/objective can improve your chances of getting hired, and a bad one can do some damage. Do you think a hiring manager would want to hire this applicant?
  • Do a little research on the job to which you’re applying. This applicant used their summary statement to demonstrate knowledge about the clinic they’re interested in working for, which hiring managers will appreciate. 

sample summary for administrative assistant resume

3. Measure your admin assistant work with metrics

Many admin assistant applicants tell us they find it difficult to write their resumes in a way that displays confidence and job capability. Often, the problem is that they’re not quantifying their job impact with metrics (numbers).  Metrics are the easiest way to provide measurable insight into your work performance . As an administrative assistant, there are many areas in which you can include numbers on your resume. Read below for some of the best ways to leverage metrics from your previous roles: 

  • Number of people:  It’s a good idea to mention the size of the companies you’ve worked for, including staff size and customer base. 
  • Efficiency improvements:  Have you streamlined policies or systems? Orchestrated the switch to a new type of admin software? Has your work saved a significant amount of time? 
  • Scheduling:  How many meetings do you schedule per week? Of how many executive calendars are you in charge? Do you set up appointment reminders for clients, and, have these reminders reduced the rate of late/missed client meetings? 
  • Billing:  Do you process customer/patient/insurance billing? If so, how much money are you charged with managing? Do you compile expense reports? 

Now that you’ve thought through areas of your job from which you can pull metrics, read through these sample work experience bullet points to get a little more inspiration:

  • Met 95% of project deadlines by mitigating all engineering hurdles and roadblocks
  • Provided remote troubleshooting to customers over the phone with a 90% success rate, resolving calls in less than 7 minutes
  • Managed 3 essential projects that facilitated more than $5 million in annual revenue

sample summary for administrative assistant resume

4. Modify your resume for each admin assistant job

We’ve mentioned it a few times, but it’s so important we’ll repeat it:  you must customize your resume for each job to which you apply . After all, administrative assistants have widely varying job responsibilities, and you should take the extra step to best align your resume with the specific job for each application you submit. Fortunately, you don’t have to change your entire resume, but let’s go over the areas you should customize: 

  • The objective/summary:  Without a doubt, if you include a resume objective or summary statement, you’ll need to customize it. Focus on highlighting relevant skills for the position, and mention the company name. One warning—always tailor this section before you submit your application. Please don’t be the person who forgets to change the company name before submitting it to multiple jobs!
  • Skills:  Customize your skills section by referencing the job description. Usually, hiring managers are upfront about the desired skills required for the job. 
  • Job description bullet points:  You can alter your job description bullet points to emphasize different types of administrative assistant jobs. For example, highlight your efficiency and time management for jobs that require multi-tasking and the ability to work in a hectic environment. Other positions, such as medical assistant jobs, may be more concerned about billing, policy compliance, and patient privacy. 

Administrative assistant resume

  • Focus on covering key areas such as your computer and software literacy, customer relations, scheduling, financial reporting, billing, internal communication, and hiring. 
  • If the job description mentions that some aspects are more important than others for the role, you can emphasize them more heavily. 

Entry-level admin assistant resume

  • For example, you may want to highlight your ability to get along well with others, your organizational skills, and your ability to stay organized. 
  • This savvy entry-level candidate absorbed excess white space with a metrics-packed internship.

Work experience section for administrative assistant intern resume

Executive admin assistant resume

  • Executive administrative assistants typically work on more complex, higher-stakes administrative issues. Demonstrate your increased work responsibility. 
  • You need to format your executive resume using the reverse-chronological format, which will best showcase your career growth. 

Medical admin assistant resume

  • Focus on highlighting your capacity to manage insurance billing and claims. 
  • Do you have an understanding of electronic medical records (EMR)? If yes, you should consider including it on your resume. 
  • Demonstrate your understanding of important skills for admin assistants specific to the medical field. 

Notice this applicant’s mention of keyword skills like HIPAA and EMR.

Skills section for administrative assistant resume

Senior admin assistant resume

  • Ensure you showcase skills that set you apart from less experienced administrative assistants. 

sample summary for administrative assistant resume

Our parting advice for your admin assistant resume

You should be proud of yourself for taking your resume seriously! You’ve made it to the end of this guide, and you’re on the right path to creating your best, most professional administrative assistant resume yet!

Let’s review the four main tips we’ve covered in this guide as a quick recap.

We’ve discussed how to build your skills section, how to format your resume for the ATS, how you can add metrics, and why you should modify every administrative assistant resume you submit.

With these tips in mind, upload your resume to our free  resume checker  to see how your masterpiece can be improved with our AI-powered tips. If you’re thinking about starting your resume from scratch, try our  resume builder , where you can begin the process with built-in AI-powered tips and proper formatting. 

Create my free resume now

Administrative Assistant Resume [2024] - Guide & Examples

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Like the look of Jeremy’s resume? Create your own professional administrative assistant in minutes with these easy-to-update templates here.

Administrative Assistant Resume Writing Guide

Administrative Assistant? Congrats – you’re a total office hero.

A recent survey of more than 600 managers in the U.S. and Canada revealed that administrative assistants save their managers eight hours of work time each week.

With this kind of impact, it’s no wonder that 75 percent of managers told that same survey the responsibilities of administrative assistants have increased in the past five years. 

The beauty of these roles is how they give you a chance to work with almost every part of a business and build relationships with colleagues across teams and departments. 

In many senses, they act as a career stepping stone within that company and beyond.

Sounds great right, but what exactly do administrative assistants do? 

  • Doing administrative and clerical tasks (such as scanning or printing)
  • Preparing and editing letters, reports, memos, and emails
  • Running errands to the post office or supply store
  • Arranging meetings, appointments, and executive travel
  • Answering phone calls and taking messages
  • Maintaining folders on servers
  • Recording meeting minutes
  • Liaising with teams and units
  • Tracking petty cash
  • Covering reception

You can use the list above to help you brainstorm duties and tasks for the Work Experiences section of your resume (more on that – and our tip to reframe tasks as achievements – soon). 

career masterclass

A great Administrative Assistant is a little like a Swiss Army Knife; able to solve a range of problems with the right tool at the right moment. 

Does that sound like you? 

If you need to create a modern and professional resume to showcase your skills for a role like this, this guide will take you through:

  • How to present your contact information
  • How to write a strong resume summary
  • The 23 hard and soft skills hiring managers want
  • Highlighting administrative assistant achievements

Let’s delve into why Jeremy’s resume works so well and how you can use the same features to make your own resume shine too. 

Looking for a resume example for a different position? Check out this list:

  • Office Assistant Resume
  • Executive Assistant Resume
  • Consultant Resume
  • Accountant Resume
  • Bookkeeper Resume
  • Business Analyst Resume
  • Financial Analyst Resume
  • Bank Teller Resume
  • Banking Resume
  • Career Change Resume

1. How to present your contact information

Let's get this out of the way quickly, because you know your own contact information better than we do. 

Include your email address, phone number, and location in the header of your resume. 

Drop the street address and city info, though. If you have a professional website, blog, or well-maintained LinkedIn profile, add them to showcase your skills and experience. 

2. How to Write a Strong Administrative Assistant Resume Summary 

Let’s start with a really important part of all resumes – the summary. 

Your summary is where you highlight your skills and how they can bring value to the employer. 

Let’s look at Jeremy’s resume. 

See how he describes himself as ‘technologically savvy’ and ‘goal-oriented?

This lets employers know he will be able to get up to speed quickly on any special technology they use and that he’s committed to getting tasks finished. 

Jeremy also writes that he’s ‘driven’, ‘motivated’ and ‘skilled in prioritizing tasks independently’. 

It’s great that he’s highlighted his ability to complete tasks without supervision, because administrative assistants are regularly delegated tasks by supervisors and managers across different teams. 

Above all, Jeremy’s summary is specific. 

If you compare the specific and vague summaries below, you can see immediately which one is more appealing. 

Emotionally intelligent and computer-savvy Administrative Assistant with an Associate’s degree in Business Administration. Strong interpersonal skills and a lifelong focus on supporting others and helping them shine.

Administrative Assistant seeking to use her skills and experience to benefit an organization that is making the world a better place.

Check out our writing a resume summary guide , if you want more help with this part.

3. The 23 Hard and Soft Skills That Hiring Managers Want

What about your skills?

Our editor has three different Skills sections to choose from: Skills, Hard (Technical) Skills, and Soft Skills. 

skills section for administrative assistant resume

Note: By clicking on Layout in the top menu, you can choose the “ Custom Layout ” and have a drag & drop feature to adjust the sections as you need.

It’s best to include a general Skills section and then choose between Hard or Soft Skills based on the needs of the job. 

Administrative assistants need a lot of soft skills to shine in these roles. Here’s some that you may want to highlight on your own resume. 

  • Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Powerpoint, SharePoint
  • Database management
  • Calendar management
  • Quickbooks and Xero
  • Proficiency with photocopiers, scanners, and projectors
  • Accurate data entry
  • Inventory and supply management
  • Editing and Proofreading
  • Billing and record-keeping
  • Business Knowledge
  • Communication (written and verbal)
  • Prioritization and problem-solving
  • Organization and planning
  • Research and analysis
  • Attention to detail
  • Customer service
  • Phone Etiquette
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Responsibility
  • Teamwork and delegation
  • Management and training
  • Flexibility and efficiency

4. Highlighting Administrative Assistant Achievements

When you're customizing your resume to best fit a company and its job advertisement, it can become easy to slip into using the listed tasks and responsibilities to summarise your own past duties. Avoid this – because it’s a missed opportunity. 

Think of your work experience section as less of a list of ‘things you did’ for a past employer and more like a summary of your biggest achievements and contributions while at that employer. 

Look at how Jeremy does this.  

He highlights how he managed a senior HR director’s schedule, planned company events, and even designed surveys while he was working at Melmark. 

achivements section for administrative assistant novoresume

Note: If you are looking for inspiration or need help, you can click on “ Tips ” in the left menu of our editor.

Here’s some better (and bad) examples to help you craft your own:

  • Developed policies that saved the company 500 hours a year.
  • Trained two interns in office tasks which later became full-time employees.
  • Maintained appointment calendar for 12 conference rooms.
  • Unlocked the office each morning.
  • Made travel arrangements.
  • Wrote letters and emails.

Ready to create your administrative assistant resume now? 

Suggested reading:

  • Best Skills to Put on a Resume
  • How to Optimize your LinkedIn Profile to Complement Your Resume
  • How to Start a Cover Letter - 4 Tips for the Perfect Opening

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12 Administrative Assistant Resume Examples to Land You a Role in 2023

Administrative Assistants are experts at ensuring smooth office operations and supporting high-level executives. Just like an efficient office, your resume as an administrative assistant should be well-organized and effectively communicate your skills to support the needs of the team. In this guide, we'll explore 12 administrative assistant resumes that demonstrate how to present your qualifications and strengths.

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Resume Examples

Resume guidance.

  • High Level Resume Tips
  • Must-Have Information
  • Why Resume Headlines & Titles are Important
  • Writing an Exceptional Resume Summary
  • How to Impress with Your Work Experience
  • Top Skills & Keywords
  • Go Above & Beyond with a Cover Letter
  • Resume FAQs
  • Related Resumes

Common Responsibilities Listed on Administrative Assistant Resumes:

  • Greet visitors, answer phones, and direct inquiries
  • Arrange meetings and business travel for management team
  • Prepare and track purchase orders and invoices
  • Maintain filing systems, databases, and information systems
  • Coordinate office moves, supplies orders, and setup of IT systems
  • Ensure compliance with administrative policies and procedures
  • Prepare agendas and other written correspondences
  • Take and distribute meeting minutes
  • Maintain conference room calendars
  • Develop and distribute weekly and monthly reports
  • Set up video conference calls with remote employees
  • Manage and organize databases and electronic records
  • Research, analyze, and compile information for business reports
  • Create and update spreadsheets, presentations, forms, and databases
  • Collaborate with other departments on ongoing projects
  • Ensure all contracts are filled out properly and filed in a timely manner

You can use the examples above as a starting point to help you brainstorm tasks, accomplishments for your work experience section.

Administrative Assistant Resume Example:

  • Coordinated and managed projects and initiatives for the organization, resulting in a 10% increase in productivity.
  • Led the implementation of a new office management system, streamlining daily operations and reducing administrative errors by 20%. Provided high-level administrative support to executives, resulting in a positive impact on the company's overall performance.Provided exceptional customer service, directly resulting in a 5-point increase in customer satisfaction ratings.
  • Executed tasks effectively and efficiently, resulting in a 15% increase in departmental productivity
  • Demonstrated strong ability to do quality work for the usual projects that an individual would be assigned at this level
  • Provided support to management, resulting in a positive impact on the company's overall performance
  • Optimized administrative processes, enabling more efficient document workflow that bolstered productivity
  • Assisted with general administrative tasks and projects, resulting in a positive impact on the company's overall performance
  • Demonstrated strong attention to detail, resulting in a 25% decrease in administrative errors
  • Constructed comprehensive spreadsheets and presentations for team meetings and executive keynotes, creating visuals that highlighted successes and drove actionable insights
  • Project Management
  • Office Management Systems
  • Executive Support
  • Effective Task Execution
  • Quality Work
  • Administrative Support
  • General Administrative Tasks
  • Attention to Detail
  • Time Management
  • Interpersonal Communication
  • Problem-Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Organization
  • Prioritization
  • Multi-Tasking
  • Adaptability
  • Microsoft Office
  • Technical Writing
  • Business Administration
  • Communication

Administrative Assistant with no experience Resume Example:

  • Implemented time-saving processes involving ordering and tracking office supplies, resulting in more efficient inventory management leading to cost savings.
  • Demonstrated proactive phone answering behaviors, logging and directing up to 20 calls per day with an average answer speed of 8 seconds.
  • Composed professional emails and documents using MS Office, providing a foundational layer of communication and documentation for the whole organization.
  • Improved ability to manage and prioritize daily tasks, resulting in a better time management system and ensuring that all demands were met within deadlines
  • Developed effective strategies for filing systems that resulted in a higher degree of organization and accuracy of documents
  • Supported team members with complex scheduling tasks, managing calendar and appointment settings to ensure on-time attendance
  • Problem Solving
  • Microsoft Office Expertise
  • Telephone Etiquette
  • Customer Service
  • Document Preparation
  • Inventory Management
  • Filing Systems
  • Presentation Preparation
  • Verbal and Written Communication

Administrative Aide Resume Example:

  • Managed workflow of documents, records, schedules and logistic for executive staff which resulted in a 20% decrease in time spent on administrative tasks.
  • Analyzed departmental records, prepared extensive reports and devised innovative solutions to meet organizational goals.
  • Developed and implemented new filing system and procedures, to optimize the office efficiency and enhance productivity by 10%.
  • Oversaw the planning and delivery of staff meetings, events and travel arrangements, resulting in a robust communication infrastructure between staff and executives.
  • Increased customer engagement efforts by 25%, through recruitment and retention activities that embraced diversity and inclusion initiatives.
  • Trained new team members on the data entry, document management and other office administrative tasks to improve job performance.
  • Implemented workflow management system that automated the tracking, reviewing and organizing of documents and records, boosting organizational productivity by 15%
  • Instrumental in managing complex filing systems with efficient record keeping, which enlarged the manageability and accuracy of documents by 50%
  • Streamlined communication process by constructing and maintaining databases with pertinent data, allowing more precise decisions within the organization
  • Microsoft Office Suite
  • Organization and Time Management
  • Data Entry and Management
  • Bookkeeping and Budgeting
  • Filing, Record Keeping and Documentation
  • Communication Skills
  • Time Management and Organization
  • Event Planning and Coordination
  • Customer Service and Engagement
  • Scheduling and Calendar Management
  • Staff Training and Development
  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
  • Multitasking
  • Writing and Editing
  • Workflow Management

Administrative Support Resume Example:

  • Increased process efficiency and department productivity through the development a new filing system that streamlined document organization, categorization, and storage
  • Met monthly department goal of processing 125 invoices per month with 100% accuracy and on time
  • Proactively provided regulatory compliance support and research to ensure department operations remain compliant with organizational and industry standards.
  • Proved expertise in travel management by arranging 100+ domestic and international trips; saved the organization over $4000 in total by negotiating discounts
  • Exceeded stakeholder expectations by effectively coordinating meetings and conference events on tight timelines
  • Championed a creative cost containment initiative that identified and reduced spending in non-essential department services by over 15%
  • Showed excellence in data entry and database administration by successfully transitioning from paper-based process to an automated system, resulting in a 35% increase in data accuracy and aggregate speeds of information requests
  • Demonstrated exceptional customer service through providing timely, accurate responses to 200+ client inquiries every month
  • Awarded with the “Organizational Support of the Year” award for seamlessly managing the executive calendar and providing timely, professional administrative support.
  • Filing System Development & Maintenance
  • Regulatory Compliance & Research
  • Communications & Collaboration
  • Travel Management & Expense Tracking
  • Cost Containment & Budget Management
  • Data Entry & Database Administration
  • Customer Service & Support
  • Calendar & Meeting Management
  • Time Management & Organization

Administrative Assistant Intern Resume Example:

  • Assisted in the organization and coordination of a successful company-wide conference, resulting in a 20% increase in attendance and positive feedback from attendees.
  • Developed and implemented a system for tracking and managing office supplies, resulting in a 15% reduction in office supply costs.
  • Assisted in the creation and implementation of a new customer service protocol, resulting in a 25% increase in customer satisfaction ratings.
  • Streamlined office operations by effectively managing the reception desk, ensuring prompt and courteous responses to inquiries and directing calls to the relevant departments.
  • Improved the efficiency of the department by creating a centralized filing system, reducing the time needed to retrieve important documents by 50%.
  • Provided administrative support to other departments, reducing the workload of team members by 20%, resulting in improved productivity and better delivery of services.
  • Implemented a comprehensive reporting system, resulting in an organized and centralized database for important information, improving the decision-making process for upper management.
  • Coordinated several successful company events, which involved logistical planning, venue booking, and ensuring smooth operations during the event, resulting in a positive impact on the company's image.
  • Maintained a detailed and accurate calendar, ensuring all deadlines, appointments, and meetings were efficiently managed, resulting in improved time management for the department.
  • Strong organizational and multi-tasking skills
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Able to work independently and in teams
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office suite and other relevant software
  • Proficient in scheduling and calendar management
  • Proven track record of meeting deadlines
  • Troubleshooting and problem solving skills
  • Adaptable to rapidly changing environments
  • Detail-oriented and meticulous
  • Excellent customer service and client relations
  • Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information
  • Knowledge of clerical and administrative procedures

Administrative Clerk Resume Example:

  • Generated over 50% cost savings by creatively consolidating purchasing agreements with key suppliers.
  • Developed a streamlined document filing system to ensure the office ran efficiently.
  • Designed an automated process that tracks and reconciles invoices while actively monitoring financial records.
  • Pioneered an updated phone/voicemail system that reduced incoming call wait times by an average of 3 minutes
  • Reduced expenses related to office supplies and materials by introducing an innovative inventory management system
  • Successfully coordinated complex travel arrangements for senior executives to 25 countries in the region
  • Streamlined onboarding processes, resulting in a reduction in paperwork of over 25%
  • Developed and managed numerous automated systems, tools, and processes that increased enterprise efficiency
  • Collaboratively prepared executive correspondence, reports, and other documents for numerous high-profile meetings
  • Communication & Interpersonal Skills
  • Financial Management
  • Organizational & Time-Management Skills
  • Problem Solving/Analytical Thinking
  • Computer Proficiency (Microsoft Office Suite, ERP, CRM)
  • Professionalism & Diplomacy
  • Adaptability & Flexibility
  • Customer Service & Conflict Resolution
  • Document & Database Management
  • Process Improvement & Quality Assurance
  • Multi-tasking & Prioritization
  • Nonprofit Administration

Beginner Admin Assistant Resume Example:

  • Developed and managed a filing system for documents and automated systems that reduced document retrieval time by 25%.
  • Researched and recommended cost-effective supplies that resulted in a 35% cost savings for the organization.
  • Automated the email process with templates and message rules that led to an average response time of two hours.
  • Enhanced the customer service experience by addressing inquiries with up-to-date product knowledge and effectively referring customers to the appropriate team members.
  • Implemented contact management tools to organize customer data and tracking system that improved customer satisfaction ratings by 20%.
  • Replaced manual documentation processes with automated solutions, generating productivity gains of over 35%.
  • Answered customer inquiries on the phone, online, and through email, increasing customer satisfaction ratings by 10%
  • Streamlined scheduling processes to enable efficient meeting coordination that increased overall operational efficiency by 23%
  • Edited documents, videos, and graphics for presentations that met client expectations and demonstrated understanding of task outcome
  • Document filing and retrieval
  • Microsoft Office proficiency
  • Automation and streamlining of processes
  • Contact management tools
  • Cost savings/reduction
  • Problem solving/critical thinking
  • Customer service/relations
  • Excellent Communication (Written & Verbal)
  • Attention to detail
  • Organizational and time-management skills
  • Presentation development
  • Ability to embrace and learn new technologies
  • Flexible and adaptable to changing needs

Entry Level Administrative Assistant Resume Example:

  • Organized and managed the schedule and travel itineraries of upper management, resulting in a 10% increase in their productivity.
  • Created and maintained spreadsheets and databases, streamlining the company's administrative processes.
  • Coordinated and organized meetings and events, improving the overall efficiency of the company.
  • Assisted in scheduling and organizing meetings and events, gaining experience in administrative support.
  • Shadowed and assisted experienced administrative assistants, learning how to handle various administrative tasks.
  • Participated in team meetings and training sessions, learning best practices for administrative support.
  • Excellent organizational skills
  • Detail oriented
  • Highly proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills
  • Good time management and multi-tasking abilities
  • Ability to work with minimal supervision
  • Adaptability and creativity
  • Proven ability to handle confidential information
  • Accuracy and attention to detail
  • Ability to prioritize tasks
  • Positive attitude and strong work ethic
  • Proactive and organized approach to work
  • Ability to meet deadlines and follow up on tasks
  • Excellent customer service and problem-solving skills

Experienced Administrative Assistant Resume Example:

  • Efficiently redesigned and implemented digital filing system, resulting in a 26% increase in team efficiency.
  • Expertly managed executive calendars and video conferences, ensuring all meetings and engagements occurred on time and without interruption.
  • Worked with vendors and external parties to coordinate important company events and managed budgets to ensure accuracy in all billing activities.
  • Elevated stakeholder management and follow-up processes by creating structured tracking initiatives for employees, resulting in 33% faster response times
  • Researched and compiled pertinent industry data to formulate special projects, providing invaluable support to top-level management
  • Created and formatted content for a wide range of documents, from correspondence to reports to PowerPoint presentations—ensuring perfection in final deliverables
  • Drafted and prepared all correspondence, memos, and other documents with meticulous attention to detail, resulting in zero inaccuracies
  • Successfully developed, maintained, and managed physical and digital filing systems, bringing all company documents up to date
  • Assisted with onboarding processes and provided valuable HR advice, resulting in a smoother transition for new hires and improved onboarding practices
  • Advanced Calendar Management
  • Diverse Data Management
  • Proficient in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access)
  • Document/Presentation Formatting and Editing
  • Outstanding Written and Verbal Communication
  • Technical Documentation/Instruction Writing
  • Knowledge of Business Workflows
  • Task Automation/Process Improvement Strategies
  • Resource Allocation and Scheduling
  • Research and Analytical Thinking
  • Database Management and Analysis
  • Budget Planning and Tracking
  • Innovative Problem-Solving
  • Conflict Resolution and Mediation
  • Professional Presentation and Negotiation
  • Expert Customer Service and Interpersonal Skills
  • Onboarding and HR Support

Junior Admin Assistant Resume Example:

  • Streamlined administrative processes, resulting in a 15% reduction in daily workflow processing time.
  • Managed travel logistics for teams of 15+ staff members with 100% satisfaction feedback for on-time performance and hotel reservations.
  • Streamlined Office Suite data management with the introduction of advanced organization systems and data backup processes, leading to a 20% increase in data storage efficiency.
  • Implemented a digital filing system and process tracking methodology, resulting in a 25% increase in data entry accuracy and improved business performance
  • Developed an up-to-date organizational chart which aided in the recruitment of 50+ NPO professionals per month
  • Created a variety of business presentations for executive-level stakeholders which contributed to a 10% increase in operational efficiency for the department
  • Generated multiple Excel spreadsheets reports, critical to monitoring in-house operations and cross-team synergy
  • Established weekly performance reviews and updated the team on progress measurements and productivity levels
  • Automated various daily tasks with the integration of office technologies, reducing the need for manual entry by 35%
  • Advanced office software proficiency
  • Data management
  • Automation/Technology integration
  • Project management
  • Negotiation
  • Microsoft Excel/Spreadsheet expertise
  • Logistics/Travel coordination
  • Time management
  • Organizational chart design
  • Reporting and analytics
  • Digital filing system implementation
  • Professional communication
  • Employee performance management
  • Problem-solving
  • Multi-tasking
  • Process optimization

Office Administrative Assistant Resume Example:

  • Facilitated onboarding process for 10 new staff members and revised company operations manual with up-to-date regulations and policies.
  • Streamlined administrative operations within department - reduced paperwork by 25%, implemented business expense tracking and reporting system, and improved filing and records organization by 35%.
  • Supported company expansion efforts and initiated event logistics; enhanced administrative control over large scale events, up to 250 people, resulting in 15% higher customer satisfaction.
  • Developed and implemented tracking system for employee expenses that saved the company 10% in related costs in just 6 months
  • Seamlessly coordinated travel arrangements and logistical support for 8 executive-level employees, ensuring professionalism, efficiency and privacy
  • Established protocols and procedures for workplace maintenance and IT support, leading to improved efficiency
  • Achieved 50% decrease in response times for IT tickets
  • Achieved 90% accurate record-keeping for administrative tasks
  • Spearheaded office organizational transition, cut overhead expenses following the swap from hard-copy filing to a digital storage system.
  • Implemented mailbox management system that improved incoming mail sorting and routing accuracy by 25%.
  • Optimized company correspondence, streamlining proofreading functions for reports, presentations and other documents to achieve 98% accuracy.
  • Team Collaboration & Management
  • Client Relations
  • Project Planning & Execution
  • Scheduling & Calendar Management
  • Multitasking & Prioritization
  • Data Entry & Records Management
  • Process & Protocol Design
  • Report Writing & Analysis
  • Attention to Detail & Accuracy
  • Confidentiality & Discretion
  • Event Logistical Support
  • Travel Arrangements & Bookings
  • Office Space & Equipment Maintenance
  • IT Support & Troubleshooting
  • Document Proofreading
  • Budget Tracking & Expense Management
  • Customer Service & Satisfaction
  • Business & Technical Writing

Senior Administrative Assistant Resume Example:

  • Successfully coordinated and scheduled meetings, appointments, and travel arrangements for the CEO, resulting in a 30% increase in productivity for the executive team
  • Implemented an electronic filing system that streamlined the management and retrieval of confidential and sensitive information, reducing the time spent on administrative tasks by 50%
  • Acted as a liaison between the CEO and external stakeholders, resulting in the successful negotiation of several high-value business deals
  • Designed and managed the office operations, resulting in a 20% increase in efficiency and a 15% decrease in costs.
  • Provided support to other departments, resulting in a 20% increase in overall productivity across the organization.
  • Trained and supervised junior administrative staff, resulting in a 50% increase in the quality of work and a 40% decrease in errors.
  • Successfully coordinated special projects and events, resulting in a 50% increase in employee engagement and satisfaction.
  • Assisted with budget preparation and expense management, resulting in a 25% reduction in overall expenses.
  • Acted as a liaison between the management and employees, resulting in a 30% increase in communication and collaboration across the organization.
  • Advanced Scheduling and Organization Skills
  • Proficient in Office Management Applications
  • Expertise in Document Management Systems
  • Adept at Conflict Resolution
  • Broad Knowledge of Business and Project Management
  • Excellent Communication and Interpersonal Skills
  • Proficiency in Accounting
  • Experienced in Budget and Expense Management
  • Ability to Prioritize Workload Efficiently
  • Proven Training and Supervisory Skills
  • Competent in HR Policies and Procedures
  • Superior Time Management and Multitasking Skills
  • Proven Problem-Solving Ability
  • Skilled Negotiator
  • Excellent Leadership and Teamwork Skills
  • Tech-Savvy with Knowledge of Latest Office Technology
  • Sound Knowledge of Conference, Planning and Event Management
  • Proficiency in Data Analysis and Report Presentation
  • Highly Detail-Oriented
  • Office Management

High Level Resume Tips for Administrative Assistants:

Creating a resume is all about making your best case for why you should be hired for an individual position. Certain aspects of your administrative career will hold more weight in the eyes of a recruiter than others will, so you will need to be selective about the information you include, and how you present it. Here are some tips to help you focus on what matters most: Emphasize organizational and time-management skills: As an Administrative Assistant, you are responsible for managing multiple tasks and projects simultaneously. Highlight your organizational and time-management skills on your resume, demonstrating your ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and manage competing demands. Showcase your communication and interpersonal skills: Your role as an Administrative Assistant involves interacting with a variety of stakeholders, including executives, team members, and clients. Emphasize your strong communication and interpersonal skills, including your ability to work collaboratively, resolve conflicts, and communicate effectively. Demonstrate your proficiency with relevant software and tools: In any Administrative Assistant role, your expertise with tools like Microsoft Office, Google Suite, CRM platforms, and project management systems will be very relevant and valuable to an organization. Be sure to highlight your proficiency with these types tools, related technology skills, and any certifications or training you've received in this area. Emphasize your attention to detail: As an Administrative Assistant, accuracy and attention to detail are critical to success. Highlight your ability to manage complex information, maintain meticulous records, and ensure quality control. Showcase your problem-solving skills: As an Administrative Assistant, you are often the first line of defense when problems arise. Emphasize your ability to identify and resolve issues quickly and effectively, demonstrating your problem-solving skills. Tailor your resume to the job and company: Customize your resume to each job you apply for, emphasizing the skills and experiences that make you a strong fit for the specific role and company. Use the job description to identify the key skills and qualifications the employer is seeking, and highlight how you meet those requirements.

Must-Have Information for a Administrative Assistant Resume:

Here are the essential sections that should exist in an administrative assistant resume:

  • Contact Information
  • Resume Headline
  • Resume Summary or Objective
  • Work Experience & Achievements
  • Skills & Competencies

Additionally, if you're eager to make an impression and gain an edge over other administrative assistant candidates, you may want to consider adding in these sections:

  • Certifications/Training

Let's start with resume headlines.

Why Resume Headlines & Titles are Important for Administrative Assistants:

Administrative assistant resume headline examples:, strong headlines.

Proactive Administrative Assistant with 4+ years of Experience

Results-Driven Administrative Assistant with 4+ Years of Expertise

These resume headlines showcase the candidate's experience and demonstrate their abilities as an Administrative Assistant.

Additionally, they highlight the candidate’s proactive attitude and results-driven mindset, with the use of action verbs like “proactive” and “results-driven”.

Weak Headlines

  • Unqualified Administrative Assistant
  • Administrative Assistant; 4 years of Experience
  • These resume headlines either seem unprofessional and lack clarity, or do not do an effective job of showcasing the candidate’s experience. The headline “Unqualified Administrative Assistant” suggests that the candidate is not in fact qualified for the role, which is off-putting, and the headline “Administrative Assistant; 4 Years of Experience” does not prove the candidate’s qualities or demonstrate that they would be an asset to the company.
  • Both headlines fail to demonstrate anything unique or valuable about them as an admin assistant.

Writing an Exceptional Administrative Assistant Resume Summary:

A resume summary is a crucial section for showcasing your administrative abilities, experiences, and accomplishments as an Administrative Assistant. It provides a brief but impactful overview of your skills and qualifications, which is essential in capturing the attention of hiring managers and demonstrating your suitability for the role.

For Administrative Assistants, your resume summary should highlight your administrative skills, experience in managing office operations, and expertise in scheduling and communication. A well-crafted summary will showcase your organizational ability and demonstrate your value as an Administrative Assistant.

Here are a few tips to make effective use of your summary:

  • Tailor it to the specific job that you are applying for – emphasizing the most relevant skills and experiences
  • Highlight your quantifiable achievements, such as reducing office expenses or improving workflow, to demonstrate your value as an Administrative Assistant
  • Use keywords related to the Administrative Assistant role and the administrative support industry to optimize your resume for both people and applicant tracking systems (ATS)
  • Keep the summary concise, aim for no more than 3-4 sentences
  • Avoid cliches and generic statements, and focus on highlighting your unique abilities and experiences.

Administrative Assistant Resume Summary Examples:

Strong summaries.

  • Experienced Administrative Assistant with 4+ years of professional experience in office management, customer relations, clerical duties, and data entry. Adept at multitasking and maintaining a high level of organization and efficiency. Proven track record of providing excellent customer service with a positive attitude.
  • Results-driven Administrative Assistant with 4+ years of experience providing comprehensive administrative and operational support. Highly organized and detail-oriented, with excellent communication and customer service skills. Skilled in streamlining office processes to maximize efficiency and productivity.

Why these are strong:

  • What makes the great summaries great is that they provide specific examples of the Administrative Assistant's skills and experience, such as office management, customer relations, clerical duties, and data entry. They also both emphasize the fact that the Administrative Assistant is organized, efficient, and brings positive energy to the team.

Weak Summaries

  • 4 years' experience as an Administrative Assistant. Knowledgeable in customer relations, data entry, and office management. Efficient and organized.
  • Administrative Assistant with 4 years of experience. I'm great with people and have lots of customer service experience. I'm an organized person and can handle a lot of tasks at once.

Why these are weak:

  • In summary, both examples do not provide any unique value proposition or showcase any noteworthy accomplishments or skills that would make the candidate stand out from other candidates. A strong resume summary for an Administrative Assistant should be specific, highlight the candidate's achievements, and provide evidence to support any claims made.

Resume Objective Examples for Administrative Assistants:

Strong objectives.

Recent college graduate seeking role as an Administrative Assistant to utilize excellent organizational skills and detail-orientation to direct office operations efficiently and productively.

Self-motivated and organized Administrative Assistant, determined to use strong technical and communication skills to promote efficient, effective office operations.

  • What makes objectives strong is that they are customized to the particular position of Administrative Assistant and show a clear indication of the experience and skills that the applicant can bring to the role. The objectives focus on the employer's needs and list what makes the applicant a strong candidate for the job.

Weak Objectives

An Administrative Assistant role to grow my career and advance professionally.

Highly experienced Administrative Assistant eager to apply my skills and utilize my knowledge of all office tasks to contribute to the workplace.

  • These resume objectives are weak because they don't demonstrate any understanding of the role and what the employer is looking for. They simply indicate that the applicant is looking for a job, rather than conveying the value and experience they can bring to the position.

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Speed up your resume creation process with the ai resume builder . generate tailored resume summaries in seconds., how to impress with your administrative assistant work experience:, best practices for your work experience section:.

  • Keep your resume succinct. It's important to create a concise and detailed resume that accurately reflects the knowledge and experience you have in the administrative field.
  • Focus on qualifications and abilities related to the job you're applying for, and omit any extra information that's not pertinent to the position.
  • Highlight your core skills. As an Administrative Assistant, you're expected to have excellent organizational and communication skills, so make sure to emphasize these in your resume. You should also showcase any other skills you possess, such as knowledge of software programs, multitasking, and critical thinking skills.
  • Demonstrate proven success. To stand out to recruiters and hiring managers, include examples of successful projects and tasks you've completed in the past. This will make a strong impression and help you stand out among the competition.
  • Showcase your adaptability. Administrative professionals must be able to adjust to changing demands quickly, so showcase any adaptability skills you possess. You might consider highlighting the results of a project you completed within a tight deadline or how you overcame a challenging obstacle.
  • Share awards and accomplishments. If you've received any type of recognition or awards in the past related to your administrative work, include those in your resume as well. Having relevant awards to back up your qualifications will demonstrate your value and make a great impression.
  • Use action verbs to describe your experiences to help them stand out, such as “streamlined,” “coordinated,” “initiated,”etc.
  • Focus on accomplishments rather than duties, emphasizing tangible outcomes resulting from your work.

Example Work Experiences for Administrative Assistants:

Strong experiences.

Provided administrative support to a team of 25 employees, resulting in a 20% increase in productivity over a 3-month period.

Reduced office costs by 10% by negotiating better prices with vendors.

Organized and maintained physical and digital filing systems for the department, improving document retrieval time by 30%.

Developed and implemented a new filing system for the office, which resulted in a 25% improvement in efficiency.

Created a weekly schedule for office staff that improved overall customer satisfaction by 10%.

Provided administrative assistance to the CEO, which led to a 5% reduction in time spent on administrative tasks.

  • These examples demonstrate the administrative assistant’s ability to support a team, increase productivity, reduce costs, and improve efficiency and customer satisfaction. The metrics included in each example illustrate the impact that the individual had on their team.

Weak Experiences

Provided administrative assistance to the office staff.

Organized and maintained filing system for the department.

Created a weekly schedule for office staff.

Handled office operations and customer relations.

Answered phone calls and handled customer inquiries.

Tracked and maintained office supplies.

  • These examples do not provide any metrics or explain the impact that the individual had in their role. The duties listed are also too general and do not explain the individual’s accomplishments.

Top Skills & Keywords for Administrative Assistant Resumes:

Top hard & soft skills for administrative assistants, hard skills.

  • Computer proficiency (MS Office, spreadsheet and database programs)
  • Great organizational and time management abilities
  • Ability to multitask effectively
  • Problem-solving and decision-making skills
  • Discretion and confidentiality
  • Ability to learn quickly

Soft Skills

  • Interpersonal communication
  • Organizational skills
  • Confidentiality

Go Above & Beyond with a Administrative Assistant Cover Letter

Administrative assistant cover letter example: (based on resume).

Dear [Company Name] Hiring Manager, I am excited to apply for the Administrative Assistant position at [Company Name]. With my experience in managing workflow, analyzing records, and developing filing systems, I am confident in my ability to make a positive impact on your team. In my previous role, I managed workflow of documents, records, schedules, and logistics for executive staff. Through my efforts, I was able to decrease the time spent on administrative tasks by 20%, allowing the executive staff to focus on high-priority tasks. Additionally, I analyzed departmental records, prepared extensive reports, and devised innovative solutions to meet organizational goals. One of my proudest achievements was the development and implementation of a new filing system and procedures that optimized office efficiency and enhanced productivity by 10%. I am confident that I can apply the same level of detail and dedication to any project or initiative at [Company Name]. Furthermore, I have experience overseeing the planning and delivery of staff meetings, events, and travel arrangements, which resulted in a robust communication infrastructure between staff and executives. I also increased customer engagement efforts by 25% through recruitment and retention activities that embraced diversity and inclusion initiatives. In addition, I have trained new team members on data entry, document management, and other office administrative tasks to improve job performance. I am excited about the opportunity to bring my experience and passion for organization and communication to [Company Name].

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to speak with you further about how I can contribute to your team. Sincerely, [Your Name]

As an Administrative Assistant, submitting a cover letter along with your resume can help you stand out in a competitive job market. A cover letter allows you to showcase your communication and organizational skills, highlight your attention to detail, and demonstrate your passion for the position.

A cover letter is an opportunity to add a personal touch to your application and provide additional context beyond the bullet points on your resume. It also shows the hiring manager that you have taken the time to research the company and position and are invested in the opportunity.

Here are some of the most convincing reasons for why an Administrative Assistant should submit a cover letter:

  • It showcases your communication and organizational skills: As an Administrative Assistant, you'll be working with cross-functional teams, stakeholders, and clients on a daily basis. Your cover letter provides an opportunity to demonstrate your written communication skills and ability to clearly convey ideas. It also allows you to showcase your organizational skills by outlining your ability to manage schedules, prioritize tasks, and maintain accurate records.
  • It highlights your attention to detail: As an Administrative Assistant, attention to detail is crucial to ensuring the smooth running of the office. Your cover letter provides an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to catch errors and ensure accuracy in your work.
  • It demonstrates your passion for the position: A well-written cover letter can showcase your enthusiasm for the administrative field and the company. This can make a difference in the hiring manager's decision-making process.
  • It sets you apart from other applicants: A well-crafted cover letter can help you stand out from other applicants who may have similar experience and qualifications.

While writing a cover letter may seem like a daunting task, it doesn't have to be. Your cover letter should complement your resume and highlight your skills and experience in a way that is relevant to the specific position you are applying for.

Tips for aligning your cover letter with your resume:

  • Use the same header as your resume: This will help the hiring manager identify your application as a complete package.
  • Align the content of your cover letter with the requirements of the job: Use the job description as a guide to highlight your relevant skills and experience.
  • Use keywords from the job posting: Incorporate relevant keywords from the job posting to help your application get past applicant tracking systems (ATS).
  • Keep your cover letter concise and focused: Aim for one page and avoid repeating information from your resume.
  • Provide specific examples: Use your cover letter to provide specific examples of how you have successfully managed administrative tasks or assisted in project management.
  • Showcase your professionalism: As an Administrative Assistant, professionalism is an essential part of the job. Use your cover letter as an opportunity to showcase your professional demeanor and approach to the role.
  • Proofread carefully: Errors in your cover letter can undermine your credibility, so make sure to proofread carefully before submitting your application.

Resume FAQs for Administrative Assistants:

How long should i make my administrative assistant resume.

An Administrative Assistant's resume should be between 1-2 pages in length, depending on the person's experience level. No matter what, the resume should include essential elements such as a professional profile, an employment history, as well as tangible accomplishments and technology skills. However, it should always focus on relevancy and be no longer than two pages long. Anything longer risks being too dense or containing unnecessary information.

What is the best way to format a Administrative Assistant resume?

When it comes to crafting an effective Administrative Assistant resume, the key is to ensure the resume is clearly structured and easy to skim. To achieve this, make sure to place your contact information at the top, followed by a concise summary statement that outlines your relevant experience and qualifications. After this, include your professional experience, educational background, and any certifications or awards you have earned. Finally, make sure to highlight your skills and relevant accomplishments in each job listing or section.

Which Administrative Assistant skills are most important to highlight in a resume?

When crafting a resume, it's very important to emphasize the right hard skills to demonstrate proficiency in the areas that truly matter. Common hard skills to highlight on an Administrative Assistant resume include: -Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook -Knowledge of customer relationship management (CRM) systems -Ability to work with databases and enterprise resource planning (ERP) tools -Bookkeeping, accounting, and coding skills -Data entry and record-keeping capabilities -Meeting, event, and travel coordination experience -Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including executive-level correspondence -Superb organizational and multitasking talents -Project management, prioritization, and problem-solving expertise -Familiarity with Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS) and payroll processes

How should you write a resume if you have no experience as a Administrative Assistant?

If you have no experience as an Administrative Assistant, don't worry! There are still several ways you can create a strong resume that highlights your skills and demonstrates your potential as a successful Administrative Assistant. Here are some tips to help you get started: Start with a strong objective statement: Begin your resume with a clear and concise objective statement that highlights your desire to work as an Administrative Assistant and your relevant skills and attributes. This will show employers that you are serious about pursuing a career in this field. Emphasize transferable skills: Even if you don't have experience as an Administrative Assistant, you likely have transferable skills from other jobs or from your education. Highlight these skills in your resume, such as strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving abilities. Showcase relevant coursework or certifications: If you have taken relevant courses or earned certifications, be sure to highlight these in your resume. This will demonstrate that you have a foundational understanding of the field and are committed to developing your skills. Include volunteer work or internships: If you have volunteered in administrative roles or completed internships, be sure to include these experiences in your resume. This will show employers that you have hands-on experience in an office environment and can handle administrative tasks. Customize your resume for the job: Tailor your resume to the specific job you are applying for. Research the company and the role to determine what skills and attributes are most important, and emphasize these in your resume. Use a functional or skills-based resume format: If you don't have a lot of experience, consider using a functional or skills-based resume format instead of a chronological format. This will allow you to highlight your skills and abilities, rather than your work history.

Compare Your Administrative Assistant Resume to a Job Description:

  • Identify opportunities to further tailor your resume to the Administrative Assistant job
  • Improve your keyword usage to align your experience and skills with the position
  • Uncover and address potential gaps in your resume that may be important to the hiring manager

Related Resumes for Administrative Assistants:

Administrative aide resume example, administrative assistant intern resume example, administrative assistant with no experience resume example, administrative clerk resume example, administrative support resume example, beginner admin assistant resume example, entry level administrative assistant resume example, experienced administrative assistant resume example, junior admin assistant resume example, office administrative assistant resume example, senior administrative assistant resume example, administrative assistant resume example, more resume guidance:.

Executive Assistant

Resume Worded

Administration resume summary examples.

Approved by hiring managers, here are proven resume summary examples you can use on your Administration resume. Learn what real hiring managers want to see on your resume, and when to use which.

Hiring Manager for Administration Roles

  • Administration
  • Administration Coordinator
  • Administrative Services Manager
  • Business Administrator
  • Entry-Level Administrative Assistant
  • Executive Assistant
  • Office Administrator
  • Senior Administration Manager
  • Administration resume templates
  • Similar summary examples

Administration Resume Summary Example

Highlighting efficiency improvements.

When you mention you 'streamlined office operations by 20%', you're showing how your administrative efforts directly impacted office efficiency. It's a smart move, because it helps hiring managers visualize the value you could bring to their team.

Showcasing Leadership Skills

'Managed a team of 10 administrative staff' speaks volumes about your ability to lead, manage and motivate a team. Especially in the administration field, where teamwork is vital, this is a trait employers will be looking out for.

Administration Coordinator Resume Summary Example

Showcasing workflow enhancement.

Sharing how you've 'improved workflow processes' is a clear indicator of your ability to analyze, improve, and streamline systems - key for efficient administration. You are showing your capacity to bring effective change in a work environment.

Highlighting Task Coordination for Larger Teams

'Coordinated administrative tasks for a team of 30' sends a signal that you're comfortable handling multiple tasks, people, and agendas. It's a sure way to catch the eye of a hiring manager looking to fill an administrative role in a larger team.

Administrative Services Manager Resume Summary Example

Showcase tangible improvements.

When you say you've 'improved service delivery', it sounds like a hollow promise. But when you add 'through process improvement', and then show a '15% increase in customer satisfaction', you're showing exactly how you did it and what the results were. This level of detail helps paint a clear picture of your abilities and their impact.

Demonstrate leadership experience

Managing a team isn't just about numbers, it's about handling people's dynamics and personalities. So when you mention you've 'Managed a team of 25 across various functions', it tells me you're capable of handling complex team dynamics. Add to this the fact that you reduced conflicts, and you've shown me proof of your leadership skills.

Business Administrator Resume Summary Example

Highlight your versatility.

Overseeing both financial and HR operations requires a diverse skill set. By mentioning this, you're showing that you're versatile and can handle different tasks, which is a great asset in an administrative role where you wear many hats.

Stress on team management in challenging environments

Managing a team in a high-stakes environment is a whole different ball game. It's not just about getting things done, it's about managing stress, encouraging team morale, and still delivering results. So, this line gives me a sense of your leadership abilities under pressure.

Entry-Level Administrative Assistant Resume Summary Example

Emphasizing data organization skill.

By stating your knack for 'organizing and managing data', you're emphasizing your attention to detail and proficiency in handling information - key skills in the administration domain. It shows potential employers that you're not just entry-level, but ready to take on tasks that require precision and control.

Demonstrating Event Coordination Skills

Mentioning your experience in 'coordinating 50+ corporate events' is a clever way of demonstrating your handling of logistics, attention to detail and time management, crucial for an administrative role.

Executive Assistant Resume Summary Example

Managing high-level schedules.

When you say you've 'managed complex schedules for 5 C-suite executives', it suggests you're used to working under pressure and dealing with high-level administrative tasks. This demonstrates your reliability and ability to perform in high-stakes roles.

Implementing Customer Relationship Tools

'Implemented a new CRM system' highlights your ability to enhance customer relationship efficiency, showing that you understand the value of customer satisfaction in the broader business context. This is a positive signal to potential employers about your customer-centric approach.

Office Administrator Resume Summary Example

Stressing digital implementation.

By mentioning 'implementing digital filing systems', you're showing your skills in digital transformation, which is increasingly important in modern administrative roles. You're communicating that you're tech-savvy, adaptable, and forward-thinking.

Managing Diversity and Fast-Paced Work

'Managed a diverse team of 15 professionals in a fast-paced environment' demonstrates your adaptability and leadership skills in challenging settings. This makes you come across as a resilient and resourceful administrative professional.

Senior Administration Manager Resume Summary Example

Quantifying operational efficiency.

By saying you 'improved operational efficiency by 25%', you're not just telling potential employers that you're good at what you do, but showing them with quantifiable data. In the realm of administration, this can be a powerful selling point.

Showcasing Leadership in Larger Teams

Stating that you 'oversaw a team of 20 professionals' not only shows you can handle responsibility, but also that you can manage larger teams, a highly desirable trait for senior roles.

Administration Resume Templates

Back office.

A back office manager resume template showcasing the applicant's expertise in handling various business activities.

Inventory Manager

An Inventory Control Analyst resume sample showing the applicant's extensive work experience and inventory management skills

Service Desk

A service desk technician resume template using strong action verbs

Administrative Resume Summary Examples

  • Administrative Assistant Summary Examples
  • Executive Assistant Summary Examples
  • Office Manager Summary Examples
  • Research Assistant Summary Examples

Administrative Resume Objective Examples

  • Administrative Assistant Objective Examples
  • Executive Assistant Objective Examples
  • Office Manager Objective Examples
  • Research Assistant Objective Examples

Administrative Resume Guides

  • Administrative Assistant Resume Guides
  • Executive Assistant Resume Guides
  • Office Manager Resume Guides
  • Research Assistant Resume Guides

sample summary for administrative assistant resume

Thank you for the checklist! I realized I was making so many mistakes on my resume that I've now fixed. I'm much more confident in my resume now.

sample summary for administrative assistant resume

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  • 11 Best Administrative Skills...

11 Best Administrative Skills for Your Resume (With Examples)

11 min read · Updated on February 15, 2024

Ronda Suder

Discover the top administrative skills to make your resume stand out

Having strong administrative skills means you're able to plan events and projects, manage time, and keep things organized and running like a well-oiled machine. It also means you come to the table with the ability to communicate and engage with the customers, clients, and stakeholders of a company. 

Though administrative skills are necessary for jobs like Administrative Assistants, Receptionists, and Office Managers, they also add value to virtually any position across the various industries you might find yourself employed in. Since they're highly valued by employers, it benefits you to ensure you highlight sought-after administrative skills on your resume. 

In this post, we cover:

What administrative skills are

Why administrative skills on resumes are important

Some of the most in-demand administrative skills for resumes

How to highlight administrative skills on resumes

Where to include administrative skills on resumes

Administrative skills defined

Administrative skills are a series of qualities that, when combined, allow you to help manage a business or department or run an office. They include both hard skills, like knowing how to use a specific software application, and soft skills, like communication and problem solving. Examples of essential administrative tasks might include communicating with employees, filing, running reports, calendar management, and answering client questions. 

Why administrative skills are important to employers

People with strong administrative skills tend to be reliable self-starters with the ability to organize and manage time well. With a diverse skill set, they're valued by employers because they help organizations to maintain productivity and keep things running smoothly - they're a cornerstone of a company's success.  Any successful business will not only have administrative staff with strong administrative skills on their resume, but will also have other employees throughout the organization that apply these types of skills in their various jobs.

Administrative skills are also some of the most transferable skills between industries and job types. Administrative skills required for a role in the marketing sector would be applicable and transferable to the energy sector, for example. 

What are some of the most in-demand administrative skills for resumes?

When it comes to administrative skills on resumes, there are many that can make you stand out to hiring teams. Here are 11 of the top administrative skills to consider for your resume, and why they're important. 

1. Communication

Communication - both verbal and written - is a daily requirement for virtually any position. Those in administrative positions often need to communicate in different forms with a variety of people, both internal and external to the business, from employees and executives to clients and contractors. 

2. Microsoft 365

We're all familiar with certain Microsoft 365 applications, like Microsoft Word and Outlook. However, those with solid technical administrative skills on their resume tend to be knowledgeable in how to use all applications in the suite, including Excel, PowerPoint, and OneDrive. 

3. Organization

With the many plates employees often have spinning all at once, it's vital they hone in on the administrative skill of organization. In fact, it's one of the most important administrative skills to ensure things run smoothly within a team, department, or business. When you're organized, you tend to have good time management and planning skills as well, which are also sought-after administrative skills on resumes. 

4. Problem solving

We're constantly solving problems every day, including at work. A good problem solver identifies the problem, proposes solutions, chooses the best solution, and implements the it. Strong problem solvers support business continuity, innovation, and inspiration, making it a highly valuable administrative skill on resumes.  

5. Scheduling

Though essentially all employees have to maintain their schedules, administrative positions, in particular, often have the daunting task of keeping up with several schedules at once. In addition to calendar management, Administrators often have to coordinate and schedule meetings, travel arrangements, and events for the teams or individuals they support, making scheduling a vital technical skill to have.  

6. Flexibility

Change is the only constant, as they say, which requires flexibility. Employees need to be flexible to successfully adapt to changing priorities, demands, and requests. Without flexibility, work can be more stressful and productivity can take a hit.  

7. Working well under stress

Tight deadlines, quick turnaround times, multiple requests, several projects all at once, and day-to-day tasks can feel like a lot for any employee. Being able to work well under stress is necessary to stay on top of things without becoming overwhelmed, which can slow things down. When you work well under stress, you also tend to be good at multitasking, another valuable administrative skill. 

8. Customer service

For positions that are customer and client facing, strong interpersonal and customer service skills are necessary administrative skills. This is especially true for service and support-oriented positions. 

9. Teamwork

Though administrative professionals tend to be on point to keep things operating as needed, they do so as part of a team. The same goes for individual contributors who, while being responsible for their own tasks and activities, contribute to the department and generally work as part of a team to accomplish department and organizational goals and objectives. 

10. Detail orientation

When you're managing calendars, sharing business information, planning events, or drafting presentations, you must pay attention to the details to ensure accuracy and efficiency. Mistakes in these areas can be costly - if not in terms of dollars, in terms of added stress and lost time. As such, employers want to know they can trust you to adequately cross all the t's and dot all the i's when they hire you to do a job, making attention to detail an in-demand administrative skill.    

11. Event coordination

Administrative professionals, in particular, are often responsible for planning events of varying sizes. Coordinating company events, holiday parties, staff meetings, and more can all fall under the administrative umbrella. What's great about highlighting event coordination skills is that you're showing several other administrative skills at the same time, including organization, communication, multitasking, collaboration, and problem-solving.

Additional administrative skills for resumes 

The above list is just a launching point to help you get started with your own list of administrative skills to include on your resume. Below are some additional hard and soft skills often found on administrative resumes to provide even more inspiration.

Administrative hard skills for resumes

Office equipment use

Database management

Videoconferencing

Expense reporting

Google Docs

File management

Administrative soft skills for resumes

Decision-making

Interpersonal skills

Prioritization

Active listening

Critical thinking

Open-mindedness

How to highlight administrative skills on your resume

Make a list of your administrative-related skills and accomplishments. Using this post as inspiration, sit down and thoughtfully list all of the administrative skills you possess. From there, make a list of all of the administrative duties and responsibilities you've held, as well as any work accomplishments related to administrative skills you've applied or positions you've held. 

Refer to the job description. Review the job description you're interested in and highlight any administrative skills and experience required. Then, compare that to the list you created based on your work history. Be sure your resume includes the administrative skills and experience you have that align with the job description. This is a great way to incorporate keywords into your resume to pass an employer's applicant tracking system , or ATS, and grab the attention of hiring managers.

Showcase soft and hard (technical) skills throughout your resume. For maximum benefit, highlight both hard and soft administrative skills throughout your resume. Hard skills are measurable and learned skills, whereas soft skills are intangible and difficult to measure, though vital for job success. We discuss where and how to include hard and soft skills in the next section. 

Highlight soft skills through on-the-job accomplishments and achievements. Unlike with technical skills, you don't want to merely list soft skills on your resume. Instead, you want to show off your soft skills through the achievements you choose to highlight. For example, consider the following:

Oversaw and coordinated a 5-hour corporate event for 1,000 employees, showcasing the executive team and highlighting employee achievements and milestones for 2023

This achievement highlights organization, time management, attention to detail, critical thinking, and creativity administrative soft skills, to name a few. 

Where to highlight administrative skills on your resume

Now that you know how to come up with administrative skills to include on a resume, where can you incorporate them? Any of the following are excellent options:

Resume Summary

Skills or core competencies section.

Experience section

Certifications section

Additional sections.

Your resume summary , that sits just below your contact information, is where you can pack a punch to entice resume readers to keep reading. Here are a couple of examples of how to include administrative skills in your resume summary:

Administrative professional example

Administrator with over 5 years of experience working with C-suite executives to navigate organizational challenges and provide solutions to maintain business continuity and operations. Managed up to 15 calendars at one time using effective scheduling, time management, and organizational skills. 

What are some of the administrative skills this summary speaks to? How about:

Communication

Organization

Problem solving

Time management

Stress management

Multitasking

Non-administrative individual contributor example

Focused engineering professional with 10 years of experience in the oil & gas sector. Leverages solid problem-solving skills to address concerns in high-stakes environments, with the flexibility required to adjust priorities and maintain productivity. Organized and led a $2M pipeline construction project to upgrade pipeline requirements, meeting current industry standards. 

Some of the administrative skills that this summary highlights include:

Prioritizing

Flexibility

Attention to detail

It can be beneficial to include a Core Competencies section just below your resume summary to showcase your technical skills, as well pertinent soft skills. For example:

Core Competencies

Customer Service | Microsoft 365 | Quickbooks | Research | Scheduling   |   Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) | Oracle Applicant Tracking System | Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) | Event Coordination

Alternatively, the hard skills listed could all also go under a Technical Skills section near the end of your resume:

Technical Skills

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)   |   Microsoft 365   |   Quickbooks   |   Research   |   ATS Proficiency   |   Event Coordination   |   Scheduling

Avoid being repetitive and listing the same skills in both a Core Competencies and Skills section - only choose one of the two if you don't have different skills to include in each list.

Work Experience section

Another section to highlight your stellar administrative skills is in the Work Experience section. Here's an example that showcases focus, stress management, communication, filing, organization, switchboard management, time management, and more, all in just three bullet points!

Receptionist

ABC Company, Houston, TX

July 2021 - Present

Managed switchboard for three office buildings housing over 750 employees

Answered client questions regarding products and services, handling a high call volume of 40 to 50 calls per day

Spearheaded development of a new filing system for improved organization of client cases related to issues and concerns

If you hold any administrative-related certifications, you can choose to include them in a Certifications section on your resume. Relevant certifications not only showcase acquired administrative skills and knowledge, but also indicate your dedication to professional development. 

Examples of in-demand administrative certifications are:

Microsoft 365

Certified Administrative Professional (CAP)

Administrative Assistant Certification (CAA)

Microsoft Office Specialist Certification (MOS)

Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

Professional Administrative Certification of Excellence (PACE)

Finally, some might choose to highlight administrative skills on their resume by including additional sections, such as:

Volunteer Work

Hobbies & Interests

Extracurricular Activities

Special Projects

Including additional sections on a resume can benefit those who have gaps in administrative work experience, skills, or education.

Top tip: why not check out our Office Administrative Assistant resume example ?

Administrative skills = valuable assets for any resume

Whether you're applying for an administrative position or any other type of position, administrative skills on resumes add value and tend to stand out to hiring managers. Now, you're equipped with some of the most in-demand administrative skills to include on your resume, as well as advice on how and where to incorporate them. With these tips, you'll be landing those interviews in no time! 

Are you representing administrative skills on your resume appropriately? Why not submit it for a free resume review to find out?

Recommended reading:

How to Use a Reverse Chronological Resume Format

How to Check if My Resume is ATS-Friendly for Free

How to Show Promotions on a Resume (with Examples)

Related Articles:

How to Write a Cover Letter (With Example)

Do Hiring Managers Actually Read Cover Letters?

How to Create a Resume With No Education

See how your resume stacks up.

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Administrative Assistant Job Description: How To Recruit an Administrative Assistant

Emily Kho Photo

Emily Kho is a seasoned writer with a specialization in B2B, EdTech and real estate. She has a Bachelor of Science from the prestigious William F. Harrah College of Hospitality at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. In her free time, she loves going to the beach, snowboarding and reading.

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Katie is a Chicago-based editor. She started her career writing and editing content about home warranty, renters insurance, homeowners insurance and other home services topics before transitioning to home improvement products. She has spent the last year and a half working at a software company, managing content about CRMs, project management tools and other tech topics.

The administrative assistant is the backbone of every office. They answer calls, organize records and help with other administrative tasks that ensure office efficiency.

In this guide, we at the MarketWatch Guides team provide a detailed overview of the administrative assistant position. Our goal is to equip business owners, HR professionals and hiring managers with a comprehensive understanding of the role so that they can write an effective job description to recruit for their administrative assistant.

What Is an Administrative Assistant?

The administrative assistant role transcends well beyond clerical work; it involves a blend of communication, organization and other tasks that ensure smooth day-to-day office operations.

Some common responsibilities include:

  • Answering front desk phone calls
  • Managing senior staff calendars
  • Maintaining physical and digital files
  • Ordering office supplies
  • Preparing bookkeeping reports

Writing an Administrative Assistant Job Description

Writing an effective job description is a crucial step in attracting the right candidate. It should be as much about selling your company as it is about listing the job requirements. Here is how to write a job description for an administrative assistant posting.

Company/Job Description

This first section is where you sell potential candidates on your company. Explain:

  • Company culture and values
  • Company mission and vision
  • Employee perks and benefits

Benefits are the perfect segue into the role itself. Describe the role in one or two sentences, ending with the time commitment (part-time or full-time) and expected pay (hourly or salary). Save the detailed list of responsibilities for the next section.

A comprehensive list of duties sets clear expectations. It tells potential candidates what to expect, helping them assess whether their abilities align with what you’re looking for. 

Here are some common administrative assistant duties to consider for your list:

  • Handling calls, emails, memos and other forms of correspondence
  • Maintaining digital and physical records
  • Preparing reports, presentations and other documents
  • Coordinating executive travel arrangements
  • Welcoming visitors to the office
  • Keeping inventory on office supplies

Experience and Education

This is the section where you specify what level of education and how many years of experience you want your administrative assistant to have.

At the very least, administrative assistants have a high school diploma. It’s also not uncommon to see requirements for an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in business or communication. 

In terms of experience, the role may be entry-level with no experience required or senior-level with 5+ years of administrative experience required. Choose this number based on what you want your administrative assistant to do and what you feel comfortable training on the job.

Required Skills

This section lays out the skills that potential candidates have learned from their previous jobs and/or degrees that they must apply to this role to succeed. These skills may include:

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace or a similar business suite for communication and collaboration
  • Written and verbal communication skills for interacting with clients and staff
  • Attention to detail to ensure accuracy with data entry, document preparation and report generation
  • Basic math skills for bookkeeping and budgeting

Tailor this list to include any specific skills unique to the position at your organization.

Preferred Skills 

This section mentions non-essential, but helpful skills. Having these skills sets a candidate apart, indicating a higher level of proficiency in the administrative field.

Some examples of preferred skills for administrative assistants include:

  • Knowledge of specific software relevant to your industry
  • Fluency in a second language if your company does international dealings or has diverse clients
  • Experience in handling confidential information regarding your finances or clients

Call to Action

Concluding your job posting with a clear call to action is crucial in guiding interested candidates through the application process. Provide instructions on how to submit an application, outline next steps in the hiring process and offer a point of contact for any follow-up questions.

Being transparent and approachable in your call to action not only streamlines the application process but also creates a positive first impression of your company.

Administrative Assistant Job Description Example

Below is an example of an administrative assistant job description. Employers can use this example as a template for their own postings.

Job Title: Administrative Assistant

Location: [City, State]

Job Type: [Full-Time or Part-Time, Salaried or Hourly]

Pay: [Pay Rate] per [Year or Hour]

At [Company Name], we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment. We are committed to driving success by helping our team members reach their full potential.

Job Summary:

As an Administrative Assistant, you will play a vital role in supporting our dynamic team. You will be responsible for managing daily administrative tasks to ensure our office runs smoothly. This position is ideal for organized, detail-oriented individuals who thrive in a fast-paced setting.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Answer and forward front desk phone calls
  • Maintain digital and physical files
  • Prepare reports, presentations and other documentation
  • Coordinate executive travel arrangements
  • Organize executive calendars
  • Welcome office visitors
  • Maintain office supply inventory
  • Accept business mail

Qualifications:

  • High school diploma or equivalent; associate’s or bachelor’s degree preferred
  • 1+ years of experience as an administrative assistant or similar role
  • 1+ years of experience with Microsoft Office
  • 5+ years of experience with computers

Required Skills:

  • Organization
  • Time management
  • Written and verbal communication
  • Attention to detail 
  • Problem solving
  • Adaptability

Preferred Skills:

  • Experience with [Industry]
  • Experience with [Industry Software]
  • Competitive salary
  • Health, dental and vision insurance
  • Retirement planning
  • Professional development
  • Paid time off

How To Apply:

Please submit your resume and cover letter detailing your experience and fit for the role to [Email Address]. For any inquiries, contact [Contact Person] at [Contact Number/Email].

We look forward to reviewing your application!

The Bottom Line

This guide provides a detailed framework for crafting an effective administrative assistant job description. It highlights responsibilities, qualifications and skills. We encourage you to use our guidelines to craft your job posting and start your recruiting process.

Frequently Asked Questions About Administrative Assistant Job Descriptions

Do administrative assistants get benefits.

Yes, full-time administrative assistants usually get benefits. The specific benefits vary by company, but some of the most common ones include health insurance, dental and vision coverage, retirement contribution matching and paid time off.

Are administrative assistants full-time?

Administrative assistants can be full-time or part-time, depending on the organization’s needs. Some companies may also offer temporary or contract positions, especially during peak business periods.

How much do administrative assistants make?

The salary for administrative assistants varies based on location, experience, education and industry. However, the average annual salary across the United States is between $40,000 and $57,000 .

What typing speed do administrative assistants need?

According to the American Society of Administrative Professionals, the average typing speed for administrative and executive assistants is 60 words per minute (wpm). This is higher than the 40-wpm average for individuals in other professions.

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sample summary for administrative assistant resume

IMAGES

  1. Administrative Assistant Resume Example

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  2. 19 Administrative Assistant Resumes & Guide

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  3. 19 Administrative Assistant Resumes & Guide

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  4. Use This #1 Administrative Assistant Resume To Start Yours

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  5. Full Guide: Administrative Assistant Resume [ + 12 Samples ]

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  6. 5 Administrative Assistant Resume Examples For 2021

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COMMENTS

  1. Administrative Assistant Resume Summary with Examples

    Example: 'Experienced Administrative Assistant with 5+ years of experience working in a multinational firm. Detailed knowledge of business terminologies and standard practices. Committed and passionate with a focus on professionalism.' This summary shows the applicant's experience in a demanding work setting.

  2. Administrative Assistant Resume Summary Examples

    Marie-Caroline Pereira Administrative Assistant Ottawa, Canada • [email protected] • +1-234-567-890 Copy Summary Administrative Assistant with a proven record of managing office operations smoothly. Achieved a 30% reduction in supply costs by implementing an efficient inventory system.

  3. 15 Administrative Assistant Resume Examples for 2024

    24+ Years of Experience Click to zoom in Administrative assistants are the backbone of the office. They act as liaisons and points of contacts between internal teams and with external teams as needed.

  4. 13 Administrative Assistant Resume Examples for 2024

    13 Administrative Assistant Resume Examples for 2024 Stephen Greet February 2, 2024 Build my resume As an administrative assistant, you hold the keys to the castle. You communicate with nearly anyone, know how to manage the busiest schedules, and can handle multiple high-priority tasks simultaneously.

  5. Top 10 Administrative Assistant Resume Summary Examples

    10 Summary Examples for Administrative Assistant Resume 1. Dedicated and detail-oriented Administrative Assistant with 5+ years of experience managing office operations. Streamlined administrative processes, resulting in a 20% increase in efficiency. Proven ability to handle multiple tasks and prioritize effectively.

  6. Administrative Assistant Resume Examples and Template for 2024

    Administrative Assistant Resume Examples Sample #1 Sample #2 Ebony Moore Flint, MI | 771-555-0199 | [email protected] Summary Professional and organized administrative assistant with two or more years of experience generating and sharing reports and managing team schedules.

  7. Administrative Assistant Resume Examples & Tips for 2024

    Address: 2204 Moody Street. Boston, MA 02124 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/yourprofile Resume Summary Administrative Assistant with 6+ years of experience preparing flawless presentations, assembling facility reports, and maintaining schedules. Possess extensive expertise in Microsoft Excel and database management.

  8. Administrative Assistant Resume Examples for 2024

    Updated: January 25, 2024 Article Rating: Our customers have been hired by: Table of Contents An administrative assistant is the office's one-person special operations unit. The challenge? Landing that job in the first place. You'll need a perfect administrative assistant resume to get hired.

  9. Administrative Assistant Resume Guide + Tips & Examples

    These administrative assistant resume examples will take your document to the next level. With this guide, you can create or edit your existing administrative assistant resume to highlight your administrative skills, calendar management expertise and those interpersonal skills that set you apart from the competition.

  10. Writing An Admin Assistant Resume Summary Statement

    Tips for Writing. When writing a resume summary statement, include keywords that are relevant to the duties of an admin assistant. Look for keywords used in the job description and highlight the ones that accurately describe your qualifications. Include sentence fragments to describe specific skill sets, such as "Dependable and focused" and ...

  11. Administrative Assistant Resume [2024]

    The 23 Hard and Soft Skills That Hiring Managers Want 4. Highlighting Administrative Assistant Achievements Share this article Like the look of Jeremy's resume? Create your own professional administrative assistant in minutes with these easy-to-update templates here. Administrative Assistant Resume Writing Guide Administrative Assistant?

  12. 6 Great Administrative Assistant Resume Examples

    Administrative Assistant Resume Examples Beat the competition for your job hunt using our administrative assistant resume examples. We give you section-specific resume tips and tricks to help you land a great administrative assistant role! Customize Resume Candidate experience level: 15+ years Customize Resume Candidate experience level: >1 year

  13. How To Write an Administrative Assistant Resume (With Example)

    Indeed Editorial Team Updated November 30, 2023 Image description As an administrative assistant candidate, writing a resume that properly details your professional achievements, experiences and skills can increase your chances of securing a role.

  14. 12+ Administrative Assistant Resume Examples [with Guidance]

    Common Responsibilities Listed on Administrative Assistant Resumes: Greet visitors, answer phones, and direct inquiries. Arrange meetings and business travel for management team. Prepare and track purchase orders and invoices. Maintain filing systems, databases, and information systems. Coordinate office moves, supplies orders, and setup of IT ...

  15. How To Write an Administrative Assistant Summary of Qualifications

    An administrative assistant summary of qualifications is a brief paragraph or a short bulleted list that you write on a resume to show any special skills you have that would be beneficial to the job for which you're applying.

  16. 19 Administrative Assistant Resume Examples & Guide

    23 Administrative Assistant Resume Examples Create my Resume (Free resume sample downloads are at the bottom of this page) Administrative Assistant Resume Guide: Resume Sections 1. Contact Information: Name, Address, Email Phone Number, Driver's license 2. Professional Summary:

  17. Administrative Assistant Resume Examples [Writing Tips & Guide]

    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. 1. 2. 3.

  18. How to Write a Standout Administrative Assistant Resume

    Skills like answering phones, greeting customers, taking orders, planning events, scheduling meetings, managing files, and creating PowerPoint presentations are all highly transferable. Before you sit down to write your resume, make a list of all your relevant skills. 3. Consider an alternative layout.

  19. Administrative Assistant Resume Examples & Writing Tips (2024)

    4.8 Average rating 55 people've already rated it Edit This Resume Administrative assistants play a vital role in a wide variety of industries, keeping things running smoothly by supporting executives with a broad array of tasks.

  20. Administration Resume Summary Examples

    Munich, Germany • [email protected] • +1-234-567-890. Copy. Summary. As an administration specialist, streamlined office operations by 20% through the implementation of efficient scheduling and filing systems. Managed a team of 10 administrative staff, successfully reducing turnover by 15%.

  21. 12 Entry-Level Administrative Assistant Resume Summary Examples

    Administrative Assistant Resume Summary Examples With No Experience 1. Highly organized and detail-oriented administrative professional with a strong work ethic and a passion for providing outstanding support. Proficient in managing calendars, coordinating meetings, and handling administrative tasks efficiently.

  22. Administrative Assistant Resume: Examples, Skills, & Tips

    An administrative assistant resume example that gets jobs. How to ace your administrative assistant job description on a resume. A list of the best resume skills for administrative assistant jobs. How to write a resume for an administrative assistant to get the interview. Save hours of work and get a job-winning resume like this.

  23. Administrative Assistant Resume Example

    Administrative Assistant Resume (Text Format) Text Format. 1245 Ankeny Street, Portland, OR 43543. (752)653-5987. [email protected]. Administrative Assistant with over 5 years of experience managing business office functions and providing executive level support to principals and clients. Seeking to apply my detail-oriented talents and ...

  24. Executive Administrative Assistant Resume Examples

    Why this example passes: Numbers and statistics add detail and quantify the results this executive administrative assistant delivers: 4% improvement and a class size of 20-25. Good use of strong words and active language. References specialized value cahier provides with "individualized lesson plans.".

  25. 11 Best Administrative Skills for Your Resume (With Examples)

    Here are 11 of the top administrative skills to consider for your resume, and why they're important. 1. Communication. Communication - both verbal and written - is a daily requirement for virtually any position. Those in administrative positions often need to communicate in different forms with a variety of people, both internal and external to ...

  26. What Is an Administrative Assistant?

    Here are some common administrative assistant duties to consider for your list: Handling calls, emails, memos and other forms of correspondence. Maintaining digital and physical records. Preparing ...