How to Write an Effective Resumé for Administrative Assistant

Did you know that 75% of resumés are rejected before they reach the manager? A well written and effective resumé can make ALL the difference in getting your foot into the door of your dream position. Let me start off with saying that I used to have the worst resumé for my position. I included so much irrelevant work experience to my current position of administrative assistant and I would use the same resumé when applying for different jobs. I would apply for administrative jobs as well as serving jobs using ONE resume. Rookie mistake. After taking a look at my friends’ resumés, I realized mine needed some work. So I decided to contact the professionals. Yes, that’s right. The Telfer Career Centre. 

I met with Ms. Lajoie for a virtual appointment and she gave my resumé  a complete makeover! I cannot wait to show my current manger my new and improved resumé. I’m here to share with you the 3 simple tips to write an effective resumé for administrative assistants.

1. Organization is key.

Ensure that the flow and structure of your resumé makes sense to the reader. First, choose the format of your resumé. The three most common formats are chronological, functional, and combination. Personally, I chose the chronological format so I started with the basics such as the personal information section then the Objective section and moved towards the Summary of Qualifications section. The work experience section will be in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent employment.

2. Show that you are the perfect fit for the position.

This is your chance to show off your effective communication skills. Review you resumé to ensure that each section is as concise as possible and that you do not repeat the same information. Furthermore, this is your opportunity to show the reader that you are the perfect candidate for the job. A strategy for this is to review the qualifications that the job you're applying for and demonstrate how this aligns to your previous employment experience. Many administrative positions require or prefer bilingual proficiency so ensure to include any language training or proficiency in the Summary of Qualifications section.

3. Demonstrate your interests as a multi-faceted individual

Employers are equally interested in your interests and hobbies as your qualifications! If you have any professional courses or special training you want to highlight, you should include it in the Awards and Achievements section. The key to being selected for an interview is to differentiate your application from the others. If you have an interest in volunteer or travelling, let them know! Simply by indicating your interests vary, you can demonstrate to employers that you have a positive work-life balance.

Other General Guidelines

Limit your resumé to 2 pages maximum. 

Avoid generic filler phrases such as "seeking an employment opportunity for professional growth."

Review, review, and review. Review your resumé to remove any inconsistencies. Review your resumé for grammatical errors. And review your resumé for vague information.

Example: Michelle's 2020 Resumé

For more help on writing an effective resumé tailored to your experience, you can consult the Telfer Career Centre for Resumé. If you enjoyed this blog post, please subscribe to my newsletter!