Administrative Assistant Resume: Example and Skills

Updated

An administrative assistant resume should show who you supported (one executive, a team or a whole office), the tasks you owned, and the results: time saved, events organized, processes improved. List the software you use every day, such as Microsoft 365, Google Workspace and expense tools, and your typing speed if it is strong.

What to include on an administrative assistant resume

  1. Contact details: name, phone, professional email, city and state, and a LinkedIn URL if it is up to date. No photo, date of birth or other personal details: US employers don’t expect them.
  2. A professional summary of two or three sentences.
  3. Work experience, most recent first, with bullet points that show results, not just duties.
  4. Who you supported in each job, for example “Supported the VP of Sales and a 12-person team”.
  5. Software: Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Zoom or Teams, and any CRM, expense or accounting tools.
  6. Certifications such as Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS), if you have them.

Duty lists like “answered phones, filed documents” look the same on every admin resume. Lead with the two or three things you were trusted with most, such as executive travel, board meeting logistics or vendor invoices.

Sample professional summary

Administrative assistant summary

Administrative assistant with 6 years supporting executives and teams at a 200-person financial services firm. Manage complex calendars, domestic and international travel, expense reports and meeting logistics. Advanced in Microsoft 365, including Excel and SharePoint. Trusted with confidential information.

Adapt the industry, company size and main responsibilities. If you are applying for an executive assistant role, name the level of the people you supported.

How to describe your experience

Under each job, write three to five bullets that start with an action verb and say what changed because of your work. The numbers below are examples: use your own.

WeakManaged calendars.

BetterManaged calendars for 3 senior executives across time zones, scheduling 40+ meetings a week without double bookings.

WeakBooked travel.

BetterCoordinated travel for a 25-person sales team within company policy, saving about $12,000 a year by booking earlier.

WeakOrdered office supplies.

BetterSet up a shared request form and monthly ordering, ending rush orders and cutting supply spending by 18%.

WeakOrganized meetings.

BetterPlanned quarterly offsites for 60 employees, handling venue, catering, AV and agendas within budget.

If you don’t have exact figures, describe the result without one, or use a range you could explain in an interview.

Skills to list on an administrative assistant resume

  • Calendar and inbox management
  • Travel booking and itineraries
  • Expense reports and invoice processing (Concur, Expensify, QuickBooks)
  • Microsoft 365: Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint; Google Workspace
  • Meeting and event coordination, taking minutes
  • Document preparation, filing and records management
  • Front desk, phones and visitor reception
  • Discretion with confidential information

Education and certifications

  • High school diploma or GED; an associate or bachelor’s degree in business or office administration if you have one.
  • Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification in Word, Excel or Outlook.
  • Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) from the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP), for experienced assistants.
  • Notary public commission, if you hold one: some offices value it. Requirements are set by each state.

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between an administrative assistant and an executive assistant resume?

An executive assistant resume focuses on supporting one or a few senior leaders: complex calendars, confidential work, acting as gatekeeper. An administrative assistant resume often covers office-wide support. Match the title and emphasis of the posting.

Should I list my typing speed?

Yes, if it is strong and the job involves heavy data entry or transcription. Write it in your skills, for example “Typing: 70 WPM”, and expect a test.

How do I show results in an admin role?

Count what you handled (meetings, trips, invoices, people supported) and note what you improved: a faster process, fewer errors, money saved, a system you set up.