What recruiters check first
- Whom you supported. One executive, a team or a department, and their level.
- Scope of the work. Calendar volume, travel, expenses, events, vendors, meetings you organized.
- Tools. Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, scheduling and expense tools, and typing speed if relevant.
- Judgment and discretion. Handling confidential information, prioritizing for a busy executive, anticipating needs.
Keywords to include
Applicant tracking systems compare your resume to the words in the job posting. These come up most often for this role: keep the ones you can back up in an interview, spelled exactly as in the posting.
Hard skills
- Calendar management
- Travel coordination
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Excel
- Google Workspace
- Expense reports
- Data entry
- Meeting minutes
- Event planning
- Document preparation
- Vendor coordination
- Typing 70+ WPM
Soft skills
- Discretion
- Organization
- Prioritization
- Proactive communication
- Reliability
- Attention to detail
Summary example
Organized and detail-oriented administrative assistant looking for an opportunity in a professional environment.
Administrative assistant with 6 years of experience supporting senior executives, managing complex calendars, travel and board materials. Proficient in Microsoft 365 and Concur. Known for discretion and fast turnarounds.
Written for illustration: replace every detail with your own.
Work experience bullets: before and after
A task describes the job. A result describes you. For each role, keep three to five bullets that say what you did, at what scale, and what it changed.
Responsible for managing the calendar.
Managed the calendar of 2 vice presidents, scheduling 30+ meetings per week across 3 time zones and resolving conflicts before they happened.
Worked on travel arrangements.
Booked domestic and international travel and processed expense reports in Concur, keeping submissions on time each month.
Helped with meetings.
Prepared agendas, slide decks and minutes for weekly leadership meetings, and tracked action items to completion.
Fictional examples: the numbers show the expected shape. Use yours, and never invent any.
How to structure it
- Header: name, city and state, phone, email. No photo.
- Summary: years of experience, level of executive supported, and key tools.
- Skills: software and office skills, using the posting's wording.
- Work Experience: each role with who you supported, then bullets with scope and results.
- Education and certifications: degree and certifications such as Microsoft Office Specialist.
- Optional: languages and typing speed if requested.
Mistakes that get a resume skipped
- A list of duties. “Answered phones, filed documents” could describe anyone. Add scope and results.
- Leaving out whom you supported. The level of executive shows the scale of your work.
- Outdated software terms. Name current tools such as Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace.
- Breaking confidentiality. Do not name private clients, deals or financial figures from past employers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an administrative assistant and an executive assistant resume?
An executive assistant resume stresses support for senior leaders, judgment and confidentiality. An administrative assistant resume can be broader, covering office operations and team support.
What skills should I list on an administrative assistant resume?
Match the posting: calendar and travel management, Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, expense tools, data entry and communication. Back them up in your bullets.
Is typing speed worth including?
Include it if the job posting mentions it and your speed is strong, for example 70 words per minute. Otherwise, use the space for results.