Writing a CV can be daunting, but we have tips and advice for writing the CV you’ll need as an Administrative Assistant.
1. First, you need to write an eye-catching personal statement that briefly outlines the skills and experience you will bring to the job.
2. Follow with your work experience, listing previous roles in reverse chronological order.
3. Next, you will need to separate your education, qualifications, skills and work experience so that your CV is easy to read and important information can be found quickly.
4. You can also boost your CV with hobbies, interests, and references.
How to Write a Personal Statement for an Administrative Assistant
When writing a personal statement, it is important that you should keep it short and to the point, somewhere between 100-150 words. Mention your current position and how long you’ve worked there while listing noteworthy skills relevant to the position you’re applying for. Use strong action verbs and avoid cliche language and jargon.
Administrative Assistant Personal Statement Example
“A [current/previous profession] looking to explore a new avenue of knowledge and work as a [new profession]. During my [number of years in past profession] I developed several skills including excellent time management to bolster my multi-taking skills which were necessary to meet productivity goals that I often excelled at.
I was also often praised for my communication skills while dealing with problems and inquiries, as well as for speaking with colleagues and management with courtesy and politeness.
I believe these transferable skills will benefit the company as I am capable of learning and adapting quickly, and I am constantly looking to improve myself.”
Ideal Work Experience for an Administrative Assistant CV
There are a few avenues that will offer the relevant transferable skills required to become an Administrative Assistant, such as customer service with its focus on communication and problem-solving skills.
Which Jobs to Include
When writing a CV, you should include your past 10-15 years of experience or the past 5-6 jobs you’ve held in that time as long as they are relevant to the position you are applying for.
Jobs with relevant experience can include Data Entry, Customer Service, other Administration positions or Event Coordination are just some examples.
Administrative Assistant CV Work Experience Example
When discussing your work experience, use bullet points and add descriptions of the work you performed and the skills you gained while employed, for example:
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Data Entry Clerk at [company name] from [start date] to [end date]
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I gained excellent skills in organisation and communication while speaking with managers and colleagues who needed my assistance or relevant data, which I could supply efficiently and with ease.
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I became extremely adept at using software such as the Microsoft Office Suite, which I used to create in-depth spreadsheets with detailed and accurate information.
Key Skills & Qualifications for an Administrative Assistant CV
There are certain skills that you should write about when applying for an Administrative Assistant role, including specific qualifications that an employer may ask for, or that may be beneficial.
Important Skills for an Administrative Assistant
As an Administrative Assistant it is important to have strong organisational skills and time management to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines. You will also need excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, for speaking with clients or guests, technical proficiency in using computers and software, and the ability to multi-task and solve problems.
Qualifications Needed to Be an Administrative Assistant
A candidate can have an increased chance of succeeding in the application process by including some qualifications such as relevant GCSEs in Maths and English which are crucial for administrative tasks.
It can also be useful to take a college course in Business or Business and Administration. There are many avenues to gaining higher qualifications. Though these qualifications aren’t strictly necessary, they can bolster a CV. We talk about this more in our how to become an Administrative Assistant article.
Additional Content to Boost Your Administrative Assistant CV
To give your CV a personal touch it is useful to include additional information such as hobbies and interests. Use these to make your personality and personal skills shine.
Hobbies & Interests
When including hobbies and interests, try to make them relevant to the job. If your hobbies include multiple steps that take time, or that require practise, mention how they help you manage your time, or performing repetitive tasks to acquire perfection in your hobby gives you a sense of achievement.
References
When adding references, choose management staff who you were in good standing with and saw your talents shine while you worked. Always ask permission from the person or people you are including as your referees, and make sure that the information you have is accurate.
How to Make an Administrative Assistant CV Stand Out
It is important to stand out when writing your CV, as employers will quickly scan many CVs while choosing a potential candidate. Use affirmative language when writing such as “can” and “will” to show confidence in your skills.
Be concise by listing information that is important for the job you are applying for, and omit anything that can be considered irrelevant, even if that includes job experience.
Talk about notable achievements within your previous work experience and show enthusiasm towards gaining more work-related goals and achievements.
Mistakes to Avoid
It is best to avoid using cliche language and jargon. Instead of saying you are a “team player” explain how you worked to strengthen your team and increase productivity. An employer wants to know how you can benefit their company when hiring you, do not use words that lessen your employability such as “possibly” or “could” which can add doubt to your skills.
Always proofread your CV to make sure there are no spelling or grammatical errors in your writing, it is important to show professionalism.
Administrative Assistant CV Example
You should now be able to successfully write an Administrative CV, but we also have a comprehensive example that you can download to guide your written CV. Take a look at our CV template and see how they can assist your layout when writing your CV.
