Executive Assistant Resume Example
Working as an executive assistant can provide a rewarding career, involving managing executive calendars and coordinating travel arrangements. A professional resume for executive assistant applications will showcase your relevant skills and career achievements, to help you stand out from the crowd. In this article, we'll highlight tips and examples for creating an executive assistant resume that makes a winning impression on recruiters and hiring managers.
After reading this article, you'll feel confident creating an executive assistant resume that effectively showcases your relevant skills and experience. You'll find valuable tips on writing a resume that best showcases your unique skills and achievements. There is also extensive guidance on how to structure your resume to match the job description, and to reflect your experience levels to impress HR specialists and employers. Continue reading to find expert tips and advice from Jobseeker that will help you with your executive assistant resume.
Main elements of an executive assistant resume
The key sections to include in an executive assistant resume are similar to those for any role or profession. If you're a candidate without much experience, you may wish to present your resume in a way that draws attention to your most valuable skills. These might not be in traditional work settings, so sections like education, projects, hobbies and skills can be more prominent.
Your resume layout and structure may differ depending on your experience levels, but make sure your resume includes the following:
Resume Header
Your executive assistant resume header is the place to add your contact details. Start by adding your full name and underneath, include your email address, phone number and location. Adding your LinkedIn profile, if you have one, can help the employer get a better insight into your skills and industry expertise. You don't need to include any additional personal information or a photo. Make your resume header clear, concise and as brief and compact as possible. Consider different layouts that spread the information horizontally across the page rather than using a different line for each piece of information.
Make sure your email address appears as professional as possible, and doesn't include anything like nicknames, inappropriate language or personal information. If it does, set up a new email account with an address based on your name or initials, and use that for your job applications. Always double-check your contact details are up-to-date before sending your resume.
Hannah Murphy
hannah.murphy@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
Bag End, Hobbiton, Shire, TX
linkedin․com/in/hannah–murphy123
Resume Profile
Next, write a short paragraph to introduce yourself. You could also call this section 'resume summary' or 'personal profile'. In two or three sentences, explain your professional background, achievements and key skills. If you choose to write a resume summary, this focuses on your career experience to date. On the other hand, a resume objective addresses your future plans and career ambitions. Always make sure your summary reflects the job description and highlights some of the key skills required for executive assistant roles.
Alternatively, you could use this section to reference your objectives and ambitions, and how this role would fit into your career journey.
A good resume summary reflects the job description and highlights some of the key skills required for executive assistant roles, while leaving the reader with an impression of your unique qualities and strengths. The most effective resume summaries also provide evidence to back up the claims made in them. Take a look at some strong examples of how to approach a executive assistant resume summary in the graphic below.
Good example:
Highly organized and proactive Executive Assistant with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and extensive experience as an Administrative Executive. Proven ability to manage executive schedules, coordinate meetings, and handle confidential information with utmost discretion. Adept at streamlining office operations, enhancing productivity, and providing exceptional support to senior management. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, calendar management, and travel coordination. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a commitment to maintaining a high level of professionalism
Bad example:
Assistant with some background in business and office tasks. Worked in roles where I helped with schedules and meetings. Handled information carefully and tried to make office work smoother. Used computer programs for tasks and helped with travel plans. Communicated with people and aimed to keep things professional
Conversely, an ineffective resume summary would include generic, unspecific information on your skills and experience, while failing to provide any useful information on what makes you a unique and interesting candidate. See above for some examples of things to avoid when writing your executive assistant resume summary.
Skills
Adding a list of your key skills provides a quick reference for the reader of what you can bring to an executive assistant role. Skills such as calendar management proficiency or time management expertise are particularly useful for executive assistant jobs. Again, refer to the job description and make sure you include skills that the employer has listed as essential or desirable for employment as an executive assistant.
How to include hard skills on your executive assistant resume
In your hard skills list, include any specific abilities related to the role you're applying for. These could be technical skills or industry knowledge that showcases your expertise in your chosen profession. Furthermore, an extensive list of hard skills helps to make a compelling case for your executive assistant job applications, as they show employers your understanding of the executive assistant role. It's best to aim for four or five key hard skills that match the job description. These can really showcase your suitability for the job.
For an effective resume hard skills section, focus on the technical skills that are most essential in the job description, and that match your specific expertise. Some examples of the best hard skills for an executive assistant resume are listed below.
- Calendar management proficiency
- MS Office expertise
- Travel coordination skills
How to list soft skills on your executive assistant resume
Your soft skills are the core qualities and personal characteristics that make you a good employee. They tend to apply to multiple professions and jobs, though the soft skills you'll require may change as you move from junior to senior positions. In fact, you can develop soft skills throughout your career, and they tend to be suitable for various roles and professions. Think of your best soft skills and add up to five that match the requirements of the job description.
A strong soft skills section should play to your strengths, listing skills that reflect your personal qualities while also reflecting the skills listed in the job description. For some examples of good soft skills for an executive assistant resume, see below.
- Time management expertise
- Effective communication skills
- Proactive problem-solving
Educational Achievements
In this section list any educational qualifications or degrees that are relevant to executive assistant roles.
If you're applying for executive assistant positions you'll typically need to have a degree. A Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) will usually help your chances of success. You could also list any qualifications that demonstrate your travel coordination skills or MS Office expertise.
List every relevant qualification, including the name and level of the course, the name of the school, college or university, its location and your graduation date. Include bullet points to show any specialist modules you studied, awards or exceptional grades and achievements that can set you apart from other candidates. These will all contribute to creating a positive impression on employers.
If you organized or participated in any clubs or societies while at university, or you took part in any voluntary work, you could also mention these here.
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), 2017 - 2020
Columbia University, New York, NY
Certifications
In your certifications section, list any professional certifications or licenses that are relevant to working as an executive assistant. You could list accreditations for certain professional roles or licenses for certain activities that help to make you a strong candidate. Therefore, include the details of any licenses and professional certifications required for executive assistant roles, along with completion dates so employers can see you're up-to-date.
Read on to see some relevant example certifications for an executive assistant resume:
- Certified Administrative Professional, 2022
- Microsoft Office Specialist, 2022
- Project Management Professional, 2022
Work History
Next, list your relevant employment history and any key achievements that show you're suitable for an executive assistant position. Include any relevant jobs you've held in reverse-chronological order. Start with your current or most recent roles and work back through previous roles. For each job, list your title, the name of the company, its location and the dates you worked there.
Add some bullet points under each job entry, explaining your achievements in the role, so the reader can see how you contributed towards success for the company. Provide evidence of your impact and make sure each point addresses a requirement listed in the job description.
A good work experience section pulls the reader in with clear examples of where you've put the skills necessary for the job into good use in your career to date. This typically includes evidence of how your skills and activities contributed to positive outcomes for the organization. There are some examples of strong resume work experience sections below.
Good example:
Administrative Executive, January 2022 - Present
SilverStone Enterprises, Houston
- Implemented an efficient filing system, reducing document retrieval time by 50% and enhancing overall office productivity
- Coordinated and executed over 100 high-profile events, ensuring seamless operations and exceeding stakeholder expectations
- Streamlined administrative processes, achieving a 30% reduction in operational costs and improving workflow efficiency
Bad example:
Administrative Executive, January 2022 - Present
SilverStone Enterprises, Houston
- Managed office tasks to support team objectives and improve daily operations
- Assisted in event planning to ensure successful outcomes
- Improved office systems to enhance productivity and efficiency
In the graphic above you can see a great example of what to avoid when writing your resume work experience section. Poor examples of resume work experience sections tend to be vague and fail to quantify your achievements and the impact you've made in your career to date. They may also focus on responsibilities above relevant skills and how you've used them.
Jobseeker Tip:
Optional Sections
If you need to provide further evidence of your suitability for the job, optional sections can be useful for an executive assistant resume. Choose optional sections from the list below, if they help to showcase your relevant skills and experience.
Personal Interests
Add any hobbies and interests that reinforce your credentials for the position. These are particularly useful for your resume if you're short of work experience and need to showcase a particular skill or experience. Don't include hobbies and interests in your resume unless they showcase a specific interest or aspect of your personality. You'll want them to add something to your application that you can't add elsewhere.
Volunteer Experience
If you're lacking relevant executive assistant work experience, volunteer work can help to show you still have the relevant skills. Write your volunteer section in a similar format to your work experience, including your role, the organization name, relevant dates and the details of your contribution.
References
Standard executive assistant resumes don't tend to include references, but you might find them requested occasionally. Check the job advert to see if you'll need to add references to your resume. Add two or three professional references, and be sure to approach each referee before you include them.
References will be available upon request.
Best words to use in an executive assistant resume
Action words can help illustrate to the hiring manager the difference you made in each of your previous jobs. Choose from the list of words below to make the best possible impression.
- Coordinate
- Manage
- Organize
- Schedule
- Prioritize
- Facilitate
- Prepare
- Supervise
- Implement
- Streamline
Jobseeker's clean, attractive resume formats can help your applications make a strong impression on employers. Check them out for help designing a winning resume, and see our cover letter templates to help win over recruiters and hiring managers.
Example of an executive assistant resume
Now that you know everything that needs to go into your executive assistant resume, let's review an example resume that you can use as a guide when creating your own:
Bag End, Hobbiton, Shire, TX
•
hannah.murphy@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/hannah–murphy123
Highly organized and detail-oriented Executive Assistant with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and extensive experience as an Administrative Executive. Proven ability to manage complex schedules, coordinate high-level meetings, and streamline office operations. Adept at handling confidential information, supporting executive teams, and enhancing productivity through strategic planning and efficient task management. Strong communication skills and a proactive approach to problem-solving
Administrative Executive
2020
-2022
Skyline Solutions Ltd (Greensboro)
- Successfully streamlined office operations, reducing administrative costs by 15% and increasing overall efficiency
- Implemented a new document management system, enhancing data retrieval speed and accuracy by 30%
- Coordinated and executed high-profile corporate events, improving client satisfaction and engagement by 25%
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
2017
-2020
University of California, Berkeley (Berkeley, CA)
Calendar management proficiency
MS Office expertise
Travel coordination skills
Time management expertise
Effective communication skills
Proactive problem-solving
Certified Administrative Professional
Microsoft Office Specialist
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Tips for executive assistant resumes
Key tips to help you craft a strong resume
- Reference your key qualifications and educational achievements, including grades if these help you stand out from other candidates.
- Keep your executive assistant resume as brief as possible. Aim for one page for an entry-level role, and two pages for more senior jobs.
- Tailor your resume to make it as relevant as possible to the role you're applying for. Consult the job description and adapt your resume to reflect the required skills and experience.
- Quantify your successes by providing figures and other evidence that shows how your skills have made a difference to your employer.
- Use a clear, professional resume format to make your document as accessible as possible, including a readable font and appropriate headings, margins and line spacing. This will make your resume easier for recruiters and hiring managers to read.
Steer clear of these common resume writing errors
- Don't forget to keep your header up-to-date with every application, to make sure you don't include old contact information.
- Don't include personal details beyond your name, location and contact details. Adding your age, gender, nationality or a photo can create unwanted hiring bias.
- Don't lie or exaggerate about your executive assistant experience or achievements as it can harm your chances in the long term.
- Don't use unnecessary jargon to try and impress the reader. It may have the opposite effect.
- Don't use an email address that contains unprofessional content, and if necessary create a new, more professional email address.
How to make your resume ATS compliant
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) are increasingly taking responsibility for the management and processing of job applications, helping hiring practices to become more efficient. This can include screening resumes by scanning and ranking each application according to how closely it matches the job description. If you follow a few simple tips when writing your executive assistant resume, you'll give yourself a better chance of ranking highly in the ATS screening and progressing to the next stage.
Here are a few quick tips for creating an ATS-friendly resume:
- Choose a resume structure that matches the traditional, reverse-chronological layout or alternatively, the functional resume structure. This should make your resume more readable for ATS applications.
- Use keywords throughout your resume that reflect the job description, so ATS resume scanners can recognize a strong connection between your skills, and those in the job description.
- Include clear headings in each section that match the traditional resume structure and format. This will make it easier for the ATS software to scan your resume.
- Use design elements that help make your resume more readable. These might include white space, clear, professional fonts and subtle color accents to help certain elements stand out.
- Adopt simple, professional language to keep your resume as concise as possible. This tends to make your document more readable, and easier for ATS software to scan.
If you're looking for inspiration for your resume, discover our comprehensive resume examples and in-depth, expert career blog.
Frequently Asked Questions about an executive assistant resume
As well as writing a professional executive assistant resume, you'll need a cover letter to introduce yourself and emphasize your credentials.
In some situations, a full, professional cover letter may not be necessary. Check the job advert and decide whether to write a formal cover letter, or if a brief email is more suitable.
A traditional cover letter should follow formal letter-writing conventions and structure, including a header, the recipient's address and professional greetings and sign-offs. For the main body of the letter, open with a short paragraph introducing yourself and explaining your reasons for applying for the executive assistant role. Follow that with an explanation of your skills and experience and how they're relevant to the position. Close by expressing your gratitude and enthusiasm, and leaving a call to action that encourages the employer to open a dialogue with you.
You can create a professional cover letter in just a few simple, easy-to-follow steps using Jobseeker's tried and tested cover letter templates.
As an experienced executive assistant, you'll want your resume to showcase all of your relevant experience and achievements. As a executive assistant with a wealth of experience, you'll want to showcase this in your work history section. Consider going back beyond the standard 10 to 15 years of employment history to show employers your experience levels. In your executive assistant resume, think about any optional sections you could add to help prove your standing and reputation in your industry. Sections such as awards, achievements and projects can build a picture of your career successes to date.
You can use a resume headline to introduce your document and set the tone for your executive assistant applications. A well-written resume headline is also a way to increase your chances of passing the ATS resume scanning stage, by referencing keywords that match the job description. Take the time to draft a concise, eye-catching headline which includes the job title, one or two key skills and reference to either your experience level or track record.
See an example resume headline below:
- Aspiring Executive Support Professional
- Dynamic Executive Support Professional
- Senior Executive Assistant Professional
The best format for your resume depends on two key factors. Firstly, the amount of relevant work experience you have. Secondly, the type of role and its level of seniority. If you're applying for a junior position or changing careers, you might want to consider a functional resume. This highlights your skills and education over your work experience. If, however, you have relevant work experience in the industry, it's typically best to use a reverse chronological resume format. This highlights your achievements in work, which is probably the most important factor for hiring managers to consider.
Key takeaways for your executive assistant resume
If you want to catch the eye of employers and recruiters, you need a professional resume that showcases your best skills and career achievements. Select a resume format that suits your experience levels and the job you're applying for, and make sure you tailor your resume for each application.
Jobseeker has a wealth of resume tools, including resume templates and examples, to help you create a winning job application. Sign up today to get started. To make the best possible impression with your applications, write a cover letter with the help of Jobseeker. You can also find plenty of expert-designed cover letter examples for inspiration.
Sources:
(1) Writing a Resume, California Department of Human Resources: https://www.calhr.ca.gov/employees/Pages/resume-tips.aspx
(2) Resumes, Cover Letters and Job Applications, New York State Department of Labor: https://dol.ny.gov/resumes-cover-letters-and-job-applications
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