Resume Writing for Administrative Assistants

Administrative-assistant positions are in high demand: Hundreds of people can apply for a single position. Get yourself noticed by creating the ideal resume for an administrative assistant. Providing the correct and necessary information can make all the difference.

Instructions

1. Start with your contact information. It's best to put this in a header, to separate it from your credentials. Include your mailing address, phone number, fax number and email address. Remember to include updated information so you can be contacted right away.

2. Determine if you should list an objective informing potential employers of your goals and job expectations. You can provide one, but if you don't have room, it's not a big deal.

3. Include any special skills you possess. An administrative assistant should be able to perform several different tasks. Typical skills that might be included are: typing (list your speed), knowledge of computers and software, organizational skills, phone skills and communication skills. If you have several skills to include, configure this section into two or three neat columns.

4. Note all relevant certifications. They can be included in the "special skills" section, but it is best to highlight them in a separate area. There are many certifications that are relevant to an administrative-assistant position, designating your training in areas like typing and numeric typing, software and computer use.

5. Include your educational background. List schools attended, degrees attained and extracurricular activities you were a part of. Clearly state the name of the institution and the years you attended. Include bullet points to give a little more detail. Were you in any clubs or organizations? What did you accomplish? Did you win any awards?

6. Mention any volunteer or work experience you may have. For an administrative-assistant position, include both paid work and volunteering. State where and when you worked, duties you performed and skills you gained.

7. References should not be included on your resume. If you are asked to provide them, put them on a separate page. Typically, it is best to have at least three current references. Include each person's name, address, phone number and email address, his relationship to you and the number of years you've been acquainted with him.

Tips & Warnings

• Your resume should be neat and professional-looking. Make sure it is easy to read and follows a consistent format.

• Proofread your resume and have another person look it over.

• Hard copies should be printed on clean white or off-white paper. Special resume papers are available at most stores.