Executive Assistant Resume Guide + Tips + Example
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A great job as an executive assistant demands a perfect executive assistant resume. Not sure what that looks like? Don’t worry! We’re here to help you create one. Our guide to crafting an effective resume for an executive assistant job will help you make the most of your organizational and interpersonal skills so you can write a professional executive assistant resume.
Start by editing this sample resume for an executive assistant job or explore our library of customizable resume templates to find the perfect resume template for an office manager job.
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Copy text onlyExecutive assistant resume example (text version)
David Barron
Fargo, ND 58078
(555) 555-5555
example@example.com
Professional Summary
Smooth and efficient executive assistant with experience enhancing executive productivity and improving business operations. Exceeds expectations to maximize group performance and oversees efficient calendars. Operates well with minimal supervision to meet demanding objectives.
Work History
November 2018 – Current
Trans Voyant – Fargo, ND
Executive Assistant
- Manage over 300 external contacts for the CEO and keep track of periodic communication needed for priority contacts.
- Produce accurate office files, update spreadsheets and craft quarterly presentations to support executives and boost team efficiency.
- Manage administrative functions, including complex calendar management with a focus on the proper allocation of executive availability.
July 2016 – November 2018
EJS Group – Fargo, ND
Administrative Assistant
- Provided logistical support for five programs, weekly meetings and events, including room reservations, agenda preparation and calendar maintenance.
- Interacted with over 250 vendors, contractors and professional services personnel to receive orders, direct activities and communicate instructions.
- Developed and updated spreadsheets and databases to track, analyze and report on performance and sales data.
September 2014 – June 2016
United Technologies Corporation – Fargo, ND
Receptionist
- Answered an average of 80 daily telephone calls to field inquiries from clients, vendors and various other callers seeking information.
- Kept the reception area clean and neat to give visitors a positive first impression.
- Prepared packages daily for shipment, pickup and courier services for prompt delivery to customers.
Skills
- Business writing
- Multiline phone proficiency
- Expense reporting
- Advanced MS Office Suite
- Resourceful
- Problem-solving
- Schedule & calendar planning
- Communication
Education
May 2014
Rasmussen College Fargo, ND
Associate of Arts Business Administration & Management
Certifications
Professional Administrative Certification of Excellence (PACE) – (2018)
5 essentials of a top resume for an executive assistant
Contact details
Add your contact information to the top of your resume so hiring managers can contact you. As our executive assistant resume sample shows, your contact information must include your full name, city, state, ZIP code, phone number and professional email address. If you have a LinkedIn profile and a professional website, add them last.
Personal statement
A professional summary, also known as a personal statement, is a concise, three- to five-sentence statement that tells the hiring manager who you are and what you offer. Your summary must include relevant skills and one or two notable accomplishments. It should also touch on how long you’ve been in the industry. If you are just starting out in your career, it’s better to write a resume objective instead.
Skills
Create a skills section for your executive assistant resume so hiring managers can see if your skill set matches their needs. An executive assistant resume template will have a separate section for your job-relevant skills in a bulleted list. As our sample executive assistant resume shows, it’s best to include both hard and soft skills, such as budgeting and friendliness.
Work history
As our executive assistant sample resume shows, your resume must include a work history section, even if this is your first professional job. In reverse-chronological order, display your current and previous employers and provide company names, locations and the dates you worked for them. Include three bullet points of measurable achievements for every job you list.
Education
A resume for an executive assistant job must also include an education section. In reverse-chronological order, show the name of the schools and the years that you graduated using bullet points. If you did not attend college, then list your high school information and the classes or training you’ve taken since graduating. If you come from an apprenticeship, then list it here.
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Action words for a stand-out executive assistant resume
Use action words and numbers to make your descriptions compelling.
Here’s a short list of perfect action words for an executive assistant resume:
- Assist
- Organize
- Help
- Prepare
- Manage
- Process
- Reconcile
- Provide
- Report
- Verify
- Support
- Interact
- Schedule
- Plan
- Compose
Browse through our library of resume samples to find an inspiring example of an executive assistant resume.
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Top skills for an executive assistant resume
Review the job description closely and match the required skills to your skill set.
Executive assistant skills for a resume might include the following:
- Organization
- Administration
- Project Management
- Interpersonal
- Verbal communication
- Written communication
- Multitasking
- Customer service
- Patience
- Mental agility
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Written communication
- Microsoft Office
- Business operations
- Work ethic
- Budgeting
- Time management
- Inventory management
- Friendliness
Certifications for an executive assistant resume
A certification is not required to work as an executive assistant, but having at least one certificate can put you ahead of the pack. Hiring managers will be impressed with your industry, in-depth knowledge and passion for your profession.
Certification options for executive assistants include:
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Executive assistant resume FAQ
1. What are the educational requirements for a job as an executive assistant?
Executive assistants usually have degrees in business, business administration, or a related field. Courses in Microsoft Excel and human resources can put you ahead of the pack. Direct work experience and internships are also useful to show on a resume for an executive assistant.
2. What does an executive assistant resume look like?
There is no standard resume template for an executive assistant resume; you can use any of our templates and customize them for your desired job. A good resume for an executive assistant will look like the sample resume for an executive assistant on this page. It must display the job seeker’s contact information, hard and soft skills, job history, education and certifications, if applicable. An executive assistant resume might also contain sections for awards and honors if the job candidate has them to display.
3. What are some tips for creating an excellent resume for an executive assistant job?
An executive assistant resume will vary from person to person, but pay attention to these resume writing basics:
- Keep your resume short and to the point. If you have less than 10 years of experience, it should be one page long; if you have more than 10 years of experience, then it’s acceptable to have no more than two pages.
- Ensure your resume is formatted correctly, meaning margins should be one inch on all sides and line space should be single or 1.5 inches.
- Only use appropriate fonts, like Times New Roman, Arial or Helvetica, in 11-12 points on the body and 14-16 points on headers.
- Proofread your resume more than once before sending it to potential employers.
4. What is the best resume format for an executive assistant?
The format you choose will depend on your experience and career goals. If you have some experience, try a chronological resume, focusing on your work history and accomplishments. If you have a few years of experience and want to stress your full array of skills, a combination resume format could work well, but if you’re new to the field, then a functional resume is your best bet.
5. What if I have no previous professional experience?
On your executive assistant resume, highlight any past academic or extracurricular activities, skills and experience that show that you can be a good fit for the job, such as leading a class project or community endeavor. These activities should depict your ability to produce work professionally and efficiently. In your summary, emphasize critical intangible skills that apply to the job, such as managing a large budget or organizing an event.
Do’s and don’ts for building an executive assistant resume
- Use measurable achievements to describe your executive assistant skills and experience.
- Use action words to make an impact on your executive assistant resume.
- Tailor your resume to your target executive assistant job.
- Use keywords from the job description throughout your executive assistant resume.
- Format your executive assistant resume so that it is easy to read by ATS software and human eyes.
- Lie about your executive assistant experience and skills.
- Boast that you’re the “best executive assistant ever.”
- Include irrelevant personal information such as your ethnicity and age.
- Add skills and experience that are about something other than restaurant service.
- Forget to proofread. An executive assistant resume with errors is unprofessional.
Top 4 tips for acing an executive assistant interview
Research first.
It’s vital to take the time to learn about the institution or company’s history, goals, values and people before the interview. Doing so conveys interest, passion and commitment — traits that can set you above the competition.
Practice your answers.
Practice is really important. Be sure to practice for your interview by reviewing the most common interview questions, such as:
- How Do You Determine Priorities When Scheduling Your Time?
- When Given an Important Assignment How Do You Approach It?
- What Two or Three Things Are Most Important to You in Your Job?
And some possible behavioral questions such as:
- Describe a Time When You Had to Cope With a Stressful Scenario.
- How Would Your Boss Describe You?
- What Are Three Positive Character Traits You Don’t Have?
Write down two or three possible answers for each question, then practice answering them with a friend.
Prepare questions to ask during the interview.
After the hiring manager and potential colleagues question you, they will likely offer for you to ask them some questions. Always have at least three for each person you speak with; doing so shows that you’re interested and have been paying close attention.
Some questions you might ask for an executive assistant job are:
- What is a typical day like at the office?
- Can you tell me about the challenges the last person in this role had to overcome?
- What is the work culture like?
Gather references
Have professional references ready during your interview. It comes in handy, especially if the hiring manager offers you the job on the spot. Make a list of two former colleagues and a former manager willing to speak highly about your executive assistant abilities.
Cover letter examples for the next step in your administrative career
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- Executive Assistant Cover Letter
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- Office Clerk Cover Letter
- Office Manager Cover Letter
- Personal Assistant Cover Letter
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- Receptionist Cover Letter
- Store Administrative Assistant Cover Letter
CV examples for the next step in your administrative career
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Executive Assistant Resume Example
Kellie is the content strategist for My Perfect Resume. She has more than 20 years of experience in digital media and is passionate about helping job seekers navigate their careers. She has a B.A. in English and writing from Temple University.