Administrative Assistant CV Example
An administrative assistant's CV should demonstrate organisation, accuracy and discretion, and show that the people you support can rely on you. Be specific about who you supported, the systems you used and the processes you improved, and make the document itself a sample of your work: consistent, clean and error-free.
This example follows UK conventions: two pages at most, British spelling and a personal statement at the top.
Example administrative assistant personal statement
Administrative assistant with five years' experience supporting busy teams in professional services. Manages diaries, meetings, travel and document preparation for a team of twelve, and known for accuracy and for keeping shared systems in good order. Advanced user of Microsoft 365. Seeking an office administrator or team secretary role.
Key skills for a administrative assistant CV
- Diary and inbox management
- Meeting coordination, agendas and minute taking
- Travel and accommodation booking
- Microsoft 365: Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Teams
- Data entry, filing and records management
- Raising purchase orders and processing invoices and expenses
- Reception duties and handling enquiries by phone and email
- Handling confidential information with discretion
Example work experience bullet points
- Provided administrative support to a team of twelve, including diary management for two senior managers.
- Organised monthly team meetings and quarterly client events for up to 80 guests, handling venues, catering and invitations.
- Took minutes at weekly management meetings and circulated actions within 24 hours.
- Introduced a shared filing structure and naming convention that made documents easier for the whole team to find.
- Processed expenses and purchase orders accurately and on time, resolving queries with the finance team.
- Acted as first point of contact for visitors and callers, directing enquiries to the right person.
How to write your administrative assistant CV
- Say who and how many people you supported, and at what level.
- List software by name and level, including any databases or finance systems.
- Include a typing speed only if the advert asks for one and you have tested it.
- Look for improvements you made: a tidier filing system, a quicker process, a useful template.
- Check formatting, spacing and spelling with extra care; attention to detail is the core of the job.
UK CV or US resume?
UK adverts more often use administrator, office administrator or team secretary, while 'administrative assistant' is the most common title in the US. The responsibilities are the same. For a US application, use the word resume, American spelling such as 'organized', and one page if you are early in your career.
Frequently asked questions
What should an administrative assistant CV include?
A short personal statement, a skills section covering software and core admin tasks, work experience bullets showing who you supported and what you improved, and your education and any relevant training.
What is the difference between an administrator and an administrative assistant?
In practice the titles overlap heavily. 'Administrator' is more common in the UK and 'administrative assistant' in the US. Use the title in the advert you are responding to where it fits your experience.
How can I make an admin CV stand out?
Show outcomes as well as tasks. Processes you streamlined, events you ran smoothly and the trust placed in you with confidential or financial work all distinguish you from a list of duties.