Guides

How to Tailor Your Resume for an Administrative Assistant Job

A resume written for the specific administrative assistant posting is easier for a recruiter to say yes to than one written for every job. Here's how to tailor yours, honestly.

Words that often show up in Administrative Assistant postings

Every posting is different, so start with the one you're applying to. These terms come up a lot for this job; use the ones that are true for you, in the posting's exact wording.

• calendar management
• Microsoft Office / Google Workspace
• travel arrangements
• data entry
• scheduling
• office coordination
• confidential records
• supporting executives

Turn duties into proof

Recruiters skim. A bullet that says what you did, how much, and with what tools is easier to say yes to than a vague duty.

What to put first

Say who you supported and how many people, then list the software the posting names. Then reorder the bullets under each job so the ones that match this posting come first.

Don't stretch the truth

Only use a keyword where it's true. If the posting asks for something you don't have, leave it off and mention in your cover letter how you're building it. Claims that fall apart in an interview cost more than a missing keyword.

Interview questions to prepare for

• How do you handle two executives who want the same time slot?
• Tell me about a time you caught a mistake before it caused a problem.
• How do you keep track of many small tasks?

Answer with a short story: the situation, what you did, and what changed because of it.