If you are in the process of the job search, hunting for exciting office assistant positions, our professional resume writers near me say that your resume is your secret weapon. To capture the available job opportunities, you need a brilliant resume that puts all your strengths front and shows potential employers that they can rely on you in the work process. But how to write one? In this article, you’ll find the most effective tips from our experts, and a good office assistant resume sample as a bonus!
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics, or BLS, pegs the average offices assistant’s salary at $39,680 per year and $19.08 per hour.
How to Format an Office Assistant Resume
To craft winning resumes for office assistant jobs you need to choose the right format. Formatting plays a crucial role in the success of your job application, as it shows your attention to detail. For office assistant resume format, the best choice is the reverse-chronological layout. It is a traditional, yet effective format for a resume sample. It always looks professional. And, it shows your best skills and experiences first and, thus, can engage recruiters and help land an interview.
If you are not sure which format to choose for an office assistant resume, read on top best resume formats on Skillhub.
If you can write a resume like this, meet all the job requirements and show your strengths, you can stay rest assured that any company will be happy to hire you.
Be sure to explore other office assistant resume samples created with the help of our professional:
We also have great samples for other industries and roles, from customer service to engineering. And we keep updating the list weekly to provide you with even more inspiring samples.
Resume Objective & Resume Summary
You can tell everything about your training, skills, and achievements, but still not land an interview. Why? Because to succeed, you need to stand out among other applications. Both summary and objective do just that.
A summary is a brief overview of your career path, so it will work best for an experienced applicant. Whereas an office assistant resume objective is a statement of why you want the job and what you can do for the company as an employee.
Resume Summary [Examples]
Let’s look at two office assistant resume samples to see how experienced job seekers can create summaries that work.
Wrong ❌
Expert office assistant with scheduling and data entry skills. Looking for new career opportunities.
Right ✅
Dedicated office assistant with 7+ years of experience, looking to leverage proven expertise in CRM data entry, shipping, customer complaints management, and other skills at [company name].
The second resume sample is a better fit as it highlights the applicants’ strengths and experience on the job market.
Resume Objective [Examples]
For candidates, who lack training or experience, an office assistant resume objective is the best bet. Let’s look at samples.
Wrong ❌
Assistant with no experience, looking to work in a fast-growing company.
Right ✅
Recent graduate with a BA in Management with excellent communication and tech skills. Have helped with administrative assistant duties on campus and numerous commendations for a positive attitude and strong work ethic.
The second resume example shows your value for an employer and, thus, is more effective.
Resume Examples [Experience]
Your professional experience is one of the main factors that can either make companies want to employ you or not. Thus, it’s a crucial section of an office assistant sample resume.
This section of your sample office assistant resume should indicate your level of qualification and show that you can handle the job duties well and help the company achieve its business goals.
What data to include? There are several rules to keep in mind:
- Start with the most recent job;
- Add 3-6 bullet points that show your experience, skills, and achievements;
- Tie your experience section to the job description.
Entry Level Office Assistant Resume [Experience]
If you are writing a resume for office assistant with no experience, you can still give employers a weighty reason to hire you.
There are two methods you can apply in this case:
- Focus on other experiences - Tell about other jobs that included similar responsibilities, for example, handling customers or taking calls. Also, you can mention transferable skills or knowledge of relevant automation and other tools.
- Gain some relevant experience - You can also acquire some experience, for example, through volunteering.
Entry Level Office Assistant [Sample]
Let’s look at the two office assistant resume examples of entry-level experience sections to see how it should be done to ensure that you’ll get an acceptance letter.
Wrong ❌
No office assistant experience
Other experience
Right Resume Example ✅
Volunteer Office Assistant
January 2019 - August 2020
- Handled incoming calls and emails for a non-profit organization
- Performed different administrative duties
- Assisted in the organization of charity events
- Received frequent commendations from top management for efficient work and strong communication skills
If you are not sure if you need a cover letter, read on Skillhub premium info:
What is a cover letter
Cover letter for internal position
Google docs cover letter template
Education Section on an Office Assistant Resume
Not every employer might demand having higher education. But, to get employed faster, don’t skip this section in the process of the creation of your resume.
You can use your office assistant education section to add value to your candidacy and show that you perfectly meet the employer’s demands.
How to put it? Here are the basic requirements:
- Start with the highest degree;
- Mention school name, location, years, and degree;
- Add bullet points to highlight special achievements and skills.
Office Assistant Resume Examples [Education]
Let’s check some office assistant resume samples of an education section.
Wrong ❌
Education
- High school diploma
- BA in Management
Right ✅
BA in Management, New York University
2016 - 2019
- GPA 3.9
- Worked as professor’s assistant
- Gained strong expertise in writing and composition
- Excelled in public relations and customer service coursework
The first sample doesn’t make any difference. The second sample highlights how the candidate meets the office assistant requirements, thus, it can help you start your career and ensure growth.
If you have no experience, read on how to write a resume with no experience.
Skills on a Resume for an Office Assistant
All office assistant resume samples should feature a strong skills section. To put it right, create a list of your strongest skills, both soft and hard.
The main tip here is to make a list of skills that are not just relevant for the chosen career field, but that also go in line with a particular job description. So, be sure to use an office assistant job description for resume and you will get things right!
Now, let’s look at the complete list of the most sought-after office assistant resume skills:
- Data Entry
- Verbal and written communication
- Administrative skills
- Answering phones
- Organization skills
- Technology
- Scheduling
- Billing
- MS Office
- Time management
- Planning
- Office equipment
- Problem-solving
- Teamwork
- QuickBooks
- Dependability
- Shipping
- Welcoming visitors
Learn more about resume skills examples to level up your chances of getting an interview.
Office Assistant Resume Examples [Skills]
Let’s see two office assistant resume samples of a skills section
Wrong❌
Skills
- Communication
- Time management
- Problem-solving
Right ✅
Skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication
- Proven customer service skills
- Proficient in planning and scheduling
- Time management
- Proficient in MS Office and QuickBooks
- Welcoming individuals in the office
Both of these professional office assistant resume examples highlight relevant skills. But, the first one focuses solely on soft skills, although such occupations as office assistant require a wide range of hard skills.
Handy Resume Writing Tips for Gaining a Competitive Advantage
Once you have all the basic office assistant resume sections in place, add extra sections!
Additional resume sections are used to stand out. They tell additional information that can make companies want to recruit you but that is not specified in the basic sections.
For example, in your other sections, you can tell about your:
- Hobbies and interests;
- Certifications;
- Technical proficiency;
- Volunteering experience;
- Foreign languages;
- And anything else that can relate to the job and help you land an interview.
Office Assistant Resume Examples [Other Sections]
Let’s look at some examples of adding extra sections to a professional office assistant resume.
Wrong ❌
Other Activities
- Surfing
- Watching musicals
- Playing golf
Right ✅
Foreign Languages
Technical Proficiency
- 10-key Data Entry: 9,000 HPH with no errors
- Typing Speed: 100 WPM
Just like everything on your resume for office assistant jobs, additional sections should be relevant for the job. Thus, the second example will work better because when the recruiter will scan it, he will see a list of additional reasons to hire you rather than just a list of your hobbies as shown in the first example.
Learn more about resume action words to stand out among other candidates.
The Bottom Line
So, now you know how to write a office assistant resume that will impress the recruiter and help you land a job.
Let’s quickly recap the key takeaways:
- Tailor it to the job description;
- Choose the right format;
- Include a summary or objective;
- Mention the most relevant experience;
- Indicate your education;
- List skills;
- Add more value with extra sections.
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