Administrative Resume Examples, Skills, and Keywords

The field of administration is dedicated to keeping organizations and businesses running. Administrators handle everything from seemingly small tasks like ordering more office supplies to managing communications to coordinating events. Organization is key to this field, and an administrative resume needs to take that into account.

Administrative positions are found in every industry. A successful administrative professional needs to have a mix of interpersonal skills and organizational abilities. Most administrators also need a strong understanding of technology, especially email and Microsoft Office. These skills allow you to handle the communication and coordination necessary to keep things running smoothly. ‌

A great administrative resume will highlight these skills. If you’re interested in a career as an administrative professional, you can create an eye-catching resume by explaining your relevant skills and accomplishments.

Of course, like in any other industry, you should tailor your resume to the specific position for which you’re applying. With that in mind, here are the nine most common types of administrative roles, with sample resumes that work.

Hiring managers don’t have time to read every resume individually. Instead, they use tools that scan for resume skills their company needs, like “Microsoft Excel” or “Customer Service.” Including more resume keywords in your application can help you get spotted by the people behind the process.

Administration is an essential element of keeping large organizations running. If you have the ability to keep teams and offices organized, you’ll be compensated fairly for your work. Here are the median salaries for five popular administration roles in the United States:

Depending on the specific administrative position you want, the education requirements can vary widely. Receptionists, secretaries, and office assistants may not need anything but a high school diploma and a solid understanding of Microsoft Office. Meanwhile, office administrators and operations managers may need to have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a related field like English, operations, or business.

To advance your administrative career, additional certifications can help. Two standard credentials are Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) and Certified Administrative Professional (CAP). Getting these certificates demonstrates not only that you have the skills you claim but also that you’re dedicated to growing in your career.