No matter what stage you are in your administrative career, landing the job you want takes effort, research and a well-crafted resume. Writing a resume that stands out as an administrative professional can feel overwhelming, but if you take it step-by-step, you can be successful. Follow these strategies to create an engaging, impactful resume that will help you reach your goals.
Understand the Types of Resumes
Before you begin writing your administrative professional resume, it is important to understand the various types of formats so that you can find the best one to use. The most common resume formats include chronological, functional, combination and targeted resumes.
A chronological resume lists your work experience, education, and skills in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent. This is suitable for administrative professionals who have a steady career path with no gaps in employment and who possess the necessary skills from past experiences that that clearly align with the job’s requirements.
A functional resume focuses on your skills and strengths more than your work history, which makes it an excellent choice for administrative professionals who may have job-hopped or have been out of the job market for some time.
A combination resume combines both a chronological and functional format. It highlights your work history, but starts with a summary of qualifications. The summary of qualifications should unequivocally demonstrate that your skills are transferrable to the administrative role you are applying for.
Finally, a targeted resume is customized for each job you apply for. It focuses on qualifications that are specifically relevant to the job posting. Be mindful that employers use applicant tracking systems that scan resumes for job-specific keywords, so you should include some job-related keywords in the targeted resume.
Know What Employers are Looking For
When researching what information to include in your administrative professional resume, it is important to consider what employers are seeking. Most administrative positions require strong communication, organization, customer service, and time management skills. Therefore, it is critical to your success to make sure these skills are emphasized on your resume. Additionally, be sure to include soft skills such as problem-solving, decision-making, and creative thinking.
Write a Winning Resume Summary
The resume summary is like a road map that tells the employer where your work experience is coming from, what you have accomplished, and what makes you qualified for the job. It should also include details that match the job you are applying for. The resume summary should be brief but powerful and should make a strong first impression.
Highlight your Accomplishments
Showing what you have achieved in past roles is one of the most effective ways to make yourself stand out in the application process. … Accomplishments are measurable, tangible accomplishments that demonstrate your value and suitability for a job. Examples could include automation of office processes, improvement of customer satisfaction ratings, winning awards, developing new policies and procedures, or creating new systems.
Include Relevant Certifications
If you have a degree, certification courses, or other credentials that are relevant to the job you are applying to, then be sure to include them on the resume. Certifications demonstrate your commitment to the profession, as well as your knowledge and expertise in the field.
Tailor your Resume
Once you have identified the format and content that best reflects your experiences and qualifications, it is important to tailor that resume to each job. Employers want to see that you have done research and are familiar with their company’s mission and values. Tailor your resume to match the job description for the position and update it with relevant keywords to show that you meet the requirements and can do the job successfully.
Proofread and Test
Before sending your resume and accompanying cover letter, it is very important to double-check for errors such as typos, grammar mistakes, or spelling errors. Have at least one other person proofread your resume for clarity and accuracy. Additionally, test the formatting and readability of your resume. You may need to adjust the text size, font, or margins so that your resume looks attractive and translates well across different devices.
Final Words
Writing a resume can feel overwhelming, but if you take it step-by-step and use the above guidelines, you will be able to create an impactful, engaging resume that will help you reach your career goals and get the job you want. Good luck!
People Also Ask:
Is a functional resume good for an administrative professional?
Yes, a functional resume provides a great way to feature your skills and strengths over your work history for an administrative professional.
What should be included in an administrative professional resume?
Strong communication, organization, customer service and time management skills should be included in an administrative professional resume. Additionally, include soft skills such as problem-solving, decision-making, and creative thinking.
What is a targeted resume?
A targeted resume is customized for each job you apply for. It emphasizes relevant qualifications for the job and includes keywords from the job posting that demonstrate suitability for the position.
When should a resume be tailored?
A resume should be tailored to each job you apply for. Tailoring your resume shows the employer that you have done research and are familiar with their company’s mission and values.
How should a resume be proofread?
When proofreading a resume, it is important to double-check for errors such as typos, grammar mistakes, or spelling errors. Additionally, test the formatting and readability of your resume. Have at least one other person proofread it for clarity and accuracy.
Conclusion:
Writing a professional resume as an administrative professional requires effort, research, and attention to detail. It is important to understand the different resume formats, know what information employers are looking for, emphasize your qualifications and accomplishments, tailor your resume to the job, and lastly, proofread and test your resume. Use these guidelines to create an engaging, impactful resume that will help you reach your goals and land the job you want.