administrative resume Archives

Have you been firing off your resume into the LinkedIn void, only to hear crickets? We know it’s frustrating.

But here’s the deal: in a competitive job market, your admin resume has to work harder than ever to grab the attention of recruiters + hiring managers.

The good news? A few strategic moves can take your resume from “meh” to “hire me now.”

What Employers Are Looking For

First things first: let’s talk about what skills and qualities hiring managers *actually* look for in an administrative resume.

Spoiler alert: it’s a whole lot more than just typing fast and answering phones.

Communication Skills

Admins are the connectors of any workplace. You relay information, bridge gaps between departments, and often serve as the voice of the office. That means your communication game needs to be sharp, both written and verbal.

Perhaps you’ve written company newsletters, led company staff meetings, or handled client email correspondence?

Clear communication can quite literally make or break an office environment. So, if you’ve got the communication know-how, highlight it on your admin resume. Show hiring managers that you’re not just capable of relaying messages—you’re a pro at making sure nothing gets lost in translation.

Here are a few examples of how you could showcase communication skills on your admin resume:

Drafted and distributed bi-weekly newsletters to 200+ staff, improving company-wide communication and event participation by 30%.
Led cross-departmental meetings and created detailed follow-up summaries, ensuring alignment across projects and reducing email back-and-forth by 25%.

Managed high-volume client correspondence with a 97% satisfaction rating, resolving issues promptly and maintaining strong professional relationships.

Organization (aka Admin Superpowers)

Administrative roles are the backbone of any business, and they require serious organizational skills.

You’re the person who keeps everything (and everyone) on track—from managing the last-minute details to anticipating what’s needed next.

Whether it’s maintaining detailed records, juggling multiple calendars, booking travel, or coordinating events, your ability to stay organized under pressure is what makes the office run like clockwork.

Regardless of where your organizational experience lies, the perfect admin resume should highlight your ability to keep operations running smoothly.

Not sure how to showcase your organizational skills on a resume? Here are a few examples:

Managed complex scheduling for five executives, coordinating over 60 meetings weekly with zero conflicts and improved time efficiency.
Created and maintained a digital filing system for over 1,500 client documents, reducing retrieval time by 40% and improving team productivity.
Planned and executed quarterly company events for 100+ attendees, overseeing budgets, vendors, and logistics with precision and zero last-minute surprises.

Time Management

Employers want someone who can manage shifting priorities, meet tight deadlines, and still keep the day running seamlessly.

In an administrative role, time management isn’t just a nice-to-have…it’s critical.

And here’s the thing—employers know this.

A survey by Timewatch found that out of 300 full-time employees, 94% say that better time management leads to increased productivity.

Employers are looking for candidates who know how to manage multiple inboxes, overlapping deadlines, streamline processes, and juggle overlapping deadlines.

If you have this experience, don’t just mention it—own it on your admin resume.

These “soft skills” are proof that you can keep cool under pressure and still deliver results on time.

Here’s an example of what time management skills on your resume could look like:

Coordinated 20+ daily calendar changes for senior leadership while meeting all internal deadlines and minimizing scheduling conflicts.
Balanced competing priorities across three departments, reducing task turnaround time by 35% through proactive planning.

Streamlined daily office workflows, resulting in a 25% improvement in overall team efficiency.

Attention to Detail

If you’re the kind of person who spots the missing comma, catches a duplicate file name, or notices when a spreadsheet column isn’t aligned, you’re the kind of Admin pro employers want.

In administrative roles, details aren’t just important—they’re everything.

A single typo in a client email, a scheduling error, or a misfiled document can lead to miscommunication, lost time, or worse, a compromised reputation.

Your ability to spot and correct errors before they snowball into problems is a major asset—and your admin resume should prove it.

When you highlight your attention to detail, you’re not just sharing your skills—you’re showing that you’re the dependable team member everyone can count on to keep things running smoothly.

Here are a few examples for your next admin resume:

Proofread and edited executive communications and reports with 100% accuracy, ensuring error-free delivery to stakeholders and clients.
Audited and updated over 2,000 digital records, identifying and correcting discrepancies to maintain compliance and improve data integrity.
Managed travel itineraries with meticulous precision, reducing booking errors by 98% and streamlining trip logistics for five executives.

Customer Service

Admins are often the face and voice of a company.

Whether you’re greeting clients in person, answering inquiries, or supporting internal teams, you’re the first impression and the ongoing point of contact.

And in a world where first impressions matter more than ever, delivering top-notch customer service is simply part of the job description.

Employers are looking for administrative professionals who can handle a range of personalities and situations with calmness, confidence, and professionalism.

The bottom line?

Great admins make people feel seen, heard, and helped—fast. If you’ve got that magic mix of people skills and professionalism, don’t be shy about highlighting it on your administrative resume.

Here are a few examples of how you could highlight your customer service know-how on a resume:

Served as the first point of contact for all front-desk interactions, assisting 50+ visitors and managing incoming calls daily with a 98% satisfaction rate.
Resolved client inquiries and service issues within 24 hours, increasing client retention by 15% and earning multiple commendations from leadership.
Supported cross-functional teams by facilitating clear, solution-focused communication between departments, reducing internal response times by 30%.

How To Write Your Admin Resume

Hiring managers are skimming hundreds of applications daily, so your admin resume needs to instantly signal: “I’m the one.”

The more aligned your resume is with the role, the more likely it is to grab attention and make it through that first look.

So, here’s how to tailor yours:

Analyze the Job Description

Before you start tailoring your admin resume to an individual role, take time to fully understand what the employer is looking for. Understanding each job posting will show hiring managers you’re not just qualified, but intentional.

Here’s how to break it down:

Read it more than once: Don’t just skim—look for repeated phrases or emphasized skills. Those are your clues.
Highlight key requirements: Identify what’s essential (must-haves) versus what’s preferred (nice-to-haves).
Match your experience to their needs: Focus on how your skills and background speak directly to the role.
Note keywords: These can help you get past Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and show you’re aligned.

This will set the foundation for a resume that addresses the needs of the specific role.

Prioritize Relevant Experience

Now that you know what the job entails, tweak your resume to emphasize your experience that matches.

For example, if the role demands heavy scheduling, lead with your expertise in managing complex calendars.

This approach shows employers you have the background that aligns with their requirements.

Quantify Your Achievements

Talk numbers.

What we mean is to quantify your achievements because this gives employers an objective look at what you bring to the table.

Did you increase office efficiency by 20%? Cut down costs by $10K annually? These figures prove you’re results-oriented and value-driven.

Here’s an example:

Streamlined scheduling processes, increasing office efficiency by 20% through optimized calendar management and meeting coordination.
Identified and implemented cost-saving measures in office supply procurement, resulting in $10,000 annual savings.
Reduced onboarding time for new hires by 30% by creating a centralized digital orientation packet and checklist system.

Incorporate Keywords

Use the language in the job description on your resume.

Strategic placement of keywords throughout your skills section and work history not only makes your resume more relevant but also helps you get past the automated applicant tracking systems many companies use.

Proofread for Errors

Finally, proofread, proofread, proofread!

A single typo can undermine your application, so double-check your resume for accuracy. We suggest reading it out loud to check the errors your brain might not instantly catch.

If possible, have a trusted friend review it as well–an even fresher pair of eyes can catch mistakes you might have missed.

What To Do After Submitting Your Resume

Your resume has been sent – what now?

Don’t just sit back and wait for a call. The steps you take after hitting “submit” can be just as important as the resume itself when it comes to landing that perfect admin role.

Here’s what we recommend:

Follow Up on Your Application

A gentle follow-up a week or so after submitting your application can keep you at the top of an employer’s mind.

It’s a simple gesture that shows initiative, enthusiasm, and strong communication skills—key traits for any admin role.

A simple, short, polite email can make you stand out in a crowded applicant pool and remind the hiring manager that you’re serious about the opportunity.

Prepare for Interviews

While waiting for a response, use the time to get interview-ready.

Even if it’s not for the opportunity you originally had in mind, it’s always good to be prepared–you’re going to land the perfect admin role one way or another!

Review common administrative interview questions, rehearse your answers, and think through real-life examples that highlight your skills. The more familiar you are with your admin resume, the more confident and polished you’ll come across when it’s time to shine.

Keep Networking

While waiting for a response, use the time to get interview-ready.

Even if it’s not for the opportunity you originally had in mind, it’s always good to be prepared–you’re going to land the perfect admin role one way or another!

Stay Positive

Tap into your community on LinkedIn, industry groups, and local meetups—anything that helps you build authentic professional connections.

Many of the best admin roles are filled through referrals before they’re ever posted online. Staying active in your network can lead to connections that give you a competitive edge.

How That’s Good HR Can Help You Land Your Next Admin Role

Crafting the perfect administrative resume is a great first step—but it’s just the beginning.

Once your resume is polished and ready to go, the real magic happens through connections, strategy, and support. That’s where our team comes in.

We specialize in connecting talented administrative professionals with roles that truly fit by taking the time to understand your goals, your strengths, and the type of work environment that sets you up for success.

Visit our website to partner with That’s Good HR today, and let’s land you the admin role of your dreams!