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Behind every successful executive is a highly skilled executive assistant who is keeping the entire operation afloat.
Not only do executive assistants need to be highly organized and detail-oriented, they must be creative problem solvers and strong communicators to boot. If you like a lot of variety in your role — typing up meeting notes one day and booking travel arrangements the next — this might be the right role for you.
Before you slide into a seat outside the C-suite, though, you’ll need an excellent executive assistant resume. With the help of some easy-to-follow instructions on how to write a resume and some excellent resume examples for reference, the task of writing one can be quick and easy.
Keep reading to learn more about:
- Examples of executive assistant resumes for different levels of experience.
- What makes an executive assistant resume example great.
- Tips and tricks for writing executive assistant resumes.
- What to include in every section of your resume.
- How to choose the right resume template and format for the role.
Ready to write your executive assistant resume now? Use our professional Resume Maker for step-by-step help writing every section.
Executive assistant resume examples
What makes this a great executive assistant resume sample?
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Uses a strong resume objective.
This resume features a resume objective that highlights the applicant’s transferable skills and experience level right at the top of the page.
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Packs in valuable information.
This executive assistant resume sample is well organized and uses each of the five resume sections to its fullest.
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Utilizes the right resume format.
Since this applicant is applying for an entry-level role, he has chosen a functional resume format to highlight his impressive skill set in multiple sections, while taking the focus off his limited work experience.
What makes this a great executive assistant resume sample?
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Utilizes a chronological resume format.
Since this candidate is highly experienced, she chose a resume template that highlights her impressive work experience and strong career progression.
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Uses data and metrics.
To showcase the volume of work she is accustomed to handling, this applicant uses data and metrics in her work experience section.
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Abundance of action verbs.
No boring language here. This applicant knows that sometimes recruiters read dozens of resumes in a single day, so she made her resume content engaging instead of just including a boring list of job duties.
More resume examples
Looking for a different job title? Select from the administrative resume examples below:
Choose a format for your executive assistant resume
To land the job you want, you need to get the right information in front of a recruiter. How do you accomplish that? By selecting the right resume format.
- Experienced applicants should consider a chronological resume format to highlight work experience and a strong career progression.
- Applicants with little to no experience should consider using a functional resume format.
- Midlevel applicants with three to five years of relevant experience would benefit from a combination resume format to showcase a balance of skills and work experience.
Visit our guide to learn how to format a resume to highlight your candidacy.
How to select an appropriate template
While every resume template will have the same basic sections — a professional summary or resume objective, skills, work history and education — you can customize the look and feel of your resume by selecting the right template.
If you are applying for an executive assistant role in a creative environment, like marketing or advertising, choosing a resume template with some flair is appropriate, like one of our creative resume templates. Or, for more conservative environments like law or finance, peruse our template library to see if one of our modern resumes or simple templates is more your style.
How to write an executive assistant resume in 5 simple steps
While there are some basic rules for writing a great resume, top candidates for competitive executive assistant jobs know that the key to getting noticed is to write a resume that is specific to the industry and the role they seek.
Step 1
Study the executive assistant job description
The best executive assistant resumes are customized to include keywords that show employers that you have what it takes to perform the role. Why is this important?
Many employers run resumes through applicant tracking systems (ATS) that screen out unqualified candidates based on preset keywords. If your resume doesn’t contain the right keywords, you’ll be eliminated before a human ever sees your resume. To make your resume ATS-friendly, you’ll need to customize it to the job description. That’s why if you’re able to successfully incorporate the right keywords, you’ll improve your chances of landing a job interview.
But how do you know which keywords to use? Don’t worry — it’s actually quite easy.
Because every executive assistant role is unique, a good job ad should tell you everything you need to know about which keywords to add to your executive assistant resume. The key to success is to study the job description and make a list of critical keywords.
For example, if the job description for the executive assistant role you seek asks for attention to detail, creative problem-solving, strong typing skills and experience with event planning, you’ll want to use those exact words in your executive assistant resume.
And, don’t just update your skills section — look for opportunities in your professional summary, skills section and work experience section to add the keywords you’ve identified. Then, go through your resume and make sure what you wrote matches the wording in the job description so that the ATS recognizes it.
It may sound like a lot, but once you get used to the process, it should only take you a few minutes to do and will get your executive assistant resume better results than if you don’t tailor it.
Step 2
Write a professional summary or resume objective
Depending on your level of experience, your executive assistant resume should include either a professional summary or a resume objective to start. Think of this section as your resume profile, where you provide potential employers with a summary of your most relevant skills and experience and some professional highlights.
Candidates with less experience should choose a resume objective, which states your transferable skills and your career goals. Applicants with more direct experience in an executive assistant role should use a professional summary, which outlines your skills and experience and highlights some of your most notable professional accomplishments.
Here are some strong examples for your executive assistant resume:
Executive assistant professional summary example:
Diligent and highly experienced executive assistant with more than 12 years of experience providing exceptional support in fast-paced corporate environments. Proven track record of efficiently managing executive schedules, organizing meetings and handling sensitive information with the utmost confidentiality. Demonstrated ability to foster strong working relationships with stakeholders at all levels to achieve organizational goals.
Executive assistant objective example:
Motivated recent graduate with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, seeking to leverage my strong organizational and communication skills as an executive assistant. Quick and accurate typing skills and a keen eye for detail. Cultivated myriad transferable skills, including project management, time management and problem-solving. Eager to contribute a fresh perspective, adaptability and dedication to streamlining operations and facilitating the success of executive teams. Aspire to establish a rewarding career while continuously learning and growing within an esteemed organization.
Step 3
Highlight your most relevant executive assistant skills
Regardless of your experience level, hiring managers will be looking closely at the executive assistant resume skills you list.
Skills for an executive assistant resume should be added to your resume skills section and peppered into your professional summary (or resume objective) and your work experience section.
It’s critical that you provide employers with a solid mix of hard and soft skills. Hard skills are the measurable skills needed to perform a job. These skills are easily taught in a classroom. Soft skills, on the other hand, are nontechnical, making them difficult to measure. They are behaviors and personality traits that help you do your job well. Below, we provide a side-by-side list of hard and soft skills to help you see the difference between the two.
Hard and soft skills for a executive assistant resume
- Scheduling
- Microsoft Office
- Travel management
- Zoom
- Event Planning
- Google Workspace
- Communication
- Time management
- Collaboration
- Attention to detail
- Creative problem-solving
- Deadline-driven
Here is an example of a strong executive assistant skills section:
- Proficient in Microsoft Office, including PowerPoint and Excel
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Accurate typing and data entry skills
- High attention to detail
Executive assistant roles require a lot of collaboration, phone time and face-to-face interaction with the public, making soft skills important to list. So, while you should definitely list your critical computer skills, remember that employers seek out candidates who already possess soft skills because they are difficult to teach.
Step 4
Write a strong executive assistant work experience section
While the required background and experience will be different for each executive assistant role, the key to getting noticed is writing a work experience section that demonstrates what you will bring to the table.
Here is an example of a great executive assistant work experience entry:
Executive Assistant, Elm Advertising
New York, NY
January 2018 – Present
- Support the CEO in managing a complex and ever-changing schedule, coordinating 80+ meetings per month and optimizing time allocation, resulting in a 30% increase in executive productivity and meeting efficiency.
- Act as the primary point of contact between the CEO and internal/external stakeholders, responding to and redirecting an average of 50+ daily emails and calls promptly, maintaining a 95% response rate within two hours.
- Spearheaded the implementation of a digital filing and organization system, reducing document retrieval time by 50% and enhancing data accessibility for the executive team.
- Planned and executed 15+ high-profile corporate events, including board meetings and investor conferences, ensuring flawless logistics, which received accolades from attendees and contributed to a 20% improvement in company reputation.
- Manage travel arrangements for the CEO and senior executives, optimizing bookings and expenses, resulting in a 15% reduction in travel costs over three years while maintaining premium service quality.
Make your executive assistant credentials pop by using action words and numerical metrics to capture the attention of a hiring manager.
Step 5
Showcase your education and training
To be hired as an executive assistant, you’ll need to show employers that you’re qualified for the role. While not every executive assistant role requires a college degree, top candidates for this role often list a bachelor’s degree in business administration or another major on their resumes.
If you don’t have a college degree, list your high school education and any special training you might have. There is no need to list your year of graduation unless you are a very recent grad.
How to list your executive assistant education:
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration
San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA
Certifications
- Certified Professional Secretary (CPS)
- Certified Administrative Professional (CAP)
- Advanced Certificate for the Executive Assistant (ACEA)
If you have professional certifications or special training, add them to your resume. You can include them in your education section or add a special section to your executive assistant resume.
Optional sections for your executive assistant resume
Awards and honors
Adding accolades to your resume is a smart way to show off your abilities, achievements and qualifications. Awards emphasize exceptional performance or leadership, whereas certifications offer hard evidence of your expertise and abilities in a specific domain.
Including awards and honors on your resume sets you apart from other contenders. They tell the employer you are truly dedicated to your field and capable of making significant contributions to their organization — ultimately increasing your chances of landing the job.
How to list awards on your executive assistant resume:
2022 Outstanding Employee Award – Elm Advertising
2020 Achievement Award – International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP)
Languages
Languages give you a chance to showcase your cultural awareness and adaptability, two qualities highly prized in today’s globalized job market. Being multilingual also expands your communication abilities, giving you access to a wider variety of clients, customers and stakeholders, and opening the door to international opportunities.
Additionally, knowing multiple languages suggests you have impressive mental agility and determination. Ultimately, all else being equal, if a job opening comes down to two candidates and one of them lists multiple languages on their resume, the multilingual candidate will be more attractive to the employer.
How to list languages on your executive assistant resume:
- Fluent in Chinese and English
- Conversational Spanish
Interests and hobbies
Adding hobbies to your resume is appropriate as long as they’re relevant to the job. They offer an opportunity to show your personality and meaningfully connect with a potential employer. Plus, they emphasize your transferable skills, like creativity or leadership — qualities you take from job to job.
Finally, hobbies and interests can demonstrate whether you’re the right culture fit for a company. They enrich your overall profile, showing the employer how you are a unique and fully defined person.
How to list interests and hobbies on your executive assistant resume:
- Enthusiastic consumer of productivity and organization books, blogs and podcasts.
- Passion for planning family and friends trips.
Add a cover letter
Adding an executive assistant cover letter to your application can help you stand out. Why? Because it gives you extra space to show a potential employer that you’re the right person for the job.
Learning how to write a cover letter for an executive assistant job starts with studying our cover letter examples to get a grasp of how to express your unique candidacy in a compelling way and how to format your cover letter for success.
Or, if you want a cover letter for an executive assistant role in a matter of minutes, use our professional Cover Letter Builder, which offers professionally written text suggestions for every section. Use the wording as-is or customize it to suit your needs.
Key takeaways for your executive assistant resume
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Follow our steps for a standout resume
Take care to write all five sections of your resume in a way that is specific to the job you seek. Your professional summary, skills, work experience and education section should all contain information that is targeted to the job ad.
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Select the appropriate resume format
Decide what you’d like to emphasize the most on your executive assistant resume — strong skills, an impressive work history or both — and then select the template that will help you put your best foot forward.
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Be specific to the role
Use specific information from the job ad rather than generic resume filler when crafting your document. Again, a well-written job description will tell you the critical credentials you must emphasize on your resume.
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Include both hard and soft skills
Being an executive assistant requires a mix of technical and personal skills to do the job well. Study our list of hard and soft skills to be sure that you include a balance of both types in your resume.
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Make your work experience section shine
Accomplish this by using action verbs, and numerical data and metrics to show the impact of your work.
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Choose an appropriate resume template
Executive assistants work in a variety of fields, so choose a resume template that matches the work environment — a creative template for a creative industry, for example. If you’re applying for an executive assistant role at a conservative organization, such as a nonprofit or an accounting firm, for instance, you’ll want a more buttoned up resume design.
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Go the extra mile
Including a well-written executive assistant cover letter can increase your chances of landing a job interview.
FAQs from job seekers
Last Updated: July 07, 2024
How do I list references on a resume?
How important is font size on a resume?
What are the differences between hard skills and soft skills?
How do I list technical skills on my resume?
Heather is the Content Strategy Manager for Resume Now and a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with more than ten years of experience writing about job search and career topics. She is based in San Francisco.
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