Resources/Resume-Guide/Secretary
Secretary Resume Guidance
As an Executive Secretary, your CV should reflect your ability to manage administrative tasks, coordinate with various departments, and provide high-level support to executives.
1. Choose the Right Format
- Use a reverse chronological format (most recent experience first) to highlight your career progression.
- Include these sections:
- Contact Information
- Professional Summary
- Skills
- Work Experience
- Education
- Certifications (if applicable)
2. Contact Information
At the top of your resume, display:
- Full name
- Phone number
- Professional email address
- LinkedIn profile (optional, but professional)
3. Professional Summary
Write a 2–3 sentence summary highlighting your qualifications, experience, and key skills. Example:
“Detail-oriented secretary with 5+ years of experience managing office operations, scheduling meetings, and supporting executives. Adept at streamlining processes, maintaining confidentiality, and providing excellent customer service.”
4. Highlight Key Skills
Include a mix of hard and soft skills. For example:
- Hard Skills: Calendar management, data entry, MS Office Suite, correspondence, travel arrangements
- Soft Skills: Communication, organization, time management, problem-solving, multitasking
5. Work Experience
Detail your responsibilities and achievements in past roles. Use action verbs and quantify achievements where possible.
Example: Secretary | XYZ Company | Jan 2020 – Dec 2023
- Managed calendars for 3 executives, scheduling over 200 meetings annually with 98% accuracy.
- Reduced office supply expenses by 15% through effective inventory management.
- Drafted and proofread internal memos, reports, and presentations, ensuring a professional standard.
6. Education
List your highest level of education first. Include:
- Degree name (e.g., Associate of Business Administration)
- Institution name
- Graduation year
7. Certifications (Optional)
Highlight relevant certifications, such as:
- Certified Administrative Professional (CAP)
- Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)
8. Optimize for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)
- Use keywords from the job description.
- Avoid graphics or complex formatting that may interfere with ATS scanning.
9. Tailor for Each Job
Customize your resume for each job by emphasizing the skills and experiences that align with the role.