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Best Executive Assistant Resume Examples
Our five best executive assistant resume examples span multiple experience levels and administrative positions. Use these samples and our matching cover letters as guidelines to customize our free resume templates.
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How to Write an Executive Assistant Resume
This sample resume demonstrates the best layout: 1-inch margins, bullet points and clear headings for each of the following sections. Our in-depth resume writing guide covers how to identify and describe your achievements and qualifications professionally.
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Professional header and contact info:
Add your name, contact information and a professional email address.
Compelling summary statement:
Open with a brief resume highlighting two or three business operation skills or accomplishments.
Emphasize your experience:
Share your work history in reverse chronological order. In a bullet list, add job titles, company names, dates of employment and key responsibilities and achievements for each role.
Highlight your skills:
Create a dedicated section to showcase hard and soft skills specific to administrative work, like file management, negotiation or scheduling.
Add an education section:
Support your qualifications by adding your educational background. Mention relevant degrees, diplomas or certifications obtained.
Additional sections:
You can add resume sections for licenses, certifications, industry memberships or unions, awards, volunteer experience or spoken languages.
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How to Write a Best Executive Assistant Resume Summary
A resume summary is the first thing executives and hiring managers see after your name and contact information. When the average recruiter spends less than six seconds on your resume, share a notable administrative skill or accomplishment to keep them interested.
Here are a few writing tips to help you make the most of these three introductory sentences:
Prioritize the job description:
You may have several years of travel booking experience, but this skill won’t impress anyone if your executive doesn’t travel beyond their regional workplace. Focus on skills and knowledge related to the primary responsibilities of the job.
Quantify your value:
Use numbers to elaborate your work history. For example, specify the annual executive budget you oversee or the number of inter- and cross-functional meetings you arrange and manage.
Showcase soft skills:
As an executive assistant, highlight the interpersonal skills that help you maintain a professional partnership with your executive team. Mention skills like communication, organization or creative problem-solving.
Good Executive Assistant Resume Example
Results-driven executive assistant with seven years of experience supporting C-suite executives in fast-paced environments. Expert in calendar management, travel coordination and project oversight, with a proven track record of improving efficiency by 30%. Adept at handling confidential information and fostering strong relationships with executives and department stakeholders.
Why this resume summary works well:
This executive assistant resume example highlights skills like calendar management, travel coordination, and project oversight. The job seeker emphasizes their positive image using statistics like “improving efficiency by 30%.” They also focus on their previous experience supporting C-suite executives.
Poor Executive Assistant Resume Example
Experienced Executive Assistant looking for a new job. Good at managing tasks, organizing schedules, and helping executives. I am hardworking and reliable and have been doing this job for several years.
How this resume summary fails:
The summary is vague and doesn’t highlight specific skills or experiences that differentiate the candidate. Phrases like “good at managing tasks” and “helping executives” are too general and don’t convey the candidate’s value.
You can improve this introduction by adding administrative-specific knowledge like “managed a quarterly events budget of $10,000. Arranged bi-weekly lunch bag meetings for a department of 25 within budget.”
Pro tip: If you’re an administrative assistant looking for your first job as a personal assistant or executive assistant, use a resume objective to showcase your transferable skills to meet the role’s requirements.
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How to Add Your Executive Assistant Work History
Your work history section will cover your experience and accomplishments. For an executive assistant position, this section should show how you manage complex tasks, support high-level executives and contribute to organizational success.
Here’s how to create a compelling work history section:
Add mandatory information:
Start with your most recent job and work backward, ensuring the most recent experience is listed first. Each job entry needs your job title, employer name, dates of employment and a bulleted list of primary responsibilities.
Use compelling language:
Start each bullet point with a resume power word to infuse your document with a confident and energetic tone.
Focus on achievements:
Rather than just listing duties, emphasize the results and impact of your work. Add numbers, percentages or specific examples to quantify your success wherever possible.
Good Executive Assistant Work History Sample
- Managed complex calendars and coordinated logistics for high-level meetings, resulting in a 20% reduction in scheduling conflicts.
- Organized and executed corporate events, including annual shareholder meetings, executive retreats and product launches, with budgets up to $500,000.
- Streamlined communication between departments by implementing a new project management system, improving completion times by 15%.
- Prepared detailed reports, presentations, and correspondence, maintaining a 100% accuracy rate.
Executive Assistant to the CFO | Seelie Shoes
Long Beach | June 2018 – May 2023
Why this resume summary works well:
The job seeker highlights the impact of their work, such as reducing scheduling conflicts and improving project completion times.
Each bullet point begins with a strong action verb, clarifying the candidate’s contributions. Specific numbers (e.g., 20% reduction, $500,000 budget) add credibility and demonstrate the candidate’s effectiveness.
Poor Executive Assistant Work History Sample
- Schedule meetings and answer phones for the finance department.
- Complete administrative tasks, including filing and data entry.
- Arrange travel as needed.
- Manage all emails and communications for the CFO and accounting leads.
Executive Assistant to the CFO | Seelie Shoes
Long Beach | June 2018 – Present
How this resume summary fails:
Although this job seeker shares some relevant experience, including managing communications for the executive leads of a finance department, their descriptions could be more specific and emphasize their positive impact.
You can improve this entry by adding positive results, like streamlining the creation and distribution of financial reports or implementing regular weekly meetings with detailed meeting agendas.
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How to Write an Executive Assistant Education Section
Demonstrating your formal degrees and earned certifications can reassure hiring managers of your additional qualifications. These suggested qualifications persuade executives.
1Academic degrees:
Formal business administration, operations management, business management or communications degrees can help prepare you for administrative responsibilities.
2Add relevant certifications:
Passing certification exams and courses in office management, specialized software, project management or technology applications indicate your attention to technical needs.
Sample Education Section:
Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration (BSBA) | CSU Los Angeles
Graduation date: May 2018
- Relevant coursework: Organizational Behavior, Project Management, Business Communication
Certification for Administrative Office Assistant | Los Angeles City College
Completed: 2019
Certification for Administrative & Executive Assistants | IAAP
Completed: 2018
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15 Skills for Your Executive Assistant Resume
Your resume skills enable you to showcase up to eight unique skills related to executive support. After reviewing several live administrative and executive assistant openings, hiring managers wish to see candidates with the following skills:
Soft Skills
Hard Skills
Technical Skills
CRM Systems
Google Calendar/Outlook Calendar
Microsoft Office Suite
Project Management Software
Video Conferencing Software
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20 Best Executive Assistant Action Verbs
Vibrant action verbs help you convey your experience and qualifications with dynamic energy and a unique voice. This allows your resume to stand out against other candidates who use typical professional language. Here’s a list of the best executive assistant resume skills to consider for your document.
- Administer
- Allocate
- Anticipate
- Arrange
- Assist
- Budget
- Coordinate
- Delegate
- Draft
- Facilitate
- Implement
- Manage
- Monitor
- Organize
- Oversee
- Plan
- Prioritize
- Streamline
- Supervise
- Support
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Additional Resume Sections
Consider adding the following sections to your executive assistant resume based on your specific circumstances and to enhance your qualifications:
Use a Cover Letter to Express Yourself
A resume is a concise overview of your skills and experience — a cover letter expands on this foundation. Add a cover letter to share one or two examples of how you excelled in similar roles or how your skills match a company’s needs. Use this sample as a guide, or visit our helpful resources to boost your application.
Best Executive Assistant Resume FAQ
Does my executive assistant resume require references?
Although executive assistants rely on personal references from former executives, you shouldn’t add this information to your resume. Create a separate reference page available upon request — hiring managers will ask for this information near the end of the interview process. This strategy saves valuable page space to focus on your quantifiable qualifications.
How do I optimize your executive assistant resume for applicant tracking systems (ATS)?
Most online applications and job boards rely on ATS to eliminate up to 50% of candidates who don’t meet the job requirements. To optimize your resume for these programs, use keywords from the job description, include relevant job titles, and avoid overly complex formatting.
Use an ATS-friendly template with standard section headings and ensure your resume is in a compatible file format like .docx or .pdf.
What is the average salary for an executive assistant?
According to a 2023 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, executive assistants can earn between $45,910 and $104,000 annually. Your salary will depend on your experience level, job responsibilities and regional pay averages.