Crafting a CV that effectively showcases your organisational skills and multitasking abilities can be a significant challenge for an office assistant. Our guide provides targeted advice and practical examples to help you articulate your competencies and achievements, ensuring your CV stands out to potential employers.
What information should you include in your office assistant CV? Learn how to create your interview-landing and job-winning profile with our bespoke guide on:
- Applying best practices from real-world examples to ensure your profile always meets recruiters' expectations;
- What to include in your work experience section, apart from your past roles and responsibilities?
- Why are both hard and soft skills important for your application?
- How do you need to format your CV to pass the Applicant Tracker Software (ATS) assessment?
If you're writing your CV for a niche office assistant role, make sure to get some inspiration from professionals:
Resume examples for office assistant
Explore additional office assistant cv samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.
By Experience
Senior Office Assistant in Healthcare
- Comprehensive Skill Set with Industry Tools - The CV effectively showcases Chloe's proficiency in essential laboratory skills and tools, such as complex analytical equipment operation, sample preparation, and quality control. Her familiarity with specific methodologies like centrifugation and aliquot preparation, along with software like Microsoft Office, highlights her readiness to tackle industry-specific challenges efficiently.
- Strong Career Progression and Impactful Roles - Chloe’s career trajectory reveals a clear pathway of growth and development, from a Medical Laboratory Assistant to a Biomedical Scientist. This progression illustrates her ability to take on increasingly responsible roles within the laboratory environment, demonstrating her commitment to advancing her career and acquiring new competencies.
- Quantifiable Achievements with Business Impact - The CV not only details Chloe's accomplishments but also places them in the context of business impact, such as optimizing sample management systems resulting in enhanced efficiency. This focus on outcome-driven results, such as improving turnaround time and patient satisfaction, indicates a strong alignment between her efforts and organizational goals.
Junior Office Assistant in Finance
- Clarity and Structure in Content Presentation - The CV exhibits a well-organized layout with clearly defined sections such as "Experience," "Education," and "Skills." This organization enhances readability and ensures that the reader can easily navigate the document to find key information related to the candidate's expertise in financial records management.
- Progressive Career Trajectory - Max's career trajectory illustrates a steady growth from a Finance Intern at the Scottish Qualifications Authority to a Financial Assistant at the Glasgow School of Art. The roles demonstrate an increasing level of responsibility and expertise, reflecting Max's advancement within the finance industry and his readiness to handle complex financial tasks.
- Achievements and Business Impact - The CV effectively communicates Max's tangible impact on business operations through achievements such as a 15% reduction in purchase order processing time and a 40% reduction in financial record errors. These accomplishments highlight Max's ability to apply his skills to create efficient systems and positively influence organizational performance.
Senior Office Assistant in Technology
- Structured and Concise Content Presentation - The CV is structured in a clear and organized manner, with well-defined sections that help the reader quickly gather relevant information. The use of bullet points for responsibilities and achievements ensures that each point is concise and easy to understand, allowing the reader to efficiently assess the candidate's qualifications.
- Demonstrated Career Growth in Higher Education Administration - Charlie Thomas has shown a consistent pattern of career advancement in the field of higher education administration. Starting as an Office Administrator and progressing to a Senior Administrative Assistant role, Charlie has gained extensive experience across important academic institutions. This trajectory highlights a growing expertise in managing complex administrative tasks and leading teams within a university setting.
- Effective Stakeholder Communication and Cross-Functional Collaboration - The CV emphasizes Charlie's strong capability in stakeholder communication and collaboration across various functions. By working with department heads, high-profile academics, and cross-functional teams, Charlie has honed skills in facilitating strategic partnerships, organizing successful events, and maintaining productive inter-departmental relationships, all essential for fostering organizational growth and policy alignment.
Senior Office Assistant in Logistics
- Strong content presentation and clarity - Ethan Palmer's CV is well-organized, beginning with a detailed header that provides essential contact and professional information. The structured sections, including experience, education, and skills, offer a concise yet comprehensive overview of his expertise in administrative roles. The clarity in each section allows a reader to quickly pinpoint key competencies and accomplishments that align with executive assistance and project management.
- Notable career trajectory illustrating growth - The progression from Administrative Coordinator to Executive Assistant across reputable healthcare firms showcases a clear path of professional development. Ethan's upward mobility signals ambition and an expanding skill set, transitioning from supporting roles to leading critical administrative functions and directly assisting high-level executives within organizations like Nuffield Health.
- Focus on industry-specific tools and methodologies - The CV emphasizes Ethan's adept use of project management solutions and Microsoft Office Suite, highlighting his technical proficiency in essential tools that drive efficiency in administrative environments. His initiative in implementing these methodologies underscores how he successfully optimizes processes to enhance collaboration and document management within healthcare administration.
Junior Office Assistant in Marketing
- Emphasis on Adaptability and Cross-Functional Experience - Theodore Green's CV showcases his ability to adapt and work across various aspects of marketing. In his role as a Marketing Executive, he coordinated with content teams and managed client meetings, indicating versatile communication and management skills beyond core marketing tasks.
- Structured Presentation for Clarity - The CV is well-structured, with distinct sections for experience, education, skills, achievements, courses, passions, and languages, making it easy for recruiters to quickly grasp his qualifications and relevance to the Junior Marketing Account Manager role. The clear demarcation aids in understanding his career development and educational background at a glance.
- Business-Relevant Achievements and Impact - The impact of Green's work is highlighted through achievements that have tangible business benefits. Examples include improving client engagement by 20% and enhancing marketing data accuracy by 30%, showcasing his contributions to not only immediate project goals but also broader business objectives like client retention and satisfaction.
By Role
Office Assistant in Legal Services
- Well-Structured Experience Section - The CV presents the candidate's career history in a clear chronological order, highlighting the growth from a Project Manager at KPMG to a Senior Consultant at Deloitte. Each position includes concise bullet points that detail specific achievements and responsibilities, offering a comprehensive view of the candidate's professional development and expertise.
- Robust Leadership and Mentorship Skills - Daisy Shaw's CV emphasizes her ability to lead and mentor team members effectively. Her achievements, such as enhancing team productivity by 25% through mentorship, demonstrate her strong leadership capabilities and her impact on improving team dynamics and performance.
- Impactful Achievements with Business Relevance - The CV goes beyond presenting mere numbers by linking them to business outcomes. For instance, reducing service issues by 30% and improving proposal acceptance rates by 12% are achievements not only quantified but also connected to enhanced client satisfaction and business growth, showing how the candidate adds tangible value.
Office Assistant in Human Resources
- Structure Maximizes Readability - The CV is neatly organized into distinct sections, each clearly labeled and easy to navigate, allowing for quick identification of key qualifications, experiences, and skills. The structured presentation ensures that potential employers can quickly glean relevant information without wading through extraneous details.
- Clear Growth and Industry Commitment - The career trajectory shows consistent growth within the administrative and HR support fields, illustrated by the progression from Receptionist to Administrative Coordinator. This progression underscores a deepening expertise and an alignment with industry trends, demonstrating Harper Webb's commitment to building a career in administrative services.
- Impactful Achievements Highlight Business Contribution - The achievements focus not just on numerical metrics but also on their relevance to broader business objectives, such as enhancing communication, increasing satisfaction rates, and reducing costs. Each accomplishment ties directly into improving organizational efficiency, demonstrating how the candidate's contributions align with business goals.
Office Assistant in Educational Services
- Diverse Experience in Education Support - Thomas Walker's CV effectively illustrates a career trajectory characterized by progressive roles within education support. Starting as a Teaching Assistant and advancing to a Special Education Assistant, each position builds on the previous one, showcasing a commitment to the field and expertise in supporting diverse student needs.
- Comprehensive Skill Set in Special Education - The CV highlights a well-rounded set of skills specifically tailored to special education, such as behavioural guidance, individual education plans, and assistive technology. These skills underline Walker's capability to contribute significantly to student support environments with a focus on innovative educational practices.
- Emphasis on Measurable Achievements - The CV showcases several quantifiable accomplishments, such as a 30% increase in student engagement and a 20% reduction in classroom disruptions. These details emphasize the real-world impact of Walker’s work, demonstrating his ability to implement effective strategies that enhance educational outcomes.
Office Assistant in Real Estate
- Clarity and Structure in Presentation - The CV is meticulously structured, offering a clear progression of roles, responsibilities, and achievements. Each section is well-defined, making it easy to digest at a glance. The use of bullet points for accomplishments ensures concise and direct communication, highlighting key contributions without overwhelming the reader with excessive detail.
- Career Growth and Development - The candidate shows a clear trajectory of career growth, advancing from an Office Coordinator to an Office Administrator. This progression illustrates an increasing level of responsibility and expertise in office management. The change in companies and roles implies a broadening of skills and adaptability to different corporate environments.
- Technical Proficiency and Industry Tools - A significant aspect of the CV is the emphasis on technical proficiency with industry-specific tools such as MS Office and DocuSign. The candidate's ability to leverage these tools for process improvements and cost reductions demonstrates a strong technical acumen that is particularly relevant in an administrative context.
Office Assistant in Non-Profit Organisation
- Clear and Structured Presentation - The CV is organized with clearly defined sections, making it easy to navigate and extract pertinent information quickly. Each entry is concise yet informative, ensuring that the reader gains a comprehensive understanding of the candidate's qualifications and experience without being overwhelmed by unnecessary details.
- Significant Career Development - Florence Knight's trajectory is marked by consistent growth and progression in the healthcare sector. Starting as a Healthcare Assistant and advancing to a Certified Nurse Assistant position demonstrates her dedication to career development and increasing levels of responsibility, reflecting both skill enhancement and professional commitment.
- Impressive Achievements with Business Impact - The CV highlights tangible achievements such as improving patient satisfaction scores by 15% and reducing waiting times by 10%. These accomplishments not only showcase Florence's competence in her role but also underscore her contributions to enhancing healthcare delivery and operational efficiency, adding significant value to her employers.
Office Assistant in Manufacturing
- Clear and Structured Presentation - Olivia Turner's CV is well-organized and concise, providing a clean presentation of her professional journey. Each section, from work experience to skills and education, is clearly delineated, making it easy for readers to quickly locate relevant information.
- Strong Career Progression in Administration - The career trajectory outlined in the CV showcases a steady growth pattern in administrative roles. Olivia has advanced from an Administrative Assistant at Newcastle College to an Office Assistant at the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland, consistently taking on greater responsibilities and showcasing her dedication to the field.
- Impressive Process Improvement Achievements - The CV highlights significant achievements, such as a 25% improvement in procurement process efficiency and a 30% reduction in supply discrepancies. These accomplishments demonstrate Olivia’s ability to deliver tangible improvements in operational processes, showcasing the business relevance and impact of her contributions.
Office Assistant in Retail
- Clear and Structured Content Presentation - The CV is well-organized, beginning with a concise and informative header followed by sections that present Leo's skills, experience, and education in a logical order. Each section is clear and to the point, making it easy to follow and highlighting the candidate's relevant expertise in customer service and retail.
- Progressive Career Development - Leo’s career trajectory demonstrates a clear progression from a Customer Service Associate to an Assistant Post Office Manager. This upward mobility reflects his growing responsibilities and leadership roles, showing his ability to adapt and excel in varied positions within the retail and service industries.
- Remarkable Achievements with Tangible Impact - The CV showcases specific achievements, such as a 25% increase in customer satisfaction scores and a 20% reduction in stock loss at Royal Mail. These figures are not only impressive but also represent substantial business impacts, highlighting Leo’s ability to produce quantifiable improvements in operational efficiency and customer relations.
Office Assistant in Hospitality
- Structured and Concise Content Presentation - The CV of Elsie Murray is clearly structured, using concise language to effectively convey a wealth of experience and expertise. Each section is aligned with core competencies that highlight her qualifications in business administration and leadership, making the document accessible and easy to navigate.
- Diverse Career Trajectory - Elsie Murray's career showcases a robust growth trajectory, moving from administrative roles to leadership positions in customer service management. Her evolution through various industries, including retail and finance, reflects a dynamic career path enriched by significant promotions and increased responsibilities over time.
- Significant Achievements with Business Impact - The CV emphasizes notable achievements that had a direct impact on business outcomes, such as increasing store sales by 20% in one quarter and reducing customer complaints by 30%. These accomplishments not only reflect her capability to drive performance improvements but also underline her contributions to strategic business goals.
Office Assistant in Construction
- Dynamic Career Progression - The CV effectively traces Samuel Campbell's career trajectory, highlighting a steady upward movement within the field of office administration in the construction industry. Each role showcases increased responsibilities, demonstrating growth from an Administrative Assistant to an Office Assistant at a leading geotechnical engineering firm. This progression underscores a commitment to professional development and enhanced expertise in the construction materials sector.
- Industry-Specific Expertise - Samuel's expertise in construction materials testing and geotechnical engineering is evident through the use of specialized tools and methodologies. The mention of GPS Monitoring for fleet management and the innovative inventory tracking system reflect technical proficiency that is crucial for operational efficiency in this industry. This focus on industry-specific tools highlights his ability to integrate technical skills with business processes effectively.
- Leadership and Problem-Solving Skills - Throughout the CV, Samuel demonstrates notable soft skills and leadership qualities. Initiating a new onboarding program and implementing an inventory system are indicative of his proactive approach to problem-solving and team leadership. His actions have not only streamlined processes but also significantly improved business outcomes, emphasizing his capability to lead initiatives that drive both team and organizational success.
Office Assistant in Agriculture
- Content Presentation with Precision - The CV is well-structured and concise, with each section clearly defined, allowing for easy navigation. Bullet points effectively highlight key responsibilities and achievements, making the document both reader-friendly and direct in communicating Alexander's capabilities.
- Career Trajectory from Assistant to Specialist - The career path shows a clear progression from a Field Assistant to a Farm Machinery Operator and Agriculture Specialist, demonstrating a consistent theme of growth and increased responsibility in agricultural operations. This trajectory underscores Alexander's career development and commitment to the agriculture industry.
- Advanced Technical Depth in Agriculture - This CV stands out with its detailed mention of specific machinery and technical operations, such as field equipment maintenance and welding, which are essential in the farming industry. These elements not only define Alexander's technical expertise but also highlight a deep understanding of niche methodologies in farm optimization.
Office Assistant in Transportation
- Effective Content Presentation - The CV is structured logically, with clearly defined sections that make it easy to navigate. Each section is presented concisely, ensuring that key information, such as employment history, achievements, and skills, can be quickly identified by potential employers. The use of bullet points in the experience section enhances readability by emphasizing important accomplishments and responsibilities.
- Diverse Career Trajectory - Finley Robinson's career progression showcases a steady rise from a Junior Administrative Officer to an Office Coordinator, demonstrating continuous growth and responsibility. This trajectory highlights a deepening expertise in office management and clerical functions, marked by experience in diverse industries, including education and manufacturing, which adds breadth to their professional profile.
- Significant Achievements with Business Impact - The CV emphasizes achievements that are not only quantitative but also impactful, such as implementing a new procurement system that cut costs by £5,000 annually. Such accomplishments underline the candidate's ability to contribute positively to business efficiency and resource management, providing a clear indication of their value to prospective employers.
Office Assistant in Publishing
- Structured and concise content - The CV is well-organized, with clear headings that delineate each section, making it easy to navigate. Bullet points ensure concise presentation of achievements and responsibilities, enabling quick reading while maintaining focus on key points.
- Clear career progression in the publishing industry - The career trajectory shows consistent growth within the publishing field, advancing from roles like Content Administrator to Publishing Specialist. This progression highlights not only increased responsibilities but also demonstrates industry-specific expertise and leadership capacity.
- Effective integration of technical and soft skills - The CV highlights a blend of technical skills, such as proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Suite, alongside soft skills like communication and organizational abilities. This dual ability is crucial in the publishing industry, facilitating both technology-driven workflows and collaborative environments.
Office Assistant in Advertising
- Well-structured Presentation - The CV presents information in a clear and structured manner, making it easy to digest the candidate's career journey and accomplishments. Sections such as experience, education, and skills are neatly organized, offering a concise yet comprehensive snapshot of Mia's professional background.
- Solid Career Progression in Marketing - Mia's career trajectory shows steady growth and increased responsibility within the marketing and social media sectors. Starting as a Junior Marketing Executive at Christie's, she developed her skills, moved to a Marketing Assistant role at Sotheby's, and progressed to Social Media Coordinator at Bonhams, indicating a strong and relevant career path.
- Adaptability and Cross-functional Experience - The CV highlights Mia's adaptability and her experience working across different teams to enhance brand visibility and customer engagement. Her ability to collaborate on cross-functional projects, as demonstrated at Bonhams and Sotheby's, showcases her competence in driving collective business success through effective teamwork.
Office Assistant in Entertainment
- Effective Content Presentation - The CV is structured in a clear and concise manner, making it easy to read and navigate. Sections are well-organized, with headings like "Experience," "Education," and "Skills," ensuring that key information stands out. The use of bullet points effectively conveys detailed achievements and tasks, enhancing readability.
- Industry-Specific Tools and Methodologies - Thomas demonstrates expertise in using various tools specific to the music administration field, such as FileMaker and Colleague for administrative tasks, and WordPress and social media for communication. His proficiency with audio-visual equipment for events highlights a technical depth crucial for his roles.
- Achievements with Business Impact - The CV emphasizes Thomas's ability to contribute significantly to business outcomes through several achievements. These include increasing student event participation and social media engagement, reducing scheduling conflicts, and enhancing departmental efficiency, all of which show a direct positive business impact.
Office Assistant in Public Relations
- Structured Career Growth - Thomas Walker's CV effectively showcases a clear trajectory of career growth, moving from a Communications Specialist to a Senior Public Relations Consultant. This progression highlights not only the candidate's ability to take on increased responsibility but also underscores their growing expertise within the public relations industry, culminating in academia as an Assistant Professor.
- Impactful Achievements - The experiences detailed in the CV highlight achievements that are not merely numerical but also have a significant business impact. For instance, increasing client media coverage by 40% and securing £500,000 in grant funding are concrete accomplishments that suggest the candidate's strategies substantially benefited the organizations they were part of, improving brand perception and client satisfaction.
- Comprehensive Skill Set - The CV lists a robust array of skills, specifically tailored to the public relations and communications fields, such as Media Relations, Strategic Planning, and Leadership. These are complemented by soft skills, including Teaching and Mentoring, illustrating a well-rounded persona capable of thriving in both corporate and educational settings. This breadth ensures adaptability in diverse roles within communications and academia.
Structuring and formatting your office assistant CV for an excellent first impression
The experts' best advice regarding your CV format is to keep it simple and concise. Recruiters assessing your CV are foremost looking out for candidates who match their ideal job profile. Your white space, borders, and margins. You may still be wondering which format you need to export your CV in. We recommend using the PDF one, as, upon being uploaded, it never alters your information or CV design. Before we move on to the actual content of your office assistant CV, we'd like to remind you about the Applicant Tracker System (or the ATS). The ATS is a software that is sometimes used to initially assess your profile. Here's what you need to keep in mind about the ATS:
- All serif and sans-serif fonts (e.g. Rubik, Volkhov, Exo 2 etc.) are ATS-friendly;
- Many candidates invest in Arial and Times New Roman, so avoid these fonts if you want your application to stand out;
- Both single and double column CVs can be read by the ATS, so it's entirely up to you to select your CV design.
PRO TIP
Use font size and style strategically to create a visual hierarchy, drawing the reader's eye to the most important information first (like your name and most recent job title).
The top sections on a office assistant CV
- Contact Information is a must to allow employers to get in touch.
- A Personal Statement highlights your career goals and skills.
- Work Experience showcases relevant past roles and accomplishments.
- Key Skills section details abilities specific to office assistance.
- Education and Qualifications demonstrate your foundational knowledge.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Emphasise your organisational skills by detailing instances where you successfully managed schedules, meetings, or office supplies, as these responsibilities are pivotal to the role of an office assistant.
- Showcase your proficiency in office software, such as Microsoft Office Suite or Google Workspace, and any relevant database management experience, as these are indispensable tools for office assistants.
- Highlight your communication skills, both written and verbal, as office assistants often act as a point of contact for clients, visitors, and internal teams, and these skills are essential for facilitating office operations.
- Mention any experience with office equipment such as photocopiers, fax machines, or telephone systems, as office assistants are typically expected to operate and troubleshoot such devices.
- Include instances of problem-solving or adaptability in previous roles, demonstrating your ability to handle unexpected situations efficiently, a key trait for office assistants who often face varied tasks.
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Our checklist for the must-have information in your office assistant CV header
Right at the very top of your office assistant CV is where you'd find the header section or the space for your contact details, headline, and professional photo. Wondering how to present your the name of the city you live in and the country abbreviation as your address;
- are tailored to the role you're applying for by integrating key job skills and requirements;
- showcase what your unique value is, most often in the form of your most noteworthy accomplishment;
- select your relevant qualifications, skills, or current role to pass the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessment. Still not sure how to write your CV headline? Our examples below showcase best practices on creating effective headlines:
Examples of good CV headlines for office assistant:
- Office Administrator | Expert in Client Relations | Certified in Business Administration | 5+ Years’ Experience
- Senior Executive Assistant | Specialism in Project Coordination | Advanced IT Skills | 10 Years Professional Expertise
- Entry-Level Administrative Assistant | Keen Interest in Data Management | NVQ Level 2 in Business Admin
- Personal Assistant to Director | Skilled in Diary Management | Bilingual English/Spanish | 7 Years’ Experience
- Office Assistant Manager | Focus on HR Procedures | CIPD Qualified | 3 Years Leading Teams
- Senior Office Coordinator | Expertise in Financial Reporting | Extensive PA Experience | 15 Years in Role
Catching recruiters' attention with your office assistant CV summary or objective
Located closer to the top of your CV, both the summary and objective are no more than five sentences long and serve as an introduction to your experience. What is more, you could use either to entice recruiters to read on. Select the:
- Summary, if you happen to have plenty of relevant experience. Feature your most impressive accomplishments and up to three skills that are relevant to the job you're applying for;
- Objective, if you're just starting your career off. Provide your career goals and answer how you see the role you are applying for will match your professional growth.
Judging which one you need to add to your office assistant CV may at times seem difficult. That’s why you need to check out how professionals, with similar to your experience, have written their summary or objective, in the examples below:
CV summaries for a office assistant job:
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- With over 8 years of dedicated experience in administrative support, a proficient user of MS Office Suite and adept at managing complex scheduling, I have successfully coordinated multiple office renovations and streamlined the document management process, leading to a 30% increase in operational efficiency.
- Energetic former healthcare professional transitioning to office administration, bringing 5 years of experience in patient communication and records management. My commitment to exceptional organisational skills and attention to detail, coupled with my passion for supporting team dynamics, will enrich administrative functions.
- Seasoned customer service manager pivoting to an office assistant role offers 10 years of expertise in client relations and workflow optimisation. My extensive experience in team leadership and service quality assurance will contribute to effective office operations and a customer-centric work environment.
- As a recent university graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, I am eager to bring my academic knowledge of modern business practices and proven track record of leadership in university societies to facilitate efficient office management and support collaborative work environments.
- Desirous of an entry-level office assistant appointment, my objective is to leverage my exemplary communication skills, profound interest in organisational dynamics, and a sharp eye for detail honed through volunteer event planning to help streamline administrative tasks and support a vibrant workplace culture.
- Intending to utilise my passion for technology and rapid learning abilities, my goal is to enter the administrative field where I can utilise my newly acquired certification in office management and contribute to a high standard of office effectiveness despite having no prior industry experience.
More detailed look into your work history: best advice on writing your office assistant CV experience section
The CV experience is a space not just to merely list your past roles and responsibilities. It is the CV real estate within which you could detail your greatest accomplishments and skills, while matching the job requirements. Here's what to have in your experience section:
- Prove you have what the job wants with your unique skill set and past successes;
- Start each bullet with a strong, action verb, and continue with the outcome of your responsibility;
- Use any awards, nominations, and recognitions you've received as solid proof of your skill set and expertise;
- align your experience with the role responsibilities and duties.
For more help on how to write your CV experience section, check out the next section of our guide:
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Managed a busy calendar for multiple senior staff, ensuring no scheduling conflicts and timely reminders, resulting in a 20% increase in meeting efficiency.
- Handled incoming and outgoing correspondence, including post, email, and faxes, distributing them to the appropriate departments with a high level of discretion and confidentiality.
- Designed and maintained an office filing system that was logical, easily accessible, and up to date, leading to a 30% reduction in time spent searching for files.
- Developed expertise in office software, including Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace, to create professional presentations, spreadsheets, and documents.
- Demonstrated strong communication skills by effectively liaising with vendors, managing supply inventory, and negotiating better terms that saved the company 10% in office supply costs.
- Implemented a new expense reporting system that streamlined the process for submitting and tracking reimbursements, improving turnaround time by 25%.
- Coordinated travel arrangements for senior staff, including booking flights, hotels, and transportation, ensuring trips were within budget and itinerary details were accurately communicated.
- Managed a multi-line phone system, providing polite and professional assistance, redirecting calls as necessary and handling enquiries with thoroughness and promptness.
- Trained and supervised junior administrative staff, creating a team that was known for its accuracy, efficiency, and positive attitude.
Work Experience
Junior Office Assistant
Deloitte LLP
09/2017-06/2019
- Instrumental in implementing a new digital filing system that increased document retrieval efficiency by 35%.
- Managed scheduling for 12 conference rooms, resulting in a 50% reduction in double-bookings and streamlined event planning.
- Successfully coordinated travel arrangements for 30+ employees monthly, ensuring cost-effective itinerary planning and timely bookings.
Work Experience
Office Administrative Assistant
KPMG UK Limited
01/2016-12/2018
- Facilitated the transition to a paperless office by training 40 staff members on the use of cloud-based document management software.
- Reduced office supply expenses by 20% through diligent vendor selection and negotiation of bulk purchase discounts.
- Played a pivotal role in organising the company's annual general meeting, hosting over 100 attendees.
Work Experience
Office Coordinator Assistant
PricewaterhouseCoopers
04/2019-03/2021
- Spearheaded a project that streamlined cross-departmental communication, significantly reducing response times to under 2 hours.
- Managed the maintenance and replenishment of inventory, leading to a consistent availability of essential office supplies.
- Oversaw daily financial processes, including invoicing and petty cash, maintaining an error rate of less than 1%.
Work Experience
Assistant Office Manager
Grant Thornton UK LLP
07/2012-06/2016
- Introduced a bi-weekly newsletter that improved internal communication and was recognised for enhancing employee engagement.
- Implemented a customer feedback survey, achieving an 85% satisfaction rate that led to relevant service improvements.
- Maintained a complex appointment system for 10 executives, contributing to a 20% increase in meeting efficiency.
Work Experience
Office Support Assistant
EY (Ernst & Young)
10/2013-08/2017
- Provided comprehensive support for a research project, contributing to data collection and analysis that drove strategic decisions.
- Reorganised the company's filing system, improving retrieval times by 25% and increasing operational productivity.
- Coordinated with IT department to facilitate the upgrade of office software, reducing system crashes by 40%.
Work Experience
Senior Office Assistant
BDO International
02/2020-Ongoing
- Leveraged advanced expertise in Microsoft Office Suite to create compelling presentations for client meetings that led to a 15% increase in conversions.
- Managed a busy office environment, ensuring seamless administrative operations and maintaining a satisfaction rate of 95% amongst staff.
- Took the initiative to reorganise the client onboarding process, cutting down average processing time by 30%.
Work Experience
Front Office Assistant
Baker Tilly International
05/2011-04/2014
- Coordinated and executed office relocation plan involving 200+ staff with minimal disruption to business activities.
- Oversaw a client database upgrade project that enhanced data integrity and accessibility for the sales team.
- Managed reception area and provided exceptional customer service, achieving a client welcome satisfaction score of 90%.
Work Experience
Office Operations Assistant
Accenture PLC
11/2009-10/2012
- Synchronized calendar management for 5 senior executives, ensuring optimal use of their time and boosting productivity by 25%.
- Performed bookkeeping tasks with a high degree of accuracy, handling transactions totalling over £500,000 annually.
- Initiated a waste reduction campaign that cut down office paper use by 40%, fostering a culture of sustainability.
Writing your CV without professional experience for your first job or when switching industries
There comes a day, when applying for a job, you happen to have no relevant experience, whatsoever. Yet, you're keen on putting your name in the hat. What should you do? Candidates who part-time experience , internships, and volunteer work.
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PRO TIP
Talk about any positive changes you helped bring about in your previous jobs, like improving a process or helping increase efficiency.
Key office assistant CV skills: what are hard skills and soft skills
Let's kick off with the basics. You know that you have to include key job requirements or skills across your CV. For starters, take individual skills from the job description and copy-paste them into your CV, when relevant. Doing so, you'll ensure you have the correct skill spelling and also pass the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessment. There are two types of skills you'll need to include on your CV:
- Hard skills - technical abilities that are best defined by your certificates, education, and experience. You could also use the dedicated skills section to list between ten and twelve technologies you're apt at using that match the job requirements.
- Soft skills - your personal traits and interpersonal communication skills that are a bit harder to quantify. Use various CV sections, e.g. summary, strengths, experience, to shine a spotlight on your workspace achievements, thanks to using particular soft skills.
Remember that your job-winning CV should balance both your hard and soft skills to prove your technical background, while spotlighting your personality.
Top skills for your office assistant CV:
HARD SKILLS
Microsoft Office proficiency
Data entry
Typing speed and accuracy
Basic accounting
Database management
Filing systems expertise
Calendar management
Document preparation
Travel arrangements
Inventory control
SOFT SKILLS
Organisational skills
Communication skills
Attention to detail
Time management
Problem-solving
Adaptability
Customer service orientation
Teamwork
Discretion
Initiative
PRO TIP
If there's a noticeable gap in your skillset for the role you're applying for, mention any steps you're taking to acquire these skills, such as online courses or self-study.
Your university degree and certificates: an integral part of your office assistant CV
Let's take you back to your uni days and decide what information will be relevant for your office assistant CV. Once more, when discussing your higher education, select only information that is pertinent to the job (e.g. degrees and projects in the same industry, etc.). Ultimately, you should:
- List only your higher education degrees, alongside start and graduation dates, and the university name;
- Include that you obtained a first degree for diplomas that are relevant to the role, and you believe will impress recruiters;
- Showcase relevant coursework, projects, or publications, if you happen to have less experience or will need to fill in gaps in your professional history.
PRO TIP
Order your skills based on the relevance to the role you're applying for, ensuring the most pertinent skills catch the employer's attention first.
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Key takeaways
Here are five things you need to remember about writing your office assistant CV for success:
- Sort your experience based on the reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent career items, to showcase how you've grown your career;
- Include within your CV header your relevant contact details, a headline that could spotlight your unique value, and a photo - if you're applying for roles outside the UK or US;
- Decide to use the CV summary, if you happen to have more professional experience, and an objective, if you want to showcase your career goals;
- Within the experience section, write your bullets using action verbs, skills, and success, instead of just merely listing your on-the-job responsibilities;
- Prove your technical skills, using your education and certificates, and your soft skills, with your achievements and strengths sections.
