[JOB ROLE] CV Template

Explore best practices for writing a CV for [JOB ROLE] positions, including how to highlight key skills and achievements.

Writing a CV can be daunting, but we have tips and advice for writing the CV you’ll need as an Administrative Assistant.

1. First, you need to write an eye-catching personal statement that briefly outlines the skills and experience you will bring to the job.
2. Follow with your work experience, listing previous roles in reverse chronological order.
3. Next, you will need to separate your education, qualifications, skills and work experience so that your CV is easy to read and important information can be found quickly.
4. You can also boost your CV with hobbies, interests, and references.

1) How to Write a Personal Statement for a Commis Chef

When writing your personal statement, it is important to keep it brief and to the point. 100-150 words is enough to tell an employer why you’re interested in their job role and what you can bring to the table. It is very important to talk about your skills and qualifications when writing your personal statement.

Barista Personal Statement Example

“At my job as a [current/previous profession], I have spent [number of years in previous profession] learning how to effectively hone my customer service skills, dealing regularly with customer enquiries and providing the best assistance I could offer. My time management and organisation skills have increased significantly as I became accustomed to working under pressure, which has given me the opportunity to develop new ways to increase my productivity and organise tasks from highest to lowest priority.

During my time working as a [current/previous profession] my mentors and leaders have praised my ability to learn and adapt quickly, as such I have been trusted to lead new employees through training, and I confidently answer their questions about the jobs they need to perform.

With the intention of branching into a new line of work, I have taken it upon myself to gain a Level 2 qualification in Barista Skills, which enforced my desire to work in this sector.”

2. Ideal Work Experience for an Administrative Assistant CV

There are a few avenues that will offer the relevant transferable skills required to become an Administrative Assistant, such as customer service with its focus on communication and problem-solving skills.

Which Jobs to Include

When writing a CV, you should include your past 10-15 years of experience or the past 5-6 jobs you’ve held in that time as long as they are relevant to the position you are applying for.

Jobs with relevant experience can include Data Entry, Customer Service, other administration positions or Event Coordination are just some examples.

Administrative Assistant CV Work Experience Example

When discussing your work experience, use bullet points and add descriptions of the work you performed and the skills you gained while employed, for example:

Data Entry Clerk at [company name] from [start date] to [end date]
I gained excellent skills in organisation and communication while speaking with managers and colleagues who needed my assistance or relevant data, which I could supply efficiently and with ease.
I became extremely adept at using software such as the Microsoft Office Suite, which I used to create in-depth spreadsheets with detailed and accurate information.

3) Key Skills & Qualifications for an Administrative Assistant CV

There are certain skills that you should write about when applying for an Administrative Assistant role, including specific qualifications that an employer may ask for, or that may be beneficial.

Important Skills for an Administrative Assistant

As an Administrative Assistant it is important to have strong organisational skills and time management to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines. You will also need excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, for speaking with clients or guests, technical proficiency in using computers and software, and the ability to multi-task and solve problems.

Qualifications Needed to Be an Administrative Assistant

A candidate can have an increased chance of succeeding in the application process by including some qualifications such as relevant GCSEs in Maths and English which are crucial for administrative tasks.

It can also be useful to take a college course in Business or Business and Administration. There are many avenues to gaining higher qualifications. Though these qualifications aren’t strictly necessary, they can bolster a CV. We talk about this more in our how to become an Administrative Assistant article.

4) Additional Content to Boost Your Administrative Assistant CV

To give your CV a personal touch it is useful to include additional information such as hobbies and interests. Use these to make your personality and personal skills shine.

Hobbies & Interests

When including hobbies and interests, try to make them relevant to the job. If your hobbies include multiple steps that take time, or that require practise, mention how they help you manage your time, or performing repetitive tasks to acquire perfection in your hobby gives you a sense of achievement.

References

When adding references, choose management staff who you were in good standing with and saw your talents shine while you worked. Always ask permission from the person or people you are including as your referees, and make sure that the information you have is accurate.

How to Make a [JOB ROLE] CV Stand Out

It is important to stand out when writing your CV, as employers will quickly scan many CVs while choosing a potential candidate. Use affirmative language when writing such as “can” and “will” to show confidence in your skills.

Be concise by listing information that is important for the job you are applying for, and omit anything that can be considered irrelevant, even if that includes job experience.

Talk about notable achievements within your previous work experience and show enthusiasm towards gaining more work-related goals and achievements.

Mistakes to Avoid

It is best to avoid using cliche language and jargon. Instead of saying you are a “team player” explain how you worked to strengthen your team and increase productivity. An employer wants to know how you can benefit their company when hiring you, do not use words that lessen your employability such as “possibly” or “could” which can add doubt to your skills.

Always proofread your CV to make sure there are no spelling or grammatical errors in your writing, it is important to show professionalism.

Administrative Assistant CV Example

You should now be able to successfully write an Administrative CV, but we also have a comprehensive example that you can download to guide your written CV. Take a look at our CV template and see how they can assist your layout when writing your CV.