How to Write a Resume According to Science in 2024
How do you write a resume? With so many conflicting opinions out there, we’ve set out to find the ultimate answer to this question.
Michael Tomaszewski, CPRW
Career Expert
Without you, operations grind to a halt—you’re the backbone of the company. Well, your office manager resume is the backbone of your job application, so here’s how to do it right.
As an office manager, you do it all, whether it’s hunting down signatures, preparing payroll, or manhandling calendar events into submission. There’s just one problem in the way of getting the office management job you deserve: the HR manager doesn’t know about those talents yet.
Not only do you have to catch their attention, but you have to maintain it with great content on your resume for office manager jobs.
In this guide:
Save hours of work and get a job-winning resume like this. Try our resume builder with 20+ resume templates and create your resume now.
What users say about ResumeLab:
I had an interview yesterday and the first thing they said on the phone was: “Wow! I love your resume.”
Patrick
I love the variety of templates. Good job guys, keep up the good work!
Dylan
My previous resume was really weak and I used to spend hours adjusting it in Word. Now, I can introduce any changes within minutes. Absolutely wonderful!
George
Seeking more administrative and managerial resume examples? Try these out:
Haven't found what you're looking for? Check all our Resume Examples.
Margaret C. Weiler
Certified Administrative Office Manager
margaret.weiler@gmail.com
(480) 799-7997
linkedin.com/in/margaretweiler
Summary of Qualifications
Detail-oriented office manager with 4+ years of experience handling administrative tasks, payroll, and filing systems for busy, mid-sized company. Enhanced file flow through overhaul of documentation storage which led to a 15% increase in efficiency. Seeking to leverage administrative skills and financial expertise to become the next office manager for Symbex Oasis Group.
Work Experience
Office Manager
May 2017–July 2019
GMPD Corporation, Tempe, AZ
Key Qualifications & Responsibilities
Key Achievements
Office Administrator
February 2015–April 2017
Schillerson’s Supplies, Tempe, AZ
Key Qualifications & Responsibilities
Education
Bachelor of Science in Office Administration & Technology
Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
Graduation: 2016
Relevant Coursework: Business Accounting, Management of Office Systems, Administrative Systems, Financial Reporting, Human Resource Fundamentals, Business Statistics.
Key Skills
Certifications
Memberships
Languages
Just before these links, you saw the ideal sample office manager resume.
Let’s turn it over to you—
Here’s how to write an office manager resume:
What happens if you get the office manager resume format wrong?
The employer will simply toss your resume in the trash and move on to the next candidate.
So—
Here’s how to format an office manager resume template:
Expert Hint: Export the final resume for office manager jobs in the PDF format. A PDF document renders perfectly on just about any phone or laptop, whereas a Microsoft Word .docx file may look funny on some devices.
Imagine the office administrator or secretary situated in the lobby or at the front of the office. When a new client walks in, are they greeted with a mess and rudeness? Hopefully not, if they want to keep the client.
Same goes on your resume for office management jobs. You want to keep the employer on your resume, so introduce yourself in just the right way.
That’s where a resume heading statement, the objective or summary, comes in. But which intro do you pick?
If you have plenty of history working as an office manager or in a similar position, use the resume summary.
A summary paragraph wows the hiring manager with an overview of your office management experience and administrative skills. It tops it off with a quick number drop of your most impressive achievement(s).
Here’s are two summaries for office manager resume samples:
The good resume example summary above is tailored to a particular job, whereas the second one is generic. And, as we mentioned, numbers prove competence and skill, so the first one is a true winner.
However—
In that case, go with the objective statement.
The resume objective is similar to the summary, as it’s a short paragraph giving your professional background. However, since you don’t have office management experience, talk up your unrelated work history in a way that’s relevant to this office management position.
Oh, and definitely still include numbered wins!
Here’s how to write an office manager objective resume statement:
The bad example of a resume objective above is a bit over the top, obviously. However, pay attention to the first one. It’s got personalization, relevance, and, most of all, a quantifiable achievement.
Expert Hint: The heading statement goes at the beginning of your office management resume, but write it last. It’s easier to choose the best points about yourself when the remainder of your resume is already complete.
The ResumeLab builder is more than looks. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Easy. Improve your resume in our resume builder now.
Nail it all with a splash of color, choose a clean font, and highlight your skills in just a few clicks. You're the perfect candidate, and we'll prove it. Use our resume builder now.
When you think of your domain at the workplace, your desk is command central.
Likewise—
On a resume for office supervisor jobs, the job description is what everything revolves around.
How to add an office manager job description for a resume:
Here are resume examples of office management duties for resumes:
How’s that, right?
The first example follows all the rules for a perfect office manager resume description: detailed list of duties, relevant job responsibilities, and numbers to prove top accomplishments.
The resume should clearly distinguish between activities and accomplishments (results). An activity might be something like ‘Designed new business process for closing the office books.’ An accomplishment would be ‘Reduced accounting close 4 days by designing new business reporting process.
Also—
Many larger companies, as well as ones that stay up to date with technology, use an applicant tracking system (ATS) to handle the many job applications they receive.
The HR manager scans a resume into the ATS, feeds it a few resume keywords to search for, and then the ATS returns a score based on how well each resume matched the keywords and search parameters.
If your office manager resume earns a low match percentage, you’ll be passed on by for another candidate.
To locate the best keywords to use on a job application, use the job advertisement. The requirements section announces exactly the applicant they’re searching for.
Next up, we need to locate the best skills to put on a resume.
Administrative services managers, including office supervisors and similar roles, are expected to grow by 29,200 jobs each year between 2020 and 2030.
To secure the position you want, office manager skills will play a crucial role.
Here are office manager resume skills examples:
These are just a few of the resume skills for office manager jobs.
However—
Be selective in the skills you choose, so you have a skills list of no more than half a dozen. Keeping in mind the value of resume keywords, look at the job responsibilities area once more to choose the perfect skills to add on your application.
Expert Hint: Choose both hard skills (e.g., Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint) and soft skills (e.g., communication, attention to detail).
Most office manager positions don’t require more than high school education on a resume.
However—
To get office manager jobs, it is required to document your education.
And, bonus points for doing it effectively, like in this example:
Here are the rules to follow when adding education on a resume for office jobs:
Expert Hint: If you have completed university, don’t add high school. If you are still working on your college degree, add a high school diploma as a secondary entry below it.
Everything we’ve talked about so far in terms of your resume for office manager jobs has been a core section.
You’ve now included them all, so good job.
However—
To really set yourself apart from the other applicants, add some extra resume sections to show a clearer image of what you bring to the table.
Here are a few of the best office manager resume examples of extra sections to include:
If you’re writing a dental office manager resume or medical office manager resume, other certifications may be right for you:
Administrative Organizations & Associations
Again, if writing a medical office resume or dental office manager resume, consider these professional organizations:
Proficiency in Foreign Languages
Expert Hint: Want to know one crucial office mgmt resume addition? The cover letter. An office manager cover letter is necessary, as more than half of employers prefer it to come with a resume. If you don’t include it, you can kiss your interview chances goodbye. So learn how to write a cover letter and boost your chances.
Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter generator and make your application documents pop out.
Want to try a different look? There's 21 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.
Let’s sum it all up—
Here is how to make a perfect office manager resume:
Do you have any questions on how to format a business office manager resume template? Need more medical office manager resume samples? Let’s discuss down here in the comments area, and thanks for reading!
At ResumeLab, quality is at the crux of our values, supporting our commitment to delivering top-notch career resources. The editorial team of career experts carefully reviews every article in accordance with editorial guidelines, ensuring the high quality and reliability of our content. We actively conduct original research, shedding light on the job market's intricacies and earning recognition from numerous influential news outlets. Our dedication to delivering expert career advice attracts millions of readers to our blog each year.
How do you write a resume? With so many conflicting opinions out there, we’ve set out to find the ultimate answer to this question.
Michael Tomaszewski, CPRW
Career Expert
Learn how to write a CV that will awe the recruiter. Our step-by-step guide will show you how to make a CV that stands out from the crowd & gets you the job you’ve always wanted.
Roma Kończak, CPRW
Career Expert
“Next,” said the recruiter putting another application into the trash. Then he grabs yours, you pass instantly. That's the power of the perfect headline for a resume!
Mariusz Wawrzyniak
Career Expert