How to Build a Resume (Resume Writing Guide 101)
Quick resume guide with resume templates, resume examples, and expert tips on how to write a resume fast.
To beat the other candidates, you need a secretary resume that doesn’t just repeat the same old spiel. This quick guide shows you how to make your phone ring and get interviews.
Secretaries, also called administrative professionals, provide support to managers and employees.
They may field phone calls, manage projects, and interact with customers.
Resumes for secretary jobs must show a history of using skills like MS Office, scheduling, or writing documents.
But think about this—
Lots of other people want that secretary job.
Some have more experience than Peggy Olson. They’ll all say they’ve got the skills.
Don’t worry.
You can get hired if you just do a few things right.
In this guide:
Create a job-winning resume with little effort. Hack your way through ATS software with our 18 beautiful templates—give our builder a try!
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Luke Torp
Secretary
Personal Info
Phone: 267-841-5938
E-mail: lukeztorp@gmail.com
linkedin.com/in/lukeztorp
twitter.com/lukeztorp
Summary
Efficient secretary with 6+ years of experience. Seeking to maintain smooth office flow at Ballew-Poulin. At Speering & Ashland, typed 5–20 reports per day. Created schedules for work, meetings, and conferences for 20+ employees. Triaged 20+ emails daily. Skilled in MS Office and billing.
Experience
Secretary
Speering & Ashland Inc.
2014–2019
Secretary
Bryant Medical, Inc.
2013–2014
Temp Secretary, 2012
Education
BA, Liberal Arts, Bucknell University
2008–2012
Skills Proficiency
Additional Activities
Volunteer Work
Hard Skills: MS Office, building customer relationships, billing, shipping
Soft Skills: written communication, verbal communication, friendliness, organization
Writing a different kind of resume for administrative positions? See our guides:
Coming into the secretary world from another job? See this guide:
Haven't found what you're looking for? Check all our resume examples for any job.
Here’s how to write a secretary resume that boosts your chances:
You have two possible futures.
In one, a great employer calls and interviews you. You get hired.
In the other, your phone stays silent as an office at 3am.
The first step toward future #1?
Here’s the plan:
Expert Hint: Know what looks great on resumes for secretaries? A typing speed test. There’s a speed test that saves your results online at Live Chat.
Bad news!
You’ve got 7 seconds to make a first impression.
That’s how long the office manager will read your secretary skills resume.
So—
Catch her attention fast with an objective statement or summary statement.
Include:
These secretary resume examples show the procedure:
Vastly different.
Why is one of those secretary resume samples more powerful?
Hint: it’s the concrete details.
But—
In an entry-level resume for secretary jobs, use temp work or non-secretary jobs.
The first of those resume for secretary jobs examples shows secretary skills.
Expert Hint: Want another speed test to list on your resume for secretaries? There’s a great one at Official-Typing-Test.com.
Here’s a tip about employers:
They skim most resumes.
They read a precious few with interest.
The difference?
The resumes employers like have job descriptions with the right skills.
To make yours count:
These secretary resume examples show how:
The job ad wants these secretary skills: communication, scheduling, typing, collaboration, answering phone calls.
Experience
Secretary
Speering & Ashland Inc.
2014–2019
Oh-oh.
One of those secretary resume samples has it all. The other lacks:
What about a resume with no experience?
Find times you used the right skills.
These examples show right from wrong:
Let’s say the job ad wants these secretary skills: MS Office, answering phone calls, answering emails, efficiency.
Temp Secretary, 2019
Team Member
JC Penney
2015–2018
Retail Associate
JC Penney
2015–2018
Also worked as temp secretary for 3 months.
No contest.
One of those school secretary resume examples is hirable.
It proves every skill they asked for.
Here’s a list of secretary skills to get you going:
Hard Skills | Soft Skills |
MS Office | Communication |
Ability to Write Documents | Courtesy |
Scheduling | Professionalism |
Managing Calendars | Interpersonal Skills |
Fast Typist | Time Management |
Data Entry | Adaptability |
Customer Relationships | Collaboration |
Taking Messages | Detail Oriented |
Answering Emails | Self-Motivated |
Inventory Management | Accuracy |
Expert Hint: Don’t have enough skills for your entry-level secretary resume? Consider getting certified by the American Society of Administrative Professionals.
Does the education section of your resume matter?
After all, you’re a secretary, not an architect or an accountant.
Well here’s the thing—
You can pack more skills into your education section.
That can make employers notice you.
This secretary resume example does it right:
Education
BA, Liberal Arts, Bucknell University
2008–2012
That shows bookkeeping, computer skills, and phone skills. Even the Arts Board membership shows teamwork.
Those all work great in a resume for secretary jobs.
There’s only one rule.
If you want the job, stand out.
But in a good way.
“Other” sections in your resume for secretaries can help.
Add one or two of these:
These unit secretary resume examples show how:
Skills Proficiency
Additional Activities
Volunteer Work
Additional Activities
Perfect.
The first of those secretary resume examples shows you’re a pro.
Finally—
Write a cover letter. They’ll read your resume for secretary jobs so much more carefully if you do.
For a secretary resume that gets you hired:
Got questions on how to write great resumes for secretary jobs? Not sure how to show secretary on a resume? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply!
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