Secretary Resume—Examples, Skills and Expert Tips in 2024

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:

• A secretary resume sample better than most.
• How to make a well-formatted secretary job description for resumes.
• How to write a resume for secretary jobs that shows off your best qualities.
• Why well-listed secretary resume skills are crucial for getting the job.

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Writing a different kind of resume for administrative positions? See our guides:

• Administrative Assistant Resume
• Bar Manager Resume
• Entry-Level Administrative Assistant Resume
• Executive Assistant Resume
• Front Desk Resume
• Legal Assistant Resume
• Office Assistant Resume
• Office Clerk Resume
• Office Manager Resume
• Personal Assistant Resume
• Receptionist Resume
• Data Entry Resume
• Hospitality Resume
• US Resume Format
• Virtual Assistant Resume

Coming into the secretary world from another job? See this guide:

• Resume for a Career Change Sample & Guide

Haven't found what you're looking for? Check all our Resume Examples for Any Job.

Secretary Resume Sample You Can Copy and Use

Secretaries, also called administrative professionals, provide support to managers and employees. They may field phone calls, manage projects, and interact with customers.

Here’s how to write a secretary resume that boosts your chances:

1. Choose the Right Secretary Resume Format

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? A well-formatted resume. Here’s the plan:

Secretary Resume Format

• Choose the reverse-chronological format for resumes.
• Use one of the top resume fonts like 10–12pt Arial or Garamond.
• Add 1-inch resume margins and white space for easy reading.
• The length of a resume for secretary jobs is one page.
• Include these sections in a resume: Header, Objective, Work History, Education, and Skills.
• Save your secretary resume in PDF format.

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.

2. Write a Secretary Resume Objective or Summary

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:

1. One adjective (detail-oriented, efficient)
2. Job title (secretary, unit secretary)
3. Years of experience (1+, 4+)
4. Who & how you’ll help (maintain smooth office flow)
5. Top secretary achievements (triaged 20+ emails per day...)
6. A couple skills (MS Office, billing)

These secretary resume examples show the procedure:

Secretary Manager Resume Examples [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.

Experienced secretary with excellent skills in MS Office and billing. Recognized as someone who can dig into the hard work and get things done. A friendly go-getter and a go-to person around the office. Can be counted on at busy times to stay cool.

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.

Medical Secretary Resume Example—Entry-Level

Friendly secretary, skilled in MS Office and scheduling. Seeking to go above and beyond at Bryant Medical, Inc. Types 105 WPM with zero errors. As volunteer bookkeeper at Jemsen County Animal Shelter, respond to 30+ professional emails per week. Commended by shelter director for professional attitude.

Entry-level secretary. Have worked as a volunteer bookkeeper at the Jemsen County Animal Shelter. Also worked at JC Penny as a retail associate. Skilled in MS Office and billing.

The first of those resume for secretary jobs examples shows secretary skills. Meanwhile, the second example falls flat, even though these two examples come from the same candidate. So, when writing your own entry-level secretary resume, remember to always present secretary skills for resume, even from non-secretarial jobs.

Expert Hint: Want another speed test to list on your resume for secretaries? There’s a great one at Official-Typing-Test.com.

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3. Make a Professional Secretary Job Description for Resume and Add a Skills Section

Here’s a tip about employers: They skim most resumes and read a precious few with interest. And they love looking at resume job descriptions with the right skills. To make yours count:

1. Look in the job ad for resume keywords.
2. Those are the exact skills to put on a resume you need to prove.
3. Take the time to think when you have used those skills.

These secretary resume examples show how: The job ad wants these secretary skills: communication, scheduling, typing, collaboration, answering phone calls.

Secretary Manager Job Description for a Resume [Sample]

Experience

Secretary

Speering & Ashland Inc.

2014–2019

• Performed secretarial duties in a busy construction business.
• Contributed to 10% boost in customer loyalty through better communication.
• Created office schedules and calendars, coordinating with 23 employees.
• Typed and sent 5–20 daily reports and regular correspondences.
• Collaborated with 15 vendors to place orders and manage inventory.
• Fielded 30+ phone calls per day, answering questions and relaying messages.

• Performed secretarial duties in a busy construction business.
• Contributed to large boost in customer loyalty.
• Typed and sent daily reports and regular correspondences.
• Triaged daily emails, replying to easy issues, resolving complaints.

• Handled data entry tasks.
• Used automated reminder system.

One of those secretary resume samples has it all. The other lacks:

1. The skills from the job ad.
2. Numbers for scale.

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.

Entry-Level Secretary Server Resume Sample [Experience]

Temp Secretary, 2019

• Worked as temp secretary in 11 firms.
• Used MS Office to write 40+ documents.
• Answered 15+ client phone calls per day.

Team Member

JC Penney

2015–2018

• Answered 10+ customer emails per day.
• Recognized by 3 managers for efficiency and pleasant attitude.

Retail Associate

JC Penney

2015–2018

• Stocked shelves, provided customer service.
• Ran register during busy times.
• Also worked as temp secretary for 3 months.

One of those school secretary resume examples is hirable. It proves every skill they asked for. And, while we're on the subject of skills.

You shouldn't neglect the skills section on your secretarial resume. The job ads often list a lot of desired secretary resume skills. Find them, and show them. Here’s a short list of secretary skills to get you going:

Secretary Skills for a Resume

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.

4. Turn Boring Education to a Reason to Hire You

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 secretary resume skills into your education section. That can make employers notice you.

This secretary resume example does it right:

Secretary Resume Template—Education

Education

BA, Liberal Arts, Bucknell University

2008–2012

• Pursued a passion for bookkeeping study.
• Excelled in writing and computer classes.
• As volunteer student fundraiser, raised $20,000 through alumni calls.
• Member, Campus Arts Board.

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.

5. Put “Other” Sections in Your Secretary Resume

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:

• Associations (like ASAP)
• Skills proficiency (typing speed, data entry speed, MS Office assessments)
• Certifications (like First Aid or IAAP)
• Volunteer work
• Professional Awards (employee of the month)
• Classes you’ve taken
• Additional activities
• Hobbies & Interests
• Clubs or groups

These unit secretary resume examples show how:

Secretary Resume—Extra Sections

Skills Proficiency 

• Typing Speed: 105 WPM, zero errors.
• MS Office: Scored 93%+ on 3 Wise Owl Training assessments.
• 10-Key Data Entry: 9,700 KPH.

Additional Activities 

• ASAP Member (American Society of Administrative Professionals)
• Weekly spin classes for self-care

Volunteer Work

• Bookkeeper, Jemsen County Animal Shelter
• Perform monthly outreach for local Habitat for Humanity chapter.

Additional Activities

• Cooking
• Yodeling

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.

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Key Points

For a secretary resume that gets you hired:

• Use the secretarial resume template up top. It stands out like a Herman Miller in a room of folding chairs.
• Put secretary achievements in your objective, experience, and education.
• Add secretary resume skills from the job posting to your bullet points.
• Add some “other” sections to your secretarial resume to show passion and even more skills.

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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