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Administrative CV Example & Writing Guide

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Administrative  CV Example & Writing Guide
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Think of your administrative CV as your professional passport and the key that unlocks the door to exciting employment opportunities. A well-crafted CV should highlight your administrative skills and experience in a way that grabs the attention of hiring managers and sets you apart from the competition. 

This CV guide, along with our professional online CV builder, can equip you with the tools and insights you need to create a CV that truly shines, highlighting your unique value and helping you navigate the path to administrative career success.

How to write an administrative CV

A strong administrative CV should include the following sections: 

  • The CV header
  • The CV personal statement
  • The employment history section
  • The skills section
  • The education section

Employers are looking for administrative CVs that demonstrate a candidate's ability to excel in the role. This means:

  1. Showcasing your administrative expertise. Outline relevant experience, skills and accomplishments, including office management, project coordination, and executive support.
  2. Customising your CV for each specific job application. Highlight the skills and experiences most relevant to the particular role and company.
  3. Choosing a design and layout that is clean, well-organised, and easy for recruiters to navigate. Use clear headings, concise language, and relevant action verbs.
  4. Using numbers and metrics to illustrate the impact of your work when possible. For example, "Streamlined office operations, resulting in a 10% increase in efficiency," or "Managed calendars and travel arrangements for a team of 15 executives."
Expert tip

Optimise your CV for the ATS: Employers often use Applicant Tracking Software (ATS) to scan and filter applications before human eyes ever see them. To help your administrative CV bypass the ATS, use clear and concise headings, avoid fancy formatting or graphics, and incorporate relevant keywords from the job description. 

Common keywords to incorporate in your administrative CV include: 

  • “Problem-solving skills”
  • “Proficiency with project management software”
  • “Customer service skills”
  • “Record keeping skills”

How to choose the best administrative CV format 

When selecting an appropriate CV format, choosing the format that best highlights your administrative skills and experience is essential. The reverse chronological format is a popular choice, as it effectively presents your career history and progression. 

However, if you're transitioning careers or have gaps in your employment, a functional or combination CV format may highlight your transferable skills best. 

Include essential contact details

In your CV’s header, provide key information to help employers quickly review your CV, including: 

  • Full Name & Title: Include your full name and the specific administrative position you’re applying for
  • Contact Information: Provide a professional email address and your mobile number where you can be easily reached. Ensure your voicemail has a professional greeting.
  • Location: Include your address or area, and specify your willingness to relocate within the county. For example, "Dublin 4" or "Dún Laoghaire (willing to commute within Dublin)."
  • Professional Links: If you have a professional online profile, such as a LinkedIn page, include the link for employers to view.
Do
Don't

Avoid including sensitive information like ethnicity, PPS number, or marital status.

Create an engaging personal statement

Your personal statement is your opening act, a chance to wow the hiring manager and secure a starring role in their organisation. In just a few sentences, highlight your administrative superpowers. Did you conquer chaos and streamline office procedures? Are you a master of communication, a spreadsheet ninja, or a calendar whisperer? Flaunt your organisational prowess, your tech-savviness, and your passion for administrative efficiency.

For example: "Highly motivated and experienced administrator with 4+ years direct administrative experience and a passion for optimising workflows. Proven ability to manage complex schedules, streamline communication, and provide top-notch support to executives and teams."

Get your CV noticed faster! Check out our CV examples: administrative assistant CV example, customer service representative CV example, or our receptionist CV example for more help crafting an engaging administrative CV.

You can also check out our adaptable administrative CV examples below: 

Adaptable CV summary/profile entry-level sample

Responsible and reliable graduate keen to apply proven experience in providing excellent customer service in a dynamic sales environment. Recently graduated with a Business Administration degree from University College Dublin. Keen to leverage strong communication and organisational skills to contribute to a dynamic sales environment. Highly motivated and a fast learner passionate about exceeding customer expectations and achieving sales targets.

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Adaptable CV summary/profile mid-level sample

Highly motivated and organised administrative with over five years of experience in fast-paced environments. Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and provide efficient administrative support to teams. Strong IT skills and experience in research and report writing. Seeking a challenging role to use skills and knowledge and contribute to the success of the organisation.

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Adaptable CV summary/profile senior level sample

Experienced, proactive senior administrator with more than ten years of experience providing comprehensive administrative support at an executive level. Proven ability to manage complex tasks, streamline processes, and implement efficient administrative systems. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a strong track record of building positive stakeholder relationships. Member of the Institute of Administrative Management (IAM) seeking a leadership role to contribute to the strategic direction of the organisation.

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Discuss your administrative work experience

In just 2-4 sentences, spotlight your unique administrative talents and triumphs. Demonstrate your value by showcasing how your skills and experience align with the employer's needs. Instead of simply listing duties, highlight tangible accomplishments

For example, instead of the following vague statements:

  • "Scheduled meetings and managed calendars for executives"
  • "Prepared presentations and reports for management"
  • "Managed office supplies and maintained inventory"

Try these outcome-focused revisions:

  • "Streamlined executive scheduling, resulting in a 20% increase in improved time management"
  • "Implemented a new inventory system that reduced supply costs by 15%"
  • "Developed impactful presentations and reports that contributed to a 10% increase in sales leads"

Remember, these examples emphasise the power of transforming everyday tasks into impactful achievements, highlighting why you’re the ideal candidate for the role.

Adaptable CV employment history example

Administrative at Wrightson, Dublin
June 2015 - Present

  • Developed and implemented office policies and procedures that improved staff productivity
  • Created a database of customer records that improved customer relations and increased customer satisfaction by 12%
  • Coordinated events and conferences, resulting in a 25% increase in attendance
  • Developed a comprehensive database of suppliers and vendors
  • Conducted market research and identified new business opportunities, resulting in a 10% increase in revenue
  • Developed and implemented a training program for new staff, resulting in a 20% decrease in onboarding time


Administrative Assistant at Aer Lingus, Dublin
January 2014 - May 2015

  • Edited and formatted documents and presentations for accuracy, clarity, and consistency
  • Created and maintained an efficient filing system, resulting in a 20% reduction in the amount of time spent searching for documents
  • Assisted with payroll processing, including verifying and entering employee time-sheets
  • Scheduled appointments and meetings, ensuring the smooth flow of daily operations
  • Created and distributed weekly operational updates to keep employees informed of changes and progress


Administrative Assistant at Wicklow & Walsh, Dublin
January 2012 - December 2013

  • Maintained inventory of office supplies and equipment, ensuring that the office was stocked with necessary items
  • Compiled and analysed data to produce accurate reports and presentations for stakeholders
  • Organised and managed multiple calendars, prioritising and responding to emails and scheduling meetings
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Include important administrative skills

In the skills section of your CV, include relevant, essential administrative skills. Don't just throw any old skill in there! Instead, meticulously analyse the job description and showcase the abilities that perfectly match their needs.

Check out the following administrative skills list:

Adaptable CV skills section example:
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
  • Proficiency with Google Workspace
  • Proficiency with CRM software
  • Database management
  • Organisation skills
  • Minute taking
  • Analytical skills
  • Critical thinking skills
  • Conflict resolution skills
  • Time management skills
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Showcase your administrative strengths by highlighting both your hard skills, such as your mastery of essential software, database management, and organisational tools, and your soft skills, like your excellent communication, problem-solving abilities, and collaborative spirit. 

This combination proves you have the technical expertise and interpersonal skills to excel in any administrative role.

Expert tip

Showcase your software proficiency: In today's digital world, administrative roles often require expertise in various software applications. 

Highlight your skills in specific tools, including computer skills, project management software such as Asana, or CRM systems like Salesforce. This demonstrates your ability to leverage technology to enhance productivity and efficiency.

Detail your education & relevant administrative certifications

In the education and certifications section of your administrative CV, showcase your qualifications and training, starting with the most recent. Consider including:

  • Education: Outline your educational background, specifying degrees, diplomas, and certifications. Include the institution, dates, and any honours achieved.
  • Industry Certifications: If you hold any industry-recognised certifications relevant to administration, be sure to include them. Consider including certifications such as any QQI Qualifications, Certified Administrative Professional (CAP), or Project Management Professional (PMP) certifications.
  • Training: List any relevant training courses, workshops, or professional development programs you have completed. Include the training provider, dates, and key skills gained.
Adaptable example for education and certifications

Bachelor of Arts in Business Studies, Dublin City University, Dublin 
September 2014 - May 2017 

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Select the best CV layout and design for an administrative CV

Your administrative CV is a reflection of your professional brand, and its design should communicate your administrative strengths. Select a professional font and a minimalist design to showcase your key qualifications concisely on a single page, and opt for a simple or professional CV layout that highlights your key skills and experience.

Administrative text-only CV example

Administrative text-only CV example

Profile 

Highly motivated and organised administrative with over five years of experience in fast-paced environments. Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and provide efficient administrative support to teams. Strong IT skills and experience in research and report writing. Seeking a challenging role to use skills and knowledge and contribute to the success of the organisation.  Proven efficiency with administrative software and a strong ability to learn quickly. 


Employment History

Administrative at Wrightson, Dublin
June 2015 - Present

  • Developed and implemented office policies and procedures that improved staff productivity
  • Created a database of customer records that improved customer relations and increased customer satisfaction by 12%
  • Coordinated events and conferences, resulting in a 25% increase in attendance
  • Developed a comprehensive database of suppliers and vendors
  • Conducted market research and identified new business opportunities, resulting in a 10% increase in revenue
  • Developed and implemented a training program for new staff, resulting in a 20% decrease in onboarding time


Administrative Assistant at Aer Lingus, Dublin
January 2014 - May 2015

  • Edited and formatted documents and presentations for accuracy, clarity, and consistency
  • Created and maintained an efficient filing system, resulting in a 20% reduction in the amount of time spent searching for documents
  • Assisted with payroll processing, including verifying and entering employee time-sheets
  • Scheduled appointments and meetings, ensuring the smooth flow of daily operations
  • Created and distributed weekly operational updates to keep employees informed of changes and progress


Administrative Assistant at Wicklow & Walsh, Dublin
January 2012 - December 2013

  • Maintained inventory of office supplies and equipment, ensuring that the office was stocked with necessary items
  • Compiled and analysed data to produce accurate reports and presentations for stakeholders
  • Organised and managed multiple calendars, prioritising and responding to emails and scheduling meetings


Education

Bachelor of Arts in Business Studies, Dublin City University, Dublin 
September 2014 - May 2017 


Skills

  • Customer Service
  • Communication Skills
  • Database Management
  • Time Management Skills
  • Analytical Skills
  • Leadership Skills
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Advance your administrative career with a CV that reflects your professional brand. Our expert-approved CV builder provides the tools and templates to create a compelling CV that showcases your qualifications and helps you achieve your career goals.

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