Creating an Executive Assistant Resume that Gets Results

Searching for a new career as an executive assistant can be a challenge. There are many candidates competing for the best positions, and standing out among the crowd is key. Tailoring your resume for the position is the best way to capture the attention of hiring managers. By creating a resume that gets results, you will get a better response and enjoy a greater chance of landing a career.

Convey Understanding of the Position

Employers often get flooded with resumes when they open up a new position. A large part of the interviewer's job is simply weeding out the resumes that are not suitable for the job. A recruiter often does not have enough time to thoroughly read each resume. They often scan for key terms and experience to shorten their list of prospects.

If your resume conveys that you are qualified for the position, you will have a better chance of attracting the hiring manager's attention. Think about the duties of an executive assistant and include those terms in your resume. Words like "managed, ran, organized, screened and connected," are often associated with assistants. Including these terms will make it more likely that you will be called in for an interview.

Highlight Both Your Hard and Soft Skills

A stellar executive assistant has the right combination of communication skills, software skills and judgment. Soft skills include having excellent writing skills, being punctual and demonstrating maturity. Hard skills include understanding how to use special software, planning meetings and using the phone system. Be sure to highlight both sets of skills on your resume to ensure that you will be called in for an interview.

Edit Your Resume

A great executive assistant is an extension of the executive. You have to represent the executive well in every facet of the job. Being able to communicate effectively in writing is essential to the position. You will be required to respond to emails, type memos and write letters on the executive's behalf. If your resume contains excessive spelling mistakes, typos and grammatical errors, they would obviously assume you would make the same errors on the job. Have a couple peers review your resume to check for errors. Another helpful tip is to check out executive assistant resumes online. Looking at examples can help you generate ideas of ways you can customize your resume for prospective executive assistant jobs.

Great executive assistants pay close attention to detail. Be sure to make sure your dates are correct and your resume is formatted properly before sending it out. Check to ensure that fonts are the same size throughout and that your contact information is prominent. Double checking your resume for errors will increase your chances of getting the job.

Landing a career as an executive assistant can be rewarding. By following a few resume tips, you can ensure that your resume makes it to the top of the pile.