Business Administration Resume: Examples & Guide

A business administrator oversees an organization's daily operations, ensuring efficient and effective business processes. They manage financial activities, implement business policies, and liaise with various departments to achieve organizational goals. But way before this success has a chance to happen, you need an exquisite business administration resume. Allow me to show you how to create one that will impress your future employer.

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Business Administration Resume Example

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Entry-Level / Junior Business Administration Resume Example

An entry-level business administrator supports the daily operations of an organization by managing administrative tasks, overseeing financial activities, and implementing business policies. They are essential for ensuring smooth operations and efficient workflow within the company. Here’s a sample entry-level business administrator resume:

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Mid-Level Business Administration Resume Example

A mid-level business administrator oversees various business functions, ensures compliance with policies, and supports strategic planning. They play a crucial role in enhancing business efficiency and managing departmental activities. Here’s a sample mid-level business administrator resume:

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Experienced / Senior Business Administration Resume Example

A senior business administrator plays a strategic role in overseeing the operations of a company, developing business strategies, and leading teams to achieve organizational goals. They are key decision-makers who ensure the company's long-term success. Here’s a sample senior business administrator resume:

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Resume Templates for Business Administrators

After analyzing 11 million resumes made in our resume builder, here are the top three templates chosen by business administrators.

Cascade

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A modern resume template should look professional and deliver all the necessary pieces of information in a smart, readable manner. I think Cascade nails it with its two-column resume layout, making it easier for all business administrators to keep their resume on one page.

Concept

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In my opinion, if you’re looking for a more basic resume template, Concept is a great choice for you. Not only does it look professional, but also combines a traditional resume template layout with some creativity, making it a truly unique combination.

Diamond

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I adore creative resume templates, so I stand strongly with business administrators on this choice. Diamond allows all professionals to highlight their achievements, qualifications, and skills in an eye-catching way. For me, it’s perhaps the best resume template.

How to Write a Business Administration Resume:

1. Start With the Best Format for a Business Administration Resume

Does formatting matter in the documents you prepare at work? Similarly, it matters on a job application. Hiring managers will judge you on the layout of your resume and treat it as a sample of your future work.

Here’s how to format a business administration resume template:

• Format: use the reverse-chronological resume format in most cases. It puts your best office successes up top.
• Fonts: select resume fonts like Helvetica or Cambria for a crisp appearance.
• Font size: 11–12 points.
• Line spacing: 1 to 1.15.
• Resume headings: 13–14 points.
• Resume margins: 1 inch on right, left, bottom, and top.
• File type: PDF resumes work best as long as the company doesn’t ask for Word.

Include these resume parts:

• Header: name and the right contact information.
• Summary: the fast facts that make you hirable.
• Experience: your best business administration accomplishments.
• Education: showcase relevant coursework and schooling.
• Skills: the ones the company wants most for this position.
• Other sections: if you’re an MS Office specialist or you do some volunteering, show it here!

When does the combination format work best? See our guide: How to Pick the Best Resume Format

2. Add Experience to Your Business Administration Resume

Experience on a business administration resume is not so simple. Yes, you should list your jobs and duties, but that alone won’t get you hired. The other candidates have had business and office jobs, too. That’s why you need an outstanding work experience section on your resume.

To target your resume:

• Put your newest job title first.
• Add the company name and the dates you worked.
• Write a 2-line business administration job description.
• Add about 6 bullet points.
• In them, describe your achievements with the PAR (Problem-Action-Result) formula.
• Add numbers for zest and scale.

Take a look at some useful resume keywords for business administrator jobs:

Business Administrator Keywords for a Resume

• Managing daily business operations
• Implementing business policies
• Financial planning and analysis
• Coordinating with departments
• Process improvement
• Strategic planning
• Employee performance evaluation
• Budget management
• Negotiating contracts
• Analyzing financial data

As you can see, all these keywords start with resume action words. Here are some examples:

Business Administrator Action Verbs

• Managed
• Implemented
• Coordinated
• Developed
• Analyzed
• Supervised
• Directed
• Improved
• Evaluated
• Negotiated
• Led
• Streamlined
• Enhanced
• Monitored
• Planned

Pro Tip: Overall employment of business administrators is projected to decline 10 percent in the following years. The solution? Look for remote jobs in business administration. You’ll find lots more opportunities.

3. Make Your Education Section Count

If you have a PhD or an associate degree, will it make a difference in a business administration resume? Not necessarily. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t put some effort into creating a great education section, as it might still impress your future employer and convince them to invite you for a job interview.

Here’s what to put on the education section of your resume:

• Your Degree
• Minors and Minors
• Relevant Coursework
• Date of Graduation
• Expected Date of Graduation (if you’re still studying)

Here’s what you can also include:

• Latin Honors
• Extracurricular Activities
• Relevant Awards
• Study Abroad

Pro Tip: Don’t overuse bullet points. Your resume design should have enough variety to make employers want to read it. Add other text so it doesn’t look like a long laundry list.

4. Put the Right Skills in Your Business Administration Resume

Choosing the right skills for a resume is everything. You might list Microsoft Office, but the business uses Google Drive. Or you might list record keeping, but the firm has an automated data storage system.

How can you know which skills will get you hired? They’re in the job ad!

Here’s how to choose the best business administration skills for your resume:

1. Write all your business administration skills in a list that’s separate from your resume.
2. Put all the skills required by the job ad in another list.
3. Add the skills that show up in both lists to a third list of resume keywords.
4. Mix soft skills and hard skills in that list.
5. Prove those business admin skills in the bullets of your education and experience sections.

Start writing your resume with this list of skills for business administration:

Business Administration Resume Skills (Hard Skills)

• Record Keeping
• Data Entry
• Answering Phones
• MS Excel
• MS Office Skills
• QuickBooks
• Project Management
• Billing
• Shipping
• Computer Skills
• Office Equipment Maintenance
• Greeting Clients
• Scheduling
• Payroll
• Administrative Skills

Business Administration Skills (Soft Skills)

• Interpersonal Skills
• Presentation Skills
• Critical Thinking
• Teamwork Skills
• Written and Verbal Communication
• Attention to Detail
• Active Listening
• Attention to Detail
• Problem-Solving Skills
• Time Management Skills

Pro Tip: If you’re writing an entry-level resume for a business administrator, you might want to look for some relevant experience in your previous position. These are called your transferable skills and they are great to proving you still got what it takes to get hired, despite limited experience.

5. Add Other Sections to Your Business Administration Resume

You can’t just stop at education in a business administration resume. Why not? You might have a few work achievements just by getting lucky. Show you’re not a one-hit wonder with a few outside-of-work accomplishments. You can add an MS Office certificate or volunteer work.

Choose from:

1. Resume Certifications

Certifications won’t beat experience. But—among two entry-level candidates, a certification can win out. Consider these:

• Bookkeeping Certificates
• QuickBooks Certificates
• Microsoft Office Certificates
• SalesForce Certificates
• Asana Certificates

2. Resume Volunteer Work

Did you make pasta in a soup kitchen or swing a hammer for Habitat For Humanity? Those look great on business administration resumes. They show organizational and teamwork skills.

3. Languages on a Resume

Don’t list languages on your resume for business administration jobs unless the clients or employees speak it, too. How can you find out? With informational interview questions.

4. Professional Associations

Associations like Chartered Association of Business Administrators (CABA) and The American Society of Administrative Professionals (ASAP) can help you find work faster. They supersize your career networking. But they also show you care about the business administration world.

5. Conferences

Have you attended cons like Admin Bash or the Boundless Conference? One job-seeker we spoke with said speaking at a conference was the one thing everyone asked about in interviews.

6. Awards and Honors

Were you an employee of the month? Did you win a regional award? Awards are cold, hard proof you’re a solid biz admin.

Pro Tip: How long should your resume be for business administration jobs? Write a one-page resume to ensure they don’t skip the best parts of your application.

6. Write a Business Administration Resume Objective or Resume Summary

You need one more thing if you don’t want to end up with a bad resume example. It’s time to write your business administration resume profile. You’re writing it last, so you’ll have plenty of great stuff to pick from.

Here’s how to write a career summary:

1. Start with a resume adjective like goal-oriented or results-driven.
2. Add your title (i.e., administrative assistant, analyst, manager).
3. List years of experience. (i.e.,3, 1+, 7).
4. State your goal (i.e., supply administrative support).
5. Add the firm’s name.
6. Spotlight your best business administration achievements.

However, in an entry-level business administration resume, you need a career objective. 

Here’s how to write a resume objective:

1. Start with a strong trait
2. Add the position you’re applying for.
3. Include 2–3 relevant skills
4. Describe your professional goals
5. Say what you hope to do for the company and mention its name.
6. Keep it short: 2–3 sentences or 30–50 words is the sweet spot.

In both these resume profiles, avoid first-person pronouns and use some action verbs for a greater impact.

Pro Tip: Internship experience on a resume can get you hired. If it’s in the same field as the job you want, list it as experience. It’s the most influential factor when employers choose between two entry-level candidates.

7. What About a Business Administration Cover Letter?

Do business administration resumes need cover letters? Definitely. Most employers don’t require them, but almost half do. That’s per our HR statistics report. Don’t know which half you’re dealing with? Write a letter every time. But avoid the cookie-cutter trap of, “Here’s my resume.”

To write your cover letter:

1. Format your cover letter with the 3-paragraph plan.
2. Start your business administration cover letter with the manager’s name.
3. Write an engaging opening sentence for your cover letter.
4. Show you understand and fit the job in the middle paragraph.
5. Tease something they want at the end of your cover letter.

Can you put salary requirements in a cover letter? Sure, but do your research first to make sure you’re in the hiring ballpark. Pitching too high or low is a mistake.

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:

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See more cover letter templates and start writing.

Do you need a different resume-writing guide? Take a look at the list below:

• Front Desk Receptionist Resume Example
• Clerical Resume Example
• Legal Assistant Resume Example
• Entry Level Business Resume
• Office Assistant Resume Example
• Salesforce Admin Resume
• Administrative Coordinator Resume Example
• Healthcare Administration Resume Example
• Office Clerk Resume Example
• Office Manager Resume Example

About Zety’s Editorial Process

This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines. We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.

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