Executive Assistant Resume Examples + Guide for 2024

You’re a go-to person for any CEO. But sometimes you also need a helping hand. Like when writing a job-winning executive assistant resume. 

Allow me to assist you with this task. I will show you some great executive assistant resume examples and guide you through the entire writing process. Let’s begin!

This guide will show you:

• An executive assistant resume template better than 9 out of 10 other resumes.
• How to write a resume for an executive assistant that will land you more interviews.
• Tips and examples of how to put skills and achievements on an executive assistant resume.
• How to describe your experience on a resume for an executive assistant to get any job you want.

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Sample resume made with our builder—See more resume samples here.

Targeting other administrative support positions too? See one of our dedicated guides:

• Administrative Assistant Resume Sample
• Virtual Assistant Resume Sample
• Office Assistant Resume Sample
• Receptionist Resume Sample
• Front Desk Receptionist Resume Sample
• Entry Level Human Resources Resume Sample
• Secretary Resume Sample
• Medical Administrative Assistant Resume Sample
• Entry Level Administrative Assistant Resume Sample
• Best Examples of Resumes for Any Job

Executive Assistant Resume Template

1. Select Best Format for Your Executive Assistant Resume

As an executive assistant, you have many responsibilities to juggle. Being well organized and paying attention to detail are your must-have qualities. You can prove them at first glance at your executive assistant resume sample by choosing the right format for your document.

Here are some resume tips to follow for a great-looking resume:

• Structure your resume using the right resume sections:
• Resume Header (including your resume contact info)
• Summary Statement or Resume Objective
• Experience
• Education
• Skills
• Additional Information
• Select the reverse chronological resume format. It’s the one recruiters know best, and it’s easiest for them to scan. If you feel like it’s not working well for you, there are two more resume formats: a skill-based resume and a combination resume.
• Put your entire resume into a modern resume template. Make it stand out while keeping it professional. 
• Mind the correct length of your resume. Making a one-page resume is usually enough, but if you think you should highlight more qualifications, choose a two-page resume.
• Find the best font for a resume you’re writing. There are many options, and Helvetica, Arial, and Times New Roman are only a few. 
• Set the right resume margins. Every US resume format requires one inch on each side and a line spacing of 1.15. 
• Choose the proper name for your resume. Name-Position-Resume always does the trick.
• Save your document as a PDF resume file. Do it always unless the job ad requires another file format.

You know how to make a resume look good. Let’s start writing!

Looking for more information on writing a perfect resume? Visit our guide: How to Write a Professional Resume.

2. Create a Perfect Executive Assistant Job Description For Your Resume

Work experience is an important part of any resume. However, most people fail to do it correctly. Many candidates make the mistake of focusing too much on their duties when writing a resume. But how else would you do it? Read on and see.

Here’s how to highlight your work experience correctly:

• Don’t write about your duties. Instead, focus on some impressive achievements. That will show you know your work is impactful and that you’re an achiever, not just a duty-doer.
• Tailor your resume to match the job description. This will show your potential employer that hiring you will solve all their issues.
• Add up to six bullet points under each entry. Remember what I said about boosting the readability of your resume? That’s another way of doing it right.
• Use the right resume words. It’s for, once again, the readability of your document. But also keeping the reader interested.

Let’s see some examples.

Executive Assistant Resume Examples (Work Experience)

The first example of an executive assistant job description for a resume shows specific achievements that tie into the job offer. The other one lists only duties. See how unimpressive is that?

But how do you write a good executive assistant resume with no experience?

Executive Assistant Resume Samples [No Experience]

The candidate from the first executive assistant resume sample used past achievements relevant to the executive assistant job. Compare it with the second one, where no parallels between past achievements and duties have been spotted. It's not impressive at all.

Now, let’s move on to the next big part of your resume, AKA the education section.

Pro Tip: To build experience fast, network. Do you know an executive? Does a friend or relative? Explain what you're trying to do. Ask that person if you can help with a project or two. Maybe it's putting together a PowerPoint presentation. Maybe it's booking some travel. It might take a few hours, but it'll pump up a sagging executive administrative assistant resume.

Creating a resume with our builder is incredibly simple. Follow our step-by-step guide and use content from Certified Professional Resume Writers to have a resume ready in minutes.

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When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and our resume checker will tell you exactly how to make it better.

3. Impress Your Recruiter with the Education Section on Your Executive Assistant Resume

Do you know that executive assistant is still the highest-paying job that does not require a degree? That being said, your resume still needs a properly written education section. 

Here’s how to show your education on an executive assistant resume:

• Enclose your degree on a resume to give your recruiter insight into where you are with your education.
• Explain your education further by including your major and minor.
• Include your GPA on a resume to impress the reader. Do it only if it is equal to or greater than 3.5. 
• Stand out even more with this section by including some more impressive achievements, such as relevant coursework, extracurricular activities, making the Dean’s List, or any Latin honors you received. 

Let’s take a look at some examples.

Executive Assistant Resume Examples: Education

The first candidate was driven to become an executive assistant. The second, on the other hand, was just there as a student. You know well which resume looks better on a recruiter’s desk.

Still learning? There’s a way to put that on a resume and wow the recruiter. Read more: How to List an Ongoing Education on a Resume.

4. Put the Right Skills on a Resume for an Executive Assistant

The right skills to put on a resume are usually listed in the job description. Mention them to create a targeted resume. Doing it right will help you pass the Application Tracking System, which narrows resumes only to those most relevant to the job offer. 

Here’s how to create a great skills list on your executive assistant resume:

1. Start with writing a master list of your soft and technical skills. Don’t limit yourself.

2. Find professional skills examples in a job offer.

3. See which skills from those two lists overlap. Make sure to include examples of hard and soft skills.

4. Select up to 10 skills from this final list and put them on your resume.

Here are some executive assistant resume skills to get you started:

Executive Assistant Resume Skills

Now let’s take a look at how they can look on a resume:

Executive Assistant Resume Skills Example

Highly relevant to the job offer and very detailed. This is how you win with other candidates. But there’s one more thing that will help you get a resume that stands out. Let’s see what it is.

5. Add Other Sections for an Effective Executive Assistant Resume

If one thing will make your resume like no other, it’s the additional sections. They can help you stand out from other candidates, make a great conversation starter or even prove some of your soft skills. Plus, they show your personality, make you interesting, and can convince potential employers to hire an interesting character, such as yourself.

Here’s what you can put in extra sections on your executive assistant resume:

• Awards on a resume indicate a great hire and promise a remarkable employee.
• Certifications on a resume confirm your qualifications and skills.
• Conferences show you’re passionate and willing to keep learning.
• Hobbies and interests reflect your soft skills and make you interesting. 
• Language skills allow you to work with people from different backgrounds
• Memberships show you’re up to date with trends and the industry.
• Publications and appearances turn you from a pro into an authority.
• Volunteer work proves you’re ready to do extra work to help others.

And what do those extra sections look like on your resume? Let’s see.

Executive Administrative Assistant Resume Examples: "Other" Sections

All impressive, all relevant. See what the first candidate did with their interests. Leading the theatre company proves great organizational skills, TED talks prove to be ready to keep learning new things, which is always impressive, and escape rooms show a personality trait and having attention to detail. Wow!

The second one, on the other hand, didn’t provide the recruiter with the language skills proficiency and delivered an unimpressive and dull list of interests that wouldn’t be useful in their new position. And that’s a red flag.

Now that we’re nearly finished let’s take a step back and see how to summarize it all in your resume profile.

Pro Tip: Is putting references on a resume a good idea? Although they are extremely important for executive assistants, most experts say you shouldn't put them on your resume. Reference sharing can come later.

6. Write a Summary or an Objective for an Executive Assistant Resume

As our HR statistics report shows, your future employer might spend no longer than seven seconds looking at each resume. You've only got that long to convince them to read your resume entirely. Do it with a professional resume summary or a resume objective.

But what’s the difference between them?

• A professional resume summary is for a candidate with over a year of experience. 
• A resume objective is for a candidate with less than a year of experience.

There are some simple formulas you can use:

How to write an executive assistant resume summary?

How to write an executive assistant resume objective?

Take a look at these examples:

Two Senior Executive Assistant Resume Summary Statements

Executive assistant with 5 years experience. Highly skilled in communication, time management, and organization. Excellent problem-solving skills.

See the difference between these two summary resume examples? That first executive assistant resume sample starts with a great resume headline and gives impressive achievements. The second one is uninspiring, so why would a recruiter call this candidate?

Now, let’s move on to resume objective examples:

Two Entry-Level Executive Assistant Resume Objective Examples

That first executive assistant knows well what to put in the objective of a resume. Despite no bigger achievements, this objective is impressive, and I bet the recruiter would love to learn more about this candidate. And, let’s face it, there’s no reason to learn more about the second one. That objective is just generic and unprofessional.

Now that your resume is ready, we can focus on your cover letter.

Pro Tip: Write your summary or objective last. Everything that makes you a unique and impressive candidate is already written. Highlight up to 3 top achievements and relevant skills at the top of your resume to convince the reader that there’s a good reason to keep reading.

7. Add a Cover Letter to Your Resume for an Executive Assistant

Cover letters are essential, and having a great executive assistant cover letter will only boost your chances of landing an interview. Plus, it will show your willingness to do some extra work just to get the results. Which is a great trait for any assistant, let alone an executive one.

Here’s how to write a cover letter to add to an executive assistant resume:

1. Start your cover letter by showing your passion for the offer. Add one impressive accomplishment. That should help you grab your reader’s attention.

2. Mind the right cover letter length. Anything longer than 400 words is probably too long.

3. Offer a precise date for an interview and ask whether it suits your reader. What seems like a bold move works as a great call to action.

4. Conclude your cover letter with a postscript and one extra achievement that will leave them with an impression of a great candidate (that you are!).

5. Format your cover letter and make it consistent with your resume template to again demonstrate your attention to detail. 

And that’s it. You’re more than ready to start working on your application documents. But before you go, let’s quickly recap what we’ve learned here today.

Pro Tip: Write a follow-up email a few days after you send in your professional executive assistant resume and cover letter. It will remind the CEO to take another peek.

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:

Create my cover letter now

See more cover letter templates and start writing.

Key Takeaway

Even when you've got a great executive assistant resume template to work from, making your own version can be tricky. To write an executive assistant resume that gets jobs, follow these steps:

• Format your resume to make it as readable as possible.
• Highlight your achievements in the work experience section, and don’t focus too much on your duties.
• Include details about your education that are relevant to the job you’re after.
• List skills and make them correspond with the job offer.
• Add extra sections to prove your skills and show some personality traits.
• Conclude it all in a resume summary or objective at the top of your document.
• Back it all with a cover letter that’s consistent with your resume.

And that’s it. You’re 100% ready. Good luck! 

Got any more questions about writing an executive assistant resume? Give me a shout in the comments section!

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.

Sources

• K. Hansen, Avoid These 10 Resume Mistakes
• Highest-Paying Jobs Without A Degree
• Making Your Résumé Competitive