Administrative Resume Tips
- By Jeff Marin
- Published 09/29/2011
Jeff Marin
I am a master’s level career counselor. I am internationally certified as a Career Management Practitioner (CMP) by the Institute for Career Certification International and have been recognized as a National Certified Counselor (NCC) through the National Board for Certified Counselors.
As the employment market has evolved with the struggling economy, so have the standards by which job candidates are evaluated. The competition amid administrative positions is fierce. In order to stand out it is essential that an administrative resume be polished and professional.
All resumes are created equally, right?
In fact, there is a substantial difference in the quality of administrative resumes. The ones that follow a generic chronological template are likely to wind up in the trashcan. The function of any resume is to pre-sell yourself as a job candidate. It is critical to realize that this is a marketing tool. What separates the great from the mediocre is the quality of advertising.
So, what are the marketing concepts that can be applied to resume writing? A great administrative resume will clearly define why you are a better candidate than everyone else is. In marketing terminology, they call this the differential benefit. Here are a few tips:
• The most basic sales concept is that of meeting the consumer
’s needs. Know what qualities the employer is looking for. Read the job advertisement to see what qualifications are being asked for. Then draft a list of how your skills will help them meet their goals. Use this list to create your objective, and repeat it in the cover letter.
• Consider using a combination format of functional and chronological. These list your skills first and relevant employment information second. Here is a good source of administrative resumes that provides both types of resumes. This can be a powerful way to bring your abilities to the forefront, unless you have a history of impressive employers.
• Include testimonials. This not only lends you credibility, but also immediately makes a statement about what a valuable employee you are. If you don’t have a testimonial, then ask for one or pick a quote form a letter of recommendation.
• Market yourself as a brand. Make a list of your top five administrative skills. Write a summary underneath each one that describes how you used this particular skill to improve the company that employed you.
• Write like a professional. Administrative resumes should be free from spelling and grammar errors. Anything less than perfection will send a message you are not thorough.
• Never lie on your resume. Do not invent things that are not true about yourself or highlight a skill that you are unable to perform. Focus on the things that you do well and any special training that you have received.
• Image is everything, especially when that is all that someone has to go by. Remember, potential employers don’t know you. They will judge you based on the impression they get from your resume.
All resumes are created equally, right?
In fact, there is a substantial difference in the quality of administrative resumes. The ones that follow a generic chronological template are likely to wind up in the trashcan. The function of any resume is to pre-sell yourself as a job candidate. It is critical to realize that this is a marketing tool. What separates the great from the mediocre is the quality of advertising.
So, what are the marketing concepts that can be applied to resume writing? A great administrative resume will clearly define why you are a better candidate than everyone else is. In marketing terminology, they call this the differential benefit. Here are a few tips:
• The most basic sales concept is that of meeting the consumer
• Consider using a combination format of functional and chronological. These list your skills first and relevant employment information second. Here is a good source of administrative resumes that provides both types of resumes. This can be a powerful way to bring your abilities to the forefront, unless you have a history of impressive employers.
• Include testimonials. This not only lends you credibility, but also immediately makes a statement about what a valuable employee you are. If you don’t have a testimonial, then ask for one or pick a quote form a letter of recommendation.
• Market yourself as a brand. Make a list of your top five administrative skills. Write a summary underneath each one that describes how you used this particular skill to improve the company that employed you.
• Write like a professional. Administrative resumes should be free from spelling and grammar errors. Anything less than perfection will send a message you are not thorough.
• Never lie on your resume. Do not invent things that are not true about yourself or highlight a skill that you are unable to perform. Focus on the things that you do well and any special training that you have received.
• Image is everything, especially when that is all that someone has to go by. Remember, potential employers don’t know you. They will judge you based on the impression they get from your resume.