How to get your Administrator CV on the shortlist
If you’re looking to secure your next Administrator job then it’s important to update your CV and ensure it’s optimised to showcase your administrator skills and experience. Recruiters make quick decisions on whether your CV ends up on the shortlist or reject pile so here are some tips to help you make it as easy as possible for the employer to see your suitability.
1. Be realistic
Apply for admin roles where you meet all of the selection criteria and can provide lots of good examples to prove it. If you don’t have this, then accept that you are unlikely to be shortlisted - consider apply for temporary roles as a starting point.
2. Apply for jobs you genuinely want
Half-hearted applicants are easy to spot as their CVs often lack focus and impact and there is no point applying for a job you wouldn’t accept. Think about which sector you'd like to work in, whether you'd like to conduct Administrator Banking / Finance jobs, Administrator Construction jobs, or Administrator Beauty jobs.
3. Use a personal statement
Positioned on the first page after your contact details, this is the earliest opportunity for you to show you have exactly what the recruiter is looking for. Include the key skills and experience you have which are relevant to the administrator job you are applying for. Avoid talking about your personal qualities or softer skills unless you can back them up with evidence e.g. instead of “strong commercial acumen” write “strong commercial acumen including identifying business opportunities for new revenue streams.” You can read our top tips for writing a personal statement on your CV here.
4. Show added value
Your employment history should not be written as just a series of dates and tasks you have undertaken. It should show how you have contributed to the team and organisation. This could include additional income you helped to generate, costs you reduced, improvements in quality or the introduction of new ideas. No matter what admin roles you have worked in, you must show that you had a positive impact on your team, organization or customers.
5. Impeccable presentation
Research has revealed that 9 out of 10 CVs have errors on them and applications are often rejected on that basis alone. Your CV must be error-free to reinforce the professionalism and attention to detail that employers want.
6. Watch your language
The use of jargon, clumsy expression or clichés can sabotage the chances of even the most capable of candidates. Instead of using the “I” pronoun such as “I did this...I did that....” use positive action words to lead bullet points e.g. “Initiated this…Created that...” which will seem much more dynamic. This will give a very energetic feel to your administrator CV and help reinforce the message that you are an upbeat, “can-do” type of candidate. Online recruiters also use keywords to search for CVs containing particular skills and qualifications, so ensure that your CV includes the relevant keywords likely to be used.
7. Digital compatibility
When you apply online for a role, your CV is scanned by software before human eyes ever see it. Formatting options like columns, shading, boxes etc. may look nice, but they could interfere with the software’s ability to store the information on your CV. Use our CV template for PAs as an example of how to layout your CV ready to apply.
If you are ready to apply for the latest Administrator jobs then visit SecsintheCity to upload your CV and find your next role. For more guidance on your CV contents and layout, our partners at Top CV offer a free CV review service to help you prepare for your job applications.
This article was written in partnership with Personal Career Management, the UK’s leading career coaching company selected by SecsintheCity to provide PA and Secretarial candidates with specialist Corinne Mills career coaching support.
