Office Manager Resume - Samples & How-to Guide for 2024

How to Write an Office Manager Resume

Before you can uncover your office management skills, you need pick the correct format.

Doing so will allow your best qualities to jump from the page.

The resume format that we always recommend starting with is called “reverse-chronological”, and it’s for good reason. Essentially, it allows the recruiter to immediately see the value that you can provide to the office. 

There are two other formats that you may want to try:

• Functional Resume – If your office management skills are stronger than your work history, then this resume format is recommended. It’s ideal for skilled individuals who lack experience in an office setting or who have gaps in their employment history
• Combination Resume – Combining both “Functional” and “Reverse-Chronological”, this format focuses both on your office management skills AND work experience. In opposition to the functional resume, you may want to use a combination resume if you have previously managed an office

Once you’ve chosen a format that suits your specific situation, you need to then organize your resume layout.

Use an Office Manager Resume Template

An office manager’s job requires great attention to detail.

As such, a cluttered resume just won’t cut it.

You need a professional-looking resume with zero formatting errors.

That means not using Word, which can result in your resume falling apart with every simple change.

Want to skip formatting issues? Use an office manager resume template.

What to Include in an Office Manager Resume

The main sections in an office manager resume are:

• Work Experience
• Contact Information
• Skills
• Education

Want to go a step further? You can also add these optional sections:

• Awards & Certification
• Languages
• Interests & Hobbies

That sounds great, but what do we write for each of these sections? 

Read on to learn how.

Want to know more about resume sections? View our guide on What to Put on a Resume.

How to Correctly Display your Contact Information

Like a file of important documents, your contact section doesn’t require flair or creativity.

There is one thing it must be though – accurate!

The wrong phone number can ruin your chances of an interview, regardless of how great the rest of your resume is. 

The contact information section must include:

• Full Name
• Title – In this case, “Office Manager”
• Phone Number – Check this carefully
• Email Address – Use a professional email address (firstname.lastname@gmail.com), not a personal one (pizzapete@gmail.com)
• (Optional) Location

How to Write an Office Manager Resume Summary or Objective

Did you know that recruiters spend only a few seconds glancing over each resume?  

This fact highlights the importance of immediately hooking the recruiter.

To do this, use a resume summary or objective.

These are short, powerful paragraphs that introduce the rest of your resume. 

But what is the difference between the two sections?

A resume summary is a 2-4 sentence summary of your professional experiences and achievements.

A resume objective is a 2-4 sentence snapshot of what you want to achieve professionally.

Which one should you choose?

Generally, we recommend going with a summary if you have lots of experience as an office manager. An objective is more weighted to showing your goals, so is better suited to those who have yet to work as an office manager (graduates, career changers, or those still studying).

How to Make Your Office Manager Work Experience Stand Out

It’s no secret that the work experience section is where jobs are won and lost.

After all, recruiters need to be confident that you can do the job.  

Luckily, you can build a job-winning work experience section with just a few tips and tricks.

1. Read the job description to look for what the company wants
2. Make a list of your most notable achievements
3. Use bullet points to list the achievements that align with the job description

Here’s the best way to structure your work experience section:

• Position Name / Title
• Company Name
• Dates
• Responsibilities & Achievements

To really make your application stand out from the crowd, you should focus on your achievements instead of daily tasks. This will show real examples of how you’re able to positivity improve office-efficiency, wherever you go.  

Instead of saying:

“Organized documentation”

Say:

“Developed a paperless office environment, which reduced labor hours by 15 weeks”

Now, do you think that the first statement will impress the recruiter?

Of course not!

It shows that you organized documentation, but it doesn’t show the results on your work.

The second statement shows that you reduced labor hours by 15 weeks, and in an environmentally-conscious way. Hard numbers that prove your skills – can’t argue with that!

What if You Don’t Have Work Experience?

Maybe you’re a graduate looking for your first managerial job?

Or maybe, you have experience in an office, but never as a manager?

Now, you can try to win the recruiter over by saying how much you want the job.

But that won’t work…

It's a better idea to show relevant experiences from your non-office-manager jobs.

Are you a recent graduate? Make sure to check out our student resume guide!

Use Action Words to Make Your Office Manager Resume POP!

• “Made”
• “Worked”
• “Managed”

…are all common words that the recruiter sees time and time again.

However, you want to separate your resume from the competition, which means using power words to make your achievements stand out:

• Conceptualized
• Determined
• Formulated
• Initiated
• Maximized
• Executed

How to Correctly List your Education

Next, it’s time to talk about your education.

There’s nothing too complicated with this section, just simply enter your education history in the follow format:

• Degree Type & Major
• University Name
• Years Studied
• GPA, Honours, Courses, and anything else you might want to add

Still need answers? If so, allow us to answer some of the most frequently asked questions:

What if I haven’t completed education yet?

• Regardless of whether you’re a marketing graduate or still studying, you should still mention every year of education to date

Should I include my high school education?

• The general rule is to only include your highest education. So, include your high school education if you don’t have a relevant degree

What do I put first, my education or experience?

• Experiences are the priority, so those go first. If you’re a recent graduate, you will likely need to start with education

Need more advice? Check out our guide on how to list education on a resume.

Top 10 Skills for an Office Manager Resume

What is the recruiter looking for as they skim through your resume?

Well, that you have the correct skills for the job.

But what skills is the recruiter looking for?

Which skills should you list?

1. Look at the job description and other job offers online
2. Highlight all the skills they are looking for
3. List all highlighted skills and any more you can think of

Here are some of the most common office manager skills...

Hard Skills for an Office Manager:

• Business Operations Management
• Performance Evaluations
• Microsoft Office
• Inventory Management
• Preparing Reports

Soft Skills for an Office Manager:

• Communication
• Reliability
• Leadership
• Team Player
• Time Management 

Here’s a more comprehensive list of 101+ must-have skills this year.

What Else Can You Include?

Congrats – all of the main sections have now been covered.

But don’t turn off the office lights just yet.

You need your resume to really impress! 

Doing a good job at the above sections should be enough to get you shortlisted, but adding extra sections can be the major factor in whether you’re hired for the executive role or not.

Awards & Certifications

Have you won an employee of the month award?

Have you completed any courses that improve your skills?

If you have something to be proud of, make sure to mention it in your resume!

Here’s an example:

Awards & Certificates

• “HR for People Managers” – Coursera Certificate
• “Employee of the Year 2019” – Xcel Inc.
• Google Ads Certified Expert
• “Critical Thinking Masterclass” – MadeUpUniversity

Languages

Even though it may not be a requirement on the job description, being able to speak a second language is an impressive skill that could always come in handy. 

As such, feel free to add a language section if you have space.

Rank the languages by proficiency:

• Native
• Fluent
• Proficient
• Intermediate
• Basic

Interests & Hobbies

That’s right, a section about your personal interests!

You’re likely wondering why this section is necessary.

Well, it isn’t a section you need, but it does allow the hiring manager to learn more about you as a person.

So be sure to include your hobbies, especially if you enjoy social activities. 

Here’s which hobbies & interests you may want to mention.

Include a Cover Letter with Your Resume

Cover letters are an essential part of the application process.

You see, a cover letter allows you to start a conversation.

Unlike the dozens of generic resumes the hiring manager receives daily, a cover letter is a personalized piece of content that shows you go the extra mile. 

Here’s how to create a cover letter that converts:

You should complete the following sections…

Personal Contact Information

Your full name, profession, email, phone number, location.

Hiring Manager’s Contact Information

Full name, position, location, email

Opening Paragraph

It’s no secret that recruiters skim through resumes and cover letters. As such, you need a powerful opening paragraph. Use concise language to mention…

• The position you’re applying for
• Your experience summary and best achievement to date

The Body

With the recruiter now intrigued to know more, you can get deeper into the following specifics:

• Why you chose this specific company
• What you know about the company
• How your top skills are relevant to the management position
• Which similar industries or positions have you worked in before

Closing Paragraph

Don’t just end the conversation abruptly, you should:

• Conclude the points made in the body paragraph
• Thank the hiring manager for the opportunity
• Finish with a call to action. This is a great way to continue the conversation. A simple “At your earliest opportunity, I’d love to discuss more about how I can help your office succeed” will work

Formal Salutations

Finish the letter with a professional closer. We would recommend something like “Kind regards” or “Sincerely.”

For more inspiration, read our step-by-step guide on how to write a cover letter.

Key Takeaways

Followed all of the advice above?

Then you’re in a great position to land that elusive office management job.

Let’s quickly summarize everything we’ve learned today:

• Format your office manager's resume in the best way. We recommend starting with the reverse-chronological format, and then using a professional content layout
• Use a resume summary or objective to highlight your best qualities
• Focus on your best achievements from your work experience, not your daily responsibilities
• Make your application personal with a convincing cover letter

Suggested Reading:

• Best Resume File Type - PDF vs Word [+Templates]
• 9+ Essential Resume Ideas [to Get Your Next job]
• How to Write an ATS Resume [8+ Templates Included]