Administrative Support Resume - Accomplishments Are Key

Writing an administrative support resume? Gain a competitive edge by including professional accomplishments that will motivate employers to call. A former recruiter identifies 5 questions to ask yourself when preparing your resume.
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Coming up with relevant professional accomplishments for use on a resume is not always easy. That's especially true if you're writing a clerical or administrative support resume, as much of the job of administrative or office support doesn't lend itself to the kind of over-the-top accomplishments that move the earth and win wars. Still, professional accomplishments are necessary: they breathe life into a resume, and provide an opportunity to get a leg up on your competition.

Help in Identifying Accomplishments for your Administrative Support Resume

If you find yourself staring into space while trying to come up with accomplishments for a clerical or administrative support resume, you've got plenty of company. But shaking free of writers' block is often as simple as forcing yourself to think beyond the everyday duties you perform. Here are some probing questions to ask yourself to get you started.

Did you improve the filing system for the office? If so, an accomplishment might sound like: Designed and implemented an improved file management system that reduced file backlog from three days to one.

Were you the point person in an office startup or expansion? If so, a resume accomplishment might sound like: Established office procedures supporting a doubling in medical staff with no subsequent increase in support personnel.

Did you have a hand in improving the efficiency or speed of office procedures? If so, an accomplishment might sound like: Developed a tracking and call-back system for delinquent accounts that reduced A/R collection period by 75%.

Did you save your company money? If so, an accomplishment might sound like: Reduced annual insurance expenses ,000 by re-negotiating malpractice, health and disability insurance policies.

Were you involved in the transition of something technical? If so, an accomplishment might sound like: Upgraded and migrated 6 office computers to a UNIX-based platform.

Did you receive training, or did you initiate a learning experience outside your job description? If so, an accomplishment might sound like: Enrolled in evening university classes (labor and employment law) to better assist legal staff in case work.

Were you recognized for exemplary performance? If so, a resume accomplishment might sound like: Received numerous customer comments and correspondence--as well as a company bonus--in recognition for exemplary customer service.

Your Administrative Support Resume - Target Your Next Job

Once you've asked the questions and identified a number of accomplishments that will look good on the resume, make sure those accomplishments speak directly to the kind of position you're seeking. If the position opening has been posted or otherwise advertised, you can glean loads of information from the job description that will help you target your resume like a laser beam.

Finally, if your paper is still blank after these exercises, make a commitment this day to begin keeping a journal of the contributions you make to your company. Remembered and recorded, professional accomplishments will serve you long after the initial accolades.