How To Write a Clerical Resume
Clerical work requires a variety of skills, such as organization, data entry, call routing, and time management. Make sure to highlight these skills in your resume to catch the eye of the hiring manager and land that all-important first interview.
Below are three resume examples for clerical workers. You’ll also find tips for strengthening and writing a resume that aligns with the content of a job posting.
- Entry-level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-level
1. Create a profile by summarizing your clerical qualifications
When writing a resume profile as a clerical worker, highlight your relevant experience, skills, and achievements. Begin your profile with a statement that emphasizes your years of experience. For example, “Highly organized clerical assistant with over eight years of experience in office administration.”
Consider focusing on one or two achievements in your previous clerical experience. Customize your profile to match the job requirements you are applying for. Use keywords from the job posting to make your profile more relevant to the hiring manager.
Remember to keep your profile concise and to the point to grab the hiring manager’s attention and make them want to learn more about you.
Senior-Level Profile Example
Resourceful Office Assistant with 10 years’ experience providing streamlined administrative support. Excellent teamwork skills and clear communication style. Highly organized and adaptable in fast-changing work conditions. Offer advanced expertise in Microsoft Office and other key scheduling and administrative software.
Entry-Level Profile Example
Clerical Assistant who quickly learns and implements new computer systems. Adept at meeting deadlines without sacrificing accuracy in a fast-paced environment. Recognized for consistently surpassing expectations. Equally effective working independently or on a team.
2. Add a compelling section featuring your clerical experience
Success as a clerical worker depends on your ability to use technology systems correctly. To draw the hiring manager’s attention, mention your technology skills in your Experience job descriptions. Be sure to list your proficiency in any software programs noted in the job posting.
The average person looking at a resume doesn’t really “read” it in the usual sense. Instead, they quickly scan down the page, seeking details that appear impressive and relevant to their hiring needs. For this reason, present your career highlights in a way that makes it easy for the reader to understand, even at a glance. One way that you can make your shining moments stand out is by quantifying them with relevant data. Answer the questions “how much,” “how many,” and “how much was saved.”
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example
Office Assistant, Innovations PSI, San Francisco, CA | August 2017 to Present
- Facilitate payroll operations and coordinate employee checks
- Schedule meetings and events, booking venues and arranging catering services as needed
- Train new administrative personnel on office procedures and requirements
- Maintain inventory of office supplies, sourcing the most cost-effective suppliers to reduce costs
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example
Office Assistant, Innovations PSI, San Francisco, CA | August 2017 to Present
- Facilitate payroll operations and coordinate employee checks
- Schedule meetings and events, booking venues and arranging catering services as needed
- Train new administrative personnel on office procedures and requirements
- Maintain inventory of office supplies, sourcing the most cost-effective suppliers to reduce costs
3. List any education and certifications relevant to clerical work
Provide basic details on any education degrees you’ve earned.
Also, mention all your relevant credentials on your resume. To determine which ones to include, read through the job posting and highlight the most important skills and duties. Then, list any certification you have that relates to those job requirements.
Here are some common certifications in the clerical field that you may want to include in your resume:
- Certified Administrative Professional (CAP): Offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP), this certification recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a high level of knowledge and expertise in administrative support.
- Certified Data Management Professional – Data Management (CDP-DM): The Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals (ICCP) provides this certification to acknowledge those with a high level of knowledge and expertise in data management.
- Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA): This certification by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) honors people displaying a high level of knowledge and expertise in medical administrative support.
- Certified Professional Secretary (CPS): Offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP), this recognizes individuals with a high level of competence and professionalism in the field of administrative support.
- Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS): Microsoft gives this certification to those who have demonstrated a high level of proficiency in Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Please note this is not an exhaustive list of all the certifications available. If you have another certification that may be relevant to the job you’re applying for, be sure to include it. If you don’t have any relevant certifications, you may want to look into the process of certification — while not always necessary, it always looks good on a resume.
Education
Template
- [Degree Name]
- [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Year]
Example
- Associate of Business Administration
- University of San Francisco, CA | 2010
Certifications
Template
- [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization] | [Completion Year]
Example
- Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) – Excel, Access | 2019
4. Include a list of skills and proficiencies related to clerical duties
Many companies now use applicant tracking systems (ATS), which automatically scan resumes and reject any that don’t contain specific words and phrases. If you want a human to review your resume, including relevant skills is essential. These phrases will help you pass the automated screening and allow the hiring manager to determine if you meet the minimum requirements for the job.
Below, you’ll find a list of keywords you may encounter in your job search:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Call routing | Critical thinking |
| Customer service | Data entry |
| Filing | Mail sorting/distribution |
| Note-taking | Problem-solving |
| Spreadsheet development | Time management |
| Typing | Word processing |
How To Pick the Best Clerical Resume Template
As with most vocations, clerical workers should use a resume template that’s clear and straightforward.
Opt for a layout that lets the hiring manager quickly review your best career details. Select a traditional resume font, and avoid any template with a colorful or elaborate design. Also, make sure the template complies with ATS used by employers to screen resumes.
Clerical Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
- Entry-level
- Mid-career
- Senior-level
John Smith
(123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | 101 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28280
Profile
Highly organized Clerical Assistant with 8+ years of experience in office administration. Adept at scheduling business trips and working in a fast-paced environment. Use various automation programs (including Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and SharePoint) to maintain correspondence, business files, and administrative documents.
Professional Experience
Senior Office Assistant, Clerical Clerks, Raleigh, NC | October 2016 to Present
- Observe payroll for 50+ employees, including the posting of checks each month
- Monitor and respond to all client emails to resolve complaints
Highlights:
- Expedited CRM data entry process for sales orders by 15%
- Facilitated a 22% increase in customer retention
Administrative Clerk, The Office People, Raleigh, NC | May 2014 to October 2016
- Scanned 200+ documents per day
- Helped answer incoming phone calls and make important outgoing calls
Highlights:
- Increased positive patient survey responses by 20%
Junior Office Clerk, Offices ‘R’ Us, Raleigh, NC | September 2011 to May 2014
- Assisted various managers and staff members
- Scheduled meetings in MS Outlook
- Drafted reports in MS Word and Excel
Education
Associate Degree — Business Studies, Duke University, Durham, NC | 2011
Key Skills
- Customer service
- Microsoft Office (advanced Excel and Outlook)
- Team collaboration
Certifications
Professional Administrative Certification of Excellence (PACE), ASAP | 2013
Frequently Asked Questions: Clerical Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for clerical resumes?-
You may run short on action verbs during the resume-building process. Besides managing business functions, you coordinate, develop, and improve them in any number of ways. The following action verbs will help you brainstorm resume points that capture your work’s true, dynamic nature.
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Collaborate | Communicate |
| Compile | Coordinate |
| Create | Develop |
| Distribute | Evaluate |
| Examine | Facilitate |
| Implement | Maintain |
| Monitor | Organize |
| Prepare | Present |
| Report | Research |
| Review | Write |
How do you align your resume with a clerical job posting?-
Clerical employment is expected to decline by 7% from 2022 to 2032, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
With fewer clerical jobs on the horizon, it’s more important than ever to write a strong resume. A good resume makes it easier to capture a hiring manager’s attention, increasing the chances you’ll move forward in the hiring process.
Hiring managers seek workers with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in fast-paced clerical jobs. To find the right candidate, a hiring manager may have to review more than 100 resumes and cover letters. With so many people applying to a limited number of job openings, it’s essential to distinguish yourself from other applicants. One way to do this is to mirror the language used in the job posting.
If you’re unsure which skills to mention in your clerical resume, look to the job posting for guidance. Hiring managers often list the most important skills and abilities within the first few sentences, indicating that they should be mentioned in your resume.
What is the best clerical resume format?-
When creating a clerical resume, there are several formats to choose from. A common one is the reverse chronological format. This format lists your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job and working backward.
Another format that you might consider is the functional format. This format focuses on your skills and experience rather than your work history. It’s a good option if you’re changing careers or have gaps in your employment history.
A third option is the combination format, which combines elements of both the reverse chronological and functional formats. This format highlights your skills and experience and provides a detailed work history.
The combination resume format is a hybrid of the chronological and functional resume formats. It is a good choice for clerical resumes because it allows you to display both your relevant skills and work history in detail. The skills section is placed near the top of the page, followed by a section that runs through your relevant work history in some detail. This format allows you to show chronology and evolution and lets you pinpoint skills you want to emphasize.
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Once you complete your resume, a good way to finalize your application before sending it off to your prospective employer is to add a cover letter. This is a great opportunity to speak directly to the hiring manager and make a case for why you’re the best candidate for the job.
Remember, a cover letter should be fairly succinct. Try not to exceed more than 400 words — 250 to 300 is ideal. For more information and ideas, view our administrative assistant cover letter examples.
