Your CV is the first opportunity you get to make a positive impression on any potential employer along with your cover letter, so it is vital it is well written, accurate and reflects you. If you are looking for advice on how to write a CV for an Executive Assistant role, you have come to the right place. This article shows you how best to construct your CV to ensure you are represented in the best possible way to secure your next EA role. Use this article as a writing guide for creating your CV to help make sure you stand out for all the right reasons.
An EA CV needs to be easy to read and understand. Keep it concise, relevant and to a maximum of two A4 pages. Less is more and we advise to keep the format simple, using a traditional font and in black. Do explain all gaps in employment and make sure it is in chronological order with the most recent role, at the top.
We also advise that CVs remain in a standard Word document without too many images, logos or colours, as these will only distract from your experience.
Your employment experience is the most important section of your CV and must be listed one role at a time. Employers often quickly scan CVs so it is helpful to show your duties in bullet point format, so they are easy to read. For example:
Oriel Partners (Recruitment)
EA to Directors: June 2018 – Present
Too much movement on your CV doesn’t create a good first impression, so if you have worked in several roles within one company it is a good idea to list each job title under the one company name. This also shows you have progressed internally which is also a good sign to future employers. For example:
Oriel Partners (Recruitment)
EA to Directors: June 2018 – Present
Personal Assistant: January 2017 – June 2018
This is especially important if you are at the start of your career and do not have a huge amount of work experience to show. Your interests can be a section of your CV which stands out from others and it can become a good talking point at an interview. Socialising or partying should not be included! Examples include sporting achievements that show leadership and team playing skills, or awards won in the workplace. Perhaps any voluntary work you have carried out, or challenges you have succeeded in that show off your time management skills or communication skills.
If you have completed a particular PA / EA course or received a specific professional qualification which is relevant to the Executive Assistant role you are applying for, definitely highlight it near the top of your CV so it is not missed.
Personal statements are a very good way to make your CV stand out. When writing a CV, include a brief overview of your key skills, work experience and what you are looking for in your next role. Don’t make it too chatty and make it relevant to the type of roles that you are applying for, there is nothing worse than a CV saying the candidate is looking to work in the creative sector when they are applying to a corporate role. Refer to a job description of a role similar to those you are interested in to ensure your CV stays tailored to the right roles.
An experienced interviewer will easily be able to spot any discrepancies on a CV. Make sure the format is consistent all the way through and double-check there are no spelling and grammatical errors, you will be surprised how many typos even the most professional Executive Assistants forget to correct. As attention to detail is paramount for an EA role, so be hyper-vigilant when proofreading your CV.
Importantly, your CV should have all of your personal details on it – name, address, contact number and email address, so companies can quickly see how to contact you and see your location. It is also important to ensure you have a working voicemail when you are actively job hunting, to ensure you don’t miss that all-important call!
Try to avoid listing every qualification you have ever received or part-time role you did when you were still in education if they are not relevant to your job search. You want to ensure the reader's eye is focused on the most relevant roles which will help you to secure that all-important next position.
It should go without saying that your CV needs to be completely accurate, including dates, duties and qualifications. Either at the interview stage or during the referencing process, any untruths will become obvious, so it is important you represent yourself accurately. Employers and recruiters will not take kindly to false information and it is better you secure a role through your own merits.
For more information on how to layout a stand-out CV, please download our Executive Assistant CV template.
Download Your CV Template Here