Administrative· Free keyword tool
Administrative Assistant Resume Keywords
These administrative assistant resume keywords cover the office, scheduling, and ATS terms hiring systems scan for — the language that proves you can keep an office running and gets an admin resume past automated screening.
58 keywords across 6 categories — toggle, select, and copy directly into your resume.
Hard Skills(13)Role-specific technical abilities
Tools & Tech(11)Software and platforms you operate
Soft Skills(8)How you work with people
Certifications(4)Credentials recruiters scan for
Action Verbs(12)Strong openers for bullet points
ATS Key Terms(10)Phrases parsers weight most
Want these woven into a real resume?
ATSFixer drops the right keywords into the right sections of your resume, then scores it against any job description so you know exactly what's still missing.
Build My Resume Free →What Administrative Assistant ATS keywords matter most?
Applicant tracking systems parsing Administrative Assistantresumes weigh hard skills and tool proficiency most heavily — exact terms, not synonyms. The terms below appear most frequently in Administrative Assistant job postings and carry the most weight with automated screening algorithms.
Top hard skills
- Calendar Management
- Data Entry
- Scheduling
- Document Preparation
- Filing & Records Management
- Travel Coordination
- Expense Reports
- Meeting Coordination
Top tools & technologies
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Google Workspace
- QuickBooks
- Zoom
- Slack
Key certifications ATS scans for: Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS), Certified Administrative Professional (CAP), Notary Public.
Administrative Assistantresume keywords — frequently asked questions
- What keywords should an administrative assistant put on a resume?
- Lead with core functions (calendar management, data entry, scheduling), the software you use (Microsoft Office, Outlook, Excel, QuickBooks), and support terms like administrative support and office management that match the posting.
- Are Microsoft Office skills worth listing as keywords?
- Yes — Outlook, Excel, and Word are among the most-scanned ATS terms for admin roles. List the specific apps rather than only "Microsoft Office", and mention advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUP) if you have them.
- How do I make an admin resume stand out to ATS?
- Quantify your scope: "Managed scheduling and travel for a 25-person department." The function keyword matches the posting and the number shows the volume you handle.
- Should I list soft skills on an administrative resume?
- Organization, communication, and multitasking are central to the role, so include them — but demonstrate them in bullets rather than relying on a generic list.
- What certifications help an administrative assistant resume?
- The Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) and Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) are recognizable ATS keywords that signal verified software and administrative proficiency.
- How many keywords should an admin resume include?
- Use 12–16 across functions, software, and support terms, prioritizing the duties and tools the posting names.
Related Administrative roles
From the blog
Keywords sourced from O*NET occupational data and current job postings. No keywords are invented.
Next step
See how many of these your resume already has.
Upload your resume, paste a job description, and get an instant ATS score with every keyword you're missing.