An office manager job description can help your resume stand out against other job seekers. Here’s how you can write a better job description.
Tips for Writing a Better Office Manager Job Description
Office Manager Job Description for Resume
When you’re working on your resume for an office manager application, one of the most important elements is how you describe your previous office manager jobs. Whether you’ve been doing this work for 2 years or 25 years, describing your past jobs effectively will help you boost your office manager resume and allow it to stand out among other candidates. Here’s how to write these descriptions for your next office manager position.
What Is a Job Description and Why Do I Need One?
A job description is what you feature on your resume to describe your past jobs. This is a broad definition because it can include all sorts of information, depending on how much work experience you have, which office manager skills you want to emphasize and how involved you’ve been in generalized office operations. Looking at the many office manager resume examples presented to you at ResumeNerd, is a great starting point to understanding exactly what your job description might look like. It can also help you create the most powerful job descriptions for your resume.
Most Important Elements of an Office Manager Job Description
Here are eight steps that you can follow to create a high-quality office manager job description.
1. Place the job description section appropriately.
The resume format that you use may impact where you put the job description section. For a chronological resume, you’ll typically put it higher up, typically directly below your resume objective or resume summary. On a functional resume, you’ll place it lower on the page. It depends on what you’re trying to emphasize and de-emphasize.
2. Label your job description section.
Next, label your job description section appropriately. In most resumes, you’ll see it as “Work Experience,” “Work History” or “Employment History.” If you’re using a resume builder, this label may be built-in, making it even easier to draw attention to.
3. Outline the job simply.
The first step to writing the actual description is to outline the job. Include the job title you held, the company you worked for, the years you worked there and the location where the job was. This helps the hiring manager understand your job timeline, which is especially helpful if you have many past jobs and many years of experience.
4. List up to 5 bullet points per job position.
Next, you’ll want to list bullet points indicating what you did for business administration. This is where you have a place to shine through your achievements and accomplishments. Identify the top 3 to 5 requirements that your job required you to perform. Here are a few examples to help you get started:
- Spearheaded implementation of new bookkeeping structures.
- Introduced Microsoft Office cloud services across the entire office for easier document sharing.
- Provided administrative support to 50+ individuals.
- Ordered office supplies and ensured office equipment was consistently functioning properly.
- Discussed time management and multitasking with office staff, and created a streamlined workflow with effective methods of onboarding new employees.
- Facilitated communication between human resources and general office administration.
- Maintained expense reports in a self-created filing system, including general expenditures, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and invoicing.
- Encouraged general office efficiency within the office environment, including all kinds of office functions.
- Created new office policies with input from staff members.
- Developed PowerPoint presentations for shareholders every quarter.
The best way to make your bulleted accomplishments stand out is to begin each sentence with a strong verb.
5. Use action verbs and targeted keywords.
When you look at the list above, you’ll notice that they all start strong with a resume action word like spearheaded, facilitated and maintained. Action words are critical for your job description section because it creates a sense of movement within your resume. Additionally, look through the business office manager job posting that you’re applying for so you can see what qualifications/keywords the hiring manager listed. These keywords will also help your resume get past applicant tracking systems (ATS) that scan most resumes to select the most qualified candidates. You want to highlight both your soft skills and your technical skills.
6. Include a key achievement subsection if applicable.
If there’s one especially standout achievement that you accomplished at a specific job, it may be worth it to add a key achievement section. This will often include a metric of some kind, such as, “Improved administrative staff efficiency by 23% within 2 years.” You want to use the key achievement section only if you have one or more decisive achievements to include.
7. List all jobs in reverse-chronological order.
You’ll need to repeat this process for each of the jobs that you want to include in your resume. Typically, the perfect resume will include around 10 years of experience. If you have more than 10 years of experience, you may want to relegate earlier experience to your LinkedIn, so a hiring manager can still see it if they want.
8. Make sure all parts of the application process are equally strong.
Be sure the remaining parts of the resume are effectively written. This includes your education and skills sections. . Although your resume job descriptions are powerful, you’ll still need to create a great office manager cover letter and application to go along with your general resume. You want to ensure a recruiter sees your potential and calls you to schedule a job interview. You can use the ResumeNerd resume builder to create an excellent resume from start to finish.
FAQ: Office Manager Job Description for Resume
A successful office manager needs to keep the office running smoothly and efficiently. That’s why an office manager resume needs to connect administration and business management elements. You’re not just managing specific projects, but instead coordinating office operations as a whole. You may handle new hires, deal with staffing issues and work with an administrative assistant for easier office administration.
The best office manager resume will include many soft skills, which may include the following:
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Multitasking
- Communication
- Interpersonal
There are also hard skills that can be helpful for an office manager, like inventory management and specific computer programs skills that a job candidate can learn on the job. Hard skills are learned skills as opposed to soft skills which are personality traits and character attributes.
You will need at least a high school diploma to be an office manager, although many job postings will additionally require a bachelor’s degree. You should also try to have at least several years of experience in related jobs, such as an office assistant or administrative staff. Lastly, ensure you have any certifications that are common in your field, such as becoming a Certified Business Office Manager.