Executive Assistant CV Keywords: Skills & ATS Terms to Include

Executive assistant CVs are read for the seniority you support, complexity and discretion. Name who you supported (by title), the scale of the business and the problems you took off their plate.

Not sure which of these your CV is missing? Upload it with a executive assistant job description and get your ATS score and missing keywords free.

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Executive Assistant hard skills

Core competencies recruiters and ATS filters search for.

Diary managementTravel planningBoard and meeting coordinationMinute takingExpense managementStakeholder liaisonProject coordinationEvent planningDocument preparationInbox managementConfidential information handlingOffice management

Executive Assistant tools & software

Use the exact product names from the job ad.

Microsoft OutlookMicrosoft TeamsZoomGoogle WorkspaceSAP ConcurDocuSignNotionAsanaPowerPoint

Executive Assistant certifications & qualifications

Write the full name and the acronym, with the year.

Level 3/4 Business AdministrationExecutive PA DiplomaMicrosoft Office SpecialistPRINCE2 Foundation

Executive Assistant soft skills

Show these through achievements rather than listing them alone.

DiscretionAnticipationPrioritisationProfessional communicationComposureRelationship building

Executive Assistant action verbs

Start each bullet with one of these instead of "Responsible for".

ManagedCoordinatedOrganisedStreamlinedPreparedPlannedDeliveredIntroducedNegotiatedSupported

Weak vs strong executive assistant CV bullets

Supported the CEO.

Supported the CEO and 2 board directors of a 900-person business, managing complex diaries across 5 time zones.

Organised events.

Planned a 3-day leadership offsite for 60 executives, delivered £12k under budget.

Examples are illustrative. Only use figures you can back up in an interview.

ATS tip for executive assistant CVs

Put the seniority you support in your title line ("Executive Assistant to CEO"). Recruiters often search by the level of executive supported.

How to use these keywords

  1. Start from the job description, not this list. Keywords that appear in the ad matter most — paste it into the job description keyword extractor to pull them out.
  2. Only include skills you genuinely have. You will be asked about them.
  3. Put the most important keywords in both your Skills section and your experience bullets.
  4. Use the employer's exact wording (e.g. "Microsoft Outlook", not a synonym).
  5. Keep formatting simple: single column, standard headings, no text inside images.

See exactly which keywords your CV is missing

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