An eye-catching CV that has a two column design, where your work history and skills are the main focus. With some example content that may help you when putting together a CV for a secretary role. This is a good looking CV template that would be great for many roles. The example wording may help someone seeking a general secretarial, administrative, medical or legal secretary role.
Filename: FreeCVDownload_7.docx
Note: this CV template does include the use of tables and a shape in Microsoft Word.
Content of this CV template
Sylvia Tuckerman
Contact:
109 Lever St, London
EC1V 3RQ
07791234567
[email protected]
Profile:
- 13 years+ of varied secretarial experience (education, HMP, legal).
- Highly competent in a wide range of secretarial and administrative skills.
- Seeking a new role with full time hours.
- Excellent references available on request.
Work history
Support Secretary (Part time)
University of London / April 2019 – date
I currently work 14.5 hours per week providing general secretarial and administrative support for several departments within the University.
I am the main point of contact for all staff and students and deal with all matters relating to the courses, including: applications, administration of coursework and exam data and marks, offering advice on available funding, policies and procedures, and servicing the Management Committee.
I also add and edit content on the course website and assist during open days, publicity and student inductions.
Secretary (30 hours/week)
HMP Wandsworth / August 2015 – March 2019
- Providing secretarial support in meetings as required including organising agenda, taking, distributing minutes and action points.
- Acting as point of contact for all communications to the team.
- Prioritising and distributing incoming communications to the appropriate person.
- Organising, producing and maintaining accurate records for area of work.
- Maintaining and checking establishment databases, manual filing systems and logs of information, responding within agreed timescales and producing reports as required.
- Inputting requisitions on to the finance database/processing requisitions.
- Preparing paperwork for checking by manager, conducting initial checks as required.
- Corresponding with relevant stakeholders and agencies to ensure that they are aware of information so that information was adequately shared.
Legal Secretary (Conveyancing)
JMP Solicitors LLP, London / May 2009 – July 2014
This role required a high level of typing content as well as other core secretarial support.
- Handling client enquiries (face-to-face, phone and email).
- Completing Land Registry forms and SDLT returns.
- Carrying out searches.
- Other general administrative tasks e.g. copying, filing, audio dictation, invoicing etc.
I was made redundant from this role when the firm merged with another firm.
Key skills
- Accurate oral / copy typing – 90wpm
- Highly IT literate
- Competent with Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint
- Fast and accurate notetaking – Teeline shorthand
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Highly competent at using all typical office equipment
- Familiar with updating websites using a CMS and using Moodle
- Fast, accurate data entry
This role included:
Education
9 GCSEs including English (A) and Maths (B).
Courses:
- Shorthand Faster / Pitman Training, March 2016
- Shorthand Fast / Pitman Training, January 2016
- Secretarial and PA Diploma / Souters, December 2015
- Meetings and Minutes Seminar / Pitman Training, February 2015
- Secretarial Diploma / Pitman Training, August 2014
- Minute Taking Skills / Pitman Training, December 2013
- Teeline Fast Shorthand / Pitman Training, January 2014
- Legal Secretary / Souters, May 2009
Hobbies and interests
In my spare time I enjoy going to the gym and walking my two dogs.
How to write a secretary CV
A secretary plays a vital role in keeping an organisation running smoothly. When crafting a CV for a secretary position, it’s important to highlight your organisational abilities, communication skills, and proficiency in administrative tasks. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you write an outstanding secretary CV.
1. Start with a strong personal statement
Your personal statement (or profile) is a short paragraph at the top of your CV that summarises who you are, what you bring to the role, and your career goals. Tailor it to the secretary role by mentioning your key skills, experience, and achievements.
Example:
“Organised and efficient secretary with over five years’ experience in providing high-level administrative support in fast-paced office environments. Proficient in managing diaries, scheduling meetings, and handling confidential information. Seeking to contribute my excellent communication and time-management skills to a dynamic team.”
2. List your key skills
Include a section that highlights your relevant skills. This helps recruiters quickly see if you have the abilities they’re looking for. Focus on skills commonly required for secretaries, such as:
- Diary and calendar management
- Typing and word processing (mention your speed and accuracy)
- Handling phone and email correspondence
- Organisation and time management
- Knowledge of office software (e.g., Microsoft Office, Google Workspace)
- Customer service and interpersonal skills
- Filing and record-keeping (digital and physical)
- Attention to detail
- Minute-taking
- Problem-solving
3. Highlight your work experience
Your employment history is where you demonstrate how you’ve used your skills in real-world scenarios. For each role, list your job title, the company name, location, and dates of employment. Use bullet points to outline your key responsibilities and achievements.
Tips:
- Start each bullet point with an action verb (e.g., “Managed,” “Organised,” “Coordinated”).
- Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., “Organised schedules for a team of 20 staff”).
Example: Secretary
XYZ Legal Services, London
March 2020 – Present
- Managed the schedules and diaries for three senior solicitors, ensuring all appointments and deadlines were met.
- Typed and formatted legal documents with 99% accuracy, often under tight deadlines.
- Handled incoming and outgoing correspondence, maintaining confidentiality at all times.
- Coordinated travel arrangements and prepared expense reports.
- Implemented a new digital filing system, reducing document retrieval times by 30%.
4. Include your education
List your academic qualifications, starting with the most recent. For most secretary roles, GCSEs or equivalent qualifications are sufficient. If you have additional qualifications relevant to the role (e.g., office administration or secretarial courses), be sure to include these.
Example: Diploma in Office Administration
City College Birmingham – Completed 2018
GCSEs
Highfield Secondary School, Leeds – Completed 2016
- English Language (A), Mathematics (B), ICT (A), Business Studies (A)
5. Showcase relevant certifications
If you have certifications that demonstrate your expertise in administrative or technical areas, include them in a separate section. Examples include:
- Level 2 Certificate in Business Administration
- Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification
- Touch typing qualification (mention your typing speed)
- Health and safety or GDPR training
6. Add a portfolio (optional)
If you’ve worked on projects that demonstrate your administrative or organisational abilities (e.g., creating an office manual or setting up a filing system), mention them briefly or link to your portfolio.
7. Keep it concise and professional
- Aim for a CV length of no more than two pages.
- Use a clean, simple layout with clear headings and bullet points.
- Choose a professional font (e.g., Arial or Calibri) and keep the size between 10-12pt.
- Proofread thoroughly to ensure there are no spelling or grammatical errors.
8. Tailor your CV for every application
Read the job description carefully and match your CV to the specific requirements of the role. Use the same terminology where appropriate to show you’re a great fit.
FAQs
What should I include in my secretary CV?
Your secretary CV should include your contact information, a personal statement, key skills, work experience, education, and relevant certifications. Highlight your organisational skills, proficiency in office software, and experience managing administrative tasks.
How do I write a personal statement for a secretary CV?
In your personal statement, summarise your experience, skills, and career goals. Mention your expertise in administration, organisation, and communication to show how you add value to a team.
What skills should a secretary have?
Key skills for a secretary include: organisation and time management, proficiency in Microsoft Office and other software, diary and schedule management, communication and interpersonal skills, typing and word processing, filing and record-keeping, and problem-solving.
How long should a secretary CV be?
A secretary CV should ideally be one to two pages long. Focus on your most relevant skills, experience, and achievements to keep it concise.
What qualifications do I need to be a secretary?
Most secretary roles require GCSEs, particularly in English and Maths. Additional qualifications, such as a Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Business Administration or a touch typing certificate, can also be beneficial.
What software skills should I include on a secretary CV?
You should list your proficiency in tools like Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google Workspace, email management software (e.g., Outlook), and any industry-specific software you’ve used.
How do I demonstrate organisational skills on my secretary CV?
Where possible, provide examples of times you’ve successfully managed diaries, scheduled meetings, or implemented new filing systems. Quantify your achievements where possible (e.g., "reduced scheduling conflicts by 20%").
What typing speed should I include on my secretary CV?
If your typing speed is at least 45wpm, include it on your CV. If it isn't, this is definitely something to work on as it’s a valuable and essential skill for a secretary.
How do I show experience if I’m new to secretarial work?
If you’re new to the field, highlight transferable skills from other roles, such as customer service, organisation, or multitasking. Include internships or volunteer experience that involved administrative tasks.
