ATS Resume Keywords for Administrative Assistant: Complete 2025 Guide

Most administrative assistant resumes fail ATS before a recruiter ever reads them — not because the candidate is unqualified, but because the resume doesn’t use the right terms. This guide gives you the exact keywords that ATS systems scan for in administrative assistant job descriptions.

Top ATS Keywords for Administrative Assistant

Add these terms naturally throughout your resume — in your summary, skills section, and experience bullets.

Hard Skills
Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)Google WorkspaceCalendar ManagementTravel CoordinationExpense Reporting (Concur, Expensify)ZoomSlackDocuSignSharePointAsanaProject CoordinationEvent Planning
Soft Skills
Discretion with confidential informationProactive communicationAnticipating needsOrganizationAdaptabilityProfessionalism
Action Verbs
ManagedCoordinatedScheduledOrganizedPreparedSupportedStreamlinedMaintainedArrangedFacilitated
Certifications That Signal ATS Match
Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)Certified Administrative Professional (CAP)Project Management Professional (PMP)

ATS Formatting Tips for Administrative Assistant

Keywords matter, but ATS can only score what it can parse. These formatting principles ensure your resume content is actually read.

  • List software tools specifically: 'Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams)'.
  • Include expense and travel platforms: Concur, Expensify, TripActions.
  • Quantify executive support: 'Supported C-suite team of 6', 'Managed $2M travel and expense budget'.
  • Mention communication tools: Zoom, Slack, Teams — these are now standard keywords.
  • Include any project coordination or event planning scope and scale.

Common ATS Mistakes to Avoid

These are the most frequent reasons administrative assistant candidates score below 50 — even when they’re qualified.

  • Not specifying which Microsoft Office applications are used at an advanced level.
  • Using generic 'administrative support' without tool names or scope.
  • Omitting expense or travel management platforms.
  • Not quantifying the executive level supported or team size.

Frequently Asked Questions

What ATS keywords should a Administrative Assistant include?+

Specific software (Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Slack, Zoom), platforms (Concur, Asana, DocuSign), and competencies (calendar management, travel coordination, expense reporting) are the top keywords.

How should a Administrative Assistant describe confidentiality?+

Use the term 'confidential information' or 'sensitive information handling' — these are direct keyword matches in executive assistant JDs.

Is project management experience valuable for a Administrative Assistant?+

Very much so. Add keywords like 'project coordination', 'cross-functional stakeholders', and 'project tracking' even if your role was primarily administrative. These increase your match rate significantly.

Check your Administrative Assistant resume now

Upload your resume and paste a administrative assistant job description. Get your ATS score in seconds — free.

Scan My Resume →