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Senior administrative assistant skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Quoted experts

Dr. Mike Peterson Ph.D.,

Anne McConnell Ph.D.

Senior administrative assistant example skills

One of the most important hard skills a senior administrative assistant can possess is experience in following as well as optimizing office procedures, as senior administrative assistants play a large role in ensuring efficiency. It's also important for senior administrative assistants to have the hard skill of experience scheduling meetings, as well as calendar management.

When it comes to soft skills, senior administrative assistants should have strong customer service skills above all else. Senior administrative assistants will act as the point of contact and correspondence for whom they are assisting, so great communication skills are also crucial.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical senior administrative assistant skills. We ranked the top skills for senior administrative assistants based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 12.0% of senior administrative assistant resumes contained powerpoint as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a senior administrative assistant needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 senior administrative assistant skills for your resume and career

1. PowerPoint

Here's how senior administrative assistants use powerpoint:

Managed upper level calendar scheduling, arranged domestic and international travel, prepared PowerPoint presentations, correspondence and processed expense reports.
Maintained department internal website and online work-space, managed procurement escalations, HR liaison for department, created PowerPoint presentations.

2. Customer Service

Customer service is the process of offering assistance to all the current and potential customers -- answering questions, fixing problems, and providing excellent service. The main goal of customer service is to build a strong relationship with the customers so that they keep coming back for more business.

Here's how senior administrative assistants use customer service:

Experience in medical terminology/scheduling/admissions/insurance verification and customer service.
Provided customer service to certified individuals on matters related to maintaining certification and to applicants on matters related to achieving certification.

3. Clerical Support

Clerical support performs activities that must be done in every workplace in order to support the company going forward. These duties, which come within the category of clerical support, are typically delegated to entry-level employees since they are simple and easy to learn. Even though clerical duties like printing and filing are easy, they require time and in many instances, other workers are preoccupied with other activities and unable to keep up with all that needs to be accomplished. As a result, many businesses employ clerical support staff who are solely responsible for these duties.

Here's how senior administrative assistants use clerical support:

Provide secretarial, administrative and/or clerical support to the Groundwater Protection Group staff in either a General or specialized administrative function.
Supervised three clerical support office staff; communicated effectively with vendors, outside contractors, consultants and government officials.

4. Patients

Here's how senior administrative assistants use patients:

Edited, designed layout and illustrations, and performed the typography of Nutrition Manual for intestinal rehabilitation patients.
Obtained authorization requests and benefit investigations for treatment patients from workers compensation insurances and private insurance companies.

5. Provides Administrative Support

Here's how senior administrative assistants use provides administrative support:

Own and operate small consulting company which provides administrative support to several firms simultaneously.
Manage Executive member of management schedule and provides administrative support to alternate management as well as clients.

6. SVP

SVP stands for Senior Vice President -- a senior role at most organizations and companies.

Here's how senior administrative assistants use svp:

Represented SVP and collaborated with executives, managers and staff at various corporate locations to meet business requirements.
Worked closely with SVP to meet organizational requirements which included preparing documents and various reports.

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7. SR

Here's how senior administrative assistants use sr:

Performed administrative support, and coordinated all office functions and protocols for Sr. Director of Laboratory Animal Medicine & Technical Operations.
Provide administrative support to Sr. Director, Aviation and Aviation Department, including calendar management and preparation of presentation materials.

8. Calendar Management

Here's how senior administrative assistants use calendar management:

Supported a team of Directors with calendar management, international travel arrangements, administered expense reports, preparation of PowerPoint presentations.
Performed multiple administrative functions including typing of correspondence, calendar management, meeting planning, travel arrangements, and expense reimbursements.

9. Data Entry

Data entry means entering data into a company's system with the help of a keyboard. A person responsible for entering data may also be asked to verify the authenticity of the data being entered. A person doing data entry must pay great attention to tiny details.

Here's how senior administrative assistants use data entry:

Complete detailed time and expense tracking in support of client bills and completed data entry of conversion/configuration values using PeopleSoft application.
Supported entire engineering department comprised of approximately 60 engineers and managers; data entry, departmental meeting organization and preparation.

10. Reservations

Here's how senior administrative assistants use reservations:

Coordinated travel arrangements, including researching travel options and making hotel and car rental reservations utilizing American Express Travel System software.
Prioritized and scheduled internal/external meetings and conference calls, including room reservations and technical arrangements; recorded meeting minutes as requested.

11. Excellent Organizational

Here's how senior administrative assistants use excellent organizational:

Maintain excellent organizational and communication (verbal and written) skills.
Key Achievements: Leveraged excellent organizational skills to expertly manage multiple priorities.

12. Administrative Tasks

Here's how senior administrative assistants use administrative tasks:

Screen and processes correspondence, handles basic administrative tasks including establishing and administering office files, timely filing of documents.
Supported executive and consultant team in a wide range of office and administrative tasks ensuring efficient and effective operations.

13. Phone Calls

Phone calls are a wireless or wired connection made over a telephone or a mobile phone between two people. Two parties are involved in a phone call, the caller and the receiver. A caller dials the number of the one he wants to call, and the recipient hears a bell or a tune to which he picks up the call. The call establishes a connection between them through which they can communicate. The voice is converted into signals and is transmitted through wired or wireless technology.

Here's how senior administrative assistants use phone calls:

Performed receptionist responsibilities including receiving incoming phone calls on multiple- line telephone system, and meeting and greeting clients and visitors.
Reviewed, prioritized and took action upon all incoming legal communication including email, telephone calls and internal correspondence.

14. HR

HR stands for human resources and is used to describe the set of people who work for a company or an organization. HR responsibilities revolve around updating employee records and carrying out management processes like planning, recruitment, evaluation, and selection processes. HR is a key contributor to any company or organization's growth as they are in charge of hiring the right employees, processing payrolls, conducting disciplinary actions, etc.

Here's how senior administrative assistants use hr:

Perform highly sensitive and confidential HR and financial administrative duties in a fast-paced work environment.
Established and maintained departmental database in HR system/ PeopleSoft which included access to confidential data.

15. Telephone Calls

Telephone calls are a communication means through which a caller is connected to the called party. The call is done through a telecommunications device called a telephone. The caller can use a landline, mobile phone, or satellite phone to make the call.

Here's how senior administrative assistants use telephone calls:

Provided administrative and technical support to the Government Affairs Director o Screened and processed telephone calls and written correspondence.
Received and referred telephone calls/visitors, distributed all incoming/outgoing mail, coordinated travel and ordered/maintained department supplies.

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What skills help Senior Administrative Assistants find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on senior administrative assistant resumes?

Dr. Mike Peterson Ph.D.

Department Chair and Associate Professor of English, Dixie State University

Writing skills have always been valued by employers, but anything that shows an ability to write, produce, or communicate in digital spaces will stand out. While employers are becoming increasingly comfortable having employees work and collaborate digitally (from home or elsewhere), they may still be reluctant to train employees how to do that. They want to see evidence that applicants will know how to use technology and stay productive without extensive training and without a supervisor having to stand behind them. That isn't to say training won't take place, but employers want to use their valuable time and resources training employees on their own systems, policies, and procedures; they don't want to have to show new-hires how to use Zoom, how to format a memo, how to write an email, or how to co-edit a document using OneDrive.

What senior administrative assistant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Anne McConnell Ph.D.

Professor, West Virginia State University

I would encourage someone taking a gap year to branch out, seeking work experiences and employment situations that expose them to new skills and allow them to interact with a diverse set of people. Sometimes we find ourselves in a bubble-communicating with the same people, who tend to share the same ideas-and a gap year provides the opportunity to extend beyond that. Employers value employees who have open, flexible minds, and seeking out experiences that demonstrate that openness can be helpful.

What type of skills will young senior administrative assistants need?

Angela Robbins Ph.D.

Associate Professor of History, Meredith College

History majors are in high demand in government, business, and non-profits because of the knowledge and skills they gain in the classroom. History majors, in particular, are especially good at contextualizing-that is, explaining how an event or discussion fits within the big picture. This includes how things that are going on today-such as the Capitol riot on January 6-connects to the Constitution, the balance of powers, the way democracy works, and related issues such as the implications of propaganda and misinformation. This goes well beyond merely expressing an opinion or debating two sides of an issue. Students of history do their research and practice skills of analysis, collecting and scrutinizing evidence rather than taking something at face value or only relying on a single source. We take sources apart to evaluate the credentials of their creators and search for bias. We examine sources from various creators so we take into account multiple experiences and points of view. Then we synthesize-or bring the sources together-in order to communicate what it all means. These skills are desired by employers and translate well into many careers and work environments. Seeking good evidence to answer questions and solve problems, whether that's in the classroom today or working with clients later, is a skill that employers highly value.

Students are practicing other skills that are necessary to success in the workplace, whether that will be in person or online. Time management, seeing a project through from start to finish, hosting and contributing to meetings, working on a team-whether it's two people or ten-and creating appropriate types of presentations to communicate ideas are all things our students can tell their employers they will come in with so they can hit the ground running. In addition, our majors develop self-awareness, empathy, and an appreciation of diverse opinions and approaches to problems through investigation of the life experiences of historical figures and their classroom discussions with classmates. Certainly, every employer wants you to learn the specifics within their sector, but these skills are fairly universal and will benefit majors as they move from the classroom to career.

What technical skills for a senior administrative assistant stand out to employers?

Christi Patton Luks

Professor (NTT) and Associate Chair for Academic Affairs, Missouri University of Science & Technology

I've always felt that the most important thing we teach our students is problem-solving skills. The students who can readily relate the theory to their practical experience to develop new solutions are the most valuable. Engineering students that are active on design teams or took advantage of internships and co-ops are in great position for this.

What soft skills should all senior administrative assistants possess?

Brandy Bailey

Career Coach, Ohio University - Lancaster Campus

Soft skills may vary depending on the employer, industry, and personal opinions. My biggest ones are communication skills, adaptability, self-awareness, teamwork, problem-solving, intercultural competency, creativity or innovation, and time management.

Do you want to know more?

List of senior administrative assistant skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a senior administrative assistant resume and required skills for a senior administrative assistant to have include:

PowerPoint
Customer Service
Clerical Support
Patients
Provides Administrative Support
SVP
SR
Calendar Management
Data Entry
Reservations
Excellent Organizational
Administrative Tasks
Phone Calls
HR
Telephone Calls
Purchase Orders
Word Processing

Office Equipment
Meeting Minutes
SharePoint
Excellent Interpersonal
Administrative Functions
Event Planning
Good Judgment
Expense Reports
Proofreading
Work Ethic
Booking
Financial Reports
Payroll
Meeting Materials
Conference Calls
Presentation Materials
Dictation

Scheduling Appointments
Administrative Assistance
Office Management
Financial Statements
Meeting Agendas
Travel Itineraries
Office Operations
Organizational Charts
Direct Reports
Visio
Kronos
WebEx
International Travel Arrangements
Ground Transportation
Domestic Travel

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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