CV Office Manager

The different parts of the office manager CV

Creating an effective Office Manager CV requires a strategic approach that highlights your organizational strengths, administrative experience, and leadership skills. Since Office Managers are central to the smooth running of an organization, your resume should reflect your ability to coordinate tasks, manage teams, and ensure operational efficiency. Each section of the CV plays an important role in painting a complete picture of your qualifications and personality. Whether you’re applying to a small company or a large corporation, including the right information in each part of your CV structure will increase your chances of landing an interview.

The about section

The about section, often referred to as the professional summary, is the first thing recruiters will read. It should be a brief yet powerful overview of your experience, skills, and goals. This section sets the tone for the rest of your CV and helps employers quickly understand what makes you a strong candidate.

A good about section should include your job title, years of experience, key strengths, and the kind of work environment you’re looking for. Keep it between 3 to 5 lines, and focus on what you can bring to the company rather than what you want from them.

The skills section

The skills section is crucial for demonstrating your technical abilities and soft skills. Office Managers must balance practical tools (like office software) with interpersonal qualities (like problem-solving and leadership). This section should contain a mix of both, ideally in bullet points to improve readability.

Recruiters often use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), so include keywords that match the job posting. Be specific and list the skills that are most relevant to office management.

The languages section

In a multicultural work environment, language proficiency can set you apart. The languages section of an Office Manager CV is especially relevant if you’re applying to an international company or dealing with global clients or suppliers. Even basic language skills can be useful and worth mentioning.

List each language along with your level of proficiency. You can use the Common European Framework (A1 to C2) or simpler labels like native, fluent, intermediate, and basic.

These language skills can be essential for handling international communications, preparing documents for diverse audiences, or managing multilingual teams.

The interests section

While often overlooked, the interests section gives insight into your personality and cultural fit. For an Office Manager role, this section can highlight traits like leadership, organization, or creativity through your hobbies and passions. Be sure to include interests that relate to workplace culture, team building, or administrative strengths.

Avoid overly generic or irrelevant interests, and aim for a balance between personal and professional relevance.

These interests subtly show that you’re proactive, engaged, and well-rounded—qualities appreciated in an Office Manager.

The professional experience section

This is the most critical part of your CV. The professional experience section should include your past job titles, company names, dates of employment, and a bulleted list of responsibilities and accomplishments for each role. Use action verbs like managed, coordinated, implemented, or led. Focus on achievements, not just tasks.

Quantifying your impact is powerful—include numbers where possible to show results. Recruiters want to see how you made a difference in your previous roles.

This section shows that you’ve not only performed your duties but have also improved processes and added value.

The education section

The education section should list your highest and most relevant qualifications, in reverse chronological order. Include the name of the institution, location, degree earned, and dates of attendance. If you’ve completed certifications related to office management, HR, or finance, add those here.

This section helps prove that you have the foundational knowledge needed to manage administrative operations and teams. While many Office Managers learn on the job, having formal education boosts your credibility.

How do I describe multitasking and organizational abilities?

To effectively describe multitasking and organizational abilities, focus on your ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously, and maintain efficiency under pressure. Use action verbs and give concrete examples from your past roles. For instance, mention how you coordinated team schedules, managed supplier communications, and organized office workflows without delays. These abilities are especially valued in Office Manager roles, where handling several tasks at once is crucial. Phrases like “successfully handled daily operations while overseeing administrative projects” or “balanced multiple deadlines and client requests” can help emphasize your time management and planning strengths.

How do I show experience in managing teams or departments?

To demonstrate team or department management experience, highlight your ability to supervise staff, delegate tasks, lead meetings, and monitor performance metrics. Use numbers and specific results to add impact, such as “led a team of five administrative assistants” or “increased office productivity by 20% through workflow optimization”. Show how you handled conflict resolution, training, or performance reviews. Use strong verbs like coordinated, supervised, or mentored to show leadership. Emphasizing your role in achieving team goals or improving staff efficiency proves your value as someone who can lead with structure and accountability.

Should I include salary expectations in my CV?

It is generally not recommended to include salary expectations in your CV. This information is best discussed during the interview stage or after receiving a job offer. Including it too early can limit your negotiation power or disqualify you if your expectations don’t match the employer’s budget. Instead, focus your CV on your qualifications, skills, and achievements. If a job ad specifically requests a salary range, include it in your cover letter, not the CV. Keeping the CV clean and focused on your value as a professional makes a stronger impression than discussing financial expectations too soon. Personal details to feature on your CV should be limited to your name, phone number, email, and optionally your location—salary should not be one of them.

How far back should my work experience go?

Your CV should generally include the last 10 to 15 years of relevant work experience. For an Office Manager position, highlight recent roles that demonstrate your administrative, organizational, and leadership skills. Older positions can be summarized briefly if they add value, especially if they show career progression. Focus on quality over quantity—only include jobs that relate to your target role. If you’ve held multiple positions in the same company, group them to avoid repetition. The goal is to present a concise, relevant work history that supports your qualifications without overwhelming the reader with outdated or irrelevant details.