How to Write a Business Administrator CV: 5 Steps to Success

In the fast-paced business world, business administrator CVs are essential for showcasing your expertise, skills, and achievements. Whether you’re targeting a senior professional role or a recent graduate, using a modern CV tailored to specific industries like healthcare, finance, or operations roles is vital for standing out.

Using an ATS-friendly CV template is a great way to ensure your application is noticed by hiring managers and increases your chances of securing a job interview.

In this article, we cover:

• A sample business administrator CV tailored to showcase achievements and skills

• Key sections to include, such as personal profiles, skills, and work experience

• Step-by-step guidance for writing a good CV for business administration roles at different career stages.

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Business Administrator CV example

This business administration CV sample uses the Otago template to highlight Sophie Taylor’s 3+ years of experience in administrative roles with achievements tailored to corporate and public sector roles. It focuses on her expertise in streamlining office operations, managing stakeholder relationships, and optimising workflows. 

What to include in a business administrator CV? 

An effective business administration CV should balance clarity and relevance. It should present your qualifications, skills, and achievements in a concise yet impactful way. 

Like a business development CV, your CV should be tailored to the job requirements and industry standards, making it easy for recruiters to assess your potential.

Here are the key sections to include:

• Personal details: include full name and contact information, including your number and email.

• Personal profile: a concise summary of your expertise and career goals.

• Skills section: highlight essential technical skills (e.g., project management, data analysis) and interpersonal skills (e.g., communication, problem-solving).

• Work experience: list positions in reverse chronological order, focusing on measurable outcomes and achievements.

• Education: include degrees, diplomas, and any additional courses relevant to the role.

• Additional sections: certifications, volunteer work, and professional memberships. Other optional sections could include a LinkedIn profile, cover letter, and references to add further credibility.

For more tips, read our article on the importance of a master CV and how this document will make it easier to tailor your CV for specific jobs. 

Consult our top 10 tips on improving your CV to enhance your application and showcase your abilities.

How to write a CV for business administration with no experience

If you’re writing a CV for your first job or unsure how to write a CV for business administration with no experience, use these tips to stand out to recruiters:

• For recent school leavers or graduates move the education section above work experience on your CV. Include details about internships, projects, or volunteer work demonstrating transferable skills.

• Consider pursuing an apprenticeship or part-time job to gain hands-on experience.

• For entry-level roles or if you’re rejoining the workforce or changing careers, certificates can enhance your CV. Mention practical coursework or academic projects. For example, highlight how a leadership course helped you manage a group project.

• If you’re a recent school graduate, working part-time in communication-focused roles like call centre operator, customer service representative, or virtual assistant can prepare you for a business administration position.

Example of work history for CV with little to no experience

Apprentice Business Administrator, Summit Solutions, Leeds, 2023 – present

Provide administrative support during a six-month apprenticeship and develop key business skills. Assist with filing, data entry, and responding to client inquiries. Support team leaders, prepare reports, and coordinate schedules.

• Organised office records for 200+ clients, improving data retrieval efficiency by 30%

• Coordinated logistics for a company-wide event with over 100 attendees.

Intern – Business Administration, Future Growth Inc., Glasgow, 2022 - 2023

Completed a three-month internship supporting administrative tasks in a fast-paced office. Gained experience in scheduling, maintaining digital records, and communicating with clients. Shadowed senior staff to gain insights into business operations.

• Created a template library for internal use, saving staff time on repetitive tasks

• Digitised outdated files, enhancing the organisation’s record-keeping system.

Explore CV and career advice for school leavers.

How to write a business administrator CV: 5 steps with examples

 1. How to add business administrator skills on a CV

Including a skills CV section is central to any business administration CV, as it shows your technical abilities and interpersonal qualities. Recruiters value candidates who can effectively balance organisational tasks with problem-solving and communication.

When listing your skills in your business administration CV example:

• Use bullet points and tailor each to the job description.

• If you are applying to a finance related role, include account management and budgeting skills.

• For a public sector business admin role, you could list skills like consulting and coordinating with stakeholders in diverse departments.

For more tips, view our example roles for an office manager, data analysis, and admin CV examples for inspiration.

5 essential skills for business administration CV

1. Project management: ability to oversee and deliver projects efficiently.

2. Office administration: proficient in managing office systems, schedules, and resources.

3. Data analysis:  skilled in interpreting and presenting data to inform decisions.

4. Communication: strong written and verbal communication skills for coordinating teams.

5. Budgeting: experience in tracking and managing financial resources

To learn more about highlighting transferable skills, check out our guide about the top skills that employers look for.

2. How to write a personal profile for a business administrator CV 

When writing a business administration CV personal statement:

• Include top soft skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, and communication.

• This opening statement should also give recruiters a quick overview of your skills, experience, and career ambitions.

• State your years of experience in the first line.

Examples of business administration CV personal statements (also for different career stages)

Take a look at the graduate CV example for more tips.

For additional tips, explore our guide on how to write a personal profile on a CV. 

3. How to include practical work experience 

Listing work experience in a CV section is crucial for demonstrating your ability to manage workflows, communicate effectively, and improve processes. Tailor this section to the business administration job description. Include measurable outcomes, technical expertise, and transferable skills. 

Read our tips on using action verbs and listing achievements for more guidance.

Formatting tips for work experience:

• Job title, company name, location, and dates: always start with the job title to make it clear and easy to spot.

• Tasks and duties: write 3–4 sentences explaining your responsibilities, ensuring they are relevant to the job you’re applying for.

• Action-orientated language: use strong verbs like "managed," "streamlined," or "delivered."

• Quantify achievements: showcase measurable outcomes (e.g., percentages, savings, or timelines).

How to list achievements in a buillet point format:

• Keep it relevant: highlight tasks that directly align with the job description.

• Be concise: each point should ideally be one to two lines long.

• Use consistent formatting: maintain a uniform structure throughout all roles listed.

4 work experience business administration CV examples

Part-Time Business Administrator | Coffee Bloom, Milton Keynes | 2022 – present

Assist in daily administrative operations, focusing on client communication and efficient order management. Process invoices and ensure timely order delivery while maintaining strong relationships with clients. Schedule and coordinate meetings to support seamless office workflows.

• Streamlined order processing, reducing errors by 15% and increasing customer satisfaction

• Developed a new client follow-up system, boosting repeat business by 10%.

Graduate Business Administrator | Bright Futures, London | 2021 – 2022

Supported administrative and business development tasks during a structured graduate program. Assisted in creating presentations and reports to support decision-making processes. Worked on cross-departmental projects to improve workflow efficiency and boost team collaboration.

• Automated monthly reporting using MS Excel, saving the team 8 hours per week

• Played a key role in a workflow redesign project, cutting document processing time by 20%.

If you need work experience, explore our tips on how to enter the workforce or use a skills-based CV format.

Finance & Business Administrator | Greenfield Solutions, Birmingham | 2019 – 2021

Managed financial and administrative tasks, including expense tracking and budget forecasting. Collaborated with the finance team to implement process improvements and maintain regulatory compliance. Coordinated inter-departmental communication to improve the accuracy of financial reports.

• Conducted a cost analysis, identifying £8,000 in annual savings.

• Implemented budget management software, increasing forecasting accuracy by 15%.

Senior Business Administrator | Unity Enterprises, Manchester | 2016 – 2019

Supervised a team of junior administrators, ensuring consistent process improvements and effective task delegation. Designed office procedures to optimise daily operations and enhance productivity. Supported high-level management with reporting and scheduling.

• Successfully introduced a new CRM system, improving efficiency by 30%

• Negotiated vendor contracts, reducing annual procurement costs by 12%.

Need help structuring senior-level CVs? Check out the account manager and operations manager CV for ideas.

4. How to include education on a business administrator CV 

The education section on a CV plays a vital role in showcasing your academic background and qualifications. Use a chronological CV format to maintain a professional design.

Potential employers do not expect formal education for business admin roles. Still, relevant qualifications like an undergraduate degree in business, human resources, or public administration can strengthen your CV and boost your career prospects. For school leavers or graduates, mention academic projects or extracurricular activities to add value to your application.

How to format the education section on your CV

1. University degrees: Clearly state your degree, institution, location, and graduation year in a concise format:

• Example: Bachelor of Business Administration (Hons), Birmingham City University, UK, 2018 – 2021

1. A Levels: List the subjects, grades, school name, and year completed:

• Example: A Levels: Business Studies (A), Economics (B), Mathematics (B), Hills Wells College, London, UK, 2016 – 2018

1. GCSEs: Summarise the number of GCSEs obtained, including key subjects:

• Example: 10 GCSEs (grades A–C), including Mathematics and English, Liston Academy, London, UK, 2016.

5. How to add additional relevant information 

Including courses and certificates on your business administration CV can elevate your job application:

• It is a strategic way to highlight specialised knowledgeand.

• It can demonstrate your commitment to professional development.

• These additional qualifications strengthen your application.

• Showcase your adaptability to industry demands.

• Show employers you’re proactive and eager to develop your knowledge of current business and tech trends.

Optional courses for business administrators

Certifications and courses in areas like project management, leadership, and IT systems and skills can provide a competitive edge:

• Project Management Certification (e.g., PRINCE2, PMP)

• Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Training (e.g., Salesforce)

• Advanced Excel for Business Analysis

• Leadership and Team Management

• Data Analytics (e.g., Google Data Analytics Certificate).

Examples:

Include the course name, issuing institution, and date of completion. For example:

• PRINCE2 Project Management Certification, Axelos Global Best Practice, 2023

• Advanced Data Analytics, Coursera, Completed in 2022

• Level 3 Certificate in Business Administration, City & Guilds, 2021.

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Key takeaways 

Writing a professional business administration CV involves presenting your organisational skills, efficiency, and impact on operations in a structured format. Highlight relevant experience and quantify achievements, such as improved efficiency or cost savings. Include certifications and educational projects if you have less experience.

Dos and don’ts for a bsiness administration CV

Do’s:

• Use a professional layout that is ATS-friendly to ensure visibility with recruiters.

• Add references on your CV if the employer requests it.

• Keep formatting professional and readable with clear fonts and concise bullet points.

• Include technical skills and tools relevant to administration, such as CRM systems, Microsoft Office, and project management.

• Proofread thoroughly to reduce errors.

Don’ts:

• Avoid replying completely on using AI to write your CV - recruiters can often spot language that sounds overly robotic or unnatural, so it’s best to craft your CV in your own words.

• Leave out irrelevant experience and keep it to one page.

• Skip unnecessary personal details such as home address

• Don’t include a photo - most CVs do not require one.

• Avoid complex designs, overly creative templates, and colour schemes.  

Refer to our guide on how to improve your CV in 10 easy steps for the best tips.

Next steps?

Kickstart your career journey with our CV Writing Service, designed to provide personalised CV templates tailored to your level of work experience. For more tips, read our career blog and learn how to track job applications and send your CV via email. Increase your chances of lasting impact with our professional cover letter advice and job interview tips.

FAQs 

What does a business administrator do in the UK? 

Business administrators manage tasks like scheduling, record keeping, and correspondence. They may also assist in financial reporting and project management. Refer to our business administration CV example for ways to add these responsibilities to your CV.

What is a business administrator salary in the UK? 

The average UK salary ranges from £18,000 to £30,000 annually. As you get closer to a job offer, review our tips for salary negotiation preparation.

How do I get admin experience in the UK? 

Gain experience through internships, volunteer work, or student jobs. Highlight transferable skills and mention academic projects.

What are the chances of getting a business administration job without experience?

Business and administration jobs are in demand as a top career choice. Getting a business administration job without prior experience can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. Use the step-by-step CV writing guide to position yourself as a professional candidate.