How to Write an Office Manager CV: Tips & Examples

Top-quality office managers are essential across some of the biggest industries in the UK. In this role, you could collaborate in diverse settings, from corporate hubs to construction sites, hospitality, volunteer and community spaces, startups, and sports venues.  

Whether you aspire to oversee and supervise a team, manage operations in a bustling firm, or become an entry-level intern, this guide helps you write a good CV for office manager roles tailored to your career goals. A simple CV is often the key to success.

In this article, we cover:

• Writing essential sections on a modern CV

• How to format your CV to pass application tracking systems (ATS) 

• Tailoring an office manager CV sample for specific roles

• Expert tips and guidance on getting shortlisted for a job interview. 

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Office Manager CV Example 

In this office administrator CV example, Charlotte Turner highlights three years of administrative and staff management experience. She excels in office operations, budgeting, project coordination, and creating a productive work environment. Her achievements include improved team productivity, streamlined procurement, and increased client satisfaction. This CV, using the Toronto template, concisely showcases her expertise.

What to include in an office manager CV?

Maintain a structured format, utilising clear headings to ensure your CV is presented with clarity and conciseness. Follow these six recommendations for must-have information in your CV:

1. Personal information: start with your name, address, phone number, and email.

2. Personal profile: summarise your qualifications and career goals. Highlight soft skills, strengths and expertise in customer service roles or IT.

3. Skills: emphasise your organisational skills, knowledge of day to day tasks, and relevant office manager responsibilities.

4. Certifications and achievements: list professional certifications or accomplishments. Adding language skills can help you stand out.

5. Work experience: detail your work experience in a structured format, using clear headings to concisely present your roles and responsibilities.

6. Education: include any qualifications, focusing on adding administration or office manager qualifications gained in the UK.

For a more detailed overview, refer to our article on the CV writing process to create a job-specific CV matching the job description.

Writing a CV for a first job? Keep reading to build a CV in just five steps! 

How to write an office manager CV: 5 steps with examples

1. How to include skills in an office manager CV 

When crafting a CV for an office manager position, demonstrate your competencies and suitability to potential employers.

• Soft skills: include communication, teamwork, and organisational skills in your personal profile and work experience sections.

• Hard skills: format technical skills like budget management, office software proficiency, and project management using bullet points in a dedicated skills section.

On your CV, incorporate organisational skills and the ability to handle technical day-to-day responsibilities such as implementing staff policies, while showcasing interpersonal abilities like communication and leadership. When incorporating skills into your CV, aligning them with the job requirements is essential.

Explore similar roles, such as data entry, secretary or administration, to include more skills that are applicable to office manager positions.

Essential skills for an office manager CV:

• Organisational skills: efficiently manage office operations and ensure smooth workflow.

• Staff supervision: creating and implementing staff policies, conducting employee appraisals, and handling disciplinary matters.

• Quality control: establishing and maintaining quality control measures to enhance office performance.

• Reporting: compiling reports and presentations for senior management.

If you are just starting in this field without work experience or looking for a student job, a skills-based CV can enhance your career prospects and help you secure a job. Include a combination of hard, soft, and transferable skills to leverage your CV.

Read our article on how to list skills on a CV for the best examples and tips.

2. Create a compelling office manager CV personal profile

This introduction is crucial for catching the eye of potential employers. Keep it brief but impactful, highlighting relevant soft skills, achievements, and strengths. For example, highlight your ability to efficiently manage office operations, such as coordinating meetings, managing schedules, and overseeing administrative tasks.

Be sure to mention relevant qualifications and certifications to strengthen your credentials. For instance, certifications in office management software like Microsoft Office Suite or project management tools such as Asana can demonstrate your expertise.

Lastly, tailor your profile to the specific job you're applying for, aligning it with the requirements outlined in the job description. If the role requires strong leadership skills, highlight your experience in leading teams or managing projects to showcase your suitability.

Office Manager CV personal profile examples 

Refer to our article on writing a personal profile on a CV with the best examples and tips.

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3. Showcase your work experience on an office manager CV

The work experience CV section on your office manager CV offers potential employers a clear understanding of your professional background and accomplishments.  Incorporate job-specific skills and keywords highlighted in the job description. 

Limit each job entry to 3-5 concise sentences with 2-3 achievements in bullet points. For example, use action verbs to mention how you streamlined office processes, improved workflow efficiency, or implemented cost-saving measures.

Example for an office manager CV with little to no experience

For those with little to no experience or recent students, use a skills-based or project CV format to emphasise qualifications and transferable skills over work experience. For school leavers pursuing entry-level roles, consider pursuing entry-level roles such as call centre operators or virtual assistants. 

Call Center Operator | Redwood Call Center, London | 2018 - 2020

Managed high volumes of inbound and outbound calls, ensuring excellent customer service. Assisted in training new staff and providing ongoing support to team members. Organised and maintained digital records of customer interactions and feedback. Coordinated with different departments to resolve customer issues efficiently.

• Organised the filing system, making retrieving customer information easier for team members.

• Contributed to a team initiative that improved customer satisfaction scores and waiting times.

Work experience office manager CV examples 

Hotel Front Office Manager | The Grand Hotel, London, 2020 - Present

Direct and oversee daily front office operations, ensuring a seamless guest experience. Manage a team of receptionists, concierge, and bell staff.  Handle guest requests concerns, and resolving issues promptly. Oversee room reservations, check-in/check-out processes, and billing operations.

• Introduced training programs that enhanced staff skills, leading to a 20% improvement in team productivity.

• Streamlined office supply procurement, saving 20% annually while maintaining quality standards.

• Led a customer service improvement initiative, resulting in a 15% increase in client satisfaction ratings.

Front Office Manager | City View Office Complex Birmingham,  2019 - Present 

Manage front office functions in a corporate office setting, ensuring smooth operations. Supervise a team of administrative staff and receptionists. Develop and maintaining vendor relations and negotiating contracts to achieve cost savings. Oversee budget management and resource allocation, contributing to optimal office functioning.

• Implemented office efficiency measures, increasing daily productivity by 15%.

• Successfully negotiated vendor contracts, reducing operational costs by 12%.

• Streamlined office processes and operations, improving efficiency by 20%.

Office Manager | Tech Innovations Ltd, Newcastle, 2020 - Present

Direct daily office operations and maintaining adherence to company policies and procedures. Lead administrative staff and managing office supplies and equipment procurement. Handle employee relations and assisting in HR activities. 

• Attained a 15% reduction in annual office procurement costs.

• Implemented procedures resulting in a 20% productivity increase.

Still deciding what to write in this section? Read how to add work experience to a CV. 

4. Boost your office manager CV with the education section

Becoming an office manager in the UK is achievable for anyone, even without formal qualifications. You can start by gaining professional experience as an office administrator or assistant and then progress to more senior roles.

When writing your education section on a CV, ensure you use a chronological format. Consider studying for an undergraduate degree in business, human resources or public administration. You’ll usually need 2-3 A Levels (or equivalent).

For those without experience, completing a business administrator higher apprenticeship or applying for an internship at college can kickstart your career and gain hands-on training with industry professionals. 

How to format UK GCSEs

• [School Name], [School Location], [Years Attended]

  [n] GCSEs (including Mathematics and English)

• Liston Academy, London, UK, 2016

  10 GCSEs in grades A–C, including Mathematics and English

How to format A Levels

• [A Level] in [Subject 1], [Subject 2], [Subject 3]

  [School Name], [School Location], [Years Attended]

• English Literature and Language (B) Media Studies (B) French (C)

  Hills Wells College, London, UK, 2018.

How to format university degrees

• [Degree name], [Institute], [Location], [Completion date or expected completion date]

• Bachelor of Business Administration (Hons) Birmingham City University, UK, 2018.

When writing your education section, ensure you use a chronological CV format. Refer to the Institute of Administrative Management (IAM) or this job profile for role requirements. 

5.  Enhance your CV with additional sections  

Including additional sections on your CV for an office manager position can significantly boost your application. It's important to make sure any additional sections are relevant for the position you are applying for.

How to list courses and certifications

When listing college courses, focus on those related to office management, business administration, or any relevant field. Including additional courses and certificates on your CV for an office manager position can significantly boost your application.

When listing college courses, focus on those related to office management, business administration, or any relevant field. Include the course name, issuing body, and the date.

Example of certificates:

• Certified Office Manager (COM) Institute of Administrative Management, 2015

• Office Management Specialist (OMS) Certification, The Office Management Association, 2016.

How to include references to an office manager CV

Including references on your office manager application can boost your credibility and demonstrate reliability to potential employers. References from past employers, supervisors, or colleagues can attest to your organisational skills and office management capabilities.

Example:

• [Full Name] | [Job Title] | [Company/Organisation] | [Phone Number] | [Email Address]

If you're new to the workforce with little to no work experience, include contacts for school teachers, tutors, or supervisors from work or volunteering placements. For more details on whether to add this section, check our blog on CV length. 

How to include hobbies and interests

Adding hobbies and interests to your office manager CV can provide a more rounded view of your personality and top skills employers look for. Consider which activities or passions reflect qualities relevant to office management, such as teamwork, leadership, and organisational skills.

Examples:

• Volunteering: organising community events and managing volunteer teams.

• Team sports: demonstrates teamwork, leadership, and commitment.

• Reading literature and listening to podcasts: shows a commitment to continuous learning and personal development.

• Cooking: demonstrates time management, attention to detail, and the ability to follow and manage processes.

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

Key takeaways 

Writing a perfect office manager CV in today’s job market is essential for in-demand and diverse professions such as office management. Always create a job-specific CV tailored to the job you’re applying for. Highlight relevant skills, qualifications, certificates and work experience in clear sections. Remember to keep your CV well-structured and formatted to make a strong impression.

For more guidance, explore other CV examples on our site that involve a similar skillset, such as:

• Sales Manager 

• Account Manager 

• Human Resources 

• Project Manager

• Recruitment. 

Next steps? 

Ready to create your own CV? Utilise our CV Writing Service as a starting point. We offer personalised guidance that is tailored to your career goals. Elevate your job application with tips on how to write a good cover letter. Stay organised with our tips on how to track job applications and make a lasting first impression when it comes to sending your CV via email.

FAQ 

What qualifications do you need to be an office manager in the UK? 

Qualifications needed can vary depending on the employer and job requirements. Relevant work experience and skills are often more critical than formal qualifications. A bachelor's degree in a related field, such as business administration or management, can be beneficial. Some office managers may hold only a high school diploma or equivalent and gain relevant experience over time. Explore opportunities for school leavers or part-time options for more ideas on kick-starting your career.

How much do office managers make in the UK?

Salaries in the UK can significantly vary, depending on factors such as experience, geographic location, and industry. Generally, for entry-level roles, expect to earn around £18,000 to £38,000 annually. As you get closer to a job offer, review our tips for salary negotiation preparation.

What is the best CV format for an office manager in the UK?

For a perfect office manager CV, follow a chronological format for the work experience and education section. Ensure you use suitable CV colours and fonts throughout. Optimise your CV to be ATS-friendly and use a professional template design easy for recruiters to read and scan.

What are the personal strengths of an office manager?

Key personal strengths for this role include leadership, organisational skills, problem-solving, effective communication, and administration skills. Attributes that employers are looking for include attention to detail, multitasking, planning and working in a fast-paced environment.

What is the job description of an office manager?

Responsibilities vary by organisation and level but typically include overseeing daily office operations, managing external suppliers, supervising administrative staff, maintaining office systems, and enhancing efficiency. You’ll often handle budgets, financial planning, and project coordination. With job descriptions evolving due to the rise of remote and hybrid work models, office roles are still in high demand for many industries.