CV Tips and Examples: How to Write an Office Manager CV

Are you considering a career as an office manager? In today's dynamic workplace, the role of an office manager is more crucial than ever. From overseeing daily operations to fostering a productive work environment, office managers play an important role in organisational success.

In this role, you'll experience diverse settings, from corporate hubs to construction sites, hospitality, and sports venues.  Whether you aspire to oversee and supervise a team, manage operations in a bustling firm, or apply for an entry-level role, this guide helps you write a good CV tailored to your career goals as an office manager.

As the job market evolves, recruiters rely more on application tracking systems (ATS) to scan and read CVs, making choosing the best professional CV templates more crucial. Our practical insights, examples, and expert advice within this guide provide the tools needed to stand out, make an impression on potential employers and secure your dream job. A simple CV is often the key to success.

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Office Manager CV Example 

Charlotte Turner presents her three years of experience in administrative functions and staff management. She excels in facilitating office operations, budgeting, project coordination and fostering a productive work environment for her employees. Her achievements emphasise her ability to improve team productivity, streamline procurement processes, and boost client satisfaction ratings. This professional office manager CV template uses Toronto, which presents her expertise in a concise and well-formatted way.

What to include in an office manager CV?

Start with your personal information, followed by a personal profile summarising your qualifications and career goals. Highlight your unique skills and expertise in administration, customer service, staff supervision, and budget management. List relevant certifications or achievements and consider adding language skills on a CV to stand out. 

Maintain a structured format, utilising clear headings to ensure your CV is presented with clarity and conciseness. For a more detailed overview, refer to our article on the CV writing process on how to make a job-specific CV that matches the job description.

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

1. Create a compelling personal profile

Crafting a compelling personal profile is crucial for catching the eye of potential employers. Keep it brief but impactful, showcasing your key attributes and goals. 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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2. Highlight your office management skills

This section is an opportunity to highlight your competencies for the role and demonstrate your suitability to employers. When incorporating skills into your CV, aligning them with the job requirements is essential. Within office management, you'll create and implement staff policies and quality control measures, conduct employee appraisals to assess and enhance performance, handle disciplinary matters, and compile reports and presentations for senior management.

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

If you are just starting in this field without work experience, 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.

3. Showcase your work experience 

The work experience section on your office manager CV provides potential employers with a clear understanding of your professional background and accomplishments. Incorporate job-specific skills and keywords, quantify achievements with numbers, and limit each job entry to 3-5 concise sentences with 2-3 achievements in bullet points. For example, mention how you successfully streamlined office processes, improved workflow efficiency, or implemented cost-saving measures.

Work experience 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.

Writing an office manager CV with little to no experience

For those with little to no experience or 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 writing an apprenticeship CV to kickstart your career and gain hands-on training with industry professionals. You can also refer to our internship CV example for more inspiration.

Office Intern | Tech Recruitment Services, Manchester, 2020 - 2022

Managed the reception area, welcoming and assisting visitors and clients. Handled incoming and outgoing mail, packages, and deliveries. Maintained and organised office supplies, ensuring sufficient stocks. Scheduled appointments and meetings, coordinating with staff. Assisted in basic data entry and documentation tasks. Managed office equipment and reported maintenance issues. 

• Improved the organisation of office supplies, resulting in a 15% reduction in costs.

• Streamlined appointment scheduling, reducing scheduling conflicts by 20%.

• Assisted in creating and implementing a more efficient office filing system.

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

4. Boost your CV with the education section

Becoming an office manager in the UK is achievable for everyone, even without formal qualifications. You can start with professional experience as an office administrator and work your way up. If you are thinking about studying business management or public administration at university, completing 2-3 A levels or their equivalent is a common route to enrol in a relevant degree program. If you’re a school leaver, completing an apprenticeship at college is a productive way to gain practical skills and a strong foundation for your future career. 

Examples of education:

• Master of Business Administration (MBA) University of Manchester, UK 2019 - 2021

• Bachelor of Business Administration (Hons) Birmingham City University, UK 2016 - 2018.

When writing your education section, ensure you use a chronological CV format.  Read our article on how to master the education section on a CV with expert tips. 

5. Add additional courses and certificates to your office manager CV 

Incorporate additional courses and certificates to demonstrate your commitment to professional development and expertise in relevant areas. Include the course name, issuing body and the date in chronological order.

Example of certificates:

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

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

Read our article on how to add courses and certificates to your CV for more guidance.

Key takeaways 

Writing a modern 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 your career goals and 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. 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. 

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?

When creating a CV in the UK, following a chronological format is recommended. The best office manager CV format should highlight your qualifications, work experience, and skills. This format presents your work history in reverse order, starting with your most recent position and working backwards. Learn more about how long a a CV should be.

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. Explore the top ten soft skills to add to your CV.

What is the job description of an office manager?

The responsibilities outlined in the job description vary depending on the organisation and level. Typically, you’ll be overseeing daily office operations, managing external suppliers, supervising administrative staff, maintaining office systems, and enhancing overall efficiency. Often, you’ll be budget handling, financial planning and coordinating projects. Learn more about how to list achievements on your CV to match the job requirements.