Administrative Assistant Resume in Canada: Skills, ATS Keywords and Examples (2026)

What recruiters scan for first

Admin postings attract hundreds of applicants, so screeners look for three things within seconds: the software you use daily, the scale of what you supported (how many executives, staff or clients), and proof you are organized. Put those in your summary and first bullets.

ATS keywords to mirror

Copy the exact wording from the posting. Common terms: calendar management, travel coordination, minute-taking, data entry, document control, records management, invoice processing, expense reports, reception, scheduling, Microsoft 365, Excel (VLOOKUP, pivot tables), confidentiality, stakeholder communication.

Example bullets

• Managed calendars and travel for 3 senior directors, booking 120+ meetings a month with zero double-bookings.
• Processed 250 supplier invoices monthly in QuickBooks, cutting late-payment fees by 40%.
• Rebuilt the shared-drive filing system in SharePoint, reducing document search time for a 25-person team.
• Took and distributed minutes for weekly leadership meetings within 24 hours.
• Answered 60+ calls and emails a day as first point of contact for a bilingual (EN/FR) office.

Mistakes that get this resume screened out

• Listing duties ("answered phones") with no scale or result.
• Saying "proficient in computers" instead of naming the tools.
• Two-column or table layouts that ATS systems scramble.

Template to start from

Use our free Chronological Professional template or browse all free resume templates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I include typing speed? Only if the posting asks for it, or if it is strong (60+ WPM).

Is a certificate required? No, but an Office Administration diploma or Microsoft Office Specialist certification helps if you are early in your career.

One page or two? One page for under 10 years of experience.