Pick a clean, professional template that highlights scheduling, communication, and project support. Use a reverse-chronological layout so your recent assistant experience shows first. That layout reads well and works with most ATS systems.
Keep length tight. One page fits entry and mid-level Executive Personal Assistant roles. Use two pages only if you have many years of directly relevant leadership support and measurable achievements.
Use ATS-friendly fonts like Calibri, Arial, Georgia, or Garamond. Set body text to 10–12pt and headers to 14–16pt. Keep line spacing at 1.0–1.15 and add clear margins so the document breathes.
Use standard headings: Contact, Summary, Experience, Key Skills, Education, and Certifications. Lead each role with company, job title, dates, and two to five bullet achievements. Quantify results when you can, like calendar sizes, savings, or event counts.
Avoid complex columns, embedded images, and excessive color. Those elements can break ATS parsing and distract hiring managers. Keep formatting simple and consistent for both machines and people.
Watch common mistakes: inconsistent date formats, long paragraphs, and packed text with no white space. Reduce clutter by using short bullets and clear verbs. Proofread for alignment, punctuation, and header consistency before you send.