Writing a Microsoft Office Skills Resume (With Examples)

Updated 7 September 2022

Microsoft Office is a collection of software applications for performing professional duties, such as writing documents, developing spreadsheets and creating presentations. Many organisations utilise Microsoft Office in their operation and may expect candidates to possess skills associated with the software. By exploring an example resume listing Microsoft Office skills, you can develop an engaging resume highlighting your specific Microsoft skills. In this article, we discuss how to write a Microsoft Office skills resume, list some skills you might mention, provide a resume template and share a resume example.

How to write a Microsoft office skills resume

Before exploring how to write a Microsoft Office skills resume, it's usually helpful to understand that your Office skills are only a single section on your resume. It's still an excellent idea to discuss your other credentials, such as work experience, certifications and qualifications. Below, you can explore a guide on how to write a resume showing your Microsoft Office skills:

1. Write a professional summary

After listing your contact details, such as your phone number, email address, city, state and postcode, you can write a professional summary. This summary outlines your main credentials that prove your suitability. If the job description for the job you're applying to emphasises that successful candidates have Microsoft Office skills, you can mention your skills in the summary. A professional summary usually comprises two to three sentences, so it's usually a good idea to ensure you leave space to discuss other important credentials.

2. Detail your work experience

Your work experience can be an excellent way to prove you have Microsoft Office skills. When you discuss your work experience, you typically detail your prior responsibilities and duties. In this list of duties, you can mention how you utilised specific Microsoft Office software to complete your tasks. Many careers involve Microsoft Office software. For example, administrators often use Microsoft Outlook for sending emails and communicating with managers. Accountants and professionals in finance may use Microsoft Excel to create spreadsheets and execute financial formulas.

3. List your interpersonal qualities

Depending on the job you're applying for, it's usually a good idea to list your interpersonal qualities. These qualities refer to skills that help you work in team environments. These skills can include communication, teamwork, collaboration, awareness and empathy. It's typically a good idea to include these in a section separate from your Microsoft Office skills.

4. List your Microsoft Office skills

You can dedicate a section on your resume to your Microsoft Office skills. It might be a good idea to first identify the importance of these skills for the job. If the employer specifically asks for candidates to have extensive Microsoft Office skills, then you can list them in a specific section. If the employer doesn't reference Microsoft Office skills as necessary, it might be a better idea to include some of them in a generic skills section, rather than discuss them in extensive detail.

5. Mention relevant qualifications

Qualifications, such as university degrees, can be excellent for showing your knowledge and expertise in a subject. They can also suggest you understand how to operate Microsoft Office software or software with similar features. Depending on the degree you complete, you may likely create presentations, write formal documents and utilise spreadsheets. This can show you have the right Microsoft skills or the capacity to learn them. If you list Microsoft Office skills, your qualification may also prove that you've developed them.

6. Outline specific Microsoft Office certificates

An excellent method for showing hiring organisations you have skills in Microsoft Office applications is to list online certificates. There are usually many online certificates that may provide you with extensive skills and knowledge on how to operate Microsoft Office applications. Many training providers typically offer Microsoft Office certificates, including Microsoft. If you list several certificates, it can be excellent proof that you have the skills to operate Microsoft applications with professionalism and expertise. For example, you can gain a Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification through an online Microsoft course.

Microsoft office skills to include on your resume

Microsoft Office incorporates several applications that serve varying purposes. Each application usually has a unique set of skills. Below are specific skills to discuss on your resume related to each Microsoft Office application:

Word

Microsoft Word is a text processor that allows you to create documents with many features and editing options. Below, you can explore some skills associated with Microsoft Word:

Merging documents
Using templates
Sharing documents
Creating tables
Formatting documents
Using advanced tools
Tracking document changes

Excel

Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet application that allows you to input data, calculate formulas, apply macros and automate calculations. Here, you can examine several Microsoft Excel skills to include on your resume:

Creating custom formulas
Using functions
Grouping data
Validating data
Developing pivot tables
Using custom macros
Analysing data sets

Outlook

Microsoft Outlook is a personal information management system where you can perform many duties, such as organising activities, communicating with department teams and scheduling events. Here, you can find some Microsoft Outlook skills that may be worth listing on your resume:

Automating replies
Sending calendar invites
Planning events
Configuring email settings
Scheduling tasks
Implementing email filters
Archiving documents

PowerPoint

Microsoft PowerPoint is an application for developing presentations through the use of slideshow features, graphics, interactive slides, text and audio. Below, you can examine some Microsoft PowerPoint skills to include on your resume:

Linking videos
Broadcasting slideshows
Creating presentations
Formatting presentation templates
Inserting hyperlinks
Using the advanced timeline feature
Linking different media types
Creating interactive slideshows

Access

Microsoft Access is a database management system incorporating a relational database with user interface features and development tools. Here, you can explore some Microsoft Access skills that might be worth mentioning on your resume:

Designing databases
Calculating controls
Creating advanced queries
Using VBA and SQL
Using Microsoft Office applications with Access
Setting data filters
Categorising data sets

Resume template for showing Microsoft office skills

Below, you can explore a detailed resume template for a resume listing Microsoft Office skills:

[First name] [Last name], [Degree or certification, if applicable]
[Phone number] | [Email address] | [City], [State]

Professional Summary
[Two to three sentences highlighting years of experience, relevant skills, education, Microsoft Office skills or certifications and achievements as a professional.]

Experience
[Job Title] | [Employment dates]
[Company Name] | [City], [State]

(Strong verb) + what you did (more detail) + reason, outcome or quantified results.
[job duty]
[job duty]
[job duty]
[job duty]

[Job Title] | [Employment dates]
[Company Name] | [City], [State]

(Strong verb) + what you did (more detail) + reason, outcome or quantified results.
[job duty]
[job duty]

Education
[Degree and major], [Name of school or university]

Certificates
[Certification name], [Host organisation], [Year completed or expiration date]

Resume example showing Microsoft office skills

Here, you can explore a resume example for a candidate with Microsoft Office skills applying for an office administrator position:

Nicky Brooks, Certificate IV in Office Administration 048 027 2926 | Brooks@email.com.au | Perth, WA

Professional Summary
An experienced and qualified individual applying for the role of office administrator with Hueseph Financing. Has three years of experience in an office administrator role and has a Certificate IV in Office Administration. Possesses excellent interpersonal qualities and an extensive range of Microsoft Office skills, including skills in Microsoft Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel.

Experience
Office Administrator | Jan 2019–Jun 2022
West-Shire Financial | Perth, WA

Oversaw travelling arrangements for senior executives and managers
Planned and coordinated office activities through Microsoft Outlook
Liaised with senior managers and executives about workplace policies
Helped implement strategies
Maintained office supply inventory and processed supply orders

Office Administrator | Jan 2017–Jan 2019
Winston Services | Perth, WA

Managed client phone call processes and procedures
Updated company database
Submitted and edited presentations and reports through Microsoft PowerPoint

Education
Certificate IV in Office Administration, Educational Institute of West Shire

Certificates
Microsoft Office Specialist Certification, Microsoft, 2019
Microsoft Excel 101, Office Training Institute, 2019
Microsoft Word: The Fundamentals, Software Specialists, 2019

Please note that none of the companies, institutions or organisations mentioned in this article are affiliated with Indeed.