how do i prepare for an administrative assistant interview

It is important to have a … Administrative Assistant Job Brief: Administrative Assistants play a vital role in the smooth running of any organization, and during the interview, you will need to demonstrate your ability to organize, plan, prioritize and successfully complete all office-related tasks with diligence and professionalism. Be ready to explain during an administrative assistant interview how you treat sensitive information, and what steps you take to safeguard it. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Rather than saying “I’m good with computers,” talk about your training, certifications, and experience. If you can't find outside help, practice in front of a mirror. Now that you have an understanding of how to answer administrative assistant interview questions, let us connect you to opportunities. The more specific you can be about the hours and days you want to work, the better. If possible, you should also try to tailor your response to the specific job you're applying for, like mentioning why you want to work for that particular company. You should be able to explain how you organize and manage a daily schedule, including what tools you use, how you set reminders and how you handle scheduling conflicts. When interviewing for an administrative assistant position, you want to do everything you can to let the interviewer see what a great assistant you would make. Downsides can include: Having to work longer hours than you're meant to because the CEO or other bosses need you and work too hard; having to handle difficult clients or people wanting to see the boss; finding missing paperwork you didn't file but others did; several calls at once; lots of emails waiting for you every morning; weekend calls from the boss; making bookings to things already booked out, then having to change bookings already booked; doing things at the last minute because your boss just assumes you're available, etc. What type of work schedule would you consider? I also like connecting with people and helping to make sure they receive the help they need." Multitasking is an integral part of being an administrative assistant, so prepare examples of how you manage a multitude of responsibilities at 1 time. Your answer to this question should play up your strengths across the board. Intent: You’ll likely be in front of a computer for the … You may do this by writing something along the lines of, "Thank you for taking the time to interview me. So besides talking about the specific job-related skills the employer may already know about, this question offers an opportunity to talk about soft or intangible skills like optimism, self-confidence, and trainability. Last Updated: February 29, 2020 Administrative assistant questions about fit. ", How to Prepare for an Administrative Assistant Interview, https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/how-to-prepare-for-an-interview, https://blog.execu-search.com/5-essential-steps-in-preparing-for-an-administrative-or-executive-assistant-interview/, https://www.forbes.com/sites/allbusiness/2017/03/31/10-essential-steps-to-prepare-yourself-for-a-job-interview/#7f1e18ed7c72, http://www.job-interview-site.com/administrative-assistant-interview-questions-answers.html, http://www.best-job-interview.com/administrative-assistant-interview-questions.html, prepararse para una entrevista de asistente administrativa, Prepararsi a un Colloquio per Assistente Amministrativo, se Preparar para uma Entrevista para Assistente Administrativo, подготовиться к собеседованию на должность секретаря—референта, Sich auf ein Vorstellungsgespräch als Verwaltungsassistent vorbereiten, se préparer à un entretien d'embauche en tant qu'assistant administratif, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. 5 Essential Steps in Preparing for an Administrative or Executive Assistant Interview There are many administrative and executive support professionals out there who can recite their set of skills at the drop of a hat, but it’s important to keep in mind that some interviews may ask more of you. "Because it's a challenging job and I like working under pressure. However, if your efforts only saved or earned $50, you might want to let the hiring manager imagination take that one and skip that detail. Make a space for those persons who are lazy and rude. They have both an administrative and legal role. Possible answer: You might focus again on specific scenarios from your work past (without naming names of the difficult people) where you kept your cool under fire. What have you done in the last year to develop your knowledge for this profession? Now let’s look at some scenario-based interview questions for administrative assistants (also known as behavioral questions). What are some disadvantages of being an administrative assistant? Have you earned … Possible answer: Avoid giving an answer that says “I’m good at this, but not good at that.” Instead, talk factually about a communications-based task you did well—a report or a presentation before a group, for example. It’s always best to be clear up front if you’re looking for a part-time schedule, work-from-home flexibility, an alternate schedule option, or some other iteration of flexible work. Legal Assistant Interview Questions. Describe your computer experience including applications used (MS Word, Excel, etc. Get new job postings, the latest job search tips, trends, news, and exclusive promotions! Give some thought to how to frame a response, highlighting specific experiences and successes from previous jobs. 5 Administrative Assistant Interview Questions & Answers. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Follow these steps to prepare for an administrative assistant interview. Before that she used to attend a lot of interviews without success. While you should always be prepared for common job interview questions , there are assistant-specific questions that you’ll want to make sure you have practiced before hand. Choose as many as you'd like. Don't forget to share this article with friends! Which of the following career categories interest you most? Ignore the unfavorable persons. MIKE'S TIP: When you answer any executive assistant interview question with an example, you usually want to quantify the details. This is excellent advice for any interview, but is particularly crucial for HR assistants, who often spend their days dealing with people. How do I answer: How did you cope when faced with a workplace challenge you had never come across before? Your suggestions and points made me feel that I can do this! To gain … Administrative Assistant Interview. "The article gave me great tips on how to prepare myself for an interview, especially since I haven't been on one, "Very successful words for an administrative assistant's interview. With an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, the monthly subscription costs allow us to fully vet and verify all of the jobs on our site—ensuring that customers have a safe and positive job searching experience. Customer service is often an important part of an administrative assistant's job, as you may be required to handle phone calls, serve as an intermediary between your boss and other business contacts and greet customers/clients. Great tips, thank you! % of people told us that this article helped them. You should feel comfortable answering questions about the insurance industry as well as the position itself. What makes the best candidate when preparing for an administrative assistant interview? While it may be a challenge preparing for interview questions—both questions for you and questions for the employer—preparing for an interview test … Whether it is an administrative assistant assessment practice exercise or not, preparation for such test is of the utmost importance. I interviewed at Amazon. How do I answer, "Why do you want to work here? Learn more about common questions and responses. Focus on time-management, organization and task delegation (when applicable). By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Find out if they're really ready. I applied online. Possible answer: Talk specifically about how you’ve communicated in the past with supervisors and team members to prioritize and determine which tasks are most important. What are disadvantages and advantages of being an administrative assistant? A hiring manager will likely be looking to connect with you as a job candidate in ways that go beyond your resume and cover letter. Very friendly people all around. We offer flexible positions in more than 50 job categories, including administrative assistant jobs. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. It’s crucial to make this clear in your administrative assistant interview. Application. When interviewing for an HR assistant job, it is important to show up a few minutes early and come ready and dressed to impress.Maintain eye contact, stay confident, and offer a good, solid handshake. Time management is very important. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. Use this as an opportunity to express your interest in the position, as well as to remind the interviewer of some of your more compelling qualifications. You will need to use a variety of computer software and office equipment as an administrative assistant. FlexJobs is a subscription service for job seekers that features flexible and remote jobs. It’s important you start thinking like an administrative assistant long before you ever step foot in that interview … TIP #1 – Working in the National Health Service (NHS) within an admin position requires an ability to be organised, being able to plan your work effectively and also multi-task.Before you attend the interview, have specific examples for how you have already achieved each of these important skills. Scheduling and recording appointments; preparing documents like interoffice and memorandum letters and e mails, etc. By figuring out how you might answer the most common Executive Assistant interview questions, you’ll also: Learn exactly what skills you need to prepare for an interview and to excel as an Executive Assistant This article has been viewed 175,673 times. You’ll be ahead of the game if you can reference your personality type from a Myers-Briggs test or similar assessment to talk about how that helps you keep your cool when work gets tough. Why did you like it? Studying up in advance on the kinds of questions that may come up can help you shine and ace your administrative assistant interview. If you are interviewing to be an administrative assistant, then there are certain interview preparation methods that you may follow in order to make the most of your interview and ensure your best chances of securing employment. At my current job in the finance department of a midsize company, I handle scheduling, meeting and travel planning for four executives and 20 staff members. Given the broad range of tasks that administrative assistants are often asked to cover, now’s the time to blow your own horn. This is one of the administrative assistant interview questions that gives you an opportunity to express your desire for work flexibility. Approved. Because administrative assistant duties are so varied, the questions can fall anywhere on the interviewing spectrum, from general work styles to software-specific queries. Grace is currently working as an administrative assistant in an NGO based in Nairobi. Behavioral Administrative Assistant Interview Questions. Briefly describe your work experience, especially the administrative and customer service aspects. It's a fun job! Studying Executive Assistant interview questions provides tons of benefits that go beyond simply being perfectly prepared for an interview. If you can effortlessly show your expertise in these areas, then you can almost be sure the interview will go well to your liking. Here are several common administrative assistant interview questions and sample answers so you can feel confident about your face-to-face meeting. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. Just take a few seconds to let us know what you're looking for! Not an easy question to start with. Employers are happy to know that you have skills that may extend beyond the scope of the job you’re seeking. Prep. Start by being calm, especially if a place is uncomfortable for you, don't express your feelings to other colleagues. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. No Offer. Multitasking is an integral part of being an administrative assistant, so prepare examples of how you manage a multitude of responsibilities at 1 … Possible answer: An administrative assistant job can be a jack-of-all-trades position. Build My Resume. If you’re preparing to interview for a job as an administrative assistant, get ready to find ways to showcase a wide variety of skills.. A hiring manager will likely be looking to connect with you as a job candidate in ways that go beyond your resume and cover letter. Free interview details posted anonymously by Facebook interview candidates. Feel free to include comments on further questions/ideas you might have.XYZ Company customer and revenue data reportCompany A, 100 employees, customer for 10 years Company B, 20 employees, customer for 1 year Company C, unknown, customer for 5 years Tech Industry, five companies, $300,000 revenue Retail Industry, eight companies, $1M reven… If you saved or earned a company $2,000, share that number! How To Prepare For An Administrative Assistant Interview: Our 4 Best Tips. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Great news, you're in good company! Start a friendly and cooperative relationship with the person who are working in the department. Good communication means a lot of give and take: conveying information to clients and colleagues, and receiving incoming information with a full understanding of what’s needed or expected. This article has been viewed 175,673 times. Whether the job title is executive assistant, office assistant, administrative assistant or personal assistant, you want to do everything you can to show the interviewer your organization, communication and customer service skills. Sample answer to the interview question, ‘Tell Me About Yourself’ As you can tell from my CV, I have been in Administrative roles for 5 years now. QUESTION: What computer skills do you have? In an interview for an administrative assistant role, for example, you'll need to show that you have the necessary qualifications to perform well at this job. Greet the interviewer and let her take it from there. Is your kid begging for a dog? “I’ve been working as an administrative assistant for three years. What skills and qualities are most important in an administrative assistant? In an interview, your potential employer may be looking to assess the qualifications and qualities that make you stand out, from your computer skills to your ability to work well with others. Administrative assistants can be the ultimate problem solvers and “fixers.” That can mean staying calm and focused, and achieving a good outcome. Why do you want to work as an administrative assistant? What kind of written test can be given for a post administrative assistant? Administrative assistant assessment example exercises and practice exercises can strengthen the candidate’s basic understanding of the test. Be ready to explain during an administrative assistant interview how you treat sensitive information, and what steps you take to safeguard it. This question is related to queries about time management, but it goes more specifically to your judgement when it comes to prioritizing work. Thanks for checking out FlexJobs! There is no "right" way to prepare for an interview; rather, there are strategies that you can use to improve your interview skills. ", "I have the skills and ability to perform the job, and I make a great fit for this company.". Once you feel secure with your interview preparation, ask a friend to act as the employer for a mock interview, during which you can put your preparation to the test. 10 Remote, Full-Time Jobs for People with Associate’s Degrees, 10 Flexible Companies Offering Childcare Assistance to Employees, Patient Access Representative at University of Washington Medicine, CONNECT TO ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT JOBS >>>, 8 Companies That Hire for Remote Product Manager Jobs, 10 Companies That Hire for Remote Technical Writer Jobs, 10 Companies That Hire for Remote Cybersecurity Jobs, 10 Companies That Hire for Work-From-Home Call Center Jobs, 12 Fastest-Growing Flexible Jobs to Watch for in 2021, 5 Surprising Side Jobs to Make Extra Income, Job Categories for Remote, Part-Time, Freelance, and Flexible Jobs, New Remote Work From Home and Flexible Jobs, Find Remote Work From Home and Flexible Jobs By Location. As an administrative assistant, you may be asked to handle confidential information. I also help prepare correspondence, presentations and reports. Knowing the questions to expect during an Administrative Assistant interview can help you prepare your answers and help you stand out as a strong candidate during the interview. Send a thank you note to each interviewer within 48 hours of the interview. Getting things done on schedule and helping your supervisor or team members stay on track are common specifications for administrative assistants. Interview Tests. ), computer environments (Windows, Macintosh, etc. This personality-based interview question is meant to assess your ability to deal with people in challenging situations. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Anonymous Interview Candidate. Begin by knowing yourself and the demands of the position; then ask questions that focus on the hard and soft skills needed to do the job: Hard-Skills Interviewing Tips To generate a list of interview questions for an administrative assistant, ask your current administrative assistant to write down each task they do … As for discussing “weaknesses in a job interview,” use the questions as an opportunity to focus on an actual strength (“I’m a stickler for detail”), or bring up an administrative weakness you had and how you overcame it (“I used to focus on one project at a time, but now I’ve learned to multitask”). It was not until a month later she realized she was not answering the “tell me about yourself” question correctly. The application process can be extremely time-consuming, so when you finally land an interview, it’s normal to stress about providing the best possible answers to common interview questions. If a hiring manager asks about your transferable skills, take it as a great opening to discuss what you can bring to the job beyond what may be listed on your resume. We'd love to show you the jobs we have that match your interests. Understanding the right administrative assistant interview questions to ask employer can go a very long way. Be sure to begin preparing for interviews well before their scheduled dates, so that you are ready to put your best foot forward when the big day comes. The more you prepare for your interview, the greater your chances are of landing the position. She will start asking questions for you to answer. Possible answer: If you have expertise or familiarity with time management tools that have helped you in the past, describe your experience now. The interview typically gets started with practical questions and answers but often quickly goes deeper since administrative support is key to the efficient operation of any company. Mention any responsibilities you were given in past jobs because of your strength in a specific area, like written communication or dealing with the public. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. ), word processing, database and spreadsheet skills. 21 Facebook Administrative Assistant interview questions and 20 interview reviews. ", "All of the tips on what to do were helpful!". Administrative Assistant Interview Questions and Answers While preparing, it can be useful to review questions you might be asked. A degree in law isn’t always required. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 175,673 times. You must be flexible, eager to learn, and able to work under pressure. Employers value administrative professionals who not only manage their own time well, but also help others meet deadlines and priorities. If you’re interviewing for an administrative assistant role that requires you to work for multiple people, or for a team, multitasking will be central to the job. I am genuinely interested in this opportunity, as I am sure that my organizational skills and my past experience in office management would make me a great addition to your team. Exercise: Organize the following data in any way you see appropriate. Possible answer: While the job description may spell out a required schedule, be specific in your response and focus on the type of work flexibility you’re seeking. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/61\/Prepare-for-an-Administrative-Assistant-Interview-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Prepare-for-an-Administrative-Assistant-Interview-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/61\/Prepare-for-an-Administrative-Assistant-Interview-Step-1.jpg\/aid1687753-v4-728px-Prepare-for-an-Administrative-Assistant-Interview-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"