Administrative Assistant Interview Questions and Answers

Administrative Assistant Interview Questions and Answers Administrative Assistant Interview Questions and Answers When youre interviewing for an  administrative assistant job, the interviewer will want to learn about  how  relevant  your  qualifications  are  for the position and how you  would  fit in  with  the company and the department. Because the job requires both administrative and interpersonal skills, hiring managers will often ask about the specific attributes you have that qualify you for the position,  as well as your less quantifiable people skills. Tips for Handling the Interview Its important to be aware the discussion will likely go beyond  soft skills,  such  as  your communication abilities,  organizational  skills, or timeliness. You should be ready to talk about  hard skills, too. 1:14 Watch Now: How to Answer 4 Common Questions For Administrative Jobs Be Prepared to Discuss Software ProgramsSince many administrative assistant positions require frequent use of specific software, you may have to discuss  the  various programs you’ve worked with, how you have used these programs, and your level of expertise. Sample Answer:  I love using technology and learning about new programs. I also have a knack for teaching co-workers who might not be so savvy about using systems. In my last job at Kent Associates, I volunteered to review project management systems for the team of professionals I supported.  My boss approved my recommendation and we brought in a web-based system, Asana, that helps us to track projects and share information on a web platform.Sample Answer:  I am the go-to person in the office for PowerPoint slides and enjoy helping our sales people to wow customers with  their presentations.  I am also an advanced user of Excel and create complex macros to prepare budget projections for project proposals. Be Ready to Discuss Administrative ProcessesYou should be prepared to discuss your workflow and administrative processes in previous positions. As an administrative professional, there should be no  doubt  that you are organized and detail-oriented. Your interviewer will want to know  how  you manifest these qualities in your everyday workflow. Sample Answer:  Organizational abilities and attention to detail are among my strongest assets.  I have thrived in situations where I can bring order to complex projects.  For example, I  previously  supported eight professionals who were planning promotional events for clients.  I developed a template for tracking goals and progress for each project and set it up on a shared drive so that all members of staff  involved  could track  their  progress  regarding  the teams projects and events.Sample Answer:  When working for the Alfred Group, I created a procedures manual that outlined the steps  required  to  process  loan applications, and then uploaded it online so that all the loan officers could follow the same  procedures. Always Respond PositivelyBe mindful of your demeanor  throughout  the interview. Since administrative assistants often interface very closely with the individuals for whom they work, it is essential to be positive, professional, and polite  at  all  times. You’ll want the interviewer to have no doubt that working with you would be a pleasant experience. Sample Answer:  I worked the front desk in our agency, and it was critical that I made a positive first impression for  both  current and prospective clients. I am a natural can do person,  and my reviews have regularly lauded my customer service orientation.  Sample Answer:  The company surveys clients after interactions, and my name consistently  surfaces  as a staffer who  is  helpful, pleasant, and professional. My boss has commented on how often clients ask for me when calling the office for assistance. Preparing for the Interview One of the ways to prepare is to analyze the job description to try to get a sense of  whether there is a particular  skill set  on which the position focuses. For example, is there an emphasis on travel planning, project coordination, day-to-day meeting scheduling, personal assistance, or anything else? If so, be sure to emphasize your most relevant experience when answering  job-specific interview questions. Make a list of the skills mentioned in the job posting, and feel free to add some others that you think would be applicable as well. Then take a look at your own  administrative  and  office  skills, and  match your qualifications to the job. This will help you tailor your answers in the most relevant way to the specific position. Administrative Assistant Interview Questions and Answers While preparing, it can be useful to review questions you might be asked, and give some thought to how to frame a response, highlighting specific experiences and successes from previous jobs. What computer skills do you have,  and what programs are you comfortable using? -  Best AnswersAre you comfortable using a phone with multiple lines and handling a high volume of telephone calls? -  Best AnswersAt this company, we like to think of ourselves as a team that works together towards the same goals. How do you feel about working in a team environment? -  Best AnswersHow would you feel supervising two or three other employees? -  Best AnswersWhat is your greatest strength,  and how  would  it help your performance in this position? -  Best Answers What is your greatest weakness? -  Best AnswersHow do you handle stress and pressure? -  Best AnswersWhat was it like working for your supervisor? -  Best AnswersWhat do you expect from a supervisor? -  Best AnswersDo you prefer to work independently or  in  a team? -  Best AnswersDo you work well with people? -  Best AnswersGive some  personal  examples of teamwork. -  Best AnswersReceptionist interview questions:  -  List of Questions Questions to Ask the Interviewer You should also do some  research about the company, and be prepared to ask pertinent questions when the opportunity  arises. It can be helpful to come up with a few questions ahead of time that you might ask, or discuss further, if you didn’t get the chance earlier in the interview. Often,  this will be near the end of the interview, so its important to leave the interviewer(s)  with a good impression. A great way to do that is to show your interest and preparation for the job interview by tying in questions you were asked with some questions of your own. What are the responsibilities of this position?Can you describe a typical day(week) in this department?What are the strengths in this department? What are the weaknesses?What would your past assistants say was the best part of working for you? What would they say was the worst?In  what  direction do you see the company going in the next five years? Do you feel that there are any threats to its success?Why did your last assistant leave the position? What were his/her strengths? What were his/her weaknesses? What is he/she doing now? What  attributes  did your best assistant have? What about your worst assistant?How often are performance reviews performed? Who conducts them?What skills are most important to you in an administrative assistant?How do you reward and encourage the people who work in your department?Are there any ongoing production issues in this department?How have you dealt with personnel problems in the past?What are some of the biggest challenges for a person in this position?What is the most rewarding aspect of this position, in your opinion? Do you (Does the company/department) support memberships  of  professional associations, and continuing professional development?What would you describe as the role of the administrative staff in this office?Are overtime or weekend hours expected?What do you like most about working for this company? Are there  any  changes you would make?What do you like least about working here?Do you encourage the department to work as a team, or concentrate more on individual contributions? Be Prepared for More Job Interview Questions In addition to  job-specific  interview questions, you will also be asked more general questions about your employment history, education, strengths, weaknesses, achievements, goals, and plans. Heres a list of the  most common interview questions  and sample answers.