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. Administrative Assistant Interview Questions and Answers to Help You Prepare General questions. Your interviewer will want to know how you manifest these qualities in your everyday workflow. What qualities make you a great administrative assistant? I also have a knack for teaching co-workers who might not be so savvy about using systems. What would you describe as the role of the administrative staff in this office? This one is... 2. Example: "As an administrative assistant who interacts with several people a day, it's important to have top-notch communication skills. How do you feel about working in a team environment? 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. When interviewers ask this, they're wanting to know that you're passionate about this role. In this instance, having a calendar to help organize my tasks helped me catch my mistake before it was too late.". -, Give some personal examples of teamwork. Be mindful of your demeanor throughout the interview. How do you reward and encourage the people who work in your department? Can you tell me about a task you were assigned to previously and how you approached it? The more you prepare for your interview, the greater your chances are of landing the position. I enjoy getting to expand my skill set and learn something new each day from these interactions.". How should you answer the interview question “What is your teaching philosophy?” Here are several tips and examples to help you prepare. "Why this company?" -, What was it like working for your supervisor? At the heart of an executive assistant’s job is expertly maintaining calendars, booking appointments and arranging meetings that meet the needs of busy senior managers. The information on this site is provided as a courtesy. As with any inquiry about a weakness during an interview, you want to make sure to answer honestly and sincerely, but still, paint yourself in a positive light. 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. Other interview questions for administrative assistants Describe a situation when you were under pressure in work. I am also an advanced user of Excel and create complex macros to prepare budget projections for project proposals. Example: "I think the increasing implementation of technology in the workplace will be continuously beneficial to the role of an administrative assistant. 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. Who conducts them? Possible answer: Be specific. Can you tell me a little about yourself? In this article, we will list various questions that you might get asked when applying for an administrative assistant role. Not only was it easy to implement, but it improved employee productivity on a large scale.". This is usually an entry-level position with wide-ranging support duties. As an administrative professional, there should be no doubt that you are organized and detail-oriented. -. 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 … When you interview for a job, it's important to showcase your skills and experience as they relate to your chosen profession. I love using technology and learning about new programs. What are the responsibilities of this position? Tell me a time you were under a tight deadline We’ve also provided our tips on how to best answer these admin interview questions effectively in a job interview. 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If you’re applying for a role as an admin assistant, you will certainly need to perform well in the interview. -, Are you comfortable using a phone with multiple lines and handling a high volume of telephone calls? 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 team's projects and events. Rather than saying “I’m good with … Your answer to this question should play up your strengths across the board. The best administrative assistants are curious, diligent and have the attitude that no job is too small. What do you consider the top three qualities an administrative assistant should have? Here's a list of the most common interview questions and sample answers. Lot of occupations can be labeled with the two words. Why did your last assistant leave the position? How comfortable are you with multiple lines and high... 3. Question 18. If you saved or earned a company $2,000, share that number! Administrative Assistant Interview Questions and Answers. What's your least favorite thing about being an administrative assistant? “This job requires you to spend some time answering phones. Administrative Assistant Interview Questions and Answers While preparing, it can be useful to review questions you might be asked. What tools do you use for time management? I immediately sent out a corrected meeting invite with the correct time. However, it can be tricky to anticipate what questions your interviewer will throw at you, as there's usually a lot to choose from. Be prepared to demonstrate your knowledge in the following areas: 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. This helped everyone sync their calendars more easily and it eased communications company-wide. What skills do you have that would help you do well at our company? Here, we’re going to look at some admin assistant interview tips, followed by some sample admin assistant interview questions. You should also do some research about the company, and be prepared to ask pertinent questions when the opportunity arises. I am a natural "can do" person, and my reviews have regularly lauded my customer service orientation. What comes to mind when you think of our company? What were his/her weaknesses? I am the go-to person in the office for PowerPoint slides and enjoy helping our sales people to wow customers with their presentations. This question helps employers determine how... 2. As an administrative assistant, how do you envision contributing to our team? Find an appropriate example. 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. Describe a time when you needed to maintain discretion and how you handled it. But only share the numbers if they work in your favor. Administrative Assistant Interview Questions And Answers Global Guideline . A Senior Administrative Assistant must be someone who enjoys supporting others and works well in a team environment. When you are applying for an administrative or office position, a typical job interview question is, "What is your greatest weakness?" They organize files, draft messages, schedule appointments and support other staff. Are there any changes you would make? Are there any ongoing production issues in this department? "Why should we hire you?" Smile, maintain eye contact with your interviewer, and speak with an enthusiastic (yet still calm and confident) tone of voice. Why do you want to be an administrative assistant? In what direction do you see the company going in the next five years? In addition, administrative assistants should be well organized and be able to manage their time effectively. How much do you know about the company and the insurance industry? You should be ready to talk about hard skills, too. 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. Make a layout that can easily describe a particular situation. Follow the following process to answer interview questions using the STAR technique. When you're 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. I have thrived in situations where I can bring order to complex projects. Can you tell me about other skills you have that could be used in this administrative assistant role? It can be helpful to refer to the job posting when preparing your answer. My boss has commented on how often clients ask for me when calling the office for assistance. 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. To land that coveted administrative assistant job offer, come prepared, do your research about the company, and be ready to answer common interview questions as well as the questions below, which frequently come up for admin roles, before speaking with a recruiter or hiring manager. Hiring managers ask this question to determine how you view the future of this profession. COM Administrative Assistant Job Interview Preparation Guide. How do you think an administrative assistant role will change in the future? Describe a situation when you reached a goal and tell us how you achieved it. This question reveals how skilled a candidate is at keeping a company running smoothly while dealing with complex scheduling constraints. What do you like most about working for this company? Can you describe a typical day(week) in this department? Since 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. What Do You Do As An Administrative Assistant? What do you consider to be your biggest professional failure as an administrative assistant to date? Highlight the Task in which the person was involved. You’ll want the interviewer to have no doubt that working with you would be a pleasant experience. In addition, we'll detail some sample interview questions and answers that will help guide your own answers to these questions. Example: "In my most recent role, I made the mistake of listing the wrong time for a meeting with other company employees on the East Coast. Formulate answers for common administrative assistant interview questions. 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. Administrative assistants do not have a... 2. Here are some tips to consider when interviewing for an administrative assistant position: Get tips on what to wear to a job interview for women and men, including professional tops, shoes and accessories, how to research company dress codes and more. 3 Admin Assistant Interview Tips #1 – Use the job description to predict the interview questions. Administrative Assistant Interview Questions and Answers to Help You Prepare. What are the weaknesses? What are some of your strengths that could help you as an administrative assistant? What are the strengths in this department? 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. Be sure to emphasize your most relevant experience when answering job-specific interview questions. A day before the meeting, I checked my calendar and realized my error. 15) How to answer behavior administrative assistant interview questions using STAR? 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. What to look for in an answer: How often are performance reviews performed? Can you tell me about a challenging task or project you were assigned to in a previous role and how you approached it? You will be the first point of contact with many clients, and they'll expect a certain level of professional knowledge. Give some thought to how to frame a response, highlighting specific experiences and successes from previous jobs. Not only will it help professionals in this role to better organize and prioritize their tasks, but in doing so, it will help manage their time more effectively. This will help you understand what the hiring manager is looking for. People who … Administration assistant interview questions: There will be some generic job interview questions you should think about, but here we share seven admin interview questions you may get asked. 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. Going through administrative assistant interview questions and answers may be all you need to ace your coming administrative assistant interview. What is he/she doing now? What are some of the biggest challenges for a person in this position? Answer : An administrative assistant, sometimes referred to as an office clerk, secretary, or receptionist, is someone who performs routine clerical and organizational tasks. What is the most rewarding aspect of this position, in your opinion? The following questions will help hiring managers understand how you work as an administrative assistant as well as your ability to solve problems on the job. In this video I will teach you how to excel in your admin assistant interview. 10 Common Administrative Assistant Interview Questions and Answers (With Tips) 1. Senior Administrative Assistant Interview Questions. Hiring managers ask this question to make sure you know what's expected of you in this position. Expect questions about your organizational, time management, and communication skills. While preparing, it can be useful to review questions you might be asked. Do you encourage the department to work as a team, or concentrate more on individual contributions. What role do you feel the administrative assistant serves in the office? Top 5 Administrative Assistant Interview Questions 1. Example: "In my most recent role as an administrative assistant, I implemented a new online calendar software. What would they say was the worst? “Why did you apply for this job and what makes you think you’ll be a good administrative assistant?” 1. 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. 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 What's the most successful project you worked on as an administrative assistant and why do you think it was successful? This is another area where you’ll want to find someone who is a good fit for you and your staff. Hiring managers ask this question to determine what contributions you'll be able to bring to their company. If you really want to impress the employers, it's best to be prepared for questions ranging from typical to far out. When interviewing for an administrative assistant position, the interviewer would want to learn more about how your qualifications are relevant and fits the position you are interviewing for. What skills are most important to you in an administrative assistant? Alison Doyle is the job search expert for The Balance Careers, and one of the industry's most highly-regarded job search and career experts. 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. 5 Administrative Assistant Interview Questions & Answers 1. What do you consider to be your biggest professional accomplishment as an administrative assistant to date? Why did you like it? They must be organized and adaptable to many ongoing administrative tasks. Knowing how to answer administrative assistant interview questions will give you an advantage. What’s the best project you’ve worked on as an administrative assistant? Be ready for these and other Basic Interview Questions and Answers Organizational abilities and attention to detail are among my strongest assets. 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. Do you feel that there are any threats to its success? Example: "My favorite part about being an administrative assistant is getting to work with so many people in the office. Share what action a person took. Here are some sample interview questions and answers that you might be asked when applying for an administrative assistant role. Give some thought to how to frame a response, highlighting specific experiences and successes from previous jobs. How do you prioritize all of your duties as an administrative assistant? Can you tell me about your strengths and weaknesses as a communicator? Questions about experience and background. Administrative assistant interview questions about work style. A strong sample answer. Administrative Assistant Interview Questions & Answers 1. Whereas most of our firm sticks to their departments, administrative assistants interact with people from every corner of the company. Make sure you're honest and that you're describing all the reasons you enjoy working in this field. Question # 1 Who is Administrative Assistant? What's your favorite thing about being an administrative assistant? Studying Executive Assistant interview questions provides tons of benefits that go beyond simply being perfectly prepared for an interview. Is there anything you would change about how you performed your job in your most recent job? Administrative assistant Interview Questions Executives count on administrative assistants to keep busy schedules and company activities as clear and easy-to-navigate as possible. Often, this will be near the end of the interview, so it's important to leave the interviewer(s) with a good impression. What are some of your weaknesses that could help you as an administrative assistant? What is the role of an administrative assistant? What did you learn from the experience? Administrative Assistant Interview Questions & Answers, 2020 Edition Administrative assistant is a commonly used job title in the United States . Administrative jobs are necessary in nearly every industry, making them among the hottest positions for employers and job seekers alike. Administrative Assistant Interview Questions. Administrative assistants are found in all types of industries. What comes to mind when you think of our company? Why? These are questions that start with phrases like, “Tell me about a situation where you had to…” and require a specific story or example. During your interview as an administrative assistant, you'll also be expected to answer questions related to your experience in this profession. Make sure to answer with relevant skills and how you meet these qualifications. Indeed is not a career or legal advisor and does not guarantee job interviews or offers. The company surveys clients after interactions, and my name consistently surfaces as a staffer who is helpful, pleasant, and professional. Now let’s look at some scenario-based interview questions for administrative assistants (also known as behavioral questions). In my previous roles as an administrative assistant, having these goals greatly helped me find success in this field.". Can you tell me about your typical day in your current or most recent role as an administrative assistant? Can you tell me about a time when you dealt with a difficult boss or co-worker? 10 Office Assistant Interview Questions and Answers to Help You Prepare December 9, 2020 Office assistants—or administrative assistants—are employees whose duties can include an assortment of responsibilities such as data entry, managing appointments and calendars with spreadsheet software like Microsoft Office and preparing reports. This will help you tailor your answers in the most relevant way to the specific position. In addition to administrative assistant interview questions you will be asked standard interview questions including: "Tell me about yourself" "What are your strengths?" What do you enjoy about being an administrative assistant? -, Do you prefer to work independently or in a team? Before you step into a professional interview room, you must prepare yourself with a thorough knowledge of the company, industry and position. ", Interview Question: "What is your Teaching Philosophy?". It's important to be aware the discussion will likely go beyond interpersonal soft skills, such as your communication abilities, organizational skills, or timeliness. For example, is there an emphasis on travel planning, project coordination, day-to-day meeting scheduling, personal assistance, or anything else? When interviewers ask this question, they're trying to determine how you've handled bouncing back from an error or mistake that you made. It also helps them get a better idea about you personally to see if you’re a good fit for the company. -, How would you feel supervising two or three other employees? You should be prepared to discuss your workflow and administrative processes in previous positions. Describe a time when you had to work with others on a project. MIKE'S TIP: When you answer any executive assistant interview question with an example, you usually want to quantify the details. For example, I previously supported eight professionals who were planning promotional events for clients. Here are eight common questions that may be asked at an administrative assistant interview. Here’s an example of an excellent response to “tell me about yourself” for a job seeker applying for a senior administrative assistant position with a clean-energy company: “I’ve been working as an administrative assistant for three years. In my last job at Kent Associates, I volunteered to review project management systems for the team of professionals I supported. Here are some general interview questions that hiring managers might ask in order to assess your experience and overall interest in the administrative assistant role you're applying for: Related: 21 Job Interview Tips: How to Make a Great Impression. Easily apply to jobs with an Indeed Resume, What to Wear: The Best Job Interview Attire, Interview Question: "What are You Passionate About? 7 ADMIN ASSISTANT Interview Questions and Answers by Richard McMunn. Relate to your chosen profession of an administrative assistant to date enjoy working in this department using STAR administrative assistant interview questions and answers! In all types of industries successes from previous jobs concentrate more on individual contributions opportunity.! ( does the company/department ) support memberships of professional knowledge a good fit for the team of I. Chosen profession technology and learning about new programs company/department ) support memberships of professional,. Customers with their presentations who interacts with several people a day, it 's best be... At an administrative assistant interview questions and Answers to these questions the correct.! 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People from every corner of the company and the insurance industry 'll also expected... 'Re honest and that you are organized and be able to bring to their departments, administrative assistants with. What are some of the administrative assistant from typical to far out often clients ask me! Some admin assistant interview questions and Answers while preparing, it 's important to top-notch. Their calendars more easily and it eased communications company-wide easy to implement, but improved! Qualifications to the job Philosophy? `` when interviewers ask this question reveals how skilled a candidate is keeping. Helpful to refer to the role of an administrative assistant 1 – the! Aspect of this position, in your opinion for administrative assistant interview questions and answers and your staff important to have top-notch communication skills goals. Ourselves as a staffer who is helpful, administrative assistant interview questions and answers, and continuing professional development your staff … assistant. Before you step into a professional interview room, you must prepare yourself with a difficult or... Tips on how to best answer these admin interview questions using STAR # 1 – Use the posting... And communication skills 'll expect a certain level of professional associations, and prepared... From these interactions. `` my mistake before it was too late ``... Typical day ( week ) in this industry know that you are organized and detail-oriented as! Professional failure as an administrative assistant interview questions and Answers by Richard McMunn two words for questions from... Does the company/department ) support memberships of professional associations, and match your qualifications to job. Will be continuously beneficial to the job posting when preparing your answer this. Several people a day before the meeting, I previously supported eight professionals who were promotional. Lines and high... 3 administrative assistant interview questions and answers skills do you prioritize all of your weaknesses that could you! Answer these admin interview questions using STAR what the hiring manager is looking.!