What's an example of a difficult person or situation you faced? No matter what industry you’re in, there are some common administrative assistant interview questions that you’re going to be asked – and they can be the deciding factor in your job search. When interviewing Senior Administrative Assistants, apt candidates will exhibit commendable interpersonal and planning skills, plus a self-directed … Next, the employer is likely to ask a question or two about why you’re confident you’d do well in the role. Next, make sure to practice all of the administrative assistant interview questions we looked at so you sound confident when answering. Here are the most frequent job interview questions asked by HR managers during initial phone or onsite interviews. Given the broad range of tasks that administrative assistants are often asked to cover, now’s the time to blow your own horn. Free interview details posted anonymously by HCA Healthcare interview candidates. Applied Online. How have you dealt with personnel problems in the past? How do you describe your personality? The goal is to make sure the candidate understands themselves as a holistic part of a functioning office. Why do you want to work for us? You should wear professional attire or business casual attire for your administrative job interview. Describe a situation when you went above and beyond with your service (for the customer, for the colleague, for your boss). Applied Online. 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.It can be tricky to give a good response, but there are ways to respond effectively. But only share the numbers if they work in your favor. 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. What have you done in the last year to develop your knowledge for this profession? Instead, show them you’re a candidate who is honest, upfront, and accountable. That’s how the entire administrative team worked in our department, and I enjoyed that, too.”. Administrative Assistants perform a number of support functions, all of which center on the collection, input, and dissemination of data. Just explain what you have worked with. If you saved or earned a company $2,000, share that number! That way, you’ll put their mind at ease that you’ll be able to use the resources around you to learn quickly. When interviewing Administrative Assistants, the most suitable candidate should be a skilled communicator and problem-solver. They might also ask, “why do you want this job?” – which is the same idea but even more direct. 23. Sample answers for why you are applying can be found here. Administrative Assistant Interview Questions & Answers. Employers always value recent work the most, so be prepared to talk about what you did in your last job. I believe this because ___.”. You should now know what to expect in an admin interview. Behavioral Administrative Assistant Interview Questions. Talk about a time you made a mistake, how you recovered from it by communicating, problem-solving, etc. 22. And then how you learned from the mistake and have made sure it doesn’t happen again. Executives count on administrative assistants to keep busy schedules and company activities as clear and easy-to-navigate as possible. 1. NHS Administrative Assistant Interview Questions. Prepare for these 25 admin interview questions if you’re a serious about landing an office support job. So be ready to share an example of that, too. Based on the qualifications you’re looking for, your HR Assistant interview questions should be open-ended but also structured so that candidates may provide specific information that will distinguish them from … Here are eight common questions that may be asked at an administrative assistant interview. Most employers will want to find out the type of manager you like to work for. 2. So in the job interview, expect a question about this. It’s best to sound like you can work well in a variety of work environments. 8. "Why this company?" 3 Admin Assistant Interview Tips #1 – Use the job description to predict the interview questions. So prepare for that, too. Share what action a person took. Administrative assistants do not have a small role by any means. How Many Pages Should Your Resume Be in 2021? 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. This is one of those admin interview questions that they don’t always ask, but if they do, it sounds really bad if you say, “I’m not sure.” So don’t skip this when preparing! 76 % In Person. The business will also want to know that they’re hiring a candidate who can own up to mistakes and recover when mistakes do happen. Administrative Assistant Interview Questions An administrative assistant’s primary job responsibility involves managing and distributing information in an office. Make sure you’ve researched the company and read the job description so you know what this next job involves. (Best Answers), “What are you hoping a new person can bring to this role?”, “Has anyone failed in this position, and why?”, “Can you show me examples of projects that I would be working on?”, “How much interaction with clients or customers will I have?”, “What abilities are most important for a new person in this job?”, “What would success look like in the first three months in this role?”, “What are the biggest challenges for a new person in this role?”, “What have people in this job gone on to do in the company?”, “When can I expect to hear feedback about next steps in the hiring process?”, “When do you expect to make a hiring decision?”. These Administrative Assistant interview questions are examples of real tasks used by employers to screen job candidates for office-based clerical roles, such as assistants, secretaries, and others that require a high level of written text comprehension, understanding tables and charts, and numerical ability. Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Senior Administrative Assistant Interview Questions. Administrative Assistant Interview Questions Administrative assistants are usually found in all types of industries. The first type of behavioral interview question to expect as an administrative assistant is something related to deadlines/schedules. How do you handle deadlines when reporting to multiple people? Experience 24 Ratings. Here's your time to brag about your professional accomplishments. Senior Administrative Assistant Interview Questions. Next, you can expect a question or two about organization and time management skills. Question # 1 Who is Administrative Assistant? What are some of the biggest challenges for a person in this position? 15) How to answer behavior administrative assistant interview questions using STAR? If the tools you’ve used are different than what this employer uses, explain how you’d approach learning the new software (like watching tutorials, studying user manuals, etc.) This list does not include technical or factual questions. Being slightly over-dressed won’t hurt your chances at getting the job, whereas being slightly under-dressed certainly will. This is another one of the must-know admin assistant interview questions to prepare for. An administrative assistant is a person responsible for performing various tasks. These include assisting in keeping records, making appointments, and doing similar tasks. Administrative assistant is a commonly used job title in the United States. Are you more outgoing or a private person? Share what action a person took. Administrative assistants are found in all types of industries. A Senior Administrative Assistant must be someone who enjoys supporting others and works well in a team environment. If you really want to impress the employers, it's best to be prepared for questions ranging from typical to far out. 3. 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. Build My Resume. Getting an Interview. Administrative Assistant Interview Questions & Answers, 2020 Edition . Knowing how to answer administrative assistant interview questions will give you an advantage. Even if it’s not 100% related to admin work (for example, customer service/support), you still need to be ready to show how you were successful, and how those skills will allow you to succeed in this next job. Read More. Here are 10 common questions you may have in an interview for an administrative assistant job: What role do you feel the administrative assistant serves in the office? Show them you’re a candidate who can adapt, and they’ll be more confident in trusting you to work as an admin in their organization. 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. You can’t highlight the most relevant pieces of your past if you don’t understand this next job! Experience. If in doubt, dress slightly more formally than you think is necessary. Upbeat? 10 frequent non-technical questions for Administrative Assistant: document.write(thisyear); Your answer to this question should play up your strengths across the board. 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. --> Describe your ideal working environment. Do you consider yourself a patient person? 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. Follow the following process to answer interview questions using the STAR technique. 3. 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. The sample interview questions below will assist with your interview preparation when interviewing candidates for an administrative support job description.. Tell me about your previous work experience as an administrative support person. 3 Admin Assistant Interview Tips #1 – Use the job description to predict the interview questions. Do you have any questions for us? Join 10,000+ job seekers in our email newsletter and we'll send you the 30 must-know questions, plus our best insider tips for turning interviews into job offers. He/ she has to have a professional demeanor at all times and must correctly direct the client call to the concerned departmental employee. Executive Assistant Interview Questions. Site Map  |  Privacy  |  Trademarks & Legal Statement  |  FAQs, Industry Leading Staffing, Recruitment & Talent Services, Questions you may be Asked in an Administrative Assistant Interview. 1. What do you enjoy about being an administrative assistant? These questions may address either hard or soft skill areas. That last part is key). Also talk about what the outcome was or what result you got. 6. Be confident and answer directly. Behavioral Administrative Assistant Interview Questions. 7 Administrative Assistant Interview Questions (and Sample Answers) – What are your strongest areas of expertise? Questions about career goals and milestones are typically asked of the candidate during the HR round. 1. This can be helping your team get a last-minute project completed for a customer or client, helping your team improve an area that was causing problems, etc. Make a layout that can easily describe a particular situation. Difficulty. 2. Highlight the Task in which the person was involved. This is not something you want to say you’re trying to improve; try to sound like an expert or someone who is already very good at organization and time management. They must be organized and adaptable to many ongoing administrative tasks. These experienced administrative employees may also be tasked with scheduling meetings and other events. Possible answer: Be specific. It’s okay if there’s one management style you like best, but make sure to show that you can work well with all types of people when you describe your ideal manager. Interviews at NHS. 21. These are questions that start with phrases like, “Tell me about a situation where you had to…” and require a specific story or example. 24. Here are several common administrative assistant interview questions and sample answers so you can feel confident about your face-to-face meeting. Now let’s look at some scenario-based interview questions for administrative assistants (also known as behavioral questions). 4. This is especially important for the behavioral questions we covered – because you’ll need to be ready to name specific situations and scenarios, and walk the interviewer through detailed stories of what happened. Studying Executive Assistant interview questions provides tons of benefits that go beyond simply being perfectly prepared for an interview. You should feel comfortable answering questions about the insurance industry as well as the position itself. This is another one of the most common administration interview questions, and employers ask this to make sure you understand the role and its purpose. 7 ADMIN ASSISTANT Interview Questions and Answers by Richard McMunn. Along with the questions we’ve covered for administrative assistants, you should also expect to be given an opportunity to ask questions of your own. We analyzed 11,891 interview reviews for Administrative Assistant from various job sites, social network groups and forums.. Follow the following process to answer interview questions using the STAR technique. Prepare for interview questions that relate specifically to the administrative assistant role with the questions and answers we’ve gathered for you. Hard. The main thing in administration is competency based which means that the administrative assistant needs to be people oriented and a great listener. Interviews at NHS. Describe a situation when you were under pressure in work. 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. 28 Common Second Round Interview Questions, 11 Final Interview Questions to Prepare For, How to Answer “Are You a Leader or Follower?” (Interview Question). 71 % Neutral. Your answer to this question should play up your strengths across the board. Reserved? MIKE'S TIP: When you answer any executive assistant interview question with an example, you usually want to quantify the details. Top 5 Administrative Assistant Interview Questions. How do you describe your personality? This article has more details and examples for how to answer. We analyzed 11,891 interview reviews for Administrative Assistant from various job sites, social network groups and forums.. 17 % Negative. What was the corporate culture at your last job? Administrative assistant Interview Questions. That’s one of my favorite tips: To sound like you have a system you follow to overcome complex situations and tasks. NHS Administrative Assistant Interview Questions. Bubbly? However, it's best to just be honest about your work style and explain how you're working to overcome any shortcomings you may have. In my last job, I accomplished ___, and based on your job description, it sounds like you need similar work here. Other interview questions for administrative assistants. They might ask very directly, like, “Why should I hire you?” or they may phrase it differently. So have a specific reason or two why you chose to apply, based on the job description. 7 Administrative Assistant Interview Questions and Answers . Saying, “I’m unemployed and just need a job” is NOT good enough. How to Interview and Select an HR Assistant. So one of the best tips I can offer is: Be ready to explain how you can work well under a variety of management styles. Average. In this case, you should say, “I don’t have this exact experience, but…” and then share the relevant experience you do have (such as working with customers, managing projects, etc.). Knowing how to answer administrative assistant interview questions will give you an advantage. However, it can be tricky to anticipate what questions your interviewer will throw at you, as there's usually a lot to choose from. Find an appropriate example. 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. For example, you could say, “I’ve worked for businesses with very different environments. Many administrative assistant interview questions center around experience because the past offers proof of a candidate's abilities. When you are applying for an administrative or office position, a typical job interview question is, "What is your greatest weakness?" 7 ADMIN ASSISTANT Interview Questions and Answers by Richard McMunn. 7. 10 % Difficulty 24 Ratings. What were your primary responsibilities? Have you earned any certifications? Build My Resume. Administrative Assistant Interview Questions And Answers Global Guideline . Post a Job. Find an appropriate example. 17 % Negative. 12 % Getting an Interview 24 Interview Reviews. Administrative jobs are necessary in nearly every industry, making them among the hottest positions for employers and job seekers alike. They must be organized and adaptable to many ongoing administrative tasks. The first step towards getting that position as an administrative assistant is getting through the interview. 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 The administrative interview questions will assess if your candidate has strong computer skills and some administrative assistant experience. var thisyear = today.getYear(); // varies in JavaScript and JScript Here are eight common questions that may be asked at an administrative assistant interview. 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. This is going to be much easier to answer if you’ve carefully read the job description, so make sure you do that before every interview. ... 25 Questions to Expect When Interviewing for Administrative Jobs ... executive assistant is indispensable. This is the first thing the interviewer is going to want to hear about (besides maybe asking, “Tell me about yourself” as an ice-breaker). 1. document.write(" ") "Why should we hire you?" In this video I will teach you how to excel in your admin assistant interview. Administrative Assistant Interview Questions. COM Administrative Assistant Job Interview Preparation Guide. Next, the company will want to know about your ability to multi-task and organize multiple projects. Don’t get discouraged if you haven’t used the exact software they use. When in doubt, you can always use an example from school, an extracurricular or even a sports team if need be. These are questions that start with phrases like, “Tell me about a situation where you had to…” and require a specific story or example. We didn’t cover these last minor steps in-depth, so if you need more help with general preparation steps, we have a complete interview preparation checklist. So you should format your answer like this: “I believe the most important skills for an administrative assistant to have are communication, attention to detail, and the ability to work accurately under a tight schedule. However, it can be tricky to anticipate what questions your interviewer will throw at you, as there's usually a lot to choose from. Multiple example answers can be found here. Expect questions about your organizational, time management, and communication skills. Be sure to include desktop software (like Excel) as well as online software (like Google Calendar). 152 Bowdoin Street } So we’re going to look at how to answer those questions while mistakes that can cost you the role! 4. The HR round of an interview is typically the last interview phase of the interview process; it's also quite frequently the phase where a hiring decision is made regarding the candidate. Then we’ll also look at how to prepare for an administrative assistant interview overall, including: What you should expect, what you should wear, what questions to ask them, and more. Get our free PDF with the top 30 interview questions to practice. This is an entry-level position with different support duties. 24 Interview Reviews. Great interpersonal skills, comfort with public speaking, and an ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality is also helpful in this role. What’s the most interesting project you’ve worked on as an administrative assistant? Copyright © 2020 Career Sidekick, LLC | Privacy | Disclaimer, Top 14 Administrative Assistant Interview Questions. Standard Interview Questions. 2. else { // covers JScript from 1900 thru 1999 and JavaScript until 3899 And if you’re speaking with a recruiter, here are 9 good questions to ask recruiters. Formulate answers for common administrative assistant interview questions. There’s a good chance the business you’re interviewing at will want to make sure their administrative assistants will fit with the overall office environment. Senior Administrative Assistants perform an assortment of clerical functions such as typing, printing, and database administration. May 21, 2020 - Explore Ramya's board "Administrative assistant interview questions" on Pinterest. To recap, make sure you do ALL of the following: First, make sure to study the job description and know about their job before going in. They’ll feel a lot more comfortable hiring you for the job if you can tell a story about how you have been successful while managing a high number of tasks. This includes tasks like answering/making phone calls to relay information, maintaining files, taking memos/meeting notes, sending and receiving messages to other employers or clients, and managing schedules. Expect questions about your organizational, time management, and communication skills. If you follow the tips above, you’ll be well-equipped to land your next administrative position. #2 – Use the STAR interview technique when answering situational type questions. Also prepare for questions like, “What do you feel is the purpose of administrative assistants in a company like ours?”. These are questions that start with phrases like, “Tell me about a situation where you had to…” and require a specific story or example. That’s why I’m confident I can succeed in this role.”. Be ready to name two or three skills that you feel are essential. Formulate answers for common administrative assistant interview questions. Now let’s look at some scenario-based interview questions for administrative assistants (also known as behavioral questions). if (thisyear >= 2000) { // covers JScript post 2000 Show that you have great communication skills, that you’re able to manage and organize lots of “moving pieces,” etc. #2 – Use the STAR interview technique when answering situational type questions. What do you enjoy most about administrative work? 14 % Employee Referral. 770 administrative assistant ~1~null~1~ interview questions. How would you describe your work style and how do you feel about working in a team? Hard. Most administrative personnel are required to use specific software, they’ll want to know what you’ve used in the past. They’re not going to feel comfortable hiring you if you don’t seem like you’ll get along with the management team. Administrative Assistant- Interview questions and answers. Here, we’re going to look at some admin assistant interview tips, followed by some sample admin assistant interview questions. Experience. Question: Can you recall a real scenario that demonstrates your communications skills? Average. 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. That will make them feel confident that you’ll be successful for them. 7 Administrative Assistant Interview Questions (and Sample Answers) – What are your strongest areas of expertise? The interviewer is likely just trying to get a sense of whether you'll fit into the workplace. The top administrative assistants are hard-working, inquisitive and expert in office softwares. Here are several common administrative assistant interview questions and sample answers so you can feel confident about your face-to-face meeting. Learn How to Answer the Most Common Administrative Assistant Interview Questions Last updated on June 3rd, 2020 at 04:47 pm Clean working environment, little stress level, and no special requirements on education or previous working experience–all of that attracts millions of job seekers to the position of an administrative assistant. We’ve also provided our tips on how to best answer these admin interview questions effectively in a job interview. How do you reward and encourage the people who work in your department?