Keeping a few sample interview questions and answers at hand can help you get through an interview for the post of an administrative assistant easily.
The first step towards getting that position as an administrative assistant is getting through the interview. And during the interview, you’ll be asked quite a few questions regarding many different aspects of your personal and professional life. In order to help you get through the interview smoothly, you’ll find some probable questions and answers in this article. Read them and use them as a guide to help you through the interview with ease.
Most Commonly Asked Interview Questions
The questions asked at interviews are more or less typical. They revolve around two main aspects of the candidate: the personal qualities that the person can use to excel at the job and the professional experience and qualifications that a candidate possesses to be a good administrative assistant. Answering the interview questions for this job is quite easy once you know that you have the required qualifications and/or work experience to get the job. Nevertheless, we have some most frequently asked ones compiled for you so that you have some idea of what you can expect when you go for the actual interview.
Tell us something about yourself
This is probably one of the most popular questions during an interview. Your answer has to be simple, to the point and should include the following basic elements.
▣ Your full name
▣ Your educational qualifications in brief
▣ Your likes and dislikes
▣ Your hobbies
The interviewer has probably gone through your CV already. This may just be a way of corroborating what is already on paper. Don’t get into details like family and achievements until explicitly asked for.
What responsibilities did your previous job entail?
This is a blanket question. An elaborate answer is expected for this one. Give all details of every single duty that you were asked to perform in your previous organization. All the kinds of information transfer that you were handling. If you were in charge of confidential information, say that. It will create a good impression about you. It will show that you are capable of handling sensitive information. Give them a lowdown on what kind of administrative jobs you were in charge of. Filing, arranging meetings, travel, rostering of employees, correspondence, switchboard handling, internal communication, etc. Anything that you were asked to do needs to be mentioned. You never know which of the aspects they might find impressive.
If this position requires you to handle money, are you ready to accept the responsibility?
If your previous job did not require you to handle money, then make this very clear if this question is asked. At the same time, don’t directly say that you are incapable of handling the responsibility. Think it through thoroughly and only then answer in the affirmative. Handling money can be very delicate. So, if you’re confident of your ability, then say yes.
Take us through a day in your previous organization, as you went about it.
This is basically a question to see how well you organize your daily activities. Since the job description demands tremendous organization abilities, this question, or some variation of it, will test how efficiently you handle the numerous responsibilities placed on your shoulders. Slowly take them through how you went about your daily activities at your previous organization. Make sure that it is indeed true and that you’re capable of doing all the things that you mention you did.
What according to you are your strengths and weaknesses? OR Why do you think you are suitable for this position?
This is basically a question to see how well you organize your daily activities. Since the job description demands tremendous organization abilities, this question, or some variation of it, will test how efficiently you handle the numerous responsibilities placed on your shoulders. Slowly take them through how you went about your daily activities at your previous organization. Make sure that it is indeed true and that you’re capable of doing all the things that you mention you did.
Can you work well under pressure?
The best way to answer this (or any other) question is honestly. You know how well you can or cannot work under pressure. So there’s no point lying about it. If you can handle stressful situations and deadlines, which will be quite common in your job as an admin assistant, then make sure that you elucidate this to your interviewer. Mention instances when you have done it in the past, as evidence. If you think you do not handle pressure well, you can be clever about the way you put it. You can say that you get a bit flustered under pressure, but are very determined and hardworking, so you get the work done as it is supposed to. The interviewer could test you about this on the spot, so don’t bother lying.
Don’t be nervous, believe in yourself and your ability to be a good administrative assistant and you’ll definitely get the job. Good luck!