An administrative assistant is the backbone of an organization. These professionals are responsible for balancing countless responsibilities to keep things in order behind the scenes. When interviewing for an administrative assistant position, expect to be asked some tough questions, due to the importance of the job. The interviewer will likely dig deep to ensure you’re a hard worker who has what it takes to succeed in such a fast-paced role.
Be ready to answer these four questions during your administrative assistant job interview:
- Why do you want to work as an administrative assistant?
Employers want to know that you’re really committed to the job and not just using it as a temporary stepping stone. Explain that you truly enjoy the challenge of working on a variety of projects, helping others and interacting with many different people. Highlight the fact that you’re extremely organized and detail oriented, which allows you to be a natural fit for the position.
- Explain a time you had to deal with a difficult personality.
As an administrative assistant, you’ll be in contact with many different personality types. Your boss may be the nicest person in the world, but unfortunately that doesn’t mean everyone else will treat you the same way. Let the interviewer know you can handle those who are a bit more challenging by explaining that you don’t take things personally and always behave like a consummate professional.
- How do you stay organized?
Employers count on their administrative assistants to manage their calendar, prioritize their workload and make sure all deadlines are met. Detail your impressive methods of keeping everything organized, including software — Outlook, shared Google calendar, OneNote, etc. —you use to ensure you never miss a beat. Steer clear of mentioning your impressive memory or reliable Post-it habit, as these are bound to make the interviewer a bit leery.
- What project are you most proud of managing?
Administrative assistants often help their boss with large, complex projects. Explain a major project you assisted with at a previous job, including details on how you delegated assignments, managed resources and stayed on top of it all to make sure all work was completed on time. Highlight any challenges you faced along the way and how your savvy thinking helped to overcome them.
Searching for a new administrative role? Contact Barrington Staffing. Our employment agency services Woodland Hills to Burbank, Thousand Oaks to Simi Valley, the Santa Clarita Valley and West Los Angeles.
