Administrative Assistant Interview Questions and Answers

The first step towards getting that position as an administrative assistant is to get 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 interview 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 interview questions and answers 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 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. Remember, this is not a specific question that will be asked just during an interview for an administrative assistant position. 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 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. Handling 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 an administrative assistant 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 are capable of.

What according to you are your strengths and weaknesses? OR
Why do you think you are suitable for this position?
Both these questions are aimed at checking how confident and secure you are about your personal and professional self. Hence, make it a point to highlight all the qualities that you possess that will help you to be a good administrative assistant. You can mention a couple of weaknesses too. However, make sure that they have nothing to do with the profile of an administrative assistant. Be true and honest and you'll sail through the interview. Lie, and you're bound to get stuck and worse, caught!

These were few questions and answers likely to be asked. Follow these interview tips and techniques, don't be nervous, believe in yourself and your ability to be a good administrative assistant and you'll definitely get the job.