Executive Assistant Interview Questions And Answers – How to prepare for an exam without knowing what questions to ask? Preparing for a job interview is a bit of a guessing game. Fortunately, most hiring managers stick to many of the same executive assistant interview questions and topics. Administrative Assistant (EA) is a personal job where compliance is essential in nature – I know because this was my first job out of college. My boss has never hired an EA before and I have never. One of his first questions in my interview was, “How do you feel about that [pointing to his paper-covered desk]?” I got the job (and organized the paperwork), but we both could have certainly benefited from better interview questions to set expectations more quickly. Dig deeper into these questions to prepare for your next executive assistant interview. Table of Contents What Makes a Good Executive Assistant? What are executive assistant interview questions? 20 Executive Assistant Interview Questions and Answers What Makes a Good Executive Assistant? The best EAs are resourceful and work independently to create solutions. They must be process oriented, digitally literate and comfortable handling logistics. EAs must be diplomatic with good communication, while remaining a firm and determined watchdog for execution. Ali Schwanke, CEO of consulting firm HubSpot Simple Strat, has hired several virtual assistants to help him with tasks from researching chat deals to managing his inbox to posting on social media. Over time, he realized he needed someone with digital software skills who could get on board quickly without much guidance. “For me, it’s important to find someone who can help me identify opportunities,” she suggests. “This helped because my assistant learned more about my life and habits and was able to suggest things that made my life easier.” What are executive assistant interview questions? Executive assistant interview questions are questions an interviewer may ask a candidate during an EA interview. Job seekers can use this list to prepare for a job interview, even if the exact questions vary. Hiring managers can use EA interview questions to design a better interview process and find the best person to work with. We’ve collected 20 executive assistant interview questions and answers, along with the most common questions asked by interviewers during EA interviews, why they’re important, and how you should answer them. Interview questions usually fall into three categories: Hard skills questions ask about your experience using different tools and are fairly straightforward. Questions about social skills such as communication or event planning are a bit more complex. Show off your social skills by walking them through your thought process about a situation or sharing an accomplishment. Behavioral questions are the most difficult type of interview question, and are often called “Tell me about a time…” or “How do you deal with…?” Candidates should prepare three to five anecdotes of success or difficulty situation they have experienced and be able to adapt to any behavioral issue. Whether you’re applying for a virtual assistant or a traditional executive assistant role, you can expect any of the following 20 questions in the hiring process. 1. Tell me about yourself. Why it matters: This question is often the first to be asked and can trip up candidates. Hmmm…do you like my life story? This is important because it is your first chance to talk and make a good impression. First impression bias is real: Many people make a decision in the first minute of an interview that can affect the rest of the hiring process. How to answer: This question is more of an icebreaker, so keep it short and concise with an upbeat tone. Your introduction should take no more than 20 seconds and share the highlights of your resume and cover letter. For example, “Hi, I’m ____. I am ____ expert with __ years of experience in ____ and _____ industries.” You can include a short personal detail like where you grew up or where you went to school, but no more than that. First of all, don’t get lost! 2. Why do you want to work in this company? Why it matters: Companies are looking for one thing with this question: They want to know if you’ve taken the time to research what the company does. For EA, this means that you take the initiative to prepare for the interview and can find and analyze key information online. How to answer: There is no definite correct answer to this question because it is different for each person. If working for a mission-driven organization is important to you, check out the company’s newsroom to see if they have any exciting innovations or missions to talk about. For example, it is good to refer to the good reputation of the company if you know someone who works there and recommend them as an employer. 3. Why do you think you are suitable for this job? Why it matters: This is another question interviewers use to see if you’ve done your research and read the job description carefully. This is also the perfect lead-in question to give your elevator pitch why your skills match the EA job. How to answer: Analyze the job description and identify the top two or three skills or traits that apply. Prepare a short text about how you have applied these skills in past roles. For example: “You said you are looking for strong written communication skills. As assistant to the CEO, I wrote staff memos and email correspondence on his behalf and drafted press releases that went out to several thousand shareholders.” 4. Why are you considering leaving your current job? Why it matters: All hiring managers want to know the “reason” behind a candidate leaving their previous employer. This question is misleading because you can’t always directly state the real reason (like asking for better pay). When answered well, it can make you look smart and ambitious. When the response is poor, you may think of yourself as a recruiter or someone who is difficult to work with. How to answer: Keep your answer as specific as possible while maintaining your tact. If your previous job was a toxic work environment with a bad boss, say, “I’m looking for an employer with a positive work environment where I can genuinely participate and contribute as part of a team.” Always emphasize positive goals that look forward rather than looking back. It’s also good to talk about the different skills you want to develop that you didn’t develop in your previous job – this shows that you want to continue to develop as a professional. Make sure you don’t fall into the trap of trashing your former employer. Privacy is paramount to EA and this is often a big red flag for hiring managers. 5. What is an achievement you are proud of? Why is it important? : This question makes you brag about yourself! Your answer will show what you value and how you measure success. How to answer: Again, there is no correct answer to this question. Try to imagine something that exhibits strong EA traits like resourcefulness. Whatever achievement you choose, use the STAR method to demonstrate your process and how you measure it as a success. at your college. 6. How do you keep your time and tasks organized? Why it matters: Many managers need to hire an assistant when the organization lacks strength or when the amount of work to organize is more than they can handle. They want to know that you can manage everything without dropping the ball. How to answer? You can demonstrate how you use technologies such as Google Docs, Excel, or project management software to organize tasks and information. If you have a proven time management process, describe what it is and how you implemented it. Pro tip: Check out time management tips from HubSpot’s own EA. 7. Are you willing to work overtime? Why is it important? Every company is different, but it’s common for EAs to occasionally work outside of business hours to meet the needs of a fast-paced leader. Establishing this expectation at the outset can determine whether it will be a good fit for both parties. How to respond: Tell the interviewer if you’re flexible, but balance this with setting boundaries early on. Now is a good time to replace this question with a few of your own. Is overtime the exception or the norm for someone in this position? What are the expectations for checking email outside of business hours? What are the typical hours observed for someone in this position? 8. How do you handle several key tasks from multiple managers that need to be completed by the end of the day? Why it matters: It’s common for EAs to support multiple admins, so here’s why
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