Top Administrative Assistant Interview Questions with Example Answers [2022]

Question Overview: The goal of the question is to see if they have a realistic view of what a job can offer.

Sample Answer: I expect to be challenged and to learn new things. I want to work with people who are positive and supportive. I want to be able to contribute my skills and talents.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Do they have a realistic view of what a job can offer?
• - Do they know what they want in a job?
• - Do they know what they can offer a job

Question Overview: The goal of the question is to see if they are interested in the company.

Sample Answer: I know that you are a leader in your industry, and that you have been in business for over 20 years. I also know that you have a great reputation for treating your employees well and that you have a lot of growth potential.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Do they know something about the company?
• - Do they have a sense of what is important to the company?
• - Do they have a sense of what the company does?

Question Overview: The goal of the question is to see if they are leaving for a better opportunity.

Sample Answer: I am leaving my current job because I am looking for a position that offers more opportunities for growth. I want to be able to use my skills and experience in a way that will help me grow professionally.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Do they have a concrete reason for leaving?
• - Do they have a good reason for leaving?
• - Do they understand why they are leaving?

Question Overview: The goal of the question is to see if this candidate can learn from their mistakes.

Sample Answer: My biggest success was when I was able to help my boss get a promotion. I was working for a manager who had been passed over for promotion several times, and I knew he had the skills and abilities to do the job. I made sure to keep track of his work and accomplishments, and when the time came for promotion, I made sure to be there to support him.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Do they have a sense of what they have learned from their mistakes?
• - Do they have a sense of what they have learned from their successes?
• - Do they know how to take advantage of their successes

Question Overview: The goal of the question is to see if they can handle multiple tasks at once.

Sample Answer: I have a very clear sense of what is most important at any given time, and I make sure to focus on that. I also have a very good sense of how long things take me, so I can plan my day accordingly.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Do they have a sense of how to prioritize?
• - Do they know how to handle multiple tasks at once?
• - Do they know how to manage their time

Question Overview: The goal of the question is to find out if they are a good fit for the company.

Sample Answer: I have always admired your company because you are a leader in your industry, and I want to be part of that. I know that you value your employees, and I feel that I can be an important part of your team.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Do they know what the company does?
• - Do they know what the company values?
• - Do they know why they are a good fit for the company?

Question Overview: The goal of the question is to see if they have experience in the field.

Sample Answer: I have been an administrative assistant for 10 years, and I have been working in this industry for 20 years. I have a strong sense of what is needed for this job, and I know how to do it.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Do they have experience in the field?
• - Do they have a good sense of what is needed for this job?
• - Do they know what their experience is

Question Overview: The goal of the question is to see if the candidate knows how to prepare for a technical interview.

Sample Answer: I like to take a look at the company's website and see what they do. Then I read up on the company's products and services. I also like to look at the job description and see what skills are needed. Then I make sure I have those skills.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Do they know how to prepare for a technical interview?
• - Do they know what to expect?
• - Do they know how to study for a technical interview

Question Overview: The goal of the question is to see if they can be honest about their past.

Sample Answer: I didn't like that I was so far removed from the action. I like being at the center of things, and in my last job I felt like I was on the periphery.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Do they have a sense of what they liked and didn't like about their previous position?
• - Do they know how to be honest about their past?
• - Do they know how to learn from their past

Question Overview: The goal of the question is to see if they have a realistic sense of themselves.

Sample Answer: I am very organized, but I sometimes get too focused on details and lose sight of the big picture. When this happens I take a step back and make sure I am seeing the whole picture.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Do they know what their strengths and weaknesses are?
• - Do they know how to compensate for their weaknesses?
• - Do they know how to capitalize on their strengths?

Question Overview: The goal of the question is to see if the candidate can articulate a vision of their role in the company.

Sample Answer: I can make sure that all of the executive's needs are met, and that they have all the information they need to make decisions. I can also make sure that all of the employees have what they need to do their jobs well.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Do they have a clear vision of their role in the company?
• - Do they have a clear vision of what they can do for the company?
• - Do they know how to fit into a larger team

Question Overview: The goal of the question is to see if they are a team player.

Sample Answer: I love working in a team. I think it's the best way to get things done, and I'm always happy to pitch in and help out.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Do they know how to work well in a team?
• - Do they know how to be a part of a team?
• - Do they know how to work with others?

Question Overview: The goal of the question is to see if they have a sense of empathy.

Sample Answer: I would try to find out what the problem was, and then I would try to help them solve it. I would try to get them to open up and talk about what was going on, and then I would do my best to help them work through it.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Do they have a sense of empathy?
• - Do they know how to deal with difficult people?
• - Are they confident in their ability to deal with people

Question Overview: The goal of the question is to see if the candidate has a realistic sense of their own skills.

Sample Answer: I have always been interested in art, and I think I have a good eye for what makes a good piece. I am also very organized, and I think that will help me keep track of all the details involved in running an art gallery.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Do they know what they are good at?
• - Do they know what they need to improve?
• - Do they have a realistic sense of their own strengths and weaknesses

Question Overview: The goal of the question is to see how the candidate thinks.

Sample Answer: I had to choose between two ways to handle a situation. One way was the way I had always done it before, and the other way was a new way that I had never tried. I knew that the new way would be more efficient, but I also knew that my boss would not like it because he was used to the old way. So I decided to try the new way and then tell my boss about it after he had seen how well it worked.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Do they have a clear sense of how to make decisions?
• - Do they have a strong sense of what is important to them?
• - Do they know how to prioritize

Question Overview: The goal of the question is to see if they are fast and accurate.

Sample Answer: I type at about 60 words per minute, but I am always working to improve my speed.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Do they know what is fast and accurate for them?
• - Do they know what is fast and accurate for the job?
• - Do they know what is fast and accurate for the company?

Question Overview: The goal is to see if they have a long-term plan for their career.

Sample Answer: I am planning on staying in this position for at least another year, and then I am hoping to move into a more managerial position. I am not sure what that will entail, but I am hoping to learn more about that as I go along.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Do they have a sense of where they want to be in the future?
• - Do they know what they want to do next?
• - Do they know how to get there

Question Overview: The goal of the question is to see how they handle failure.

Sample Answer: I once had a situation where I was supposed to get a document to someone, but I accidentally sent it to the wrong person. I was able to quickly apologize and get the document to the right person, but I learned that it is important not to rush in these situations.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Do they have a good sense of failure?
• - Do they know how to learn from failure?
• - Do they know how to move on from failure?

Question Overview: The goal of the question is to see if they have any other information they want to share.

Sample Answer: I am a big fan of the Red Sox, and I love to cook. I am also a very good cook.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Do they have any other information they want to share?
• - Do they know how to present themselves well?
• - Do they know how to sell themselves?