Top Office Assistant Interview Questions with Example Answers [2022]

Prepare for your Office Assistant interview by going through these most asked Office Assistant interview questions. Additionally, get access to sample answers and interviewer's expectations.

Interview Practice

Search Office Assistant Questions:


  • Question: Tell me about a time you went above and beyond for a patient.
  • Question Overview: The best way to identify a great candidate for office assistant is to ask them about a time they went above and beyond for someone. This is a great question to ask because it gets them thinking about the specific details of the situation. You want to hire someone who is able to think on their feet and make quick decisions.

    Sample Answer: I had a patient who was having trouble with their insurance company. I spent hours on the phone with them and their insurance company until they were able to get the care they needed.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A willingness to go above and beyond
    • - A history of going above and beyond
    • - A desire to help others

  • Question: What kind of work do you like to do?
  • Question Overview: The office assistant is a jack-of-all-trades. They are the glue that holds the office together. They are the first person to arrive in the morning and the last to leave at night. They are the person who makes sure all the little things get done. They are the person who makes sure everyone else is doing their job.

    Sample Answer: I like to do whatever it takes to get the job done. I'm a people person and enjoy working with others. I'm a great communicator and love to help people find solutions to problems. I'm a hard worker and always strive for excellence.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A willingness to do whatever it takes to get the job done
    • - A desire to learn new skills
    • - A track record of working well with others

  • Question: Have you ever audited your own work?
  • Question Overview: An office assistant is often the first person to notice when something is amiss. It's their job to ensure that everything is in its proper place and that nothing is missing. This requires them to be honest with themselves and their work.

    Sample Answer: I'm always looking for ways to improve my work. I know that if I don't audit my own work, then no one else will. I'm always looking for ways to improve my work and make sure everything is in its proper place.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to be self-critical
    • - Confidence in their work
    • - Track record of noticing mistakes

  • Question: Why did you apply for this job?
  • Question Overview: The office assistant role is a crucial position in any company. It's important to hire someone who has a genuine interest in the work they'll be doing. You want to hire someone who is excited about the opportunity to help your company grow and succeed.

    Sample Answer: I've been working as an office assistant for over a decade. I'm looking for a new challenge and want to work for a company that is dedicated to growth and success. I'm excited about the opportunity to help your company grow and succeed.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A genuine interest in the job
    • - A desire to work for your company
    • - A track record of success in similar roles

  • Question: What are your plans after graduation?
  • Question Overview: You want to hire someone who is eager to grow within your organization. You want someone who is willing to take on new challenges and responsibilities. You want someone who is willing to put in the time and effort to learn the ropes and become a valuable asset for your company.

    Sample Answer: I'm planning on taking the CPA exam in the next year or two. I'm also looking into taking some classes at night to get my MBA. I'm excited about the opportunities that will open up after I complete these courses.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A clear plan for the future
    • - Confidence in their goals
    • - A willingness to learn

  • Question: Tell me about yourself.
  • Question Overview: You want to hire someone who is confident in their abilities and willing to share their personal story. You want to know that they are a good fit for your company and will be able to work well with the rest of your staff. You want someone who is dedicated to their career and has a desire to grow within your organization.

    Sample Answer: I'm a big believer in the importance of teamwork. I'm always looking for ways to help my coworkers and make the office run more smoothly. I'm a hard worker who is dedicated to my career and always looking for new opportunities to grow.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A strong sense of self
    • - A desire to grow within your organization
    • - A willingness to share personal details

  • Question: What are your shortcomings?
  • Question Overview: The office assistant is a jack-of-all-trades. They are responsible for a variety of tasks and duties. The trick is finding someone who is honest about their shortcomings and can explain how they plan to overcome them.

    Sample Answer: I'm not great at public speaking or writing. I'm working on becoming more comfortable in front of a crowd and am taking a public speaking class. I'm also working on my writing skills by taking a creative writing class.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Honesty about shortcomings
    • - Plans to overcome shortcomings
    • - Ability to articulate plans

  • Question: Are you able to work the hours needed for this job?
  • Question Overview: This is a question that is often overlooked by applicants. You want to hire someone who is willing to work the hours needed to get the job done. If you're hiring an office assistant, you need someone who is willing to work overtime and weekends when necessary.

    Sample Answer: I'm a hard worker who is always willing to go above and beyond for my employer. I'm able to work independently and am comfortable with a flexible schedule. I'm available to work overtime and weekends when necessary.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A willingness to work overtime and weekends
    • - A track record of working long hours
    • - A desire to be a part of the team

  • Question: What are your multitasking skills?
  • Question Overview: Multitasking is a necessary skill for any office assistant. They are often responsible for handling multiple projects at once, and they must be capable of juggling them all with ease. The last thing you want is to hire someone who is unable to handle the workload.

    Sample Answer: I'm able to juggle multiple projects at once. I'm a great multitasker and can manage multiple client files with reliability. I also continuously upgrade my technical skills and have excellent written and verbal communication skills.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to handle multiple projects at once
    • - Confidence in their multitasking skills
    • - Track record of success

  • Question: When can you start?
  • Question Overview: The best way to find a great office assistant is to hire someone who is eager to start working. You want someone who can start immediately and hit the ground running. This is especially important if you're in a time crunch or need someone to fill a sudden vacancy.

    Sample Answer: I'm ready to start as soon as possible. I have my resume and references ready for you.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Availability to start immediately
    • - Confidence in their answer
    • - A desire to start working

  • Question: Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a disgruntled customer or colleague.
  • Question Overview: The office assistant is often the first person to encounter a disgruntled customer or colleague. It's their job to diffuse the situation and keep the peace. This requires them to be a good listener and a great problem solver. They need to be able to identify the root of the problem and find a way to resolve it quickly and effectively.

    Sample Answer: I was working with a client who was upset that we couldn't accommodate his request for a meeting room. I took the time to listen to his concerns and found a solution that would work for everyone. He was grateful for my help and we were able to move forward with his project.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to listen and empathize with others
    • - Confidence in their ability to resolve conflict
    • - Ability to think on their feet

  • Question: What are your expectations from the company?
  • Question Overview: It's important to hire someone who is realistic about the expectations of the job. You don't want to hire someone who is expecting to be a manager in six months, but you also don't want someone who is expecting to be a secretary for the rest of their career.

    Sample Answer: I'm looking for a long-term position where I can grow my skills and contribute to the company's success. I'm looking for a company that will invest in my training and development so I can learn new skills and take on more responsibilities.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A realistic understanding of what the job entails
    • - The ability to articulate what they hope to achieve in the position
    • - A desire to grow within the company

  • Question: What have you done to prepare for this office assistant position?
  • Question Overview: The best way to prepare for a job interview is to research the company and position you're interviewing for. This will give you a leg up on the competition and help you stand out as a candidate who is genuinely interested in the job.

    Sample Answer: I've been following your company for years. I've read all about your products and services. I know your goals and objectives. I'm excited to learn more about how I can help you achieve them.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Knowledge of the company's history
    • - Familiarity with the company's products or services
    • - Awareness of the company's goals and objectives

  • Question: How do you define customer service?
  • Question Overview: You want to hire someone who understands the importance of customer service in the modern office. This is a person who is able to identify the needs of your clients and respond accordingly. They are able to anticipate needs and provide solutions.

    Sample Answer: I believe that customer service is about going above and beyond for clients. It's about anticipating their needs and providing solutions. It's about making them feel like they are the most important person in the world.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to identify client needs
    • - Ability to communicate with clients
    • - Ability to anticipate client needs

  • Question: How would you handle a situation in which your professor was pushy?
  • Question Overview: The best way to find out how a candidate will handle a situation is to ask them to describe a time they were in that situation. This is a great way to gauge their ability to think on their feet and respond in a professional manner.

    Sample Answer: I would politely ask the professor if we could meet after class or during office hours. I would explain that I was having trouble understanding the material and ask for clarification.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to remain calm and composed
    • - Confidence in their response
    • - Knowledge of the proper steps to take

  • Question: How will you describe yourself as an animal?
  • Question Overview: Office assistants are often the first point of contact for clients and customers. They need to be able to communicate effectively and build rapport with clients. This is a great question to ask because it can reveal a lot about how your applicant will handle themselves in the office.

    Sample Answer: I'm a lion! I'm strong and powerful, but I'm also a team player. I'm proud of my work and always ready to help my co-workers.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A sense of humor
    • - Confidence in their answer
    • - Ability to think on their feet

  • Question: What are your strengths/weaknesses?
  • Question Overview: It's important that you hire someone who is honest about their strengths and weaknesses. You want to hire someone who is self-aware and can articulate their shortcomings in a way that shows they are working to improve.

    Sample Answer: I'm a perfectionist. I like to do things right the first time and don't like to repeat myself. This can be a strength in some situations, but it can also be a weakness when I don't delegate tasks that are better suited for others. I'm working on my delegation skills and have been able to delegate more tasks in the last year.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Honesty about shortcomings
    • - Confidence in their response
    • - Ability to articulate how they are working to improve