Question Overview: This is a question that will help you determine if the candidate is actually interested in the position. It will also give you an idea of how well they know your company.
Sample Answer: I'm very interested in working for your company because I've heard great things about it and I think it would be a great fit for me.
Question Overview: The best administrators are able to manage stakeholders, even those who are unreasonable. You want to know how your administrator will react to a difficult situation and how they will handle a difficult person.
Sample Answer: I've had to deal with a few unreasonable stakeholders in my time, but I've always been able to remain professional and work with them toward a mutually beneficial solution.
Question Overview: The best administrators are always calm, cool and collected. They're also able to effectively manage stress and conflict. You want to know how your administrator would handle a difficult situation, like a coworker or customer yelling at him or her.
Sample Answer: I'd calmly ask the person to repeat himself or herself, then explain my position and why I made the decision I did.
Question Overview: The best administrators are adept at handling difficult clients. They are able to maintain a professional relationship while also being assertive and firm when necessary. They also know how to tactfully handle a client's anger or frustration without compromising their own integrity or the company's reputation.
Sample Answer: I would listen carefully to the client's concerns and address them directly. I would also be sure to document the conversation in case there were any misunderstandings.
Question Overview: This question is a trap. The best way to answer it is to turn your weakness into a strength. For example, if you are a perfectionist, you can say that you sometimes work too hard to make sure everything is done perfectly, but that your perfectionism has made you a better administrator.
Sample Answer: I'm a perfectionist, so I sometimes work too hard to make sure everything is done perfectly. But my perfectionism has made me a better administrator.
Question Overview: A business administrator must be able to work well with others, including managers, peers and subordinates. The best administrators are able to work with a variety of personalities and styles while still maintaining their own professionalism.
Sample Answer: I've worked with a variety of different people in my career, and I've always been able to find common ground and work effectively with them.
Question Overview: A school administrator must be able to analyze the problems of a school and develop a plan to address them. You want to know that your administrator understands the root causes of poor performance and has the knowledge and experience to address them.
Sample Answer: I would first analyze the school's strengths and weaknesses. I would then develop a plan to address the weaknesses and implement it.
Question Overview: The best administrators are always on the clock, even when they're not at work. They're constantly thinking about their work and how to improve it. They're always looking for ways to streamline processes and cut down on time-wasters. They're always thinking about how to do more with less.
Sample Answer: I use a variety of time-management techniques, including prioritizing tasks, setting goals and breaking down large projects into smaller tasks.
Question Overview: Mistakes are inevitable in business. An administrator must be able to recognize and address mistakes, learn from them and move on. In addition, an administrator must be able to identify mistakes made by others and address them in a constructive way.
Sample Answer: I've always taken responsibility for my own mistakes and learned from them. I've also been able to identify mistakes made by others and address them in a constructive way.
Question Overview: An administrator's future plans are an indicator of his or her commitment to professional development. If an administrator has no plans for growth, it's a sign he or she is content with the status quo and may be less likely to take initiative or be proactive in his or her work.
Sample Answer: I'm interested in advancing my skills and knowledge in business administration and management. I'm also interested in pursuing a master's degree in business administration.