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: 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: 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.
Question Overview: This is a tough question, but it's important to see how an administrator responds. A good administrator will be able to take a negative experience and turn it into a positive lesson. He or she will also be able to reflect on the failure and explain how he or she would handle it differently today.
Sample Answer: I once made a mistake in a report that cost my company thousands of dollars. I was able to identify the problem and correct it before the client noticed, but I learned from the experience and now double-check all my work.
Question Overview: An administrator's time is valuable, and you want to know how they spend it. You want to know if they're available to you when you need them and if they're willing to work long hours when necessary.
Sample Answer: I'm available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Question Overview: The best administrators are self-aware and honest about their strengths and weaknesses. They know what they're good at and what they need to work on. They also know how their skills and experience can benefit a company.
Sample Answer: I think my experience as a manager and my ability to work well with others makes me a good fit for this position.
Question Overview: An administrator must be able to not only organize but also facilitate meetings and events. This includes not only setting up the logistics but also managing the flow of information and ideas, keeping the meeting on track and on time, and ensuring that everyone is heard and that decisions are made.
Sample Answer: I've organized a variety of meetings, including weekly staff meetings, quarterly departmental meetings and annual conferences. I've been able to keep these events on schedule while ensuring that all attendees have been heard.
Question Overview: You want to know that your administrator is a Cy-Fair alumnus because it shows that he or she has a strong sense of loyalty and pride in the institution. Moreover, it demonstrates that he or she has a strong sense of community and is willing to give back to the community in which he or she was raised.
Sample Answer: I chose Cy-Fair because I wanted to be a part of a great school with a strong reputation. I also wanted to be able to stay close to home.
Question Overview: An administrator must be able to stand up for his or her own ideas and opinions. You want to know your administrator is able to express his or her thoughts and ideas in a professional manner.
Sample Answer: I once disagreed with a co-worker about how to handle a customer complaint. I was able to explain my point of view in a professional manner and we were able to come to a mutual agreement.
Question Overview: An administrator's goals are always tied to the company's goals. You want to know your administrator is committed to the company's success and will work toward that end.
Sample Answer: I want to help this company succeed by ensuring all administrative duties are carried out effectively and efficiently.
Question Overview: It's important to know what motivates your administrator. If he or she is a creative person, you want to know how he or she will apply that creativity to your business. If he or she is a detail-oriented person, you want to know how he or she will apply that attention to detail to your business.
Sample Answer: I love art and I love history, and I wanted to be able to combine the two.
Question Overview: The best administrators are self-aware and able to articulate their strengths and weaknesses. You want to know your administrator is honest about his or her abilities and is able to work with a team to compensate for any shortcomings.
Sample Answer: I'm detail-oriented and a quick learner, but I'm also a bit of a perfectionist. I've learned to delegate tasks that I'm not as strong at, like public speaking, and focus on my strengths, like managing projects.
Question Overview: An administrator must be a lifelong learner, so you want to know his or her ideal learning environment. Is it a classroom, a conference, a book or a mentor? What is the best way for this person to learn?
Sample Answer: I like to learn by doing. I've found that the best way for me to learn is by taking on new responsibilities and projects.