You have passed the test of your resume and cover letter and have been invited for an interview. You are excited, but at the same time you are nervous.

You are not sure what to expect and you are not sure how to prepare yourself. I am here to give you some guidance on what to expect from an administration interview and how to handle it like a pro.

1. What is the most challenging aspect of being an office administrator?

This question is designed to find out what you find most stressful about the job. It can also be a good way for you to gauge what your potential employer’s expectations are of you.

For example, if they say that they find it difficult to keep up with the pace of a busy office, or that they find it hard to maintain a work-life balance, then you may want to think about whether or not this is the right role for you.

On the other hand, if they say that they find it challenging to manage their time effectively, then you may want to talk about how you plan your day, and how you prioritize your tasks.

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2. What are the most important qualities for an office administrator to have?

The answer to this question can be very telling. The interviewer wants to see if your priorities align with the company’s priorities. Your answer will also reveal a bit about your character and what you think is most important in a professional setting.

A good administrator should be able to prioritize their tasks, and you should do the same in your interview. You can do this by choosing three to five qualities and explaining why you think they are the most important.

For example, it might be important to you to have a supportive team, to know that you are doing your job well, and to have opportunities for professional growth.

3. How do you prioritize your work?

Why They’re Asking: This question is designed to help the interviewer understand how you manage your time and how you approach your workload.

How to Answer: This is a great time to discuss how you assess and rank your tasks and how you monitor your progress. You may want to talk about how you avoid overcommitting yourself and how you communicate with your manager when you need help prioritizing.

4. What experience do you have with various office software programs?

Many companies use Microsoft Office programs such as Word, Excel, and Outlook. Others might use G Suite, which includes Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Gmail. Some companies also use industry-specific software.

The interviewer wants to know how much training you will need if you are hired. If you have experience with the software used by the company, be sure to highlight that.

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5. How do you handle sensitive information?

It’s common for administrators to have access to sensitive information. This could be anything from financial documents to personal emails.

The interviewer wants to know that you are aware of the importance of maintaining confidentiality and that you are able to handle sensitive information in a professional manner.

You should be prepared to provide an example of a time when you had to handle sensitive information in a previous role.

If you have experience working with sensitive information, you can use that experience to demonstrate your ability to handle it professionally.

If you don’t have any experience working with sensitive information, you can use an example from your personal life.

For example, you could talk about how you handled a sensitive situation in your family, or how you were able to keep a friend’s secret.

The key is to show the interviewer that you understand the importance of confidentiality and that you are able to handle sensitive information in a professional manner.

6. Can you tell me about a time you had to deal with a difficult coworker?

A lot of administration roles require you to work with a variety of different personality types, and you may find yourself working closely with a difficult coworker. This question is designed to test your diplomacy and problem-solving skills.

If you have a story about a time you successfully worked through a difficult situation with a coworker, this is a perfect opportunity to share it. Otherwise, you can talk about how you would handle a difficult coworker if you haven’t had the experience yet.

7. What’s your experience with customer service?

Customer service is a major part of an administrative role. You are often the first person an employee or visitor interacts with. You may also be the first person to address any issues or concerns that arise.

Your interviewer is looking for you to explain how you’ve handled customer service in the past. You can use specific examples of how you’ve interacted with customers or clients in previous roles. You can also provide examples of how you’ve helped employees or visitors in the past.

8. Do you have any experience managing social media accounts?

Social media has become a standard part of a company’s marketing strategy, and many businesses will expect their admins to have some experience managing social media accounts.

Your interviewer will be looking for information about which social media platforms you have experience using, what you did while you were managing the accounts, and how you measure success.

If you have experience with social media management, your interviewer will likely ask you to elaborate on the following points:

• How do you measure success when managing social media accounts?

• What is your experience with creating social media content?

• How do you communicate with the team when managing social media accounts?

• Do you have any experience with social media scheduling tools?

• What is your experience with paid social media ads?

• What is your experience with community management on social media?

• Do you have any experience with influencer marketing on social media?

9. Ask me if you have any questions you have for me?

This is a standard question to end the interview on. It will be expected that you have questions about the company and the role, so make sure you have some prepared.

This is also a great opportunity to ask about the next steps in the interview process and when you are likely to hear back. If you are keen on the role, make sure you tell the interviewer that you are interested and ask them when they are looking to make a decision.

Conclusion

The interview process is a two-way street. The employer is trying to determine if you are the right fit for the company, and you are trying to determine if the company is the right fit for you. Take the time to prepare for the interview and follow these tips to help you make a great impression.