Secretarial & Business Admin Interview Questions & Answers

The interview went very well. I was asked generally about my previous employment and education. The different aspects of the business were explained and what the role would entail.

I was then asked what would my friends describe me as and what kind of skeletons do I have in my closet, if any. I said, organised, friendly and sporty and that I was dyslexic but I had methods to minimise it's impact.

He then questioned me about how I would encompass the job in my life: how I would get to work, what kind of salary I was expecting etc.
At the end of the interview he introduced me to the other team members and offered me the job.

I was asked to describe myself in 3 words, which I found difficult. I later asked my friends what they would say: Loyal, Organised and Friendly, which I was asked again in another interview, so was very useful.

Be inviting and competent. If you are nice and have the skills needed for the role as stated in your CV they are just checking that you would fit into the company well.

They are a really nice and friendly company whcih is reflected in the interview. They have now been acquired by Charco, so the interview process may change.

No assessment centre interview.

After completing my initial job application on graduate-jobs.com, I received an email confirming my place for an assessment centre; I did not personally have an interview. My assessment centre experience is described below. However, there was an interview for some candidates after the assessment centre.

Both tasks are explained above, although I personally found the email task slightly more challenging since we were given no context, I didn't know how late the delivery was and what the order consisted of and so was unsure what tone and severity to write the email with. Also, not aware of duration of service from that specific company and therefore how loyal they should be.

Perhaps the interview was probably more challenging, yet I wasn't called in for that and so cannot provide an insight.

Try and make a good impression with everything you say, be presentable. Everything you're tasked with is for a reason - they are assessing all your actions constantly. Especially the meet and greet at the start with the employees - be as smiley and friendly as you can, try and be remembered for all good reasons, ask questions, be smart. Do research beforehand, use these facts to impress them, unlike the other candidates would. Engage as much as possible, take the drinks you're offered! Try and input as much as you can during the group exercise, if others aren't, urge them by asking questions to prompt them - don't be cocky and take over - it's a team activity.

Sat at a conference table with 8 other candidates. Greeted by HR Manager and Office Manager - day itinerary is summarised. 9 other existing employees enter room and we all get up and each speak with employees one-on-one simultaneously for a couple minutes each, going round the room. They then leave and we are tasked with a group exercise to plan the next quarterly social gathering for the whole department (location, event, transport etc.) - communication and collaboration with other team members is what matters most. One member summarises at the end for the whole room. Next task is to write out a list of 10-11 tasks in order of priority after being given the initial list of errands - told to think about questions you may have about these tasks and urgency of them (10 minutes to complete). Final task is to write out a fictional email draft to stationary company regarding a late delivery (10 mins). Then told that only 2-3 candidates will be chosen to remain for an interview, remaining candidates leave.

Why you want to work in property? why did you study that subject in university? Do you have experience working in customer service?
I'm sure if it was the job role but there were only ladies being interviewed for that role which I found really odd. We were told to converse with the senior employees and impress them.

Why haven't you found a job since graduating? What do you know about property?

Be yourself but also professional and enthusiastic about the role. Also, do some research about the role and the job criteria. Also some knowledge about the company would be handy. But don't overwhelm yourself because if you don't get this role there always something right waiting for you.

It was very professional and really busy even though it was late.