Sample Q & A..:

Behavioural Interviews | Preparation | Intro to Interviewing

• Tell me about yourself.
  
  "My background includes extensive experience in all aspects of Office Administration such as managing operating budgets up to $500,000, supervising a staff of 4-6, purchasing, network administration and telecommunications. As well, I oversaw several corporate moves over the past number of years, involving significant planning and organizing.
  
  I think that my ability to develop and implement effective systems such as electronic document organization and retrieval, and client databases has really helped our office run more smoothly.
  
  
• What would you say are your strengths?
  
  Technical troubleshooting, customer service and organizing workflows and meeting deadlines.
  
  BE prepared to give specific examples to demonstrate each strength if you are asked. When you give an example make sure to talk about the problem/challenge/opportunity you were facing (P); what actions you took (A); and what was the end result (R).
  
  
• Can you tell me about a weakness you have?
  
  I think that I have a tendency to supervise people somewhat loosely. For example, once staff are trained and competent, I generally leave them to achieve the results. I have learned that some people do need more specific direction and monitoring and have adjusted my management style accordingly. I have developed some good follow-up systems to help keep people on track - I do realize this is something I have to keep on top of.
  
  
• Why did you leave your previous organization?
  
  Our company recently merged with another consulting firm, and as a result a number of functions were moved to the U.S. - my position was one of them. The core group left in Canada consists of professional staff and a few administrative functions.
  
  
• Where do you see your self three years down the line?
  
  I like what I am doing. I still see my self in administration. I will like to keep taking on different challenges and more responsibilities. But I hope to still be in this field.
  
  
• If I talked to your previous supervisors what do you think that are going to say about you?
  
  I believe they will agree with me on my ability to trouble shoot effectively; provide good customer service; and organize workflows effectively to meet deadlines. I also think they will describe me as an easy person to get along with and that I can be counted on to get things done.
  
  
• What kind of salary are you looking for?
  
  I really have not thought about that too much because I really did not know what the scope of the job was. What did you have in mind?
  
  Be prepared to put a range on the table if you are asked to do so. Don't give a range however that you can not live with. Chances are, if they have not set a range for the job already they will probably offer you something that is at the low end of the range you gave them.
  
  
• Why should I hire you?
  
  To recap, I believe that I have the technical expertise, educational background, supervisory skills and demonstrated behaviours that you are looking for. For example, I know how to solve problems, assume responsibility and initiative to get things done, proactive, organized, and coordinating skills. Good people skills to negotiate to get things done. These are what I excel at.

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