1. As a secretary, highlight your strengths and your weaknesses?
Focus on three or four strengths that refer directly to the secretarial job requirements. Potential examples include organizing and planning, adaptability, information management, attention to detail, problem-solving, reliability, initiative , discretion, multi-tasking, prioritizing, good judgment and communication and interpersonal skills. Back up your answer with specific examples that demonstrates your strength in the work context.
It is best to refer to one or two true weaknesses and then to detail the steps you have taken to try to overcome the weakness.
2. Why did you choose this particular career path?
I chose advertising because I have always been a strong communicator with a good eye for design. I have a particular interest in creating dynamic eye-catching pieces that support a new product being introduced to the market. I also like the fast-paced high-energy environment that seems to be commonplace in the advertising industry."
Advice: Your answer needs to convince the interviewers that your skills are exactly what they want. They want to know if you have a realistic view of what it is like to work in their industry. Be specific; show them that their industry and your career goals are in sync.
Patience is a virtue that few people possess in great amounts, but we all have some.
Everyone can answer this question affirmatively. Realize that patience is a very big advantage in secretarial roles, especially today when everyone expects everything to happen immediately, and just cannot wait. If the secretary can deal patiently with each request and interruption, she/he will be a sought after candidate.
Word to the wise: increase your patience quota. It will serve you well professionally and personally.
A secretary is one of the most important individuals in the business, seemingly indispensable. Therefore, a secretary on vacation is a strain on the office. Inquire as to the planned frequency and length of intended vacations, and decide if it is within your comfort zone. This query can save you a lot of stress as you will be able to anticipate and plan properly for these leaves.
5. Described Inter-Office Communication?
A secretary must be able to work effectively with a large variety of personalities and cultures. He/she must be professional yet friendly, a people's person who is comfortable speaking with people. It is worthwhile to inquire as to the range of different types of people s/he has worked with, and how they all managed together.
6. How you feel working with the immediate superior?
Try to determine how well the applicant interacted with her immediate superior, as well as other co-workers. Chances are it will be the same in your firm. Ask for specific positive and negative scenarios. Try to read between the lines.
7. Do you have work experience as Female Secretary?
Do not accept applicants' responses as facts. Check with the applicants' references. Speak with a few people on various levels of management; ask about reliability, capability, communication skills level and other important qualities. Even patience! Be specific and you may get 'real' information.
8. What is your biggest accomplishments?
"Although I feel my biggest achievements are still ahead of me, I am proud of my involvement with . . . I made my contribution as a part of that team and learned a lot in the process. We did it with hard work, concentration, and an eye for the bottom line."
9. Do you know you are overqualified for this job?
I'm flattered that you think I'm headhunter bait and will leap to another job when an offer appears. Not really. This job is so attractive to me that I'm willing to sign a contract committing to stay for a minimum of 12 months. There's no obligation on your part.
As you note, I've worked at a higher level but this position is exactly what I'm looking for. You offer opportunity to achieve the magic word: balance. I'm scouting for something challenging but a little less intense so I can spend more time with my family.
Salary is not my top priority. Not that I have a trust fund but I will work for less money, will take direction from managers of any age, will continue to stay current on technology and will not leave you in the lurch if Hollywood calls to make me a star. And I don't insist that it's my way or the highway.
10. What drives you to achieve your objectives?
An interviewer is looking to fulfill certain competencies, in this case motivation and commitment. "You might say 'I like doing a job well and perform best when stretched'," says Tim Forster, the head of UK experienced recruitment at Price water house Coopers.
