1. Tell me are you patient?

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.

2. What is Leaves?

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.

3. What is 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.

4. 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.

5. Do you have work experience?

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.

6. Tell me 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."

7. 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.

8. Tell me 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.

9. Tell me what are your major reasons for your success?

This is not the time to become extremely self-centred and arrogant. Keep in mind that employers are often looking for team players rather than Lone Rangers. A good response to this question may relate to a mentor/and or philosophy of work or the people you work with. Also, use this question as an opportunity to inquire about an appropriate "fit for success" with this company.

10. Tell me how you evaluate success?

I evaluate success in different ways. At work, it is meeting the goals set by my supervisors and my fellow workers. It is my understanding, from talking to other employees, that the GGR Company is recognized for not only rewarding success, but giving employees opportunity to grow as well. After work, I enjoy playing softball, so success on the field is catching the winning pop-up.

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