Working as a PA can be demanding. You’re expected to work closely alongside senior managerial staff to deliver vital administrative support, helping a manager to make the very best use of their time. So in a PA job interview, you’ll need to demonstrate that you have the necessary skills and abilities to land the job. Being able to multitask is crucial for this role, so you may even be required to complete a task at interview to show how you can manage and organise daily business duties.
As a leading PA recruitment agency in London, we know a thing or two about the type of questions you’ll be asked at a PA interview. So if you’re seeking a new PA role in the new year, read on to find out the common PA job interview questions and how to answer them.
Tell me about yourself…
As a PA, you’ll work very closely with your manager, therefore it’s essential that you get along well. There are few jobs where the interviewer will ask this outright, however, it’s a common question for PA roles. Make sure you have an honest answer planned out that highlights your interests, attitudes, and experience.
What are your biggest strengths?
Refer back to your core PA skills, thinking carefully about the environment you’ll be working in if you get the job. If it’s fast-paced, let them know that you’re not easily flustered and can think on your feet. If it’s a traditional company with precise working methods, stress that you’re very organised and have an excellent eye for detail. PA roles require you to type fast and accurately and ideally write in shorthand, so if you can do this, tell them.
What is your greatest weakness?
This is a difficult question for temporary and permanent PA jobs as it’s important to sell yourself, rather than dwell on your bad points. It’s a good idea to turn this question from a negative answer into a positive, noting that you have a flaw, but that you have acted to overcome it. For example, if you sometimes spend too long perfecting documents, tell them that you set yourself deadlines so that you don’t spend too much time on individual tasks.
Why did you leave your last job?
Unless you’ve been made redundant, it can be difficult to avoid a negative answer to this question. It can be tempting to paint your old employer in a bad light, but do your best to avoid this. Not only does it portray you as unprofessional, but your interviewer may be concerned that you won’t fit in with the organisation. It’s a good idea to say that you’re seeking a new and more challenging role within a company to help you achieve your career aspirations.
Why do you want to work here?
You can expect this question to arise when interviewing for PA jobs. Therefore, make sure you fully research the company, read their mission statement, and make sure your answers fit in with their values. Know about their company ethos and show that you’re impressed by it. You should make it clear that you want to contribute to the success of the business.
Love Success is a leading recruitment agency in London and we regularly help candidates to secure both temporary and permanent PA jobs, as well as executive assistant jobs, receptionist jobs, and other office support jobs with top firms in the capital. As experienced recruitment specialists, we can advise you on interview techniques, helping you to showcase your skills and experience in the best possible light.
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