Recruitment agencies often tend to dish out a standard one-size-fits-all approach to mastering interview skills. However, as a leading London PA recruitment agency, we know that each PA role involves showcasing a different set of skills. You need to know how to answer both the generic and the specific questions in a way that is ideal for a PA role. Don’t worry—we’re familiar with the questions you’ll be asked at a PA job interview and the answers that employers like to hear.
The first hurdle of the PA interview
In ways more obvious than in any other job, a PA interview is looking at your manner, organisational skills, and approach throughout the whole interview. Never dismiss a question or interaction as being anything less than an opportunity to showcase your professional working style. This means that you need to turn up to interview dressed professionally, prepared, and already looking to add value to your potential employer.
PA interview tips
As a PA recruitment agency, we are often asked what questions will be asked. The same ones do tend to come up again and again, but it’s important to remember that as a PA, you need to demonstrate your ability to think on your feet. It’s likely that some questions you simply can’t prepare for—and it’s here that you’ll need to showcase your flexibility and a considered response.
There are three primary questions we recommend that you prepare for:
- Tell me about yourself: This old cliché still gets trotted out. In PA interviews, this is an excellent chance to show how your character and working style will be a good fit for the individual you’ll be working for. Personalities really matter in PA positions. Be honest, professional, and authentically explain your attitude to work and others.
- Why do you want to work here? PA roles can be found in a plethora of workplaces, hence they are frequently advertised by recruitment agencies in London even if they don’t specialise in these roles. Your answer to this question shows that it’s not simply the PA nature of the role you are interested in, but how you believe you can contribute to the overall goals of the organisation by in performing that role.
- Do you have any questions? Don’t dismiss this question as a simple marker for the end of the interview. You’re still being quizzed. This is your chance to show that you can think on your feet, are interested and invested, and are fundamentally prepared to ask questions when you need to. Your response will also showcase your communication skills.
Skills tests at PA interviews
It’s not uncommon for a prospective employer to ask about your experience and want to see evidence too. While it’s essential to make sure you can list times you juggled priorities, worked with difficult clients, or any other PA skill, you may also need to show them. For example, you may be set a task to complete.
Before getting stuck in, take a moment to think about what you need to demonstrate. This may not always be evident at first glance. However, it may include elements of speed, accuracy, communication, and the ability to multi-task.
Be prepared
Feeling confident in interview is about being prepared. As a recruitment agency in London that specialises in PA roles, we are happy to give you further interview guidance if you need it. Call us on 020 78707177 and we can help you develop the skills to bag your next PA job or those top PA jobs in London.
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