When you’re applying for office support jobs in London, the interview might involve more than just a conversation. Many employers use tasks to assess your practical skills and see how you handle real-world situations. From in-tray exercises to inbox management tasks, these assessments are designed to measure your time management, organisation, and problem-solving abilities.
Here are some first-hand accounts from candidates who have tackled these tasks in interviews, and tips on how to approach them.
The in-tray task
One of the most common tasks for office support roles is the in-tray exercise, which tests your ability to prioritise and manage multiple tasks. Zara, who now works as an office administrator, shared her experience: “I was given a list of emails, meeting requests, and deadlines, all mixed up, and asked to organise them in order of priority. At first, it was overwhelming because everything seemed urgent!”
How to succeed: The key to acing an in-tray task is to stay calm and focus on what’s most important. “I took a deep breath and started by identifying the items that had fixed deadlines, like meeting requests. Then, I sorted out the tasks that could wait. It’s all about showing that you can think logically and manage your time well,” Zara explained.
The inbox task
Inbox management tasks are another popular way for employers to assess how you handle emails, especially in fast-paced office environments. Dan, who works in a Executive Assistant role, recalled, “I was given an inbox full of emails, some marked as urgent, others less so. I had to decide which ones to respond to first and draft replies to the most important ones.”
How to succeed: Time management is key for this task, but so is attention to detail. “I knew that a quick response was important, but I also wanted to make sure my replies were clear and professional. I started with the most urgent emails and flagged the others for later,” Dan said. For office support jobs in London, the ability to prioritise and communicate effectively is crucial, so make sure you balance speed with accuracy.
Presentation challenge
Another common task is having to prepare and deliver a presentation, especially for more senior office roles. Paula, shared her story: “I was asked to prepare a 10 minute presentation on new marketing strategies for a particular client group.”
How to succeed: Paula explained, “I made sure to do my research on the company and on the market segment. I think presented a few carefully considered ideas with data to back it up. I practiced my presentation before the interview, and took the presentation along on a memory stick but also had hard copies in case there was a tech malfunction!”
Handling a difficult phone call
Office support roles often involve dealing with clients or colleagues over the phone, so don’t be surprised if you’re asked to handle a difficult phone call as part of the interview process. Henry, now a supervisor in client relations, recounted, “I had to pretend to answer a call from an upset client. It was a bit nerve-wracking, but I stayed calm and focused on finding a solution.”
How to succeed: The interviewer will be looking at your ability to stay composed under pressure and resolve the issue professionally. “I apologised to the ‘client’ for the issue, reassured them that I would take action, and explained how I’d follow up. It’s all about showing empathy and being proactive,” Henry said. They aren’t looking to see if you have knowledge of the particular company systems, just your manner and approach.
We can help you prepare
Interview tasks for office support jobs in London can be challenging, but they are a great opportunity to showcase your skills. If you’ve been asked to complete a task at interview, we can offer you guidance.
Register as a Love Success candidate.