Have you ever created or updated office policies and procedures?

How to Answer
Entry Level
Answer Example
Community Answers

The interviewer is looking for specifics on your experience when it comes to creating or updating office policies and procedures. Policies and procedures often need tweaking and updating as new situations arise or as regulations change. There are some fundamentals to creating documents that everyone can benefit from and fully get behind. These fundamentals include understanding the tone for each document, having a template that you use as a baseline, and having a formal review or editing process in place.

"I experienced a small amount of documentation and editing during my internship. I helped the senior Admin Assistant to spellcheck and edit a library of documents ranging from office memos, policies, training manuals, and safety manuals. I am confident that these are tasks I could handle on my own shortly."

"In my current role I spend at least one day per week revising and updating office documents. Many times, this includes office policies and procedures that change due to internal or industry regulatory changes. Last year, in collaboration with my leadership team, I created a comprehensive list of processes that needed anything from small updates to complete overhauls. I continue to work my way through this list. Once I have completed a project, I will send it to the appropriate stakeholders for final approval."

Anonymous Answer

"I have created two Word documents for procedures. The first is all my responsibilities from answering the phones to opening and scanning the mail, to making the direct bank deposit, etc. When I am out of the office for a week my HR Manager or someone else will need to know all of the details so they can handle my responsibilities when I am out. The second is a New Hire document for our 5 office locations. This document includes all the location office hours and phone numbers, contact info for IT and Phone Support, how to create a voicemail message, delete voicemail messages, how to create a signature in Outlook, and Office Supply Order info."

Marcie's Feedback

Excellent! You've provided great detail on some of the procedural documents you've created and used, which will be appreciated by the interviewer. Have you ever changed an established procedure to improve it? If so, consider discussing that here as it would show the interviewer that you take initiative and don't hesitate to make improvements. Good job!