MockQuestions

Office Administrator Mock Interview

30 Questions Created By

To help you prepare for your Office Administrator interview, here are 30 interview questions and answer examples.

First Question

30 Office Administrator Interview Questions

10 Interview Questions With Sample Answers

1.   Why are you interested in a career with our organization?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

The interviewer wants to know why you are interviewing in their company specifically. They want to hear that you have researched their organization. By showing the interviewer that you have done your research and are invested in a career with their organization, you demonstrate that you are more likely to stick with this position if you are hired.

Written by Jenna Cohen on March 31st, 2022

How to Answer

Answer this question with specific details that show you understand the company. You may want to mention some of their corporate values if you feel they align with yours. You may also want to reference new ventures the company is engaging in or philanthropic work that they participate in.

Written by Jenna Cohen on March 31st, 2022

What to Avoid

Avoid stating the obvious. Don't tell the interviewer that you are simply looking for a new job!

If they are with a major corporation, don't simply say you are attracted by the weight their brand holds. Provide specific examples of the lesser-known aspects of their work or brand to show that you have done your research on the company.

Written by Jenna Cohen on March 31st, 2022

Answer Example

"I'd like to join the team at ABC Company because I admire the organization's commitment to giving back to the local community. I am passionate about volunteering and bettering our city. I'd love to know that the company I work for is helping as well!"

Written by Jenna Cohen on March 31st, 2022

2.   What are your career goals?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

The interviewer wants to see if this opportunity aligns with your long-term goals. They are likely hoping to invest in you and your career for many years and want to ensure that if they spend the time and money to train you, you will stay on with them and grow there.

Written by Jenna Cohen on March 31st, 2022

How to Answer

Answer this question as honestly as possible, recognizing that there ARE right answers! Answer this question in a way that shows that you would like to grow your career with this particular company and that this role would provide the opportunity to do that.

Written by Jenna Cohen on March 31st, 2022

What to Avoid

Avoid giving an answer that implies that this opportunity will not be a long-term stop for you in your career! Do not hint that you are just applying for any opportunity to get in with this particular company.

Written by Jenna Cohen on March 31st, 2022

Answer Example

"I'd like to work my way up into a Management role. One of the things that makes me most excited about this opportunity and your team, in particular, is the ability to grow from this role into a Team Lead, ultimately preparing me to become a Manager!"

Written by Jenna Cohen on March 31st, 2022

3.   What is your greatest weakness? What are you doing to improve it?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

The interviewer wants to ensure that you can evaluate your skills honestly. They want to know that you have not only considered your opportunities for personal and professional improvement but that you are actively making strides towards improving those areas.

Written by Jenna Cohen on March 31st, 2022

How to Answer

You must answer both parts of this question! The interviewer wants to know that you are not only able to fully evaluate your capabilities but are also working to improve upon the area that needs it.

Written by Jenna Cohen on March 31st, 2022

What to Avoid

Avoid naming a weakness that would significantly impact your ability to perform the job duties! For example, an accountant may not want to highlight that they are bad at math!

Also, avoid only answering part of the question! To do so signifies that your weakness may be following directions.

Written by Jenna Cohen on March 31st, 2022

Answer Example

"My greatest weakness is my public speaking ability. I get nervous in front of crowds and giving presentations. I know I will need to learn this skill to advance in my career, so I am currently working on giving toasts at dinners with friends and presentations to small groups of peers at work."

Written by Jenna Cohen on March 31st, 2022

4.   What is your greatest strength?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

The interviewer wants to hear how you describe yourself. This standard interview question gives the interviewer insight into how you present yourself when you can prepare.

Written by Jenna Cohen on March 31st, 2022

How to Answer

The best answer to this question will directly align with the role. Think about the personality traits, duties, and culture of the company you are interviewing with. Choose an adjective that fits the majority of these. Then, provide a brief explanation. Give the interviewer examples of times you have displayed this strength in the past and when they can expect to see it in their workplace.

Written by Jenna Cohen on March 31st, 2022

What to Avoid

Although it is tempting to want to stun the interviewer with a unique answer, in this situation, it is better to stick with the classics! It is better to choose a safer answer that will fit the needs of the role and the expectations of the interviewer than to choose an answer you may have a hard time backing up with examples or aligning to the role responsibilities.

Written by Jenna Cohen on March 31st, 2022

Answer Example

"My greatest strength is my perseverance. When I am not able to solve a problem quickly, I stay on it until I have not only found the solution but learned how to handle it better and more quickly."

Written by Jenna Cohen on March 31st, 2022

5.   What is the most important piece to a successful office?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

The interviewer is asking this question as a roundabout way to find out what you believe makes an office successful. The word "piece" is very open-ended to allow for a wide range of responses.

Written by Jenna Cohen on March 31st, 2022

How to Answer

The interviewer has purposely asked a very open-ended question. They want to see whether you will choose an object, technology, or something else. Choose your "piece" thoughtfully! Be prepared to explain how this piece contributes to the success of an office.

Written by Jenna Cohen on March 31st, 2022

What to Avoid

Avoid choosing something that is easily replaced or replicated. The piece you choose should have a clear purpose and an irreplaceable tie to the success of the office.

Written by Jenna Cohen on March 31st, 2022

Answer Example

"The most important piece of a successful office is a great and secure operating system on the computers. Today, most offices store files, client data, and most communications, both internal and external, on their servers. This information must remain secure and accessible only to relevant parties."

Written by Jenna Cohen on March 31st, 2022

6.   Explain to me your favorite business software. How do you use it in your office?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

The interviewer wants to gauge your proficiency with technology by asking this question. They want to hear that you are familiar with the type of software that this job requires and that you are accustomed to using it often in your role.

Written by Jenna Cohen on March 31st, 2022

How to Answer

The interviewer is asking you to choose one favorite software that you use in your office duties. To best answer this question, you should not only be prepared to choose one single type of software but be able to articulate why it is your favorite and how it improves your workday.

Written by Jenna Cohen on March 31st, 2022

What to Avoid

Avoid choosing any software or products that automate or remove a majority of your workload. While it is great to use software to make your day more efficient, you do not want to rid yourself of this job opportunity or appear unwilling to work hard by suggesting to the interviewer that it can be done by a software system.

Written by Jenna Cohen on March 31st, 2022

Answer Example

"My favorite business software is Slack. I like how easily it enables communication between members of the office. For example, I can quickly chat with an associate from my desk to see if they mind if someone steps into their office with a question or get a quick answer for someone who calls in. We don't all need to step away from our work or make small talk each time we need to consult with one another, little things which take time away from the workday."

Written by Jenna Cohen on March 31st, 2022

7.   What in the office is least important to you or could be removed?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

The interviewer may ask an "out of the box" question to get a less scripted, more honest answer. They want to gauge what IS important to you by asking what is not.

Written by Jenna Cohen on March 31st, 2022

How to Answer

The interviewer wants you to choose an object in the office that you feel you could do this job successfully without. If you have not yet been to this company's office, think of a typical office and classic office supplies. Choose an object you either can do your work without or that you feel there is a better replacement for.

Written by Jenna Cohen on March 31st, 2022

What to Avoid

Avoid choosing any objects that are either critical to your work or would make your work more efficient.

Written by Jenna Cohen on March 31st, 2022

Answer Example

"I feel that I could do without the use of the fax machine. I think email and docu-sign allow for the secure sending of documents more quickly, easily, and at a lower cost than a traditional fax machine."

Written by Jenna Cohen on March 31st, 2022

8.   What do you see as a top priority for office administrators?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

The interviewer wants to ensure that your priorities are aligned with the companies' priorities. They ask this question to make sure that you have a good grasp of what the role entails with the understanding that there may be more niche needs specific to their team, company, or industry.

Written by Jenna Cohen on March 31st, 2022

How to Answer

Choose one task for your answer. The interviewer asked you to choose a number one priority; this means that prioritization is likely important in the role! Show that you can prioritize. Provide some brief context to back up your answer as well.

Written by Jenna Cohen on March 31st, 2022

What to Avoid

Avoid asking the interviewer questions about their specific needs or the role before providing an answer. They have asked for you to answer based on a general understanding of the role. Requiring further explanation demonstrates either an inability to follow directions or a lack of understanding of the job.

Written by Jenna Cohen on March 31st, 2022

Answer Example

"I think organization is a top priority for Office Administrators. Office Administrators often keep the entire office on track, ensure deadlines are met, and sometimes even pay the bills to keep the lights on! If Office Administrators are unorganized, unable to locate files, and do not keep up with important dates, the rest of the staff may find themselves unable to do their own jobs well!"

Written by Jenna Cohen on March 31st, 2022

9.   If you were CEO of your last company, what would you change?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

The interviewer wants to hear that you're able to think critically about improvements without speaking negatively about your company. In any job, there will be annoyances and processes that could move smoother. The interviewer wants to see that you can ideate and implement changes that will help the company without bringing a bad attitude into the workplace.

Written by Jenna Cohen on March 31st, 2022

How to Answer

Aim to answer this question briefly and without emotion. You mustn't carry over any negativity that may exist from your last employer to your next. Choose a change that would have impacted you or your team directly and made your work easier or more efficient. By focusing on how to improve your work, you show the interviewer that you have thought critically about your job and want to achieve your full potential at work!

Written by Jenna Cohen on March 31st, 2022

What to Avoid

By asking this question, it may seem like the interviewer is daring you to speak negatively about your last employer, but don't fall into that trap! Stay positive in your response and focus on the specific changes that would have improved your output!

Written by Jenna Cohen on March 31st, 2022

Answer Example

"If I were CEO of the last company I worked for, I would improve the technology and software we used. This would be an expensive undertaking, so I understand why they haven't done it yet, but I always felt that if we had the latest systems, we would be able to automate some of the processes that slowed us down."

Written by Jenna Cohen on March 31st, 2022

10.   An office administrator needs to be organized. How do you remain organized?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

The interviewer wants to hear that you understand the needs of the job and are equipped to perform. They are looking for specific examples of how you stay organized on the job. If you implement systems to prioritize or locate information, tell the interviewer about them.

Written by Jenna Cohen on March 31st, 2022

How to Answer

Answer this question with your methodology of staying organized. Provide examples of strategies or products you use to remember dates and meetings and locate important files.

Written by Jenna Cohen on March 31st, 2022

What to Avoid

Avoid being vague in your response. Don't tell the interviewer that you are organized; explain HOW you are organized and why you consider yourself to be an organized person.

Also, don't let the interviewer know if organization is not your strength. Although it's best to be honest, you do not want to imply that simple fixes are beyond your ability, especially when they have identified that it is vital to the role.

Written by Jenna Cohen on March 31st, 2022

Answer Example

"I stay organized by keeping lists and color-coding my calendar! When I set tasks for myself, I give myself a deadline and color code it based on urgency. When it is completed, I file the related notes or paperwork according to the topic. That way, I'm able to reference past tasks quickly!"

Written by Jenna Cohen on March 31st, 2022

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