8 Executive Assistant Interview Questions to Find the Right Candidate

1. What strategies do you use to coordinate meetings with stakeholders who all have varying scheduling needs?

Meetings are one of the biggest challenges companies face. They take up time, energy, and resources, and many people don’t like having to attend them. But without good communication, it can be difficult to ensure everyone gets what they want out of the meeting. And if there isn’t enough time to discuss everything, it can lead to confusion and frustration.

One of the most important questions you can ask candidates during interviews is how they would handle planning and coordinating meetings. You’ll learn about some of the best practices for handling meetings, including:

* How to structure a meeting agenda

* How to set expectations for attendees

* What types of tools and technology help facilitate effective meetings

* How to manage conflicting priorities

* How to make sure everyone leaves feeling satisfied

2. What best practices do you use when coordinating travel arrangements?

Travel planning should be based on the needs of both the employee and the organization. While it might seem obvious that the employer wants to minimize costs, there are many ways to go about doing this. For example, some companies offer employees the ability to book flights and hotels directly online, while others require that employees submit requests via email. If your company uses a third party vendor like TripAdvisor, Expedia or Hotels.com to manage travel reservations, make sure to check out their policies regarding cancellations and refunds. You don’t want to lose money because a flight was canceled or hotel room wasn’t ready.

Another important consideration is flexibility. When planning trips, consider how much notice the employee needs to give to cancel or change plans. Some employers allow employees to request up to three days’ advance notice; others require at least 24 hours’ notice. This could mean the difference between being able to attend a conference or meeting or having to reschedule. Finally, be open to alternatives. Sometimes, changing locations isn’t possible, but perhaps another city offers better weather or a different culture.

3. Can you share what qualities you feel are the most valuable as an executive assistant?

The role of an executive assistant varies based on the individual employer. Some assistants work closely with the CEO while others assist a department head. Regardless of where they fall within the organization, EAs play a vital role in making sure everything runs smoothly.

An EA should be able to communicate effectively with clients, colleagues, and managers. They should be able to organize and prioritize projects efficiently. Finally, they must be able to multitask and juggle several different tasks simultaneously.

Here are some questions to ask yourself about whether you’re ready to become an effective Executive Assistant.

1. Do I know how to use email?

Email is one of the most important tools in the modern workplace. If you don’t know how to use it, you’ll struggle to keep up with emails coming into your inbox. You’ll miss out on important communications and lose track of deadlines.

2. Can I write concisely and clearly?

If you want to be successful as an Executive Assistant, you’ll need to be able to communicate succinctly and clearly. This includes writing emails, letters, memos, reports, and blog posts.

4. If the CEO gave you confidential information, what would you do if another top-level executive asked you about it?

In today’s workplace, there are many situations where employees must speak up without fear of repercussion. But sometimes, even the best intentions go awry. If the CEO gave you confidential info, what would you do? Would you talk to someone else? Or would you just keep quiet?

This question shows your level of discretion and integrity.

The answer depends on whether you want to protect yourself or the organization. In either case, here are some tips to help you decide.

1. Be careful what you say

Your boss might not appreciate hearing about something he didn’t tell you about. And if you’re talking about sensitive topics such as financials, legal issues, customer data, or anything else, make sure you don’t put yourself in a position where you could face repercussions.

2. Don’t spread rumors

Rumors are a common problem in workplaces. You might hear one person saying something negative about someone else, and then everyone starts repeating it. This isn’t helpful, especially if it’s untrue. If you see someone spreading false information, try to correct them. Otherwise, it’s better to let things slide.

3. Keep it professional

5. How would you deal with an angry person demanding to speak with an unavailable executive?

Executive assistants often find themselves dealing with irate clients. From angry spouses to disgruntled employees, there are many reasons why people call and demand to talk to their boss. But how do you handle such situations? What questions should you ask yourself before taking action? And what happens if the caller becomes increasingly hostile?

6. What strategies do you use for time management when you simultaneously have multiple assignments to complete?

The average executive assistant juggles several different responsibilities, such as answering emails, scheduling meetings, managing social media accounts, and coordinating travel plans. In addition to being able to handle multiple tasks at once, it’s important that candidates are able to remain calm, cool, and collected even under pressure.

Candidates should demonstrate their ability for multi-tasking by completing a task within a set amount of time. If they fail to meet deadlines, they must explain why and what steps they plan to take to ensure success next time around.

7. Can you give me an example in your previous position where you had to make a critical judgment call?

The executive assistant job description is often misunderstood. In fact, it requires more than just typing emails, scheduling meetings and answering phones. An effective executive assistant needs to be able to handle many different types of tasks, including making quick decisions under pressure, communicating effectively, being a good listener and having strong organizational skills.

8. How would you describe your computer skills? What software programs have you used in the past?

A good candidate will demonstrate his or her ability to use different office apps like Excel, Word, PowerPoint etc. He or she must know how to use tools like Skype, Zoom, GoogleDrive etc. You can ask questions about what he or she does on a daily basis. For example, you might ask, “What are some of the most important things you do every day?”

This question could help you understand if you want someone who uses technology to manage projects, or if you prefer someone who works independently without supervision. If you’re looking for a project manager, it helps to see if they’ve worked with others on similar projects in the past.

Here’s one good way to find your next executive assistant

Network recruiters know how to identify quality candidates. They’ve done it successfully before. But what about finding someone who will do a stellar job? How can you ensure that you’re making the best possible hire? Here are some tips to consider when interviewing potential executive assistants.

1. Ask open-ended questions and create sample answers to evaluate their answers.

2. Be specific.

3. Make sure you understand the candidate’s goals.

4. Get feedback from others.

5. Don’t forget to check references.

6. Follow up.

It is important to ask about the candidate’s previous roles, previous experience, challenging projects, assistant skills, customer service skills and experience with team projects, etc, to gauge if the candidate would fit in with your company culture and corporate culture. It is also important to see if they have the appropriate soft skills and communication style.