17 Executive Assistant Interview Questions and Answers

Executive assistants provide critical support to executives in any industry. They keep their schedules organized, manage their email and correspondence, and take care of other important tasks. Executive assistants need to be able to anticipate their bosses’ needs and be proactive in their work. They also need to be able to handle confidential information discreetly.

If you’re looking for an executive assistant job, you’ll likely need to go through a job interview. To help you prepare, we’ve put together a list of executive assistant interview questions and answers. You’ll find questions about your experience, your skills, and your ability to handle difficult situations.

Are you familiar with the software and hardware used in this industry?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience with the tools and technology used in their industry. If you are interviewing for an executive assistant position at a tech company, for example, they might want to know that you’re familiar with using computers and other office equipment. Use your answer to explain which software and hardware you’ve worked with before and how it helped you complete your job duties.

Example: “I am very familiar with Microsoft Office Suite, as I use it daily to create presentations and documents. I also have some experience working with Google Docs, although I prefer Microsoft’s suite because of its compatibility with Windows operating systems. In my last role, I was responsible for setting up our new computer system, so I learned about the different types of hardware available and what would be best for our team.”

What are some of the most important skills for an executive assistant?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills necessary to succeed in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few of your strongest skills and how they relate to the job.

Example: “The most important skill for an executive assistant is communication. This role requires me to communicate with many different people, including my manager, other executives and employees. I also need strong organizational skills because I am responsible for keeping track of many different projects and tasks. Finally, I find that problem-solving skills are essential as well. In this position, I often encounter challenges that require creative solutions.”

How would you describe your work ethic?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your work ethic and how you approach your job. They want to know that you are a hard worker who is willing to go above and beyond for the company. When answering, think of an example from your previous experience where you worked especially hard on a project or task.

Example: “I have always been someone who approaches my work with a positive attitude. I am motivated by challenges and enjoy working hard to complete tasks. In my last role, I was tasked with organizing my manager’s entire filing system. It took me several weeks to sort through all of his paperwork, but I did it without complaint. My work ethic is one of my best qualities as an employee.”

What is your experience with managing calendars and schedules?

An executive assistant needs to be organized and able to manage multiple calendars, schedules and other important documents. Your interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your organizational skills and how you keep track of important information for your manager or executives. In your answer, describe a time when you helped someone organize their schedule or calendar.

Example: “I have experience managing calendars and schedules for my previous managers and executives. I find that it’s helpful to use both digital and paper methods to stay organized. For example, I recently worked with an executive who preferred using paper planners instead of digital calendars. I would enter all of his appointments into the company’s scheduling software but also print out his daily planner so he could take it with him on business trips.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to handle a difficult situation at work.

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you react in challenging situations. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a situation that was difficult but also one where you were able to resolve the issue or conflict.

Example: “In my previous role as an executive assistant, I had a manager who would often come into work late. This made it hard for me to get his schedule ready on time, which caused some issues with other employees. After talking with him about the issue, he agreed to start coming in earlier. He even thanked me for bringing up the issue because he didn’t realize how much of an impact his tardiness was having.”

If hired, what would be your primary responsibilities?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your skills and experience. It’s also an opportunity for you to show how you can contribute to the company. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention some of the tasks you would perform on a daily basis.

Example: “My primary responsibilities as an executive assistant include managing my boss’ calendar, responding to emails and phone calls, arranging meetings and travel plans and organizing important documents. I am also responsible for ensuring that my manager has everything they need to complete their work each day.”

What would you say are the most important skills for an executive assistant?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have a strong understanding of what it takes to be successful in this role. When answering, consider which skills are most important for your own success and include those in your answer.

Example: “The two most important skills for me as an executive assistant would be organization and communication. I believe these skills are essential because they allow me to keep my boss organized and informed while also making sure all of her tasks get done on time. These skills help me ensure that she can focus on her job without having to worry about any administrative duties.”

How well do you handle stress?

Working as an executive assistant can be stressful. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the ability to handle stress and remain calm when things get hectic. In your answer, explain how you manage stress in a professional setting. Share two or three strategies that you use to stay calm during challenging situations.

Example: “I find that I am able to handle stress quite well. When I first started working as an executive assistant, my boss was under a lot of pressure from her own manager. She would often come into work stressed out and take it out on me. At first, I found myself getting stressed out by her behavior. However, I learned that I could only control my own actions. I focused on doing my job well and remaining calm. Eventually, she realized her behavior wasn’t helping anyone and began to focus on calming herself down before coming into work.”

Do you have any experience giving presentations?

This question can help the interviewer determine your presentation skills and how you might fit into their company culture. If you have experience giving presentations, share a few details about what you presented and how it helped your previous employer or organization. If you don’t have any experience presenting, explain that you are willing to learn and practice if needed.

Example: “In my last position as an executive assistant, I was asked to give a presentation on our company’s new branding strategy at a marketing conference. I had never given a presentation before, but I researched some tips for making a good presentation and practiced in front of my coworkers until I felt comfortable with my delivery. The presentation went well, and I received positive feedback from both my manager and the audience.”

When was the last time you updated your skills?

Employers ask this question to make sure you are committed to your career and want to continue learning. They also want to know that you will be able to adapt to new technologies as they come out. When answering this question, think of a time when you took initiative to learn something on your own or enrolled in a course.

Example: “I have been taking online courses for the past two years. I started with an online coding class because I wanted to understand more about how websites work. Now, I am currently enrolled in a marketing course where I can learn more about digital marketing strategies. I find these courses very helpful because I can do them at my own pace.”

We want to improve our communication with employees. Describe one strategy you would use to help us do this.

This question is a great way to show your communication skills and how you can help an organization improve its processes. When answering this question, think of the ways you’ve helped other organizations communicate with their employees in the past.

Example: “I would start by creating a list of all the different methods of communication that are currently available to employees. Then I would create a survey asking employees which method they prefer to use when communicating with management. This will give us a better idea of what we need to do to improve our communication with employees.”

Describe your writing style.

This question can help the interviewer determine how you would write reports, memos and other documents for your manager. Your answer should show that you have strong writing skills and are able to use proper grammar and spelling.

Example: “I am a very organized writer who likes to outline my thoughts before I start writing. This helps me stay on track while I’m composing a document. When I write, I make sure to use proper grammar and spelling so that my work is easy to read. In my last role as an executive assistant, I wrote several memos each week for my manager. She always complimented me on my clear and concise writing style.”

What makes you the best candidate for this position?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your qualifications and how you feel they align with the job. Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly read through the job description so that you can reference specific skills or requirements in your answer. You may also want to highlight any experience you have that relates to the role.

Example: “I am confident I am the best candidate for this position because of my attention to detail and organizational skills. Throughout my career as an executive assistant, I’ve worked with many different professionals who all had unique needs. As a result, I developed systems that helped me stay organized and keep track of important information. These skills are what led to my success in previous roles.”

Which industries do you have experience working in?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your background and experience. It’s important that you have relevant experience, but it’s also good if you can show that you’re willing to work in different industries. Try to highlight the skills you’ve developed working in each industry.

Example: “I’ve worked in both finance and technology companies. In my last role, I was responsible for managing calendars, responding to emails and phone calls, organizing meetings and other administrative tasks. My previous job was in a tech company where I helped manage social media accounts, scheduled events and communicated with clients.”

What do you think are the most important qualities for an executive assistant?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the qualities they’re looking for in an executive assistant. It’s important to show that you understand what these qualities are and how you possess them yourself. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a few of the most important qualities and then explain why you think they’re important.

Example: “I believe the most important quality for an executive assistant is organization. An executive assistant needs to keep track of many different tasks at once, so I feel it’s essential to be organized enough to do this effectively. Another important quality is communication skills. As an executive assistant, you’ll often need to communicate with others about various projects or assignments. Having strong communication skills can make this process easier.”

How often do you meet with your supervisor?

This question can help interviewers understand how often you interact with your supervisor and the type of relationship you have with them. This can be an indicator of how much responsibility you take on in your role as an executive assistant. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific time when you helped your supervisor solve a problem or complete a task.

Example: “I meet with my supervisor at least once per week. We usually use our weekly meetings to discuss any changes that may occur during the week and what tasks we need to accomplish by the end of the week. I also like to check in with her throughout the day if she needs anything from me. For example, last month she was working on a presentation for a client and asked me to find some information about their competitors. I pulled up all the information she needed within 30 minutes.”

There is a miscommunication between your supervisor and a client. How do you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you would handle a challenging situation at work. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to communicate effectively with others.

Example: “If my supervisor was having trouble communicating with a client, I would first ask them what they were trying to say or convey. Then, I would contact the client myself and explain that there was some miscommunication between my boss and them. I would apologize for any inconvenience and assure them that we are working on resolving the issue as soon as possible. If it’s something that could be resolved quickly, I would try to do so immediately. Otherwise, I would let them know when I expect to have an answer from my supervisor.”