Executive Assistant Interview Questions

These Executive Assistant interview questions have been written to assist clients with the hiring of temporary or permanent Executive Assistants.

Selecting the right Executive Assistant is crucial for the efficiency and effectiveness of your business operations. These tailored interview questions are designed to help you hire both temporary and permanent Executive Assistants, ensuring that candidates not only match the technical requirements of the role but also fit seamlessly into your company culture.

Ideally, after conducting interviews, you should feel confident that you have gained an honest insight into the candidates, their personalities, their skill sets and whether they are the right fit for your company culture. To make sure that you finish the interview process with the right candidate for the job, we recommend that you take the below approach to interviews.

Implement a CV-based discussion

Start with a thorough review of the candidate’s CV to identify areas requiring clarification or further discussion. We recommend making notes or highlighting sections on the CV to guide your questioning. Consider asking:

• What were the key responsibilities in your previous role?

• Can you describe a significant achievement in this position?

• What prompted your transition from one role to another?

• Which skills acquired in your last role do you believe are most transferable to the position of an Executive Assistant?

Assessing Skills and Competencies

 Understanding the practical skills and competencies of candidates is vital. Tailor your questions to ascertain their proficiency and adaptability:

• Describe a complex project you managed. What strategies did you use to ensure its success?

• How do you handle tight deadlines and high-pressure situations?

• Give an example of how you have improved a process or system. What impact did your improvement have on the business?

• Discuss a time when you had to manage confidential information. How did you ensure privacy and discretion? 

Evaluating Cultural Fit and Personality

An EA’s fit within your team and their alignment with your company values are just as important as their professional skills. Questions to gauge this include:

• How do you describe your work style when supporting executives and other team members?

• How would your previous managers and colleagues describe you?

• Reflect on your most and least favorite roles. What factors influenced your experience?

• Describe how you have handled a challenging relationship at work. What approach did you take?

Problem Solving and Prioritisation

Executive Assistants often need to manage conflicting priorities and solve problems creatively. Explore their ability with questions such as:

• Can you provide an example of a complex problem you solved? What was the outcome?

• How do you prioritise your tasks when everything seems urgent?

• Tell me about a time when you had to make a critical decision in the absence of your executive. What was the situation, and what was the result?

Commitment to Professional Development

It's essential to understand a candidate's commitment to ongoing professional growth:

• What professional development activities have you undertaken recently?

• Where do you see your career as an Executive Assistant in the next five years?

End your interview with an open invitation for candidates to ask questions, ensuring a two-way dialogue. This approach not only helps candidates understand the role and your company better but also demonstrates your commitment to transparency and communication.

For further assistance with conducting impactful interviews or to learn more about securing top executive support talent, please contact our team. We are dedicated to supporting our clients throughout the recruitment process to ensure you find the ideal Executive Assistant for your needs.