topic Re: Office Administrator interview? in Community Chat

Office Administrator interview?

JavaQueen — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 15:49:03 GMT

Hi all forum ladies:

Still working as freelancer and looking for that full-time job. Or a part-time one that is reliable.

I recently appled to an office administrator position on a whim. Surprise! I got their attention. They had emailed that they weren't through with viewing all the resumes, but they would get back to me to either chat or set up an interview. Of course, with these type of things, anything can happen. All the resumes have not been selected.Or they may pick me as an EOE candidate.

It's a part-time position for a nonprofit. I have managed an office in a publishing company and ran a small law firm library. (That part I didn't put on the resume and they still contacted me.)

This is one of these where I have 90 percent, but not all skills.

My question is this: If I pass a screening interview, what kind of written skills test might I encounter in 2017. I have been checking career sites for this, but I know we have quite a mix of people here who might be able to provide a few tips. I am looking for real life examples.

Many thanks for reading!

Java

Re: Office Administrator interview?

Deb665 — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 16:51:55 GMT

Hi JavaQueen!

When I retired from a management position with a community bank each department manager decided what skills were important for their department and the tests were tailored toward those specific skills. I worked in a department that dealt with all electronic processing of funds and our top customers. The tests for my department were: Basic Decision Making and Problem Solving

Math Skills

Computer Skills

Excel

Word

Communication Skills

None of the tests were especially hard, they were given on the computer and timed. The job candidate had to pass the tests before I was allowed to interview them. This also applied to any internal applicants who might not have already tested in these areas.

Try to relax about the testing. I'm sure you'll do great!

I hope this information helps.

Re: Office Administrator interview?

chrystaltree — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 18:01:20 GMT

That's great. They verified that they received your resume. They are now in the process of screening the resumes, depending on how many they have, that can take a while. They'll make separate them into "to be interviewed" and "thank you for applying but". My employer doesn't administer pre-employment tests for positions like that because they are professional grade and a 4 year degree, sometimes a 2 year degree are always required. There's no need to verify that an applicant can read, write and use a calculator. When I started working 35 years ago, every employer gave those tests. Honestly, I don't think you should be concerned with testsing if you can do 90% of the tasks on the job description and if you have the experience; you would pass easily. 90% of the skills is excellent, you'd be surprised at the number of people who can't even do 50% and HR still passes them along to the department for an interview...lol Good luck!

Re: Office Administrator interview?

I am still oxox — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 18:39:45 GMT

Please do not put too much stock in anything until you have a date fro an interview, on my last job hunt I got a lot of promises and very few interviews.

Also I an not understanding the EOE comment

Re: Office Administrator interview?

Laura14 — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 18:40:13 GMT

@JavaQueen A written skills test? I'd be curious about that too.

I have been an OA my whole career and I've never done a written skills test. Normally, they want the basic computer skills which in this day and age are MS Office and Outlook bare minimum. And depending on who or what you are supporting, Power Point, maybe a certain database familiarity and advanced Excel may also be desired.

A written skills test I would think may be just to see how well you write (style, punctuation, grammar, etc) if you are going to be creating documentation in your position. They may be looking at you for grant writing if this is a non-profit? Just a guess. If you worked for a publishing company, I'm sure you're all over that. And frankly, this post is proof enough you are great with the English language.

Congratulations on getting noticed. Good luck!

Re: Office Administrator interview?

VaBelle35 — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 20:04:01 GMT

EOE - Equal Opportunity Employer, meaning she is a Diversity Candidate.

Most places no longer do pre-employment testing unless it is 100% necessary for the job AND it doesn't inadvertently select out a class of candidates.

I wouldn't worry about testing. I would worry about selling yourself and your skills and qualifications and what you can do for the company.

Re: Office Administrator interview?

JavaQueen — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 20:43:58 GMT

Thank you all for your input. When I first started created the thread, I hadn't had all my coffee. LOL.

Regarding, the EOC (Equal Opportunity Commission) candidate comment, I have had interviews where I sat there wondering why they called me the first place. Diversity in this case means older. I really think they called me as a place holder. The job was going to someone else, but they were forced to call a certain number of candidates for interviewing. (They either receive grant money or are U.S. government contractors.)

This being a nonprofit, who knows? This job is going to require a bit of everything and part of that may be editing the newsletter. They don't spell that out, but I happened to see the predecessor's profile and from that I learned two things: she had no business degree and also edited the newsletter. . As for my chances, I am not going to dwell on it. Sometimes you think you're in the running and the person before you knocks out of the park. Then you're out before even getting your foot in the door.

I'll just have to see.

Re: Office Administrator interview?

GCR18 — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 23:39:56 GMT

I've never heard of a writing test. I wouldn't worry about that till/if it happens. Keep it simple, clear and error free. My company is big on skill sets. If you can't give an strong example, you won't go any further. Ex. Decision making skills - tell me about a time when you made a bad decision. What happened? Seems like all our questions are about you being in a negative position. We want to hear what you did about it to turn it around.

Sending positive vibes that you get an interview, then the position.

Re: Office Administrator interview?

Plaid Pants2 — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 23:55:40 GMT

On a writing test, make sure that all words are spelled correctly and use correct punctuation.

Re: Office Administrator interview?

wildcat fan — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 00:13:43 GMT

For some of my recent applications, I was asked to explain what I would do in this situation and what is my philosophy about _____ and what is my idea of an effective leader. These were open-ended questions where they seem to try to get to know the applicant as well as assess his/her writing skills.

Best of luck to you @JavaQueen! 😊

Re: Office Administrator interview?

Big Sister — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 02:33:49 GMT

You probably already know this, but I'll say it anyway.

While interviewing, and just before, keep a genuine smile on your face, be positive and always have a pleasant attitude. They want to like the person they will be working with.

Re: Office Administrator interview?

I am still oxox — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 11:25:34 GMT

@JavaQueen wrote:
Thank you all for your input. When I first started created the thread, I hadn't had all my coffee. LOL.

Regarding, the EOC (Equal Opportunity Commission) candidate comment, I have had interviews where I sat there wondering why they called me the first place. Diversity in this case means older. I really think they called me as a place holder. The job was going to someone else, but they were forced to call a certain number of candidates for interviewing. (They either receive grant money or are U.S. government contractors.)

This being a nonprofit, who knows? This job is going to require a bit of everything and part of that may be editing the newsletter. They don't spell that out, but I happened to see the predecessor's profile and from that I learned two things: she had no business degree and also edited the newsletter. . As for my chances, I am not going to dwell on it. Sometimes you think you're in the running and the person before you knocks out of the park. Then you're out before even getting your foot in the door.
I'll just have to see.

How would they know your age unless ou put your date of birth on the resume which is a huge faux pas these days

Re: Office Administrator interview?

JavaQueen — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 00:14:38 GMT

We now in live in a era where even 40 is considered old. HR professionals and recruiters advise job seekers to remove dates from degrees and limit the job history to the last 5-10. It's tricky, because I had a job that was eliminated nearly six years ago and it lasted ten. In that case, they can figure it out.

Think about it: if I do that, my job experience starts with "Assistant editor." That's not really an entry-level position. In addition, I have a master's degree. If they calculate the age at 25 then add the experience listed on the resume, that's14 years. That brings it up to 39. I'm older than that. If they're halfway intelligent, they can compute age as being fortyish.

In reality, my working life began at the ripe old age of 14. I already had ten years' worth of experience prior to my first real job. And all that is considered out-dated and some things don't' have a shelf-life: interpersonal relations, organization, problem-solving. Then there's all my volunteer experience: I sat on church councils and committes and had to submit budgets and defend them. Plus, I helped organize a breakfast for 600 guests. None of that is on my resume, because it wasn't "work."

Re: Office Administrator interview?

missy1 — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 01:15:19 GMT

@JavaQueen wrote:
We now in live in a era where even 40 is considered old. HR professionals and recruiters advise job seekers to remove dates from degrees and limit the job history to the last 5-10. It's tricky, because I had a job that was eliminated nearly six years ago and it lasted ten. In that case, they can figure it out.

Think about it: if I do that, my job experience starts with "Assistant editor." That's not really an entry-level position. In addition, I have a master's degree. If they calculate the age at 25 then add the experience listed on the resume, that's14 years. That brings it up to 39. I'm older than that. If they're halfway intelligent, they can compute age as being fortyish.

In reality, my working life began at the ripe old age of 14. I already had ten years' worth of experience prior to my first real job. And all that is considered out-dated and some things don't' have a shelf-life: interpersonal relations, organization, problem-solving. Then there's all my volunteer experience: I sat on church councils and committes and had to submit budgets and defend them. Plus, I helped organize a breakfast for 600 guests. None of that is on my resume, because it wasn't "work."

Someone keeps telling me to get a "real job". It's hard to get a job in their 40's, especially 50 and after, and a female. Jobs are low paying here, even with degrees.

Re: Office Administrator interview?

JavaQueen — Fri, 14 Jul 2017 22:09:06 GMT

Update 7/14/2017

Nothing happened.

Ladies, I thiank you for reading and for your kind suggestions.

At this point, I have hit a very hard bump in the road. Any prayers, good thougths, etc. are most appreciated. Am so stuck and even if I keep applying for jobs, nothing is instantaneous. It's one of those situations where help was needed yesterday.

Many thanks.

Java

Re: Office Administrator interview?

Moonchilde — Fri, 14 Jul 2017 22:51:51 GMT

@JavaQueen, I feel for you. The last 27 years I worked of 47, my field was under constant threat of jobs being eliminated to go overseas or outsourced off-site in the US. I had to worry through every one of those 27 years whether I'd be unemployed the next month - with no job openings in the field anywhere ever, anywhere near my salary or benefits. I always knew I was very, very lucky to have made it to retirement still employed. There but for fortune...

Fingers crossed for you in your future hunting.

Re: Office Administrator interview?

JavaQueen — Fri, 14 Jul 2017 23:18:41 GMT

Thanks for stopping to read.

I have been working as a freelance or "independent contractor" and it's dfficult, because I it's not steady.

Yes, one can plan budgets, but if things are tight, then one thing out of place will throw off everything else. I keep applying for full-time jobs and part-time jobs. Even if a person saves for that "rainy day," there is only so much you can do when that turns into a "rainy decaide."

It will soon be six years and I honestly don't know what I would have done if someone told me that my life would be like this. There are too many people like me out there. I am very aware. I was grateful for the work that I've had, but I really wanted to get away from this type of thing.

What is sad is that they have convinced young people that they should wiite for pennies. You don't even get $5 per article. There's researching and revising. You have to kill yourself and it's not even susbsistance income. That's the effects of outsourcing.

When I think of it, it's even less---you have to take out for taxes.

Re: Office Administrator interview?

Moonchilde — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 00:07:25 GMT

I can relate to that, @JavaQueen. I was a senior grade experienced nationally accredited medical transcriptionist making as much $$, with the same benefits, as many credentialed hospital technicians with specialized schooling.

With the outsourcing, if you went to work for those companies you were paid by the line (they defined the line length), 5 cents a line (25 years later many companies still only pay 8 cents), with no benefits whatsoever. When they began that, I figured I would need to work 11-12 hrs a day, 6 days a week to earn the same salary without the benefits. You were responsible for stopping to look up patient data, medications, etc and of course deciphering all foreign accents - on your own time.

Now they pay 8 cents at many companies still, a few 10 cents, a few hourly - for graveyard shifts to include every weekend - and they still want you to work 10 hrs a day 6 days a week - for peanuts. Very little value is accorded experience and accuracy. A lot of it is outsourced to India and the Philippines and they're paid 4 cents a line! They do at least offer vacation time and medical insurance now but it's not equal to what a hospital employer would provide.

I was one step ahead of being outsourced for 25+ years. The only reason I had the last job before retiring for 18 years is because I did many other exacting tasks besides transcription, and because outsourcing and delays of results to surgeons just doesn't compute. They have to have people on site to do it "rightnow." That's all that saved my butt.