This practice Executive Secretary job interview is from an actual civil service interview. 

The practice Executive Secretary interview questions are provided by the Complete Civil Service Interview Guide.  The Guide is written by experts who have written civil service interview questions and interviewed job candidates at all levels. This step-by-step Guide will teach you how to succeed in the civil service interview including:

• How civil service interviews are different from private industry interviews and how to handle the differences.
• How to identify possible interview questions before your civil service interview.
• How to answer any civil service interview question confidently and without nervousness.
• Answers to the toughest interview questions and situations.
• How civil service interviews are scored and which words to say to raise your score.

More from the Complete Civil Service Interview Guide on governmentjob.us including practice interviews and civil service interview questions and answers. 

Job Description

Under general supervision, an Executive Secretary performs varied, complex and often confidential secretarial and office administrative support tasks in support of an agency Executive Officer and other associated management/supervisory staff; involves active and extensive contact with the public and executives and officials at other federal, state and local government government organizations; may supervise and coordinate the work of office support staff.  An Executive Secretary requires a good working knowledge of the organization and programs under the Executive Officer’s jurisdiction. It is further distinguished by the use of discretion in developing work methods and procedures and is frequently required to resolve office emergencies independently.

Practice Executive Secretary Interview

• How does your current job qualify you for the position of Executive Secretary?   Focus on the aspects of your current job that apply to Executive Secretary.
• In which area can you have the greatest positive impact on the Executive Officer’s Office?
• An upset vendor calls and demands to speak with the Executive Officer.  The vendor is questioning the legal terms and conditions in a security-related request for proposal that has just been released.  The vendor states that he has already been transferred three times and he has lost his patience.  How will you handle the vendor?
• The Office has a large number of file cabinets and other furniture in an area with a significant amount of traffic.  What steps will you take to ensure that the work of the Office is performed safely?
• As the Executive Secretary, you’ll be responsible for working with other Executive Secretaries, administrative staff, and the Board of Supervisor’s Office to ensure that all work products are prepared correctly and efficiently.  What specific steps will you use to ensure a consistent work product?
• Assume that you’ve been hired and will only have 20 minutes at your desk tomorrow before attending training off-site.  Based on the responsibilities listed in the job description, how would you prioritize your assignments in those 20 minutes?
• Follow-up Question:  Tell us about a situation in your current job that demonstrates your ability to handle multiple complex assignments at the same time with conflicting deadlines.
• Your office staff includes three subordinate administrative professionals. What steps will you take to ensure a professional office, both in behavior and work product?
• What aspect of supervision do you find most challenging?  Identify what you find most challenging and then describe how you handle the challenge with an example if possible.
• Do you have anything to add?  Summarize by emphasize your qualifications as they apply to this job.   Also cover anything you missed from your opening.  Don’t forget any education or formal training.