AdminSecret

There are some very good tips here, but why are these articles that offer help with resumes and interviews not geared to Admin Assistants? Two nurses discussing their communication difficulties in the ICU is hardly an example that I can gain much from as an Admin or Exec Assistant. Because Admin Assistants don't typically create products that improve a company's bottom line, where's the practical advice for us? Our "greatest accomplishment which added to the company's bottom line" is likely to seem very unimportant next to a sales person who doubled the company's sales. "I revised the filing system to make it easy enough for anyone from any department to find what they needed without asking someone to find it for them". Doesn't sound very impressive, but for an Admin Assistant it might actually be the only "improvement" they can contribute.

"How Do You Explain Your Gap in Employment?" I think that is a horrible answer. I have little qualifications in any job I apply for; I am only 25 and never went to college, so to say I am picky regarding ANY job choice in this economy is just wrong. I am looking for work, that is my answer. I am up against hundreds of other applicants that have TONS more experience than me. If a interviewer can't understand that it's hard to find work right now, and won't hire me because I have a 6 month gap in my history then I don't want to work for them anyway!

As a former business owner self employment has been extremely hard to sell as I was employed. Still own it but, too many economic problems removed all equipment. Prior to 8/08 I was growing at a rate of over 100% per year on average from a pt added cash flow to a productive business. How do you explain a salary that didn't exist, cash flows that did, the equipment it paid for, and all the motivation and innovation it took to make that happen? A person interviewing you has a job but, may have no concept of what it took to create that. As an interviewee you do. Fear of the interviewee may tell them your motivation and skills surpass their own. In today's economy many are in fear of their own job loss. A self motivator realistically in five years wants to running their own life and has the skills to rebuild it. Air of caution would be to not go over the top on answers as it can cost you the job you need today. Some of the answers do exactly that. The person interviewing may be less qualified to do their job than you are. Today companies want a college degree to do a high school graduates job, the person interviewing may have secured that position when the world didn't expect overqualified people to do less than they're trained to do. I worked those type of jobs and it's a combative atmosphere. From start to finish.

As a former recruiter, I commend you on this article. You are absolutely correct -- be specific! Also, don't be afraid to be quantitative. If you saved money,say how much or by what percent. Companies love some statistics. Not just because they are testing you, but because it demonstrates some analytical skills.

No words to thank you for such a wonderful advice.

Thank you so much for this direct answer the questions that are always ask in an interview. I been on 7 and I am still unemployed. This is wonderful. Again, Thank you

This article had many good suggestions, but frankly, some of the "good" answers just sound like BS. The employee who attributed his company's 10% increase to his taking over the company newsletter must assume there is no marketing function in the company or CFO who watches over the bottom line. Some of the other "good" answers, while specific, are so go-getter rah-rah that I would question whether they really did what they claimed, and I would find them annoying.