Interview

[Catlady165]

Hi guys!! I need a little advice…..
I have an interview next week and have an idea of a few of the questions (through a friend)
it asks what have you done recently to improve/develop your skills as an administrator?
ive been out of work for a year!! What on earth do I say?! I run a home, and have applied for COUNTLESS jobs which always get to interview but I’m always a close second!! During interviews I have had to undertake typing tests, use outlook etc but apart from that, I’m stumped! Help!!!

Can you take some of those free online courses to give you some things to talk about? From memory, I did some on Allison.com (sp?) during quiet times at work during lockdown and they just add to your skillset!

That’s a great idea wearealllionesses. I did think about looking for some amin exercises to do online xxx

I bet you've got loads of examples - stuff from previous jobs is relevant still.

I’ve not worked since last summer and the question is specifically what have you done to add to/develop you admin skills! I can think of training I did in my last job but don’t know if that’s what they mean. It’s a daft question seeing they’ve seen my application form and it states I’ve been out of work for a year

This always frustrates me as it is not “what have you done in paid work” it’s “what have you done” in any part of your life. Value what you do not what you don’t do.

I run a home - e.g.e started meal planning “In the past 12 months I reviewed and implemented a number of changes in the way I planned and organised daily, weekly and monthly tasks to improve efficiency and make financial savings. “

Applied for COUNTLESS jobs - job applications “I have developed my drafting skills writing tailored job applications within a tight word count. Using the principles of plain english and grammar software (I’m sure there is one being heavily advertised now) I have been able to improve the impact of my drafting whilst being succinct.”

During interviews I have had to undertake typing tests, use outlook etc - “As part of recruitment processes I have had to use numerous software packages to demonstrate my typing and IT skills. This has developed my knowledge of different systems and confidence in using new software packages.”

Oh wow! You’re right! I need to believe in myself a bit more and realise that I’m always learning! True, I’ve not sharpened/added to my admin skills in a work/academic sense; this year I created my first vegetable patch, salad and herb garden and area for tomatoes, chillis and peppers which have been so successful! So that’s a new skill I’ve learned, possibly one of the most important, to grow food. Just a shame I can’t use that example!
but thank you for you valuable advice xxx

Just tell them you’ve signed up for a course on how Covid has changed the modern workplace.

I'd recommend doing some Microsoft Academy training: docs.microsoft.com/en-gb/learn/m365/

Depending on the employer, it may be useful to talk about the Public Sector Bodies Web and Mobile Applications Accessibility Regulations (PSBAR). Do you know how to make Word docs and PowerPoints accessible?

I will take a look. Thank you so much!!
today I’ve started doing an office skills refresher course online so I’m gonna be busy online learning this weekend.
im qualified to level 3, extensive audio/dictation and minute taking experience. It all seems a bit daft but it won’t hurt to update my skills.
thank you all so much xxx

Please don’t discount the vegetable patch as an example of new skills or applying skills differently. You didn’t magically know how to prepare the ground, what to plant when etc.

Sadly the question is what have you one recently to improve your admin skills but I will try to slip that in somewhere because I didn’t have a clue but am now eating my fruit and veg everyday! I feel very proud of that x

Have a look at YouTube for excel tutorials (or something that you’re not quite so confident in) and try some self-directed learning so that you can say I was unconfident in abc but I have done xyz ti build my confidence and skills in this area. Best of luck op!

Brilliant idea! I was thinking I need to brush up on excel.
thank you so much for your help xxx

Sorry OP but I disagree with pp and wouldn’t talk about work around the home etc.

A year out of work isn’t that long, I’m sure you have some relevant examples from before that.

I would worry you would look very disconnected from the workplace if you used a lot of home life examples.

@PinkFrogss no one is suggesting examples from home are used for all questions.

The OP was specifically asking for responses to the specific question “what have you done recently to improve/develop your skills as an administrator?”

So our responses have focused on how she has utilised planning & organising, communication, team work & interpersonal customer service, problem solving and technology & software skills in other areas of her life during the 12 months she was not working.

Yes, I see what you mean. And the question is “what have you done recently to add to your administrator skills” so I’ve been getting stuck in to refresher online courses, speed typing tests and excel tutorials x

Courses are a good idea OP

I suppose “recently” is open to interpretation, if someone had been out of work for a year I would accept them using something from a year ago as a “recent” example but understand why some wouldn’t

I agree the courses are a good idea.

As a recruiter, I am saying non-work related responses can be acceptable. In this case the OP has been out of the workplace for 12 months, but for those returning after a 5 year career break I want them to value what they have done during those 5 years.