School Business Administrator job interview

[Ramy48]

Hi There
I've been a stay at home mum for nearly 5yrs, now my son is teenager I want to get back into work. I managed to get an interview next week for a Business Administrator in a nursery.
I'm from a banking and finance background with just basic admin skills like typing up a letter and e-mailing. The job requires somebody with experience in invoicing, minute taking!!!????? I hardly did anything like this.
What kind of questions are they going to ask me? I'm so afraid I'm considering not attending this interview. Please help me, I am open to suggestions. x x

Go for it. They have offered you an interview and presuming you haven't lied they know you haven't got all the things they want but you must have something.

I have taken minutes. I used to write everything down and then decide what to include when typing them up. The first time I looked at previous minutes to see how they were set out and how they were written

Won't say what job I applied for but at the first interview I went for after being at home with the DC the company told me they were also interviewing someone with previous experience. Cue me thinking that's it I've got no chance. Got the job as although I had no experience they thought I would fit in better

Good luck.

Thank you Chilly, I suppose I'm feeling rather nervous, will I fit in with the team and all that. Absolutely hate interviews!

Just keep telling yourself that they have liked what they have seen from your application. Especially nowadays the amount of people applying for each job to have shone through enough to get a interview is bloody amazing

I applied for a similar role a few years back in a school. I was the strongest candidate apparently but didn't go into enough detail replying to their most important question which was to do with safeguarding. So revise up on it!

Go to vision2learn and sign up for a level 2 qualification in Business and Administration (free for most people provided you finish the course). That way you can tell them that you are studying to help address gaps in your experience.
Good luck.

Thank you so much for your support, I feel like I can do anything now! xoxoxox

Hello Again
I'm sorry to mess people about but I can't sleep feeling like this. I cannot honestly see myself working in an office, with the telephone ringing every 5 minutes, sitting at a desk typing, photocopying, it's not me.

I like the interaction with the children much more, I've applied to local schools for Lunchtime Supervisor role which I know I will enjoy. I have had experience working in a secondary school as 6th form supervisor/TA and thoroughly enjoyed it. I get on well with the kids, teachers and parents alike, plus I like to be outside running around as I'm quite energetic.

Should I still go for the Business Admin interview or follow my heart? It's not like I have to work, my husband can afford to support me but I like to have that little bit of independence. Sorry to mess you guys about with all my silly questions.

Worth going for the interview experience.

Go for it and who knows what other opportunities may come up once you are in the job.

Minute taking is beacause you will be clerk to the governors. This will be about 6 full meetings a year possibly plus committees.

To clarify is this job paying about £30k (so a school business manager) or much less (an administrator)

Go for it! Office staff in schools have to be very flexible and have plenty of interaction with children. You'll get your work done after 3.30.

Look at the job spec. That should give you some clues as to what they might ask. If it's an admin role they will possibly ask about organisational skills, prioritising workloads, working under pressure, accuracy/attention to detail.

The job specifications Crinkle77, good knowledge of Microsoft Office, Purchase Orders, Petty cash, Excellent telephone manner.
The only one I may fall down on is the first one and the minute taking, but I learn fast!
The job also states salary depends on experience so, anyway I've just read up on the nursery and I do like their motto that they treat each child as an individual because you know every child is so different in their learning and ways of grasping things.
The interview is next Tuesday yet it feels like it's going to be tomorrow with my nerves playing up. xoxo

I think it's more like an administrator than a business manager so they may give you a test (probably on spreadsheets) and possibly an in-tray exercise. If it's just an interview, probably questions around:

• experience of working in a term or interacting with others
• why you want to work in an education setting
• what finance experience you have had
• how you prioritise

Good luck

Well my friends, my interview is tomorrow, I have been up most of last night preparing my answers for whatever questions they may throw at me. Thank you for your help and advice. xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Just writing to say, I got the job and many many thanks to you mumsnetters for your good advice...I really appreciate it!

PS Now i'm so nervous of my first day!

Well done! Brilliant news