Job related tasks in interview

[Twiglet15]

Hi there,

Have an interview for THE JOB next week and have just found out that it's not the usual format that I was expecting.

The post is an admin job with reasonably varied tasks; use of databases, Excel, Word, maintaining records, minuting meetings, basic bookkeeping, budgeting, collaboration with remote teams, as well as usual reception duties, email and phone enquiries.

The first part of the interview is "a number of tasks related to the job description, which we will ask you complete" to be followed by the usual Q&A style interview.

I've never had to do tasks in an interview situation before, any suggestions as to how to prepare and what they may ask?

Thanks in advance!

maybe using excel/word kind of things - so they can see you know your way around them. Alot of people lie about what they can and cant do, so maybe this is them checking you can use these. (a bit like a typring speed test back in the day!!!!)

Anything related to the work. For example: look at a draft of a letter / report and identify the errors (spelling / grammar); draft a reply to some correspondence; an in-tray exercise; check flexi sheets; review research and present findings (but I think this sounds more senior than the job to which you have applied).

We have telephone interviews first and then a practical (IT based)
It really helps to separate out those who can talk the talk, but don't actually have the skills (their cv says they have).
If being meticulous is part of the role it's useful to see if they miss obvious things (allowing for interview nerves).
It's how they tackle things that's more important than actually succeeding in the tasks.
Try not to get too nervous and just use it as an opportunity to showcase what you know.

Types of exercises I've seen used in similar interviews are usually things like setting up a spreadsheet using data you've been given or sample notes from a meeting which you have to type up as minutes in a Word doc.

My advice would be manage your time (so many people spend too long on the first exercise and don't get onto others).