What are the most important skills to highlight in an Administrative Assistant interview for a startup?

1 Communication skills

Communication is key in any role, but especially in a startup where you will have to interact with different people, from founders to customers, and handle various tasks, from scheduling to social media. You need to show that you can communicate clearly, concisely, and professionally in different modes, such as email, phone, chat, and video. You also need to show that you can listen actively, ask relevant questions, and provide feedback. To highlight your communication skills, you can use examples of how you communicated effectively in previous roles, how you adapted your communication style to different audiences and situations, and how you resolved any conflicts or misunderstandings.

2 Organizational skills

Organizational skills are essential for an Administrative Assistant in a startup, as you will have to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and priorities, often with limited resources and guidance. You need to show that you can plan, prioritize, and execute tasks efficiently and accurately, without losing sight of the big picture and the goals of the startup. You also need to show that you can use tools and systems to keep track of your work and collaborate with others. To highlight your organizational skills, you can use examples of how you organized your workflow, your calendar, your files, and your inbox in previous roles, how you handled changes and emergencies, and how you used software such as Google Suite, Slack, or Asana.

3 Initiative and problem-solving skills

Initiative and problem-solving skills are highly valued in a startup, as you will have to deal with new challenges, opportunities, and uncertainties every day. You need to show that you can take initiative, propose ideas, and find solutions without waiting for instructions or approval. You also need to show that you can think creatively, analytically, and critically, and that you can learn from your mistakes and feedback. To highlight your initiative and problem-solving skills, you can use examples of how you improved a process, solved a problem, or implemented a project in previous roles, how you researched and learned new skills or tools, and how you measured and reported your results.

5 Technical skills

Technical skills are important for an Administrative Assistant in a startup, as you will have to use various tools and platforms to perform your tasks and support the startup's operations. You need to show that you are proficient in the basic software and applications that are commonly used in startups, such as Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Slack, Zoom, and CRM systems. You also need to show that you are willing and able to learn new technologies and platforms as needed, and that you can troubleshoot and fix any issues that arise. To highlight your technical skills, you can use examples of how you used, learned, or taught a specific tool or platform in previous roles, how you optimized or automated a task or process using technology, and how you solved a technical problem or error.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?