Sample Interview Questions for Clerical Positions

1. What kind of experience have you had with the work of an administrative office or academic offices (scheduling, faculty workloads)?
2. What do you know about the work of the university? (for off-campus applicants)
3. What is your experience with supervising student workers or other employees?
4. Do you have any experience with budgets? With grants? Please describe.
5. How can your specific experience benefit us?
6. Describe your work style.
7. Describe your work style when faced with multiple tasks and deadlines.
8. How would you rate your skill in dealing with people (customer service)? With faculty? With other offices? With parents?
9. What are your computer skills? Do you consider your technical abilities basic, intermediate, or advanced, and why?
10. Describe the skills and talents you have that will help us.
11. What is your comfort level in working with large groups (e.g., meetings)?
12. Why do you want this job?
13. What kinds of filing systems have you used and/or created?
14. What decisions could you make on your own, and which did you refer to your boss?
15. What kinds of reports did you develop, create, or produce?
16. What kinds of correspondence have you written on your own initiative?
17. In your current position (or previous), were you required to comply with FERPA regulations? If not, what is your knowledge base of the FERPA guidelines?
18. IUP has a very diverse population of students, faculty, and staff. What does diversity mean to you?
19. In a nutshell, if we hire you, what will you bring of value to this organization?

Revised January 27, 2010

• Human Resources Office
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