So nervous for my interview this Monday!

[CollegeStudent7]

It's for an executive assistant position. I would report to 2 execs and help out the entire office. It pays $25/hr and in the middle of this economy, it's like a calling to me. I know Engineers and Nurses who can't land a job right now. I just cannot screw this up. Only issue..I've done executive assistant stuff, but it was more like I was an executive receptionist. I catch on VERY quick, but the travel arrangements/accounting/billing stuff is what scares me and I want to appear prepared in this interview. I haven't wanted anything so bad in a while and I really need this. How hard is it to be an executive assistant at this level and what programs and things do most executive assistants need to know? I'm also afraid for certain interview questions such as : Where are you looking to go careerwise? ...........It was my understanding that executive assistant stops just there..and I am fine with that. Oh I have a million other things to think of.

This job could be what pays for me to finish my schooling and/or Masters. I'm so nervous because I am currently working INSIDE of my recruiting/staffing agency. I signed up with them in 2008 and did temp assignments. Then last month they asked me to come in and physically cover the front desk at their agency. I have been doing that and apparently their client (a company/hedge fund that needs the executive assistant) is looking for someone. They have sent out 10 resumes and FINALLY their client/hedgefund company picked MINE and they want to interview with me. I am fearful of failure. Everyone at my staffing agency knows I am going on this interview and if I continue to work there that's an obvious sign that I didn't get the job with the hedgefund. Does this make sense?

[ryoder]

First of all, don't worry too much about this position. They should be happy to have a great candidate to interview. Just be yourself and you will do fine. These executives need someone they can talk to and relate to so your personal skills are going to be important.
For the career plan just tell them that you are wanting to learn more about business and want to be able to complete a masters degree.

[skyfall123]

I am fearful of failure.

Welcome to the club. Use it as a motivator.

Everyone at my staffing agency knows I am going on this interview and if I continue to work there that's an obvious sign that I didn't get the job with the hedgefund. Does this make sense?

It just means you are focusing on the wrong thing.

Focus on the important things. Below is a blurb taken from an Executive Secretary want ad. I would go in there and stress that you have excellent interpersonal skills, are extremely professional, are a team player, can converse easily with employees and clients, are calm under pressure, highly resourceful, naturally organized, and a forward thinking problem solver. You must focus on the positive and project the positive. Tell negative Nellie to take a week off. You can do it!!!


Responsibilities:
• Coordinate extensive domestic and international travel, including booking hotels and arranging point-to-point transportation
• Act as the first point of contact for investors
• Heavy long-term and short-term calendar management and scheduling
• Provide light assistance to other members of the team as needed
• Oversee standard office management duties

Requirements:
• Must be calm under pressure, highly resourceful, and extremely professional
• Naturally organized, forward-thinking problem-solver and reliable team player to support senior executives
• Proficiency in Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint

[CollegeStudent7]

Dang, you guys are good! Seriously..both of you are very straightforward and get me back on track. I honestly NEVER used to stress interviews. I was almost inwardly conceited. I KNEW I would land the job because I always did. I looked at the interview as my opportunity to show them how "awesome" I am/was and just KNEW that 95% of the time I was going to be hired.

I guess I'm a wreck because the last 3 years have been HELL in the job market and I have been extremely depressed and gained back 30 pounds. I now keep myself up, but I am clearly pretty overweight. A "thick/curvy" girl. Chunky now basically. I feel a little insecure but people tell me that I appear to be VERY confident so I suppose I hide it well.

I can almost tell you that I am definitely treated differently as a "fatter" girl now and I just want to take the employer, grab them by the shoulders, look them in the eye and say "Just give me a chance! I KNOW I'll be the best employee for you". Usually I am. In my city, people are total primadonnas. The overall attitude here is a miserable one, so I think my upbeat-ness helps me stand out.

I guess the only thing I can do when they ask about the skills I have are tell them I am experienced on a few things and VERY quick to learn on others. I guess I can tell them that my previous employers can attest to this (which they would) and that I have found that my nursing program took about twice as much stress/thinking on your feet and I felt I caught on quickly. I know nursing has nothing to do with this position, but maybe if I can subtly tell them, without actually saying it like this "Look, I have business experience and I passed nursing school. Your job is going to be a near cakewalk in comparison", then they should catch my drift.

I really appreciate the descriptions. Thanks all.

[ryoder]

People lucky enough to have an open req to fill are usually overworked and need help.
Try to concentrate on the job requirements and how you will fulfill those minimum requirements and let them know that you are there to help them to be productive and successful.

If they feel that you want a handout or are looking for someone to take care of you they will walk away from it in a heartbeat. Its all about how you can add value and hopefully make their life more organized. Execs are very busy people who get screwed on the work-life balance part of the equation so they need help at work and that is where you come in.

[skyfall123]

I guess I'm a wreck because the last 3 years have been HELL in the job market and I have been extremely depressed and gained back 30 pounds. I now keep myself up, but I am clearly pretty overweight. A "thick/curvy" girl. Chunky now basically. I feel a little insecure but people tell me that I appear to be VERY confident so I suppose I hide it well.

You are applying for an Executive Assistant position, not an exotic dancer. Focus.

[radeonator2048]

Just remember, out of that whole stack of resumes, you are one of the top candidates. As for being overweight, an employer that knocks you off the list just for that you don't want to work for.

Good Luck,

[alleycat]

You are applying for an Executive Assistant position, not an exotic dancer. Focus.

Way to put it Geezer. hilarious

[CollegeStudent7]

Haha Geezer you're right! But here in NYC they are just so shallow. There's so much pressure to not only be intelligent, personable and very sharp..but also goodlooking too!

Poster before has a good point. If they blow me off for that, I will know as I am good at assessing how interviews go. I hope they're not shallow, but the majority of EAs that I know are cuties ha. This city is so disgustingly shallow. Sigh. No use giving myself a headache over it.

[alleycat]

Wear black. That can hide a multitude of sins. Make sure your clothes fit well no matter what size you are.