You need to think of an example where you and as an assembly had a piece of work to do you planned it out, looked at everyone's potency and weaknesses and assigned tasks suitably. If you can think of an example: where you took a principal role, so much the better. Obviously an example where you completed the task successfully is essential.
Have you ever worked to a deadline or target?
Think of a time where you had goals to be accomplished in a certain time, you thought through what you needed to do and you got on with it. Harder the tasks, stricter the deadline, better.
Have you ever missed a deadline?
The gut reaction is "Nope, Never!" The truth is everyone has had to push back a deadline at least once in their lives. What the interviewer is trying to find out is how you managed with it as it will unavoidably happen at one point in the job. You are working on a task. You looked ahead and saw that there wasn't enough time to complete it. You immediately informed all associates (your boss, the customer etc) and set a more realistic deadline. You then met the new deadline.
Have you ever had to deal with high pressure?
Everyone's been under weight at some point in their lives, and the interviewer wants to know what you do to deal with it. Pointless to say, your example should not be along the lines "I had a mental breakdown and drank martinis for three months." You were in a high pressure situation, you talked through the complexity you were having with someone, you saw if there was any additional help you could get with your task to make sure it was completed, you worked hard and got it done. You need to explain that you can deal with being under pressure - hinting that you actually like it is even better.
Tell me about a time you have failed at a task.
This looks like a trick question but it's not. We all fail at something in our career and the interviewer wants to know how you dealt with it. Clearly, you don't want to relate that hilarious tale of accidentally setting the office on fire - it needs to be something a little less disastrous, failing your driving test for example. Your example needs to show that you estimated your performance after you failed, you looked at areas you needed to improve, you worked on them, and you went back and completed the task.
Have you ever had a conflict with a co-worker?
Again, your instinct will be to say no, but everyone has an argument with a co-worker at some point. The interviewer wants to know how you resolute conflicts. A sensible example where you sat down with the person, talked through the problem and came to a pact is preferable.
Tell me about a time you have had to adapt.
Fairly simple - think of an example where you were asked to do something out of your usual ease zone, you learned quickly and were successful.
Have you ever been in a situation where you were leading a group?
Sometimes it's difficult to think a job-related example of this if you don't have administration experience but you can use an experience from your personal life where you fruitfully led a group through a task.
The key to getting the job is to prepare good answers to these usually asked questions that cast you in an upbeat light and relate them calmly in the interview. Remember that you can use non-work examples - they may even help to build a bond with the interviewer. If you get asked something you don't immediately know, don't be afraid to take a few seconds to think about it. You're not expected to be perfect, but you are expected to be able to deal with imperfect circumstances as well.
