Hiring a rockstar Executive Assistant (EA) is one of the most impactful decisions you’ll ever make for yourself and the success of your business.
When you find the right fit, it’s like adding a powerful extension of yourself. They not only support you but anticipate your next move and contribute to the success of your company at the highest level.
But finding the right person requires asking the right questions.
Keep reading to discover our top 5 Executive Assistant interview questions to help you identify a candidate who will empower you to operate at your fullest potential.
How We Revolutionized The Role of an Executive Assistant
At Mindmaven, we didn’t just adopt the idea of an Executive Assistant – we revolutionized it.
For many leaders, hiring a virtual Executive Assistant is seen as a tactical decision to “save time” or “be more productive.”
But, after working with top-tier leaders for over 15 years, we realized this limited mindset misses the mark and undercuts the success of the relationship from day one.
The executives who see the biggest returns on their investment approach this hire as building a high-impact, strategic partnership.
To realize this vision, we created a new role: the Engagement Manager (EM).
What is an Engagement Manager (EM)?
An Engagement Manager is a role that combines the operational prowess of an EA with the strategic mindset of a Chief of Staff.
With one core mission – to empower you to contribute to the success of your team at the highest level – an EM transforms traditional executive support into a strategic advantage.
Working with an Engagement Manager is about more than reclaiming hours in your day. It’s about becoming the leader your team – and your company – deserves.
This dynamic partnership will directly impact your company’s velocity, amplify your productivity, and free up 12+ hours weekly to invest in the relationships and decisions that drive your success.
Want to learn more about the role of an Engagement Manager? Watch our CEO and Founder, Patrick Ewers, explain how an EM transforms the way leaders operate below.
Our Proven Process – Why We Have a 94% Placement Success Rate
With over 15 years of experience, we’ve refined our recruiting process into a science – one with a 94% placement success rate. Here’s a glimpse into how we do it:
1. Schedule a call with us
We’ll dive deep into your needs and vision, ensuring our approach aligns with your goals.
You’ll get an overview of our process and how we’ve transformed the EA role into one of the most strategic hires for high-performing leaders.
2. Review candidate profiles
Once you commit to the process, we’ll match you with a selection of pre-screened rockstars who we believe will be a great fit for you.
We’ll share their assessment results and schedule the EA candidate meetings for you.
3. Meet your top 3 candidates
Our Executive Assistant candidates have already been interviewed and thoroughly assessed on execution and skillset.
All that’s left for you is to evaluate the Executive Assistant’s personality fit and cultural alignment.
4. Kick-off coaching for you and your new EA.
Getting the greatest ROI from hiring an Executive Assistant requires confidence that they are truly high-quality. Some of the best EAs we’ve placed did not have the typical resume profile you’d expect.
That’s why we offer personalized coaching to ensure your new EA reaches their highest potential. Learn more about our coaching here.
Ready to Find Your Own Rockstar?
If you’re ready to elevate your impact with a strategic partner, schedule a discovery call with Senior Executive Coach Chalyse Elsasser.
In this call, we’ll discuss your unique needs and goals – and how we can match you with a rockstar in as little as 10 days.
Schedule your free discovery call here.
If you’re set on managing your search yourself, we’re here to support you with that as well!
Below, you’ll find the top five Executive Assistant interview questions we use in every search to reveal the qualities that distinguish rockstar EAs from the rest.
Top 5 Executive Assistant Interview Questions
With the way we’ve revolutionized the role of an EA into an Engagement Manager, it’s no exaggeration to say that hiring the right EA is one of the best investments you’ll make.
(Curious to know the difference between an Executive Assistant and an Engagement Manager? Find out here.)
To guide you, here are the top 5 Executive Assistant interview questions we recommend asking to identify candidates who will bring high-level support, proactive problem-solving, and genuine engagement to the role.
1. Can you tell me about a time you felt you were able to make a meaningful difference in someone’s life?
The first of our Executive Assistant interview questions dives right into what makes an Executive Assistant invaluable – their service-oriented spirit.
Rather than focusing solely on past job functions, it gives the candidate a chance to reveal their empathy, compassion, and innate desire to have a positive impact on others.
How to spot a strong candidate: Look for stories that display a natural instinct to step up when someone is in need without hesitation.
This quality is essential in a role that thrives on proactivity and support, often without direct prompting.
Here are three qualities you may wish to look for:
- Intrinsic motivation to help others
- Proactivity on display
- Commitment and stability
2. Can you share a time you received challenging feedback, and how you reacted?
This question explores a candidate’s emotional intelligence and their approach to growth. In an Executive Assistant role, the ability to take feedback constructively and use it for personal and professional improvement is key.
It not only shows professional maturity but also a capacity for critical self-reflection – qualities essential for anyone supporting high-level leaders in a fast-paced environment.
How to spot a strong candidate: You want to see a candidate who doesn’t just accept feedback passively but actively processes and learns from it.
Look for an openness to growth, self-awareness, and a proactive response to feedback – indicators of an individual who can evolve alongside the dynamic needs of your role.
The way they describe their reaction to feedback will reveal their capacity to adapt, learn, and continue delivering high-quality support.
Here are three qualities you may wish to look for:
- Humility and accountability
- Proactive response to feedback
- Process-driven approach
3. What’s the adversity you’re most proud to have overcome?
In an executive support role, unforeseen challenges are part of the job.
Executive Assistant interview questions like this provide insight into the candidate’s resilience, problem-solving abilities, and determination.
How to spot a strong candidate: The adversity doesn’t have to be work-related; what’s essential is how they approached the challenge and the lessons they took from it.
A candidate who demonstrates tenacity and level-headed problem-solving skills will be invaluable when supporting an executive through complex, high-stakes scenarios.
Here are three qualities you may wish to look for:
- Grit and resilience
- Commitment and follow-through
- Self-reliance and resourcefulness
4. What’s one thing you’ve done in the last 12 months to learn or grow?
This question gives insight into the candidate’s approach to personal growth and their commitment to continuous learning.
You’ll also learn how the candidate sets goals and measures progress, providing insight into their self-motivation and discipline.
How to spot a strong candidate: Seek candidates who demonstrate a proactive mindset and willingness to develop.
A rockstar Executive Assistant doesn’t just perform tasks – they seek ways to add value through their growth journey, aligning their learning with the evolving needs of your organization.
This is particularly an important question to ask if your assistant will be required to keep up with new technologies, methodologies, or industry trends.
Here are three qualities you may wish to look for:
- Proactive learning
- Tech-savvy
- Collaboration and impact
5. What’s an element of company culture from a previous role you want to avoid in future positions?
Asking candidates to reflect on past experiences and identify cultural elements they would avoid in the future does more than reveal dislikes – it reveals their underlying priorities.
It also provides candidates with an opportunity to share personal experiences, giving you insight into how they perceive and interact with others in the workplace.
How to spot a strong candidate: Strong candidates will demonstrate the ability to critically analyze past environments and extract meaningful lessons.
In their answer, you should gain a sense of their ideal work environment and whether their vision aligns with your company’s culture.
For instance, their answers may highlight key preferences such as open communication, collaborative teamwork, or a more flexible structure.
Ultimately, this question is a gateway to understanding their professional journey and aspirations for a positive, productive workplace, ensuring a strong cultural fit.
Here are three qualities you may wish to look for:
- Cares about relationships
- Takes ownership
- Solution-focused
Unlock the Power of a Rockstar EA – Find Your Perfect Match
With the right systems in place, working with an Executive Assistant can directly impact your company’s velocity and 10x your productivity.
However, as many leaders discover, even with the best Executive Assistant interview questions and strategies, finding that ideal fit can be an overwhelming challenge.
If you’d rather invest your time and focus elsewhere, we’re here to help.
We’ve spent over 15 years refining not only how to optimize the partnership between an executive and their EA – but also how to find the right EA to begin with.
With a 94% placement success rate, we use a results-driven process to match leaders with the most strategic hires for their business.
Ready to elevate your impact with a rockstar EA?
Schedule a discovery call with Senior Executive Coach Chalyse Elsasser at a time that suits you and get matched with a rockstar EA in as little as 10 days.
In this call, we’ll discuss your needs and preferences and ensure you’re a good fit for our approach.
You’ll learn more about our process and how we’ve revolutionized the role of an Executive Assistant to become the most strategic hire you can make.
Stay tuned for our upcoming article, where we’ll share how to make your interviews even more meaningful – including essential follow-up questions and red flags to watch for during the interview process.
