"My typing speed is at 65 words per minute, with a near-perfect accuracy rate. I am certain my computer abilities are proficient in completing office administration tasks. At my last position, I used Microsoft Office daily and made updates every week to the company website using WordPress."

"Upon reading your job posting, I feel my experience makes me an excellent fit for the position of Office Assistant with your company. I have skills specific to the post, such as effective communication, an outgoing personality, and working well as part of a team."

"I pride myself on being personable and polite while maintaining call priority and sequence. At my last position, I was responsible for answering high-volume incoming calls and responding in a timely fashion. I'm also familiar with computerised phone systems, so I'll be able to use one if needed."

"While I try to maintain a relaxed demeanour, it's not always possible to avoid stressors. When I feel overwhelmed, I focus my attention on the task at hand and take a few deep breaths to help calm myself before carrying on with my work. I practise mindfulness to help myself focus on the current moment, rather than my list of other tasks. I find this helps keep me calm and centred at work."

"While I expect to work regular office hours most often, I am always willing to stay late when required. If a coworker calls in sick, I am happy to work in their stead. At my last office, I would frequently stay after closing hours to assist with extra tasks. I know that by helping out others, I can create a more productive workplace."

"At my previous position, I once had to deal with a frustrated customer on the phone. The customer was angry because of a seemingly unwarranted charge to their credit card. I made sure to let the customer finish speaking entirely, even though they were yelling at me, before acknowledging their feelings.

I asked the customer for their information so that I could investigate further. Upon discovering the customer forgot their monthly membership due date, I calmly explained this to them, using a positive and friendly tone.

At the end of our conversation, I asked them if they felt confident with the answer they had received."

"In your hiring advertisement, I noticed one of the duties listed as office cleanup. While I understand that an Office Assistant usually tidies the front area, I want to be clear about the expectations. Can you please explain which cleaning tasks these would involve?"

"In my experience, working as an Office Assistant requires an outgoing personality and assertive communication skills. As the team member responsible for maintaining client records and managing invoices, an Office Assistant needs to be well-organised and pay close attention to details."

"I recently completed Communications in the Canadian Workplace at Vancouver Community College. The course helped me improve my style and tone while teaching the ethical and relational implications of workplace communication. Going forward, I plan on enroling in several courses to further my computer skills, and continue improving on my performance."

"At my last position, I was solely responsible for transferring records from paper-based to entirely digital. This task was an achievement I'm most proud of because it resulted in an efficient working environment with a modern filing system.

While the task was lengthy, I applied my time-management skills to manage time effectively and completed the task one week faster than requested. My team members commented on how helpful my work was to them."

"I am experienced writing various documentation forms, including invoices, client files, notices, and announcements. My strong writing skills and impeccable grammar help me communicate professionally. I am proficient with Microsoft software, and I have experience editing documents."

"I enjoy working with others and the professional relationships that form. Working as part of a team allows me the opportunity to contribute to a group of colleagues with a common goal."

"I consider myself a people-person, and working in an office environment lets me interact with clients and coworkers. For me, assisting clients both in-person or over the phone is incredibly satisfying. I also enjoy the fact that office administration challenges me to be highly organised and efficient in my work. I take great pride in being able to overcome the challenges of my work."

"While I have yet to work remotely, I feel I would be comfortable performing my duties with minimal supervision. My organisational skills and effective time-management abilities would help me stay productive working from home. I also have space at home for my own home office environment, which allows me to work effectively without distractions."

"While I try to avoid conflicts, it's not always possible. When a disagreement arises with a coworker, I listen to their complaints and summarise to make sure I understand completely. Next, I ask that they hear my side, and then we work together to find a resolution.

If possible, I try not to involve management and negotiate a resolution myself."