1. “Tell me about yourself.
What they’re looking for: Professional background, communication skills, and
alignment with Athena’s culture.
Sample answer:
“I’m an Executive Assistant with experience in calendar management, scheduling,
inbox organization, travel coordination, and document preparation. I enjoy supporting
leaders by helping them stay organized, focused, and efficient. I’m detail-oriented,
proactive, and comfortable working in fast-paced environments. I’m especially drawn
to Athena because of your emphasis on creating leverage for clients and empowering
remote talent.”
2. “Why do you want to work at Athena?”
They want to see long-term commitment and cultural fit.
Sample answer:
“I want to work at Athena because the company focuses on high-impact support and
invests heavily in its talent. I love how Athena trains its EAs to think strategically, not
just perform tasks. I want to grow in a place where I can support high-level executives,
solve problems, and contribute to long-term success.”
3. “What does being an Executive Assistant mean to you?”
They want to hear your mindset, not a job description.
Sample answer:
“To me, being an Executive Assistant means being a strategic partner. It’s about
anticipating needs, protecting the executive’s time, filtering information, and ensuring
they focus on what truly matters. I see it as a role that combines organization,
foresight, communication, and problem-solving.”
4. “Tell me about a time you handled multiple priorities.”
Use the STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, Result
Strong answer:
“At my previous role, I was managing the executive’s calendar, preparing a report,
and handling travel arrangements—all with tight deadlines. I listed all tasks by
urgency, communicated timelines, and delegated small parts where possible. As a
result, everything was completed on time, and my executive mentioned that the
organization reduced their stress during a busy week.”
5. “How do you stay organized?”
Athena loves structure.
Sample answer:
“I use tools like Google Calendar, Notion, Trello, and priority matrices. I group tasks
by urgency and importance, time-block my schedule, and maintain daily check-ins
with the executive. I also set reminders and create SOPs to keep recurring tasks
consistent.”
6. “How do you handle difficult feedback?”
They need emotional maturity.
Sample answer:
“I appreciate feedback because it helps me grow. If I receive negative feedback, I
listen without becoming defensive, ask clarifying questions, and implement the
improvements immediately. I usually check in afterwards to confirm that the
adjustment aligns with expectations.”
7. “What would you do if your executive suddenly changed plans?”
They want flexibility and calmness.
Sample answer:
“I remain calm, adjust priorities, and communicate clearly with anyone affected. I
quickly update the calendar, reschedule meetings, revise travel plans if needed, and
notify stakeholders. I always keep backup options ready for unpredictable changes.”
8. “How do you communicate with busy executives?”
Clear, concise, structured communication is key.
Sample answer:
“I communicate using short, clear, action-focused messages. I highlight the key point
first, offer options, and include next steps. For example, I send daily briefings
summarizing priorities, upcoming deadlines, and items needing decisions.”
9. “What is your biggest strength as an EA?”
Choose strengths that fit Athena:
Proactivity
Attention to detail
Prioritization
Communication
Problem-solving
Sample answer:
“My biggest strength is proactivity. I don’t wait to be told—I anticipate needs, solve
problems early, and take initiative to streamline systems.”
10. “Do you have any questions for us?”
Never say “no.” Ask smart questions like:
✔ “How do you measure success for Executive Assistants at Athena?”
✔ “What tools and systems do most EAs use daily?”
✔ “How is training structured for new EAs?”
✔ “What does a strong first 90 days look like?”