Employer is going to test me

[rose45]

Hi Everyone,

 

I got an interview for an hr assistant role. I really want this job. They said they are going to test my excel and word skills. I just have trouble with these types of tests. I know the basics and if i am doing something at work and maybe forgot or need refreshing or dont know, i am able to just google it and figure out etc.

 

I am nervous what the test will consist of..i have been listening to tutorials, taking, notes etc..but i still feel like i won't be as prepared or something..just wondering what she will want to test me on to be an hr assistant. I think more than anything it will be data entry, being on the phones.

 

Anyone have any tips or experiences when they were test? what it was like, what it was on? just to get some ideas thrown at me?

 

Thanks!

[ForumGuy]

I think there are practice workbooks out there for Microsoft Office. I took a business computing class in college and that is what we used.

[rose45]

How should I prepare for the interview..i donot have experience within HR..i have the skills i believe needed to fulfill the duties of the position while learning what i don't know. I am just scared they will hear i haven't worked with hr and that's basically it. I am taking a certificate class mid september which is on my resume.

 

i don't have experience with ADP or their HRIS system..what should I say if asked..should i say i haven't had experience working with HR but i have handled checks for my boss in the past and made sure we received certain invoices after meetings and have also done alot of data entry for all the vp's. I think my certificate class will further prepare me for this role and I will learn fast and show my dedication to the work involved.

[YabbaDabba]

Honestly, I don't think it's possible to anticipate what'll be on the test, OR what you'll need to fully learn what you need to know before the actual test. Given, asking the hiring manager for a general overview of the test is an option, but I wouldn't. Your best bet will probably be to brush up on the stuff you know, look into stuff you don't know, and then, take a deep breath and go for it on the test. After the fact, send a thank you card to everyone involved in testing/interview process, and hammer home the fact that you're taking an additional class in less than a month. They obviously like something about you/your resume since they've asked you to interview, so I think you have to get a bit creative about showing them you're willing to learn the ropes. Good luck!

[YabbaDabba]

How should I prepare for the interview..i donot have experience within HR..i have the skills i believe needed to fulfill the duties of the position while learning what i don't know. I am just scared they will hear i haven't worked with hr and that's basically it. I am taking a certificate class mid september which is on my resume.

 

i don't have experience with ADP or their HRIS system..what should I say if asked..should i say i haven't had experience working with HR but i have handled checks for my boss in the past and made sure we received certain invoices after meetings and have also done alot of data entry for all the vp's. I think my certificate class will further prepare me for this role and I will learn fast and show my dedication to the work involved.

 

Yes! If you don't know something/don't have experience, I think your best bet it so say, "Well, I'm not that experienced in that area, but I do have experience in..., and I'm willing to learn to..." I mean, lying is pointless because they'll find out sooner or later, so being forthcoming, while showing flexibility is the best thing I can think of doing. I'm in a similar boat (might have an upcoming interview for a position that requires a LOT of experience I don't have); I'm worried about it, yes, but if I get an interview, I plan to be forthcoming, and focus on what I DO know, rather than what I DON'T. I mean, people always have to start/learn from somewhere, so if you can convince them you're worth the investment, a flexible employer might be willing to train you and/or give you some leeway to learn the ropes.

[rose45]

Thanks.

 

There is so much involved with word and excel and so many different areas..it's hard b/c i don't know if it will be detailed multiple choice questions where i have to know from memory where exactly everything is. Or be given a take to do like creating a spreadsheet etc. There is so much to review and I still have my real job during the day. Feeling stressed and I really want this position!!

[thejigsup]

I took a Word and Excel test for a job once. You take a Word document and they have a list of things you have to do to it. Resize it, cut and paste a paragraph, reset margins, bold and underline some words, do a macro for a table or something, and save it under a different name. Easy stuff. The Excel was KILLER!! Create a spreadsheet with given parameters and info. Add some columns, subtract others, do some other formulas that I have now forgotten, highlight different areas, list the entries in different orders, title the spreadsheet and then retititle it, and change it to landscape view and back. I could do it all, but they only gave me 30 minutes for each program and there was at least 45 minutes work on each. I hope they don't give you this test.