Top Prescreening Questions to Identify the Ideal Executive Assistant for Your Fundraising Company

What is your previous experience as an Executive Assistant in a fundraising company?

This question will help you gauge the candidate's familiarity with the industry. It's crucial that your Executive Assistant understands the unique challenges and opportunities in fundraising, as they'll need to navigate these on a daily basis.

How familiar are you with fundraising strategies and techniques?

An Executive Assistant needs to be well-versed in the strategies and techniques of fundraising. This knowledge will allow them to support your team more effectively, and could even lead to new fundraising opportunities.

How do you handle confidential information?

Confidentiality is a key aspect of the Executive Assistant role. They'll be privy to sensitive information, and it's vital that they can be trusted to handle this responsibly.

Can you describe a time when you had to manage multiple executives' schedules simultaneously?

This question will give you insight into the candidate's multitasking and organizational skills. Managing multiple schedules is a common task for Executive Assistants, and they'll need to do this efficiently and effectively.

Can you illustrate a situation where you had to handle a crisis or problem in the office?

Executive Assistants often act as the point of contact during crises. Their ability to handle these situations calmly and effectively can make a big difference to the outcome.

How would you handle a situation where multiple executives require your assistance at the same time?

This question will help you understand how the candidate prioritizes tasks. They need to be able to juggle multiple demands, and still deliver high-quality results.

How familiar are you with project management tools and software?

Project management tools can greatly increase an Executive Assistant's efficiency. If your candidate is familiar with these tools, it's a real plus.

Can you describe your experience with budget management?

Budget management is a key responsibility of many Executive Assistants. Their ability to manage budgets effectively can have a big impact on your company's bottom line.

How comfortable are you with planning and coordinating events?

Event planning and coordination require a unique blend of creativity, organization, and attention to detail. If your candidate excels in this area, it's a good sign.

Can you provide an example of a time when you had to deal with a difficult stakeholder?

Executive Assistants often have to liaise with a variety of stakeholders, some of whom may be difficult. They need to be able to handle these situations with diplomacy and tact.

What strategies do you use to stay organized and prioritize tasks?

Organization and prioritization are key skills for any Executive Assistant. This question will give you insight into the candidate's strategies and methodologies.

How would you handle a situation where an executive asks for a task that is beyond your capabilities or knowledge?

This question will not only show you how the candidate handles pressure, but it will also reveal their approach to learning and development.

What is your experience with donor management software?

In a fundraising company, familiarity with donor management software is a major advantage. This question will help you assess the candidate's technical skills.

What is your method for maintaining effective communication between different departments?

Effective communication is a cornerstone of the Executive Assistant role. This question will give you insight into the candidate's communication style and strategies.

How would you support the fundraising team in achieving their goals?

This question will help you understand how the candidate views their role in relation to the wider team. The best Executive Assistants see themselves as vital supporters of the team's goals, rather than just administrators.

How do you handle pressure and tight deadlines?

The role of an Executive Assistant can be high-pressure, with tight deadlines. This question will help you understand how the candidate handles stress and whether they can keep their cool under pressure.

What steps do you take to ensure accuracy in your work?

Accuracy is crucial in the Executive Assistant role. Mistakes can have real-world consequences, so it's vital that the candidate has strategies in place to ensure accuracy.

How familiar are you with preparing reports and presentations?

Reports and presentations are a common part of the Executive Assistant role. This question will help you assess the candidate's technical skills and attention to detail.

Can you describe your experience with travel arrangements?

Travel arrangements can be complex and time-consuming. An Executive Assistant who is experienced in this area can save your executives a significant amount of time and hassle.

How do you ensure continuous professional development and stay updated with industry changes?

The best Executive Assistants are committed to ongoing learning and professional development. This question will give you an insight into the candidate's growth mindset and their commitment to staying at the top of their game.