The administration is considered a vital task to manage the resources and other valuable items in an office or workplace. Without efficient administration and management, an organization is bound to fail and even in extreme circumstances go broke. This is the primary reason why organizations, including even the federal governments and agencies, require the services of a city clerk whose primary responsibilities are to overlook, supervise and manage the organizations’ resources as well as the daily office tasks. The role of a city clerk is of a generalist and he or she would be supposed to perform a variety of duties while in service.
21 Best Interview Questions To Study
1) How Will You Sort The Various Office Files?
This question tests your knowledge in relation to the practical working procedures.
Sample Answer
Sir, managing the office files is an essential task and must be performed with a high level of sincerity. In order to manage the files, I would first of all place a banner on the sides of the file. Post that, I would categorize the files of similar nature and would mark them using a particular abbreviation or a symbol. The files carrying the common symbol or abbreviation must be placed and categorized in a single location so that they are available easily at some future date.
2) How Will You Administer The Various Stationery Resources Of The Organization?
This is a mess and a common problem faced by almost all the offices spread across the country. There are always frequent instances of theft, pilferage, and stealing in office places especially of common stationery items, like pens, files, cardholders, etc. It is the primary duty of a city clerk to manage these resources and take proper care of them.
Sample Answer
Sir, I completely understand the relevance of this question. There has been a consistent rise in certain unethical activities in an office place, which not only leads an organization into loss but also hampers the normal functioning of the office. Be assured, I am fully aware of such circumstances and well equipped so as to prevent their occurrences. In order to do so, I always place the stationery items and other vulnerable things under a lock and key. Every day in the morning, at the time of distribution I always prepare a list of such resources and take back each and every item in the evening.
3) How Adaptive You Are?
Being a city clerk you will be required to perform a variety of duties ranging from being a public relations officer to an accountant to being an office manager. Such is the diversity of tasks, that a city clerk has to have exceptional adaptability and flexibility, without which he or she might not be able to succeed at their workplace.
Sample Answer
Sir, a city clerk is a generalist position instead of being a specialist. This simply means that he or she has to perform roles and execute tasks that are new and demand a completely new skillset. Having experience of 3 years, I have fully developed my versatility and adaptability by working in various domains and spheres. Hence, I possess complete faith in my abilities and wish to declare that I have a high level of adaptability.
4) Can You Work Under Stressful Conditions?
This is a common interview question through which an interviewer wants to know your approach and mindset towards working in hectic and frustrating work conditions involving a huge volume of work.
Sample Answer
Yes sir, absolutely. Being a city clerk, I understand that I had to perform a variety of duties and execute a lot of tasks during my working day. This not only needs energy and physical strength but also requires enormous concentration and focus. I am happy to respond that, I have developed both of them by engaging myself in consistent physical workouts and meditation. Be assured, I would never break down while at work and have the ability to absorb pressure and compulsions.
5) How Will You Prepare Notes/Minutes Of A Board Meeting?
Being a city clerk you will be required to prepare notes of board meetings. When employed in government institutions and agencies you would most probably be required to prepare minutes of a legislative meeting, municipal council meeting, or any provincial meeting. Hence, you ought to have excellent drafting skills and business vocabulary.
Sample Answer
Sir, In order to do so, I would, first of all, use my active listening skills, so that I am able to comprehend and interpret each and every decision taken in the board meeting. I have an excellent typing speed, and after interpreting the business decisions, I would prepare and display the decisions taken into separate points for the ease of reading. I would try to cover all the major points and include the list of all the members present in the board meeting. Further, I would also attach a summary in the end, which would help the public relations officer in the preparation of a media release.
6) What Motivates You To Work?
This is a common interview question appearing in almost all the interview sessions held across the world. Through this question, an interviewer wants to know about your motivational factor that prompts you to work hard and persevere at your workplace.
Sample Answer
Sir, the answer to this question is quite specific and personal, as this question is primarily influenced by the circumstances and situations that a person is living and experiencing. In my case, it is one of my strongest desires and that is to earn recognition and fame. When I would work hard and achieve the tasks and duties of the organization in an efficient and time-bound manner, I am bound to receive a widespread acknowledgment from all the spheres including my colleagues, peers, and even my seniors. This motivates me to push my limits and work hard.
7) Why You Left Your Previous Organization?
This is a tricky interview question through which an interviewer wants to know the reasons, causes, or grounds on the basis of which you left your last organization. This is basically asked to check the authenticity and integrity of the employees at the workplace.
Sample Answer
My previous organization was wonderful and always supported me and even helped with advances in times of distress. However, it was a shame that I had to migrate from such an esteemed organization because my workplace was too far from my place of residence. It used to take me approximately 2 hours from a single side. I really used to drench with tiredness and fatigue following my office journey. I still worked there for 3 years. but due to the recent development of back pain, I decided to migrate and quit.
8) What Is Success As Per You?
This question is asked so as to evaluate your mindset and overall personality. Everyone wants to be successful in life however, success varies differently for different individuals. For some, it is merely earning truckloads of money, which is the most common answer to this question. In order to impress your interviewer, we recommend you to avoid generic answers.
Sample Answer
In my humble opinion, success is something that a person experiences when he or she enjoys the time of his life. I do not believe that earning money is a success or learning a lot of fame is a success. I simply believe, when a person truly enjoys every aspect and phase of his life, that is when a person has achieved success.
9) How Will You Record A Non-Monetary Transaction In The Books Of Accounts?
Being a city clerk, which is a generalist position, you would sometimes be also required to work on basic accounting entries and preparation of statements. For this, it is necessary that you have basic accounting knowledge and good hold on basic accounting concepts.
Sample Answer
As per US GAAP, an organization is prohibited from recording a non-monetary transaction in the books of accounts. This is primarily due to the Cost concept of accounting, which states that only and only those transactions would be recorded in the books of accounts that have the capability to be measured in monetary terms.
10) How Efficient Are You In Working In A Team Setting?
This interview question is basically asked to understand your viewpoints towards working in a team setting. Make sure that you are able to answer in a positive manner as nowadays almost all the organizations operate in a team.
Sample Answer
Sir, In my humble opinion I am a proficient team player and have the ability maintain some excellent rapport with my team members. I always enjoy working in a team setting as that not only helps in instant clearing of doubts but also helps in motivating employees so that they are able to work sincerely, towards achieving a common goal.
11) What Is Your Tolerance Level Of Mismanagement?
This is a tricky interview question. You being a city clerk are required to manage everything in an office and must not tolerate any sort of mismanagement. Hence, always answer this question in negative.
Sample Answer
Sir, being a city clerk I always ensure that I am able to manage and supervise the office in an efficient manner. I always motivate my colleagues and peers to always maintain the decorum of the working place and work with discipline and tolerance. However, considering mismanagement, I would not tolerate even a single instance and would report it and take suitable action as and when it arises.
12) How Many Bricks Do You Think Were Used In The Construction Of The Famous Buckhingham Palace?
This is a tricky interview question. You will always find a few interview questions that would have the ability to unsettle you and astonish you completely. However, these questions must not let your body language to become nervy or jumpy, as such attitude can be easily caught by a veteran interviewer.
Sample Answer
Sir, in my humble opinion around 500,000 thousand bricks were used with an error margin of 50% up and down. This is obviously a guess and I have neither made a physical counting of the palace, nor I would be allowed to do so ever in my lifetime. Hence, if you have made the physical counting, please correct me.
13) Can You Explain The Most Difficult Situation That You Had Ever Faced At A Workplace?
This is a trending interview question through which an interviewer wants to know how much is your strength and ability to manage as well as handle things at a workplace that are beyond your control and comfort zone.
Sample Answer
Sure sir, I did face a similar tough situation during my previous stint with a reputed business organization wherein I was supposed to sort more then 5,000 files in a matter of few days. This was really tough and challenging in my opinion and at first I was quite skeptical about the same. But, I am a dedicated and committed person who believes in the execution of the tasks rather then prorouging them. Hence, I happily accepted the challenge and started executing it with all my will, passion and perseverance. The end result was sweet and I was able to complete all my duties in a time bound manner.
14) What Do You Understand By Prudence Concept Of Accounting?
Being a city clerk you would be required to execute a few tasks related to accounting and hence you are supposed to have a good basic knowledge of the various accounting principles and polices as there is a high chance that you would be asked a few questions from that zone.
Sample Answer
I do understand and have a complete knowledge in relation to the important prudence concept widely used while preparing the financial accounts of the organization. As per this concept an organization must anticipate and record all the probable losses in its books of accounts by making provisions. However, an organization is prohibited from anticipating and booking probable incomes.
15) How Many Men Would Be Required To Prepare A Building In One Day If It Requires 25 Man Days To Complete, When The Efficiency Of One Men Is 2 Units?
Being a city clerk you are expected to have exceptional arithmetical knowledge as well as an acute sense of critical thinking and judgement.
Sample Answer
Sir, In my opinion 12.5 men would be required as in order to complete 25 man days of work in a single day, you have to execute 25 units. If one man could execute 2 units in a single day than 12.5 men would be required to achieve the target. Hence, 12 men would be required to work for a full day and one man would be required to work for half a day.
16) What Is The First Thing That You Want To Change In Yourself?
This is just another version of asking what is your major weakness. Such questions are quite trending in interview sessions held across the world and hence a sincere and focused preparation is required.
Sample Answer
Sir, no man in this world is perfect and I am no exception. But we can always try to improve ourselves and eliminate all the shortcomings in ourselves, by inculcating good habits and eliminating the bad aura. The first thing that I would change in me, is my shorttemperedness. I tend to get frustrated too easily and post that I always deliver below standard performances. I am on my way to improve this shortcoming and have even undertook an online personality grooming class to eliminate this weakness of mine.
17) How Do You Manage A Situation Of Harassment Happening At A Workplace?
Bullying, harassment, teasing, legpulling at work places is a common and prevalent problem occurring in several offices. It is necessary to prevent such instances by engaging and following the company laid rules and prevention policies. Being a city clerk you must be able to handle and curb such situations arising at a office place.
Sample Answer
Sir, I totally agree that jharassment and bullying at the office places not only impacts the productivity of an employee but also hampers the overall functioning and profitability of an enterprise. Hence, these are highly unethical and must be stopped at all costs. If I ever encounter such a situations or even receive a complaint, I would immediately take a suitable action within the four walls f the law. Further, it is a common practice of the large business corporations to implement certain anti-harassment and anti-bullying policies at their own levels to prevent such occurrences.
18) Rate Your Proficiency Level On Overall MS Office Suite On A Scale Of One To Five.
Being a city clerk you would most probably be required to work on typical management software, such as MS Office, MS Excel, and Outlook. Hence, you are expected to have complete knowledge of the same with high expertise and proficiency.
Sample Answer
Sir, I have expert knowledge of the complete MS Office Suite with special proficiency and expertise in two of the leading management software MS Office and MS Excel. I have complete faith in my skills and would like to rate myself with a 4.8.
19) What Is Your Greatest Strength?
This is a trending interview question which you would encounter in almost all the interview sessions held across the world. Hence, it is pivotal and necessary to prepare for this question in a sincere manner. The best way to prepare an answer for this question is by preparing a written report and mentioning your major strengths in it, after carefully analyzing yourself.
Sample Answer
Sir, I am lucky to have a lot of strengths in me, but there is one thing, that closely relates to me and defines me completely. It is my ability to stay unperturbed and concentrated even in the most disturbing work environment. I am a dedicated and committed employee of the organization who loves to mind my own business and never concentrates or spends time on useless conversations or blarney. This helps me immensely and helps me to achieve my goals and objectives in a time-bound manner.
20) When Can You Start?
This is a common interview question through which an interviewer wants to take a quote of your availability. This question in no way guarantees your selection and you are advised to not get overexcited or get yourself filled with excessive enthusiasm, after hearing this question.
Sample Answer
- For Freshers/Unemployed Individuals: Sir, since I am not working anywhere, I would like to state that, I have the ability to start immediately. I have absolutely no prior commitments or obligations to fulfill.
- For Employed Individuals: Sir, I can start on (_____mention the date of your start_____). This is because I am currently working with an organization and it is there policy to grant me a relieving letter within 14 days from the date of receipt of the letter of resignation. This date also includes two days of buffer so as to cover any mishappening or unexpected circumstance.
21) Do You Have Any Questions For Us?
Be it a clerical position or a managerial position, this is the last question that an interviewer asks from a candidate. This question gives an opportunity to the candidates to solve their doubts in relation to the organization and job such as work timings, work culture, various organizational policies, etc. Skipping this question can prove fatal to the selection chances of a candidate as that would simply deem that the candidate is underprepared or not serious for the organization.
Sample Questions
- What are the various employee centric implemented by an organization at the workplace?
- Does the organization provide paid leaves to its employees in cases of medical or any other similar emergencies?
- What are the work timings of this job?
- What is the work culture of the organization and also the various anti-harassment policies implemented by the organization at the workplace?
- Please explain the procedure related to the calculation of paid leaves.
Download the list of questions in .PDF format, to practice with them later, or to use them on your interview template (for City Clerk interviews):
References
- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11115-020-00481-6
- https://search.proquest.com/openview/bc78ff608faa683ab80dbb4f3bab4020/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y
I’ve put so much effort writing this blog post to provide value to you. It’ll be very helpful for me, if you consider sharing it on social media or with your friends/family. SHARING IS ♥️
Sandeep Bhandari is the founder of PrepMyCareer.com website.
I am a full-time professional blogger, a digital marketer, and a trainer. I love anything related to the Web, and I try to learn new technologies every day.
All the team management, content creation, and monetization tasks are handled by me. Together with the team at PrepMyCareer, the aim is to provide useful and engaging content to our readers.