The importance of the Serco Group Administrative Assistant role
As a UK-based interview coach with over 25 years’ experience, I’ve seen time and time again how the Administrative Assistant position can be the heartbeat of an organisation – and in a global services company like Serco Group, the role is even more crucial. Administrative Assistants keep operations running smoothly by managing schedules, handling correspondence, preparing reports, liaising between departments, and ensuring that important tasks never slip through the cracks.
In Serco’s fast-paced environment – supporting everything from transport to defence contracts – this role demands exceptional organisation, communication, and problem-solving skills. The salary for a Serco Group Administrative Assistant typically ranges from £22,000 to £28,000 depending on experience and location, with opportunities for progression into team leader or office management roles.
Below, I’ve compiled 25 fully explained interview questions and answers to help you prepare thoroughly. I’ll guide you using proven interview training techniques such as the STAR model (Situation, Task, Action, Result) and give you insider tips from my career coaching toolkit.
Sample opening interview questions and answers
Tell me about yourself.
Keep this professional.
Example answer: “I’m an experienced administrative professional with over three years supporting senior managers in a busy corporate setting. My strengths lie in streamlining office processes, managing multiple priorities, and building strong working relationships across teams. Most recently, I coordinated scheduling for a 20-person department, reducing meeting clashes by 40%.”
Why do you want to work for Serco Group?
Show research and alignment.
Example answer: “I admire Serco’s commitment to delivering essential public services. I’m drawn to the variety of projects, from health to transportation, and I’m motivated by the chance to support work that impacts communities directly.”
What do you know about our services?
Be specific and accurate.
Example answer: “Serco operates in sectors including defence, justice, immigration, health, and transport, partnering with governments to deliver high-quality services. I’m impressed by your focus on efficiency, accountability, and innovation.”
Competency-based interview questions and answers using STAR
Give me an example of when you managed competing priorities.
S: At my previous role, two senior managers gave me urgent tasks with overlapping deadlines.
T: I needed to ensure both were completed without delay.
A: I clarified priorities with both managers, delegated part of one task to a colleague, and scheduled my time efficiently.
R: Both projects were delivered on time, and my line manager praised my clear communication.
Describe a time you improved a process.
S: We were experiencing delays in processing purchase orders.
T: My goal was to cut turnaround time.
A: I mapped out the process, identified bottlenecks, and implemented a shared online tracker.
R: Turnaround time reduced from 10 days to 4 days.
Tell me about a challenging customer or stakeholder you handled well.
S: A supplier was frustrated due to a delayed payment.
T: My job was to resolve the situation while maintaining professionalism.
A: I listened actively, explained the reason for the delay, and expedited the payment with the finance team.
R: The supplier appreciated my transparency and continued working with us.
Describe a time you worked as part of a team to achieve a goal.
S: Our team needed to prepare documents for an upcoming audit.
T: My role was to coordinate file gathering.
A: I created a checklist, delegated sections, and held short daily check-ins.
R: We passed the audit with zero issues.
Give an example of when you had to adapt quickly.
S: My manager unexpectedly asked me to arrange a high-profile meeting within two hours.
T: I needed to book a room, send invites, and prepare materials.
A: I reprioritised my workload, liaised with facilities, and used templates for materials.
R: The meeting went smoothly, and my manager commended my agility.
Additional technical and role-specific questions
How do you manage confidential information?
Demonstrate awareness of GDPR and data protection.
Example answer: “I follow company policy, use secure systems, and never discuss sensitive details outside authorised channels.”
What office software are you most proficient in?
Mention MS Office, Outlook, Excel, and any project tools like SharePoint or Teams.
How do you ensure accuracy in your work?
Discuss proofreading, checklists, and double-checking data entries.
What do you do if you’re unsure how to complete a task?
Highlight resourcefulness and willingness to seek clarification.
How would you handle a last-minute schedule change for a senior manager?
Show calm problem-solving and communication skills.
Behavioural and personality-based questions
What motivates you in an administrative role?
Tie motivation to helping others, efficiency, and supporting bigger goals.
Describe your ideal work environment.
Align this with Serco’s culture – collaborative, dynamic, professional.
How do you deal with stress?
Mention prioritisation, short breaks, and maintaining perspective.
How do you stay organised when juggling multiple tasks?
Give practical examples such as using task management tools.
What would your colleagues say about you?
Pick 3–4 positive traits backed with examples.
Ending questions interviewers may ask
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Show ambition but link it to growth within the company.
Why should we hire you over other candidates?
Summarise your unique mix of skills, experience, and enthusiasm.
Questions you can ask them
“How does success get measured in this role?”
Shows you think about performance and expectations.
“What training and development opportunities are available?”
Highlights growth mindset.
“What are the biggest challenges in this department right now?”
Shows you want to understand context.
“Can you tell me more about the team I’d be working with?”
Demonstrates interest in collaboration.
“What are the next steps in the recruitment process?”
Shows you’re keen to progress.
Do’s and Don’ts for your Serco interview
Do:
Research Serco’s services and culture.
Prepare STAR-based examples.
Dress professionally.
Arrive early and bring spare copies of your CV.
Practise with an interview coach.
Don’t:
Ramble – keep answers concise.
Speak negatively about past employers.
Forget to ask thoughtful questions.
Ignore body language – maintain eye contact and good posture.
General interview coaching encouragement and tips
Remember, interviews aren’t about being perfect – they’re about showing you’re the best fit. As I’ve told countless clients during interview training, preparation is your confidence builder. Use mock interviews, practise your STAR stories, and visualise yourself succeeding. Even if you don’t know an answer immediately, it’s fine to pause and think – it shows composure.
If you want personalised guidance, book a session with me for tailored interview coaching to fine-tune your answers, body language, and mindset. I’ve helped hundreds of candidates secure roles at Serco and similar organisations – and you could be next.
Your next step: Believe in your skills, prepare with purpose, and step into that interview room knowing you’ve done the work. You’ve got this.
