Office Specialist Ii 

How did you get your current job?
I was already on campus in a different position when I saw this one listed on the employment website.

What was the application process?
There was a 6-page application and a couple of essay questions.

Did you have to interview for your current job? If yes, what did the interview process entail?
I interviewed with about 4 people (all at once). They asked me about my experience on campus and in the private sector.

If you can remember, what questions were you asked during the interview?
A lot of the questions were about working in a group, personal work style, challenges I’d faced, etc.

Do you feel your employer properly prepared you for your job? Explain.
I think I have been well prepared and continue to attend training sessions as the need arises.

Was there training for your current position? If yes, what did it entail?
I went through quite a bit of accounting training, as well as training on software like BlackBoard. I have also gone to a lot of diversity training as part of my role working with students.

Do you feel your educational background prepared you for your job? Explain.
I think my education has helped a bit. Working on campus you get asked a lot of random questions, and being able to call on life experience and education is a very important part of the job.

If applicable, do you feel your internship experience helped you prepare for your job?
N/A

If someone wanted to go about getting a job similar to yours, what would you recommend for him or her to do?
Gaining basic office skills is the most important thing to begin with. This might mean taking some free online courses to learn different software programs or getting in touch with campus training to see if there are classes available for those seeking jobs on campus.

What skills do you think a person should have if they want to pursue a position like yours?
Orginization and people skills are a must when dealing with faculty, students, staff, and grad student needs, as well as those of the general public. Time management plays a vital role.

Do you feel that you need a certain level of education or training to be successful in your job?
I think that a couple of years college are helpful, having some general knowledge about many different topics helps. A high school diploma would be the bare minimum I would find suitable.

What advice would you give to someone who was about to start work in your position/ line of work?
I would say take advantage of every training opportunity. Even if you don’t think you’ll need skills you gain immediately, they pay off in the long run. Networking is also very important. Working on a university campus is all about who you know and how well you can refer students and the public to someone who can help them, even if it means sending them to a different department.