Today we will help you to prepare for a back office interview. We prepared for you 20 best back office interview questions and answers 2022. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Back Office Job Description
A back office, also known as a backend office, is a part of a company responsible for the administration and support services. Almost every company (at least the bigger ones) has this split into the front office (client-facing) and the back office. While the front office takes care of the client-facing services, such as sales, marketing, customer service, etc., the back office is responsible for:
- Research and innovations
- Data analysis
- Market research
- IT support
- Finance and accounting
- Control and compliance
- Warehouse
- Logistics
- HR services
How to prepare for a Back Office interview?
Before you have a look at our 20 best back office interview questions and answers, we encourage you to check the below 7-step instructions on how to be the best prepared and maximize your chances of getting hired.
- Research the company.
- Check again the details of a job offer and a job description.
- Plan the route.
- Choose an appropriate outfit.
- Prepare a short presentation about yourself.
- Practice your answers on the most popular back office interview questions.
- Prepare your own list of questions. If you are not sure what questions to ask, check our article about the 50 unique questions to ask the interviewer.
First job interview – tips and checklist
Back Office Interview Questions and Answers
Tell me about yourself.
These ice-breaking questions open the majority of the job interviews, so definitely expect it during a back office interview too. Even if this question looks simple and easy, believe us, it is not. How to answer it in the best possible way?
Think in advance what you would like to say, what image you would like your employer to have about you, and which of your skills may be the most useful from your employer’s perspective. Don’t forget to include also the information about your education and experience. Don’t make your speech too long – as we said, this question is an ice-breaker. If needed, the interviewer will ask you additional questions.
Practice the answer at home as many times as needed, so that your voice sounds smooth and confident. To get even more practical tips, check our article about the “Tell me about yourself” question in an interview.
What do you know about our company?
This is one of the most common back office interview questions. Employers generally want to make sure that you researched the company before applying for the particular job position. If you are randomly applying for different jobs, the employer may understand that you are probably not really interested in this position.
Coming back to the question, the best way to answer it is to provide some facts about the company which you found while researching. You can share some medium through which you got to know about the company, for example, social media, new websites, through some TV channels, etc. Below you can find some sample answers:
“I read on the company website blog that you are one of the top logistics companies and have more than 20 clients who are featured in the top 500 fortune companies”.
“I have read in the news that your company is planning to expand services in Asia”.
If you don’t know anything about the company which you apply for, you will kill by that the chance of getting selected. Prepare yourself in advance, make sure you don’t tell any lie about the company, even unintentionally. It takes only 5-10 minutes to make research, read about the company of your choice, and increase your chances of getting hired.
Why did you choose this profession/field?
Whether you are a recent graduate or an experienced professional, you should always expect to hear this question. Back office interview is not an exception to this rule.
Through this question, your potential employer wants to know whether you enjoy working in this area and whether you are (still) interested in it. In general, the more motivated and satisfied the person is with the job, the more efficient he/she is at work, the better prepared he/she is for the upcoming challenges and, finally, there is a smaller probability that such a person will quit a job when the situation gets tough.
5 Reasons to share why did you choose this profession:
- You are interested in it.
- You have a personal reason to work in this profession.
- Your professor or teacher has encouraged you.
- Your family member has encouraged you.
- You got inspired by the books or films.
What is the difference between the front office and the back office?
The front office is a client-facing part of the company. Depending on the industry, the front office can include sales and marketing departments, customer services (for example, the call centers or the helplines), etc.
The back office (backend office) provides administrative and support services for the front office and the whole company. Again, depending on the industry, the back office can include the following departments: research and innovations, data analysis, IT support, finance, accounting, compliance, logistics, etc.
Do you have any experience with data analysis?
This is another example of the popular back office interview questions. If you have experience with data analysis, you will not have any problems answering this question. If you don’t, don’t worry and don’t lose hope. We all have some experience in this field. Have you ever worked with any kind of reporting or statistics? Have you ever been responsible for metrics preparations?
Top 5 data analysis tools:
Do you have any experience with market research?
This interview question is also a “must” for every back office interview. Think if you have ever worked in any software/tools which are used for market research, trending topics, products, etc.
Top 5 market research tools:
- Answer the Public
- Google Trends
- Google Keyword Tool
- Social mention
- Facebook Audience Insights
What kind of computer tools and software are you familiar with?
Various types of computer skills depend on industry to industry. If we stay in the context of backend office interview questions, the knowledge of the below tools and software is usually required.
- Operating systems (Windows, Linux, or macOS)
- Office suites (Microsoft Office, Google Suite, etc.)
- Spreadsheets (Excel, LibreOffice Calc, Google Sheets, etc.)
- Email communication tools (MS Outlook, Gmail, etc.).
- Instant communication tools (WebEx, Skype, MS Teams, Slack, etc.)
- Presentation tools (PowerPoint, etc.)
- Social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.)
- Video editing software (Adobe Premiere Pro, CyberLink PowerDirector 365, Final Cut Pro X., etc.)
- Accounting software (QuickBooks Online, Xero, FreshBooks, etc.)
- Graphic designing software (Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.).
Share some operating system shortcuts (shortcut keys).
Top 10 Windows 10 shortcut keys:
- Ctrl + X : Cut the selected item
- Ctrl + C (or Ctrl + Insert) : Copy the selected item
- Ctrl + V (or Shift + Insert) : Paste the selected item
- Ctrl + Z: Undo the action
- Alt + Tab: Switch between the open applications
- Windows Key + D: Display/hide the desktop
- Windows Key + L: Lock your PC or switch accounts
- Windows Key + M: Minimize all the windows
- Windows Key + O: Lock device orientation
- Windows Key + P: Choose a presentation display mode
Top 10 Apple/ macOS shortcut keys:
- Command-X: Cut the selected item
- Command-C: Copy the selected item
- Command-V: Paste the selected item
- Command-Z: Undo the previous command
- Command-A: Select all items
- Command-F: Find items in a document or open a Find window
- Command-O: Open the selected item, or open a dialog to select a file to open
- Command-P: Print the current document
- Command-S: Save the current document
- Command-T: Open a new tab
For more visit https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201236
2x Pictures: shortcuts
Do you consider yourself organized or disorganized?
This is also one of the most popular back office interview questions. Working in a back office will require from you excellent organization skills. However, if you decided to apply for this job, you must be naturally a very organized person. In your response to this question, share your methods to stay organized, together with the examples. Below you can find some examples around which you can build your response.
- Create routines.
- Keep your workspace clean and tidy.
- Filter and categorize your e-mails, files, etc. (both physical or on the computer).
- Set up clear goals (for a day, for a week, etc.).
- Create a To-Do list.
- Prioritize your tasks.
- Set realistic deadlines for your tasks and projects.
- Avoid multitasking – multitasking decreases work efficiency. Instead, stay focused on one thing only at a time.
- Avoid using your phone during working hours.
- Take breaks.
In your opinion, why the companies set up their back offices in remote locations?
The back office is the backbone of a company. The companies usually set up their back office in remote locations due to the cost efficiency and in order to diversify the work ecosystem with the new applicants.
What are your salary expectations?
We have shared below the Back office salary and based on that you can decide and ask accordingly for the salary.
Do you have any questions for us?
Unique questions which you can ask the interviewer
Other Back Office Interview Questions
Share your experience in working in a back office.
Why do you want to work for us?
How do you manage stressful situations at work?
Do you prefer written or verbal communication?
Have you ever had a conflict with a superior?
What are your main strengths and weaknesses?
Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?
Do you have any additional information that you would like to share?
Back Office Salaries
According to salary.com, in 2022, in the United States., the back office employees can count on a salary of around $83k/year. Salary ranges start from around $25k/year and can go up to even $139k/year.
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