Practice Interview Questions: Shelly Beach Hospital General Administration Internships

Interview Questions on Interest, Motivation & Role Alignment

These questions assess your interest in the role, understanding of a healthcare environment, and motivation to build a career in administration.

• Why are you interested in the Shelly Beach Hospital General Administration Internship?
• What do you understand about working in an administrative role within a hospital environment?
• Why did you choose to study Business Administration / Office Administration?
• Which aspects of your studies do you think will be most useful in this role?
• What skills are you hoping to develop during this internship?

Administration Role Interview Questions with Suggested Answers

These questions assess your understanding of administrative duties, professionalism, organisation, and attention to detail.

• What does general administration involve in a hospital setting? → General administration involves supporting daily office operations, managing records, assisting departments with documentation, and ensuring information flows smoothly while maintaining confidentiality.
• Why is attention to detail important in hospital administration? → Accurate records and documentation are essential in healthcare, as errors can affect service delivery, compliance, and patient trust.
• How would you manage multiple administrative tasks at the same time? → I would prioritise tasks based on urgency, keep organised records, and communicate clearly to ensure deadlines are met.
• Why is confidentiality important in a hospital environment? → Hospitals handle sensitive patient and staff information, and confidentiality protects privacy and ensures compliance with regulations.
• How would you provide good administrative support to different departments? → By being organised, responsive, professional, and willing to assist where needed.
• What does professionalism mean to you in the workplace? → Being reliable, respectful, punctual, and maintaining a positive attitude.

Behaviour-Based Interview Scenarios for Candidates

These questions assess communication, organisation, responsibility, and how you respond to real situations using examples from your studies or personal experience.

• Tell us about a time you had to organise information or records.
• Describe a situation where you worked with different people or departments.
• Give an example of how you handled a confidential or sensitive task.
• Tell us about a time you had to meet a deadline under pressure.

How to Structure Strong Interview Answers Using the STAR Method

The STAR method helps you answer behavioural questions clearly:

• Situation – What was happening
• Task – What you needed to do
• Action – What steps you took
• Result – The outcome and what you learned

Example (Graduate Level):

1. Situation: During a group assignment, documents were disorganised.
2. Task: I needed to organise and manage the records.
3. Action: I created a filing system and updated documents regularly.
4. Result: The project ran smoothly and was completed on time.

Using Academic and Personal Experience to Answer Interview Questions

If you do not have formal work experience, you can use examples from:

• Office administration coursework
• Group projects or presentations
• Practical assignments
• Volunteering or part-time work
• Personal organisation or record-keeping tasks

Shelly Beach Hospital values reliability, willingness to learn, and professionalism, not only prior experience.

Common Interview Mistakes Candidates Should Avoid

• Not understanding the role or hospital environment
• Giving vague answers without examples
• Ignoring the importance of confidentiality
• Showing poor organisation or time management
• Not asking questions about the role

Interview Readiness and Preparation Guide

• Research Shelly Beach Hospital and its services
• Review basic administrative and office procedures
• Prepare 2–3 STAR examples from your studies
• Practise clear and professional communication
• Prepare questions about departmental exposure
• Dress professionally and arrive on time

Interview Questions by Field of Study with Sample Answers

These questions assess how your qualification supports a general administration role in a healthcare environment.

Business Administration

• How does a Business Administration qualification prepare you for this role? → Business Administration provides a strong foundation in office operations, communication, planning, and organisational processes. These skills are essential when supporting multiple departments in a hospital environment.
• Why are administrative systems important in a hospital? → Administrative systems ensure that information is organised, accessible, and accurate, which supports smooth operations and quality patient care.
• How would you manage competing administrative tasks? → I would prioritise tasks based on urgency, plan my workload, and communicate clearly if deadlines need to be managed.
• Why is attention to detail critical in administration? → Small errors can affect records, schedules, or compliance, which may impact hospital operations.
• How does communication support effective administration? → Clear communication ensures instructions are understood and tasks are completed efficiently across departments.
• What role does time management play in this position? → Time management ensures tasks are completed on schedule and departments receive timely support.
• How would you handle administrative pressure in a busy environment? → By staying organised, remaining calm, and focusing on completing tasks accurately.
• Why is professionalism important in a healthcare setting? → Professional behaviour builds trust with staff and patients and reflects positively on the hospital.
• How can problem-solving skills help in administration? → Problem-solving helps address scheduling issues, missing documents, or workflow challenges quickly.
• How does teamwork contribute to effective administration? → Administration supports multiple teams, so collaboration ensures smooth coordination and service delivery.

Office Administration

• How does Office Administration prepare you for this internship? → Office Administration develops practical skills such as filing, record-keeping, communication, and use of office systems required for daily hospital operations.
• Why is record management important in a hospital environment? → Proper record management ensures information is accurate, secure, and accessible for authorised staff.
• How would you manage confidential information? → By following hospital policies, limiting access, and handling documents responsibly at all times.
• How do you ensure accuracy in your work? → By double-checking information, following procedures, and maintaining organised records.
• Why are administrative procedures important? → Procedures ensure consistency, compliance, and efficiency across departments.
• How would you handle repetitive administrative tasks? → I would approach them carefully and consistently, understanding their importance in maintaining accurate records.
• How do communication skills support office administration? → Administrators interact with staff, patients, and service providers, so clear communication prevents errors and delays.
• How would you respond to a last-minute administrative request? → I would assess urgency, reorganise my tasks, and respond promptly while maintaining accuracy.
• Why is organisation important in this role? → Organisation helps manage documents, schedules, and requests efficiently in a busy hospital setting.
• How would you support different departments administratively? → By assisting with documentation, scheduling, filing, and responding professionally to departmental needs.