Welcome! 😊 If you're here, you're likely preparing for an interview for an Administrative Assistant (AA) role in the Civil Service. One of the key behaviors you'll be assessed on is Seeing the Big Picture.
This post will help you understand what this behavior means at the AA level, how to effectively answer questions about it, and provide some real-life scenario ideas.
By the end, you'll feel much more confident about tackling this in your interview!
What is "Seeing the Big Picture" for Administrative Assistants?
Seeing the Big Picture is all about understanding how your work fits into the wider goals of your team, department, or the entire Civil Service. At the AA level, this means being aware of how your tasks support larger objectives, even though you're not responsible for big decision-making. While more senior roles (like Senior Executive Officers or above) focus on shaping and influencing policies, at the AA level, it's more about having an awareness of how your duties contribute to the team's success.
It's about connecting the dots between what you do daily and how it impacts the wider mission. For AAs, this is more practical than strategic—understanding how your admin work helps the team function smoothly and ultimately delivers results for the public.
How to Answer "Seeing the Big Picture" Questions Using the B-STAR Method
To structure your answers well, use the B-STAR method:
🌟 Belief: Start by sharing your understanding of the value of seeing the big picture. What do you believe about how your role contributes to the broader mission?
🌟 Situation: Describe a specific scenario where you needed to understand the bigger context of your work.
🌟 Task: What was your role in that situation?
🌟 Action: What did you do to ensure you aligned your work with the team's or department’s goals?
🌟 Result: Explain the outcome of your actions. How did it benefit the team, department, or wider objective?
By structuring your answers this way, you'll showcase not only your understanding of the behavior but also how you've actively applied it.
Common Interview Questions for "Seeing the Big Picture" in an AA Role
📝 Can you describe a time when you had to consider how your work affected the wider team or department?
📝 How do you ensure your work aligns with the goals of your team?
📝 Give an example of a time when you identified a potential improvement that could benefit the department.
📝 Click this link to see more example questions...
What Are Interviewers Looking for?
The interviewer wants to see that you:
- Understand the importance of seeing how your work contributes to the larger picture. Even in an AA role, understanding this makes your contributions more meaningful.
- Show awareness of how your actions impact others. For example, submitting work on time so the rest of the team can move forward.
- Can identify opportunities to improve processes that contribute to the bigger goals.
Here’s a breakdown of what interviewers expect to hear in response to the key questions:
How do you ensure your work aligns with the goals of your team?
They want to hear that you make a conscious effort to stay informed about the team's objectives. Mention that you regularly attend meetings or read department updates to stay in the loop. This shows that you take initiative to align your work with team goals.
Can you describe a time when you had to consider how your work affected the wider team or department?
The interviewer is looking for a specific example where you went beyond your immediate task to think about how it impacts others. They want to see that you understand the ripple effect of your work and how it fits into the bigger picture.
Real-Life Scenario Ideas for "Seeing the Big Picture"
✍️ Supporting a project deadline: You noticed that completing your admin work on time was essential for other departments to hit a larger project deadline.
✍️ Team resource management: You identified that ordering supplies ahead of time helps the wider team avoid delays, which in turn supports the department’s goals.
✍️ Process improvement: You suggested a small change in the document filing system that improved the efficiency of retrieving important information, making the team more productive.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
🚫 Being too narrow in your answers: Don’t just talk about completing tasks without linking them to the wider goals of your team.
🚫 Overcomplicating your examples: Keep your answers simple and directly related to how your work impacts the team or department.
🚫 Failing to mention outcomes: Always end your answer with how your actions benefited the team or helped achieve a wider goal.
🚫 Ignoring the "Belief" part of B-STAR: Start by sharing your belief in why seeing the big picture is important—it’s what frames your answer with a strong foundation.
Key Takeaways
Seeing the Big Picture is a key behavior for Administrative Assistants because it ensures that you understand how your role fits into the larger mission of the Civil Service. It might seem simple, but knowing how your daily tasks contribute to your team’s success is crucial. By demonstrating this awareness, you show that you’re a valuable part of the team.
Good luck with your interview!
Click here to continue learning more about the AA/AO interview...
