Contract Administrator interview questions and answers
Ask these sample Contract Administrator interview questions during your hiring process to evaluate and select qualified candidates for your open roles.
10 good contract administrator interview questions
- You spot a mistake in a contract that we’ve used for a long time, but bringing it up means our company will have to pay a fine. What would you do?
- How would you search for a 10-year-old contract in a digital database if you didn’t know the file name?
- How would you ensure both digital and physical contracts remain confidential?
- How would you handle a situation where an employee or business partner doesn’t honor a contract agreement with us?
- What’s the best way to organize physical records of contracts?
- How do you file updates to contracts?
- How do you keep track of deadlines (e.g., when each contract needs to be signed and submitted)?
- How do you prioritize your workload when you have many contracts to review?
- What resources do you use when writing terms of use for sales contracts?
- Describe a time when you had to monitor future expenditures of a contract. How did you do it?
Here are 10 essential interview questions and sample answers to help identify the best candidates for this role.
1. You spot a mistake in a contract that we’ve used for a long time, but bringing it up means our company will have to pay a fine. What would you do?
This question assesses the candidate’s ethical stance and decision-making skills when faced with a dilemma.
Sample Answer:
“I would immediately inform my supervisor and legal department about the mistake. It’s crucial to be transparent, even if it results in a fine, to maintain integrity.”
2. How would you search for a 10-year-old contract in a digital database if you didn’t know the file name?
This question tests the candidate’s problem-solving skills and familiarity with digital databases.
Sample Answer:
“I would use keywords, dates, and parties involved as search parameters to locate the contract in the digital database.”
3. How would you ensure both digital and physical contracts remain confidential?
This question evaluates the candidate’s understanding of confidentiality and data protection.
Sample Answer:
“For digital contracts, I would use secure, password-protected folders. Physical contracts would be kept in a locked cabinet with restricted access.”
4. How would you handle a situation where an employee or business partner doesn’t honor a contract agreement with us?
This question assesses the candidate’s conflict resolution and negotiation skills.
Sample Answer:
“I would first try to understand the reason for the breach and then consult with the legal department to determine the best course of action.”
5. What’s the best way to organize physical records of contracts?
This question tests the candidate’s organizational skills.
Sample Answer:
“I prefer using a filing system that categorizes contracts by type, date, and parties involved, all stored in a secure location.”
6. How do you file updates to contracts?
This question evaluates the candidate’s attention to detail and organizational skills.
Sample Answer:
“I maintain a version history for each contract and ensure that the most recent version is easily accessible.”
7. How do you keep track of deadlines (e.g., when each contract needs to be signed and submitted)?
This question assesses the candidate’s time management skills.
Sample Answer:
“I use a contract management system that alerts me about upcoming deadlines to ensure timely submissions.”
8. How do you prioritize your workload when you have many contracts to review?
This question tests the candidate’s ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently.
Sample Answer:
“I prioritize contracts based on their urgency, complexity, and importance to the business.”
9. What resources do you use when writing terms of use for sales contracts?
This question evaluates the candidate’s resourcefulness and knowledge of contract terms.
Sample Answer:
“I consult legal guidelines, industry best practices, and previous contracts to draft terms of use.”
10. Describe a time when you had to monitor future expenditures of a contract. How did you do it?
This question assesses the candidate’s financial management skills.
Sample Answer:
“I used budget tracking software to monitor expenditures and ensured that they were within the contract’s financial limits.”
What does a good contract administrator candidate look like?
A good Contract Administrator candidate should have strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a solid understanding of legal requirements. They should also be ethical and have excellent communication skills.
Red flags
Be cautious of candidates who lack attention to detail, have poor organizational skills, or do not have a good understanding of legal requirements.
Contract Administrator Interview Questions
Contract Administrators prepare, negotiate and review company contracts, like sales, purchases, employment and business partnerships.
It’s crucial to hire a Contract Administrator who’s trustworthy and has a keen eye for details. Even small mistakes in contracts can put your company at risk. Include an assignment in your hiring process to assess candidates’ skills in reviewing contracts and spotting mistakes.
Although not required, potential hires with legal certification will stand out. Depending on your industry, focus your interview questions on your needs. Test candidates’ knowledge of related legislation. Ideal candidates should be able to explain legal requirements and analyze potential risks of specific contract terms.
Let’s summarize some of the questions and add a few more divided into specific types.
Operational and Situational questions
- You spot a mistake in a contract that we’ve used for a long time, but bringing it up means our company will have to pay a fine. What would you do?
- How would you search for a 10-year-old contract in a digital database if you didn’t know the file name?
- How would you ensure both digital and physical contracts remain confidential?
- How would you handle a situation where an employee or business partner doesn’t honor a contract agreement with us?
Role-specific questions
- What’s the best way to organize physical records of contracts?
- How do you file updates to contracts?
- How do you keep track of deadlines (e.g. when each contract needs to be signed and submitted?)
- How do you prioritize your workload when you have many contracts to review?
- What resources do you use when writing terms of use for sales contracts?
Behavioral questions
- How do you stay up-to-date with legislative changes in this field?
- Describe a time when you had to explain complex contract terms to your managers. How did you ensure they complied with all requirements?
- What’s your experience with negotiating contract terms? How do you make sure that the interested parties reach an agreement?
- Have you ever missed a deadline? If so, what happened and how did you inform your manager or client?
- Describe a time when you had to monitor future expenditures of a contract. How did you do it?