Are you tired of being the interviewee and not the interviewer? I don’t blame you. Working in human resources can be fun; like a game so to say. It’s almost as though the company is a puzzle and you’re responsible for finding the most suitable pieces to fit.
Even though you’ll one day be doing all of the question asking, before that happens, you’ll have to answer some questions yourself. Here are 10 HR interview questions and answers.
- How do you qualify for a position in a human resource role?
The hiring manager wants to see how you can identify with the job role. Talk about the applicable work and educational experience you have which qualify you for this position. Additionally, talk about how you have worked well with people in the past, and have great instincts. - What skills do you have that make you a good fit for HR?
Interpersonal skills are key in this position, so talk about them. You will be dealing with a lot of people, both ones you work alongside and ones you don’t. Communication skills are additionally important as miscommunication is one of the biggest reasons for workplace conflict and you want to avoid this at all cost. - What past hiring strategies have you used?
Tell a story about your favorite hire in your prior experience. If you don’t have direct experience as this, be honest. Instead, tell a time that you had to make a decision, and what your process was along the way. Explain how you would use this strategy in your hiring process. - How will you use this hiring strategy in this position?
This question is to see if you did your homework on the company. Relate your answer back to the company’s values, initiatives, etc. Do not just give a generic answer. Explain that you’re aware that the office is not just one person, and that you will always remember in every hire that they will be joining a larger community. - Why do you want to work in HR?
Do you love people? That’s great, and please say that in your response, however don’t just leave your answer at that. You will be cliché. Does the hiring process intrigue you? Explain how you want to further the company by finding the best possible employees to hire. Is there another aspect of HR that you enjoy more? Talk about that then. - How will you work with other departments?
To fully understand what’s going on within the organization, it’s simply common sense that HR needs to be in contact with every other department. You want to establish a loyal, honest relationship with these departments, as you want them to feel comfortable coming to you with anything. Additionally, you’ll need them to give you necessary information, feedback, implement new standards, and help with decision making. - Tell us about a time you resolved a workplace conflict.
Storytelling time! Talk about the time you solved a problem and all became well again. If you haven’t had this experience, talk about a time outside of the office that you resolved a conflict, whether it was from a group project, a roommate issue, etc. This question is meant to show how you can handle conflict in an appropriate, respectable manner. - Is employee training important? Why?
Employees need to be aware of the organization’s policies, standards, and rules. Furthermore, training especially helps new employees feel more confident and comfortable at work. - What do you think the main responsibilities of an HR position are?
This question is to see if you fully understand the role to their liking. The HR responsibilities include training, employee relationship, recruitment, organizational development, salary and benefits, just to name a food. Pay close attention to the job description and make sure to touch upon ones that are listed there, and elaborate. - How have your past HR departments help plan, sustain, and improve corporate culture?
Talk about an initiative that your past company did that was well received by the entire office. If you don’t have this work experience, say so, and talk about a real life experience instead where you positively affected people through a change you established.
An interview is still an interview whether HR specific or not. Be sure to brush up on your common interview questions, behavioral interview questions, and competency based interview questions so you can be fully prepared for whatever questions are thrown at you.