HR Interview Questions

Introduction

You’ve decided that it’s about time to look for a new job. It doesn’t matter if you’re new in the world of job seeking, or you have been working for a very long time – the first steps of the interviewing process are always the same. More specifically, after checking your CV and deciding you are a good candidate, the company wants to know more about you and get a general idea of the type of person you are. This type of interview is conducted by HR specialists and the interview is known as an HR interview.

It is vital that you thoroughly prepare for your HR interview since making a good impression is a very important part of moving forward with the recruitment process. Recruiters and HR interviewers’ main goal is to learn about your prior employment, basic qualifications, major skills, shortcomings, and pay expectations during this first screening. It's easy to overlook HR interviews in favor of, say, a technical interview. Even some people believe that the HR interview is only a formality. However, the reality is that this interview is really important in the whole employment process.

There exists a huge variety of different HR questions which might be split into five distinct types: traditional, behavioral, opinion-based, brainteasers, and salary-related. Let us now take a look at some of the most commonly asked questions in this type of interview, along with a general idea of what the answer should look like.

Tell Me a Bit More About Yourself

"Tell me about yourself," one of the more conventional questions on this list, is still a good way for HR professionals to get a feel of how the conversation will continue and what should they put their focus on. The main things you should concentrate on discussing are commenting on past roles and experiences, the strengths you’ve gained due to these experiences, and what you're looking for in a company. Also, be sure to explain why you think this position is a suitable fit for your skills.

Sample Answer

I have recently received my bachelor's degree from X University. I completed two internships in the field of software development during this time, and I've learned a lot. Since my second internship ended a while ago, I decided that this would be the right time to apply for my first job and continue with my professional growth. I've been following your company's progress for a while and know you have a fantastic software development team. So, I applied, thinking that this would be the best environment for me to put the abilities I gained during my two internships to use. I have web programming expertise and am particularly interested in the projects you describe in the job post, and that’s why I believe I am a good fit for the position and that I can learn and grow in your environment.

Why Do You Want to Work for Our Company?

The main purpose of this question is to ensure that the candidate understands the job requirements and has a general understanding of what the company actually does. You should respond in such a way that the interviewer believes you are a good match for the position. That is why you should be well-versed in the company's vision, goal, and recent accomplishments that compelled you to apply.

Sample Answer

I did some research on your company and discovered that it has some interesting and exciting projects, which sparked my interest in becoming a part of such an exciting future. I believe that the job requirements for this position are a perfect match for my existing skillsets and expertise in the X area. I could see myself in this position since it matches my professional goals, skills, and experience. I think that I would thrive under such great leadership and I believe that the work-life balance you have in this company would aid my professional growth, while still providing opportunities for my personal development.

What Are Your Greatest Strengths and Weaknesses?

Sample Answer

I would say that my biggest strengths are my leadership skills. While working for x company, I successfully merged two teams and planned training sessions for all team members throughout my tenure as a department head to ensure that everyone was confident in their new responsibilities. As a consequence, within our three months as a new team, we were able to improve some important KPIs within the company. In addition, I consider myself to be communicative, easygoing, and a great team player. That's because I have no issue connecting with practically everyone and adapting my way of communication in order to best fit their energy. As for my weaknesses, I can say that I oftentimes struggle with negative feedback and criticism and I can sometimes become preoccupied with refining my work. While I appreciate the advice, I believe that this is something I should improve, so I’m constantly working on it.

Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?

This question helps the HR expert to learn about your career goals and determine whether or not this organization is a good fit for you. It can easily be classified as one of the trickiest questions you’d come up against. While the question may appear innocent, the aim is to determine how long you want to stay with the company if recruited and how your vision aligns with the company's mission. That’s why you should probably avoid mentioning your plans for higher education, starting your startup, or changing to another company. Usually, this is something recruiters don’t want to hear, hence avoid such answers and make sure to let her/him know you’re ready to invest your time and expertise in this company.

Sample Answer

Over the next five years, I'd like to make use of all of the learning possibilities and certifications offered by this company, both internal and external. My ultimate career objective is to become a Technical Lead, and I understand that there's a long way to go. However, I'm well assured that with hard work and enough investment, I will be able to achieve this goal and become an even more valuable asset to the company.

What Is an Ideal Working Environment for You?

Very often, you might encounter questions like what your ideal working environment would be. Employers want to know about your ideal work environment to see whether you'd be a good match for the job and its culture. Because every company's employment environment differs—especially within industries—they must be aware that your needs are coherent with what they have to offer. If your ideal work environment reflects their company's culture, you've already established yourself as a solid cultural fit. The main point here is that if an individual is working in a pleasant and adequate environment, he/she is more likely to execute their daily activities more efficiently and effectively since they will be happy in the given setting.

Sample Answer

My dream workplace is one in which I can work as part of a team where we lift each other up and positively impact mutual growth. One of the reasons I believe this company is the right place for me is because I’ve researched a bit more and saw that one of your core values lies in working together as a team. This setting has proven to be the most productive for me and it has enabled me to remain enthusiastic about my work and to express my creativity to the fullest extent possible.

What Are Your Salary Expectations?

Another question you will most probably be asked is regarding your compensation expectations. One of the main reasons HR experts ask is because they want to make sure that the income you expect is something they can offer. Many businesses have a defined budget for the different jobs for which they hire personnel, and they must stick to it in order to prevent having to make other cuts. While most businesses prefer to stick to their budget, some will make exceptions if the candidate has an extraordinary skill or if numerous candidates are asking for a comparable wage that is greater than the company's initial budget. They also want to make sure you aren't overqualified for the position, but also that you are aware of your value and aren't underestimating yourself. You should avoid stating an exact amount – state a salary range instead.

Sample Answer

While I'd want to learn more about the specific responsibilities of this position – which is what I hope to discover during the interview — I am aware that similar roles to the one I'm looking for pay between $90,000 and $100,000. Given that I have x years of experience, I would anticipate a pay that falls within that range.

One Pager Cheat Sheet

• Preparing for an HR interview is essential since recruiters use it to assess qualifications, skills, and understand pay expectations in order to make an important decision in the recruitment process.
• I have a bachelor's degree and experience in software development internships, and I believe I have the strengths and suitability to be an excellent fit for the position in this company.
• You should be well-versed in the company's vision, goal, and recent accomplishments and “show the interviewer that you are a good match for the position” through your response.
• The candidate has done their due diligence and is expressing that they are the perfect match for the position due to their existing skillsets and understanding of the company's vision, goals, and accomplishments, conveying to the interviewer that they would be a great fit for the job.
• Through emphasizing your talents that are specified in the job description and how you plan to acquire or enhance any crucial skills you lack, while being truthful and highlighting your strongest abilities, you can answer this question well.
• It is important to highlight your strengths and be honest about your weaknesses when discussing both during a job interview.
• This question helps the HR expert understand your career goals and ambitions to see if you are a suitable fit for the organization, so it is important to emphasize the importance of investing time and expertise in the company.
• The individual is committed to staying with the company for the next five years and to becoming an even more valuable asset to the company through proactivity and investment in their own professional growth and development.
• By establishing a cultural fit with the company's environment, I can create a pleasant and adequate working environment to be productive, enthusiastic and creative.
• I am expecting a salary between $90,000 and $100,000, based on my experience and the current market rate for similar positions.
• It is important to provide an appropriate range when asked about your preferred salary, as businesses must adhere to their budget while also considering your qualifications in order to make the most appropriate salary offer.