How to prepare for an HR interview

If you’ve got your meeting arranged, congrats! Here’s how to prepare for an HR interview.

1. Research the company you’re interviewing with. Take in as much information as you can about the business, read their entire website, look at all their social media platforms, and look up the latest news about them. You can’t be too thorough here.
2. Research the person who is interviewing you. Look at their LinkedIn and understand their path to the company, as well as their past experience. Be prepared to ask them questions about their role and their time at the company.
3. Carefully read the job description and understand every point, as well as how your own skills fulfil all the requirements. If there is a gap, don’t worry, just be prepared to explain and use some of your soft skills or other applicable experience to fill it.
4. Review your CV and be prepare to answer questions about it, as well. From why you want to leave your current role or what you did and didn’t enjoy about past roles, it’s good to have a handle on your career progression.
5. Prepare answers to any questions you think you might be asked. More on that in the next section.

Examples of HR interview questions

Below are some examples of common HR interview questions you may encounter and sample answers you can use to guide your own.

1. Sample question: Why are you interested in this position?

HR pros are likely trying to get you to reiterate your strengths and highlight your passion for both the company and the role. Talk about your past experiences and how they apply to this job, and link what you’re saying back to what they’ve said and to the job description.

Answer:

After working in learning and development for seven years, I truly appreciate the power of an HR team to truly impact the whole organisation. As an HR manager, I would apply my ability to create the best environment for my colleagues to thrive in and help them do their best to further organisational goals. I have done this in past roles, and I know I can apply my skills here, as well.

2. Sample question: Tell me about yourself.

For this one, you need to give a compelling answer without rambling too much about personal things. Doing a SWOT analysis is a good approach, analysing the sector, the company, and the job, finding opportunities to market yourself.

Answer:

I have been an HR manager for seven years, with experiences that include leading an HR team to create the best possible environment for our colleagues. I know that your organisation has a great retention rate, and it would be my personal mission to maintain that. In previous roles, I helped increase my company’s retention rate at a steady in just my first year, and maintained it throughout subsequent years. Essential here: Figure out what the company’s HR goals are, and tailor your answer to them.

3. Sample question: Tell me about a time in your past when you had to handle confidential information.

If you have had to handle private information in past roles, discuss that. If not, talk about a time when you were privy to private information while helping a colleague. Focus on your ability to work with integrity and a respect for people’s privacy.

Answer:

In my past roles, I have always had to deal with my colleagues’ private information. I understand how detrimental it would be if I didn’t take every precaution with that information, both for that person and for the company. I only access this kind of information when I need it, I never share it with unauthorised colleagues, and I keep it saved I a secure location.

4. Sample question: Have you ever helped an employee deal with a personal problem that was affecting them at work?

You should have examples for this one if you have worked on HR teams in the past. If not, use other relevant examples from your past roles, or a more personal example.

Answer:

I have, and I’ve found the most important thing here is to be empathetic, but also remain professional. I listen carefully to understand the problem, and how it is impacting the person’s day-to-day tasks. I ask them how I can help alleviate some of that stress during their workday, and if their job is contributing to that stress in any way. Then, I work to make a plan with them to help manage that problem during work hours.

5. Sample question: What do you believe the role of an HR department is, and how does it relate to the mission of a business?

Here, give a general answer that shows you understand HR, and how it connect to organisational goals, then provide specific examples that relate to the company.

Answer:

Through my seven years working in HR, I’ve come to understand how HR can affect every aspect of a business. It plays a real role in growth, from recruitment to restructuring to business strategy. People are a company’s most important resource, and having a solid HR department that protects and supports those people can only have a positive impact on the organisation.