Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, our guide to HR interview questions and best responses will help you feel confident and prepared for any job interview.
When it comes to landing your dream job, acing the HR interview is a crucial step. HR interviews are typically conducted to assess a candidate’s qualifications, experience, and fit for the job and the company culture.
While they may seem straightforward, HR interviews can be challenging for many job seekers. It’s not always easy to know what to expect, how to prepare, and how to make a good impression on the interviewer.
List of HR Interview Questions
- Tell me about yourself.
- What motivates you to pursue a career with our organization?
- What would you say are your strongest attributes and areas where you have opportunities for growth?
- What has prompted your desire to seek new career opportunities?
- Could you explain the period of time in your work history where there was no employment?
- On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you evaluate your own abilities?
- What would you consider to be your most significant accomplishment to date?
- What are your aspirations for your career five years from now?
- Why should we hire you?
- How do you deal with criticism?
- Tell me about a time when you were not satisfied with your performance?
- Tell me about a time when you were made to work under close supervision.
- Could you describe a situation when you felt fulfilled with your job, and what was your response to that experience?
- Tell me about a time where you experienced difficulty at work while working on a project.
- Tell me about a time where you displayed leadership skills.
- Have you ever encountered a mistake or setback in your career? If so, could you elaborate on that experience?
- How did you handle disagreements with your manager?
- Tell me how you will handle it if suddenly the priorities of a project were changed?
- How would you handle a difficult manager if you were in a subordinate position?
- What do you think is an ideal work environment?
- What does motivation mean to you?
- What is your dream company like?
- What do you do to ensure that a certain number of tasks is completed effectively?
- What would you prefer – being liked or being feared?
- How long do you think you will be working for us if you are hired?
- If you were reborn as an animal, what animal would you want to be?
- Will you lie for the company under any circumstances?
- What do you think is better – being perfect and delivering late or being good and delivering on time?
- What is your current salary?
- What is your salary expectation?
- How much do you think you should be paid by looking at your qualifications?
Traditional HR Interview Questions
While HR interviews can include a variety of different types of questions, there are some traditional HR interview questions that are commonly asked. Here are some of the most common ones and how to answer them effectively:
Q1. Tell me about yourself.
This question is often used as an icebreaker and an opportunity for you to provide a brief overview of your professional background and experience. To answer effectively, focus on highlighting your relevant skills and experiences and how they relate to the job you’re applying for.
- Keep it concise: The interviewer doesn’t need your entire life story. Aim to keep your answer to about 1-2 minutes.
- Focus on professional accomplishments: Highlight your achievements and experiences that are relevant to the job you’re interviewing for.
- Use keywords: Incorporate keywords and phrases from the job description into your answer to show how your skills and experience align with the requirements of the role.
- Show enthusiasm: Express your enthusiasm for the position and the company, and explain why you’re interested in the opportunity.
- Be authentic: While you want to highlight your strengths and accomplishments, be truthful and authentic in your answer. Don’t make up experiences or skills you don’t have.
- Practice: Practice your answer beforehand so you feel confident and prepared when the question comes up in the interview.
Sample Answer 1. :
” Sure, I’d be happy to. I’m a recent graduate with a degree in marketing and three years of experience working in digital marketing. In my previous role, I managed social media campaigns, created content for the company blog, and worked with the web development team to optimize the website for search engines.
I’m particularly proud of a campaign I ran last year that resulted in a 25% increase in website traffic and a 15% increase in sales. I’m excited about the opportunity to apply my skills and experience in a marketing role with a company that’s committed to innovation and growth.
From what I’ve learned about this position and your company, I believe it would be a great fit for my career goals and interests. “
Sample Answer 2. :
“I’m a problem-solving and tech-savvy software engineer with 7 years of experience in developing mobile applications for Android and iOS platforms.
I specialize in creating user-friendly apps that meet customer needs and have a passion for staying up-to-date on the latest industry trends and technologies. In my current role at ABC Company, I led a team of developers in delivering a high-quality mobile app that has been downloaded over a million times.
I’m excited about the opportunity to apply my skills and experience to the software engineering role at your company, and I’m confident that my problem-solving and innovation skills will help me excel in the position.
I’m also drawn to your company’s commitment to developing cutting-edge technology and I look forward to being a part of your team.”
Q2. Why do you want to work for our company?
When answering the question “Why do you want to work for our company?” in an interview, it’s important to do some research on the company beforehand.
Look at their website, read about their values and mission, and try to understand what makes them unique in their industry. Then, use this information to tailor your answer and demonstrate your interest in the company.
Your answer should highlight your skills and experience that align with the company’s values and needs. You can also mention any specific projects or initiatives the company is involved in that you find interesting.
Sample Answer 1. :
“I have been following your company for a while now and have always been impressed by your innovative approach to the industry. Your commitment to sustainability and community involvement is also something that really resonates with me. I believe my skills in project management and experience in the industry would be a great fit for your team and I would love the opportunity to contribute to your company’s success.”
Sample Answer 2. :
“I have always admired your company’s reputation for putting customers first and providing exceptional service. Your focus on employee development and growth is also something that aligns with my own values. I am excited about the opportunity to work for a company with such a strong commitment to both their customers and employees, and I believe my experience in customer service and problem-solving would be an asset to your team.”
Q3. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you evaluate your own abilities?
I would rate my abilities as an 8 on a scale of 1 to 10. While I am confident in my skills and experience, I recognize that there is always room for growth and improvement. I consistently seek out new challenges and opportunities to learn and develop my abilities.