No matter how ready you are for that job you really want to get, there is one thing that always takes you out of the comfort zone: the HR interview.
You start sweating by the mere thought of being judged by people who don’t really know you. They expect you to show your personality during a 10-minute meeting, but you’re afraid you’ll choke under all that pressure.
Don’t worry; that won’t happen. Remember: you are who you are. You deserve that job and you should let everyone know that.
Top 10 HR Interview Questions with Answers
Resumesplanet.com, a reputable resume writing service, investigated the most common questions that human resource managers love to ask. When you know how to answer these questions, you’ll be on your way to a new job.
1) Describe yourself
Oh, this is a tough one. When you’re supposed to speak for yourself, you always want to say the best without making it sound like bragging. Some people like humor, so when they get asked to describe themselves in few words, they say something like “I sleep with socks on”.
If you have that in you, humor is a nice way to get through this question. Of course, you should also make the HR manager happy by telling actual things about your education and interests.
Adjust your answer to the situation and emphasize the interests and characteristics that are suitable for the position you’re aiming for.
2) What’s the most difficult challenge you had to face and how did you handle it?
You can’t allow this question to catch you by surprise.
Most job applicants are confused when they get this question on interviews, and they can’t think of a situation that’s valuable enough to describe.
Think about it: how did you help a company you previously worked for to surpass some difficulties?
Maybe you can think of a personal problem that resulted with a positive outcome?
Make sure to lead the answer to a positive direction. Don’t just describe a challenge; show how it helped you learn who you really are.
3) Why are you looking for a new job?
Do not say anything negative for your previous employer.
Simply answer that you’re ready for new challenges and you already gave everything you had on that position. You helped that company grow and now you are ready to use your full capacity on a better job.
4) How capable are you to handle pressure?
Every company puts its workers under pressure.
Don’t expect to face a nice, calm environment where you make jokes and talk to your colleagues through the entire day. You’ll be expected to work and the interviewers want to know how you will handle the pressure.
You can say something like:
“Challenges push me to work harder. Pressure, expectations and deadlines keep me focused on the tasks I need to get done and they drive me towards my best performance.”
5) What do you think of our company?
This is your moment to shine.
If you did your research before showing up at the interview, you will know the most important points in the company’s history. Say you were impressed by a particular success and mention some facts.
Say something about the positive working environment and the spirit of the brand. Your answer has to be relevant.
6) What’s your greatest weakness?
HR managers love this one.
They want to get you in a trap, since there is hardly a good way to answer this question. If you say you have no flaws, they will know you’re lying. If, on the other hand, you mention your real weaknesses, you’ll never get that job.
What’s the right way to answer? Take one of your strengths and present it as a weakness. For example, you can say something like:
“I am a perfectionist. I am never happy if I don’t get the results I aim for.”
7) Which are your best qualities
It’s time to say something good about yourself.
Do you always get your work done by the deadline?
- Are you constantly looking for new challenges?
- Are you innovative?
- Can you contribute towards the company’s growth with new ideas?
- Are you determined to make great progress in your career?
Think about your strengths and present them in the best light.
8) What’s the salary you expect?
This is a tough one.
You certainly want to earn more than you did at the previous job. That’s probably one of the reasons you are looking for a change.
Do your research before showing up at the interview. How much do people on that position earn? Be extremely realistic at this point: how much do you think you deserve? If you can’t find a way to answer the question, answer with your own question.
You can say something like:
“That’s a tough question to answer. Can you please tell me what range do you typically pay employees on that position?”
When you get the answer, you can pick a sum that’s closer to the minimum and say that you would expect the salary to rise as you get more experienced.
9) Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Don’t say you see yourself working on the same position you’re applying for.
The HR manager should recognize your intention to prosper. You should certainly say that you see yourself in the same company, but you have ambitions to grow, learn, and make great contributions for its success on the market.
10) Do you have any questions for us?
Yes, you must think of a question!
If the salary wasn’t mentioned, you can ask how much the company pays for this position. You can also ask about the typical career path for employees in this role.
Does the company offer any options for further training and qualification?
Here is another great question: “What qualities are you looking for in the perfect candidate?”
A job interview doesn’t have to be as scary as you imagine. Approach it as a relaxed conversation. Don’t be stiff and listen to the questions really carefully. If you prepare well, you’ll boost your chances of getting hired.
