Top 20+ HR Interview Questions with Answers

Companies conduct multiple Interview rounds to assess candidates' technical skills and behavioural traits. There are some HR Interview Questions that help an employer understand the candidate's personality, strengths, weaknesses, and compatibility with the company's culture. These questions help in assessing technical skills, which are vital in determining the candidate's suitability for the job.   

This blog will discuss essential interview questions along with sample answers to give you valuable insights and help you become a successful HR professional.     

Table of Contents 

1) HR Interview Questions and Answers 

   a) Tell me about yourself. 

   b) What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses? 

   c) Would you like to work overtime or odd hours? 

   d) What is more important to you: the money or the work? 

   e) What do you know about this organisation? 

   f) Why did you leave your last job? 

   g) Why should we hire you? 

   h) What are your salary expectations? 

   i) Assume you are hired; how long would you expect to work for us? 

   j) How would you rate yourself on a scale of 1 to 10? 

2) Tips to crack HR interviews

3) Conclusion 

HR Interview Questions and Answers 

This section will discuss the top HR Interview Questions that will help you gain a competitive edge to clear interview tests.  

1) Tell me about yourself. 

You can answer this question in detail, as much as you want. There are some key points that you need to take care of when you answer this question:

a) Tell the interviewer about your educational background. You can start from your college till your school levels.

b) Mention any kind of internship or practical experience that you may have done in your school or college days.

c) Don’t forget to mention if you have done any volunteer work, which will help your interviewers understand your soft skills.

d) Mention the number of organisations you have worked in and briefly point out the good things that you have learned from your experience.


 

2) What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses? 

You can answer this question in this manner: “I excel in time management, which enhances my efficiency and allows me to improve my organisational skills. I find great satisfaction in consistently delivering outstanding performance in my role.”  

"One of my weaknesses is that I tend to be overly critical of my own work, which can sometimes slow down project completion. However, I've been working on this by setting clear deadlines and seeking feedback from colleagues to help me balance quality and timeliness."  

3) Would you like to work overtime or odd hours? 

You can use this sample answer: “I understand that requests to work longer hours are typically made for valid reasons in the company, and I am completely willing to accommodate such requests. If extra effort contributes to the company's success, I am more than willing and enthusiastic about doing so.” 

4) What is more important to you: the money or the work? 

You can answer this question in this manner: “To me, finding meaning in my work and not only being an employee but a part of something important is very crucial. I find myself most motivated and content when I work on tasks that challenge me, provide opportunities to take on new responsibilities, and have a notably visible impact. However, I am a firm believer that fair compensation is essential because it indicates the worth of my work and supports the company as well as my personal interests. 

At the end I'm searching for a position which allows me to love the job I do without an undervalued salary for my services. I think that when these two factors are in sync that will bring a sense of joy and efforts to be increased, thus benefiting not only the employee, but also the employer.”

5) What do you know about this organisation?

To answer this question, you should ensure that you have a comprehensive understanding of the organisation where you have an upcoming interview. To do this, it's important to research the company's background, its current structure, and its operational approach. You can obtain this information by visiting the company's website and exploring their social media profiles on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and LinkedIn. 

6) Why did you leave your last job? 

You should approach this question cautiously, refraining from negative remarks about previous employers and expressing salary concerns. Instead, you can say:    

"I'm seeking a career change because I've garnered valuable experience from my previous job, but now I'm eager to embrace new opportunities that will expand my knowledge and skill set."  

7) Why should we hire you? 

You can answer this question in this manner: "I firmly believe that everyone begins somewhere, and I'm seeking a platform to showcase my abilities and skills. Your company is the ideal place for me to embark on this journey. I'm eager to contribute to your company's growth and will put forth my utmost effort to achieve that."

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8) What are your salary expectations? 

You can use this sample answer: "I am a recent graduate, and my primary focus is on gaining valuable experience and knowledge. Salary is not my primary concern. Given your company's outstanding reputation, I trust your compensation will be competitive and fair, making it a non-issue for me. My commitment is directed towards contributing effectively to the job and growing within your organisation."  

9) Assume you are hired; how long would you expect to work for us?  

 You can answer this question in this manner: "Everyone aspires for a promising future, a conducive work environment, competitive compensation, and job contentment. I'm confident your company offers these, so I see no reason to seek employment elsewhere."

10) How would you rate yourself on a scale of 1 to 10? 

You can use this sample answer: “I would rate myself an 8 out of 10 because I believe in leaving room for continual improvement and growth. This mindset fuels my curiosity and desire to learn. I greatly appreciate the opportunity you've provided.”

11) How do you handle stress, pressure, and anxiety? 

You can use this sample answer: “When faced with pressure and stress, my typical approach is to use my soft skills to maintain a composed nature. Additionally, I incorporate physical exercises and engage in relaxation techniques such as meditation to effectively manage and alleviate work-related stress and pressure.”  

12) Is there anything that makes you different from other candidates? 

You should answer this question by confidently highlighting the unique strengths and qualities that set you apart from other candidates. Don't stop showcasing your accomplishments – your goal is to demonstrate to the interviewer that you are the top choice for the position.

13) Tell me about a time when you were unsatisfied with your performance.  

You can use this sample answer: “I found my performance unsatisfactory when I took on a project leadership role, ultimately leading to missing the deadline. It was a personal letdown, and I felt disappointed. This experience taught me the significance of establishing achievable objectives and maintaining open communication with team members in case of potential delays.”  

14) Tell me about a time when you experienced difficulty at work while working on a project. 

The interviewer is interested in understanding your approach to challenging situations. They seek insight into your past experiences dealing with a problematic project, how you managed the situation, and the lessons you gained from it. They aim to identify a recurring pattern in your behaviour when faced with difficulties.  

15) Where do you see yourself in the next five years? 

This is a common query in job interviews, aiming to evaluate your future aspirations and determine if they align with the company's objectives. It's also a way to gauge your level of ambition and perseverance.  

A sample answer would be, “Over the next five years, I'm eager to leverage every opportunity the company offers for internal and external training programs. My ultimate career goal is to become an HR Business professional.   

Thus, I'm excited about contributing to various projects that align with the company's mission and aim to make a positive impact while accelerating my journey toward achieving my objective in HR Business.” 

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16) What do you think is an ideal work environment? 

You can answer this question in this manner: “In my view, an optimal work setting in HR Business revolves around a collaborative team dynamic, emphasising mutual learning, collective effort, and shared growth to elevate both team members and the company. It involves harnessing the skills and competencies of team members to drive progress.   

While researching your company, I observed a strong commitment to teamwork, which left a positive impression on me. I firmly believe I can thrive in an environment that fosters and encourages teamwork.”  

17) What does motivation mean to you? 

You can answer this question in this manner: “I am motivated by the excitement of acquiring new knowledge and the sense of accomplishment that accompanies problem-solving. Challenges inspire me to exceed my limits, as they encourage growth. I firmly believe that pursuing knowledge should be continuous, and stagnation sets in when learning stops.   

This belief continually drives me to explore new horizons. Reviewing the job description, I can see that this position aligns with my desire to stay motivated and progress through continuous learning.”

18) What is your dream company like? 

This question is important, as the interviewer uses it to evaluate your suitability for the job. When responding, it's crucial not to openly express your dream of earning a six-figure salary with abundant vacation time and flexible hours.  You can answer this question in this manner: 

"My ideal company offers abundant learning and growth prospects, allowing me to use my skills to contribute to the company's overall development. My ideal company will also offer the opportunity to learn new skills and use them in relevant projects. Based on my research, I believe your company aligns with these ideals and can provide the opportunities I seek."  

19) If you were reborn as an animal, what animal would you want to be? 

This question might appear unusual, but it's not meant to be light-hearted. The interviewer poses it to gain insights into your personality, thought processes, and creativity by asking you to liken yourself to an animal. 

You can use this sample answer: “I'd choose to be reincarnated as a lion. Lions are renowned for their fearless approach to challenges and their majestic pride. They fearlessly pursue their desires and excel in confrontations or trials, so I find being a lion appealing.”

20) Explain the difference between group and team. 

This is one of the HR competency questions. The answer can be, “The primary distinction between a group and a team lies in unity. A group comprises individuals who come together without a specific purpose or objective, while a team consists of two or more individuals working collaboratively towards a shared goal. For instance, when assigning a task to a group, responsibilities are divided, and members work independently without coordinated efforts.  

Conversely, in a team, when tasked with a project, members collectively shoulder the responsibility of working in unison to achieve the desired outcome. Within a team, continuous cooperation and coordination among members are fundamental, ensuring that everyone works harmoniously towards the common objective. In short, a group lacks the unity and shared purpose that defines a team. In teams, everyone collaborates toward a goal. Employee interviews assess candidates' ability to work effectively with others.

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Tips to crack HR interviews

Here are some tips that you can follow to help you crack future HR Interviews:

a) Research the company: Know the organisational mission, vision, culture, and the most recent successes so as to customise your answers.

b) Prepare your pitch: Develop an effective response when you are describing yourself. Try to summarise your major strengths and skills.

c) Know your resume: Make sure you can provide any details about it, including your role, accomplishments, and transitions.

d) Showcase soft skills: Bring out the qualities of communicating, leading, teamwork, and adapting by giving instances.

e) Ask insightful questions: Prepare critical questions related to the job, team, and company to demonstrate that you are eager and well-versed.

f) Be honest: Be frank about your background, positive and negative sides, goals, and ideas for your career.

g) Exude confidence: Try to retain upright posture, eye contact, and a cheerful tone for being confident.

h) Follow the STAR method: Structure responding to behavioural questions by explaining about the Situation, Task, Action, and Result.

i) Follow up: Try to retain an upright posture, eye contact, and a cheerful tone to be confident.

Conclusion 

HR Interview Questions help employers learn more about job applicants. They assess qualifications, skills, and personal traits that align with the company's needs and culture. By preparing thoughtful responses, job seekers can make a positive impression and increase their chances of securing the desired position. I hope you enjoyed reading this blog.  

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