15 interview questions for HR Professionals

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Why do you think you qualify for a human resource

executive's/manager' position?

While asking this the interviewer wants to see, how do you identify yourself with the job role.
Relate your educational qualification, work experience and personal qualities with the role to
answer this question.

A possible answer could be, the role of a human resource manager needs the person to connect
with others on a human level and help them meet their aspirations while following the company's
policies, structure and rules. I think with an experience of 'X' years, I know well how to deal with
humans and my last employment has given me a good insight into the rules and regulations an
HR manager has to keep in mind while operating.

What are your strengths and weaknesses as HR professional?

You may find this question asked in different forms during the interview. The purpose of asking
the same question in same way is to judge the consistency of candidate’s answers.

Ensure that you have read the job specifications properly before you appear for the interview.
While answering this question, identify the qualities a person needs as an HR Manager and see
how you fit into them. Take out the qualities which make you a strong candidate for this position
and offer them to the interviewer. The qualities which are usually sought in the candidate for this
role are: Knowledge, Intuition, Versatility, Flexibility, Focus and above all a human touch in every
thing you do. If you have any extra qualification like the knowledge of a software useful in
handling the job, you can discuss that also during the interview.

It is absolutely OK to accept that every human being has weaknesses but if you can make your
weaknesses work to your advantage that makes you a winner. A probable answer to this question
could be, while dealing with the employee’s problems at times I get very attached to them but I
think this helps me in understanding their problems better and offering them a solution while
being within the company limits. I have experienced that this attitude of mine towards the staff
help them being more open to me and loyal to the company.

What according to you are the qualities that an HR Executive/Manager

must have?

Knowledge, Intuition, Versatility, Flexibility, Focus and above all a human touch in every thing you
do.

Why did you choose HR as your career?

While answering this question, don’t simply say that I love to work with people and that is the
reason I am into HR. This is the most common answer and moreover something which makes the
interviewer burst into laughter. This answer easily makes them understand that you are saying
this just to get the job.

A better way would be to identify some work areas that an HR manager has to perform in his daily
routine and relate them to your interest. A possible answer could be, I liked to be a part of the
recruitment team which can identify right people and put them into right places. An employment
into recruitment slowly developed into a full fledged HR profession.

What do you think are the roles and responsibilities of an HR

Manager?

The purpose of this question is to understand your knowledge of the role.

The responsibilities of an HR manager include:

Recruitment, Training, Organizational Development, Communication, Performance development

and management, Salary and benefits, Team Building, Building Employee relationship,
Developing Leadership, Motivational exercises, Developing companies policies and procedures,
Managing the health care program for employees etc.
Depending on the size of the organization, the HR manager has a team performing each of these
roles.

Why did you decide to get into HR after you graduation in

computers/commerce/physics?

There are many people who actually get into HR after graduating in a totally different stream. To
some people it just happens while for others it is a deliberate move.

If it just happened to you, you can say that I was on a look out for a job when I got the first
opportunity in HR. I took it up and slowly realized that I have started liking it. I brushed up my
skills by keeping myself updated about the new developments in the field and acquiring a
professional degree (If you have got one.)

If it was a deliberate move, you can discuss your reasons for moving into this role.

What is Personnel Management?

Personnel management is managing welfare and performance of persons who are a part of the
operations.

What is the difference between Personnel Management and HRM?

Usually these two terms are used interchangeably but there does lie a difference between the
two.

- Personnel management is reactive in nature and includes administrative tasks while HRM is
proactive in nature and requires continuous development in policies and functions of the
organization for a better tomorrow.

- Personnel management is more of an independent task than HRM which needs to involve the
managers of all departments for developing a better team.

- Personnel management believes that satisfied employees yield better performance while HRM
believes that a good performance provides satisfaction to employees.
- HRM works around developing strategies to improve the performance of employees. Personnel
management works around motivating employees with compensation, bonuses, rewards etc.

- Actually Personnel management can be considered as a subset of HRM.

Here you have to bear in mind that if you are offered the position of a Personnel Manager, you
may be required to perform HRM functions and vice versa.

What are the responsibilities of a personnel manager?

Some of the responsibilities of a personnel manager include coordinating benefit programs and
employee training,managing the recruiting process, conducting exit interviews and salary
surveys,coordinating record keeping and payroll, and administering personnel policies.

What do you mean by Management? Describe the essential functions

of management.

Management in simple terms can be understood as the process of bringing people together to
achieve the desired goals. The essential functions of management include: Planning, Organizing,
Budgeting, Resourcing, Directing, Controlling and Reviewing.

What is the difference between salary and incentive?

Salary can be termed as the fixed remuneration you are offered for your services while incentive
means some extra benefits that you are offered based on your performance. Incentive can be in
cash or kind.

What is 'Span of Management'?

Span of Management or Control in easy terms means, number of subordinates a manager

manages.

What are the different factors that determine the 'Span of

Management'?
Following factors determine the Span of Management:

1. Size of the organization

2. Different tasks that are performed to keep the work going
3. Complexity of the production process
4. Extent to which IT can help in the process.

What do you mean by Fringe Benefits?

Fringe benefit can be defined as the benefits provided by the employer to its employees in
addition to the regular salary. These include health plans, paid holidays, cafeteria, company
transport etc.

10 Tricky HR Interview Questions & Their Answers

Human Resource managers may ask tricky HR interview questions to save time and try to figure
out what kind of employee you really are. Joyce Lain Kennedy, a nationally syndicated careers
columnist says outlines the 10 Trickiest Interview Questions & Their Answers

Kennedy says that even if job hunters have rehearsed anticipated topics, an unexpected HR
interview question may jar loose an authentic answer that exposes hidden problems. Don’t miss
the true intention of a seemingly harmless interview question. Kennedy offers the , the real
meaning behind them and how best to answer each.

No. 1: Why have you been out of work so long, and how many others were laid off?

This HR interview question may also be followed by the more direct, “Why were you laid off?”
Kennedy says it is an attempt to figure out if there’s something wrong with you that your former
company or that other potential employers have already discovered. The HR interviewer may be
trying to determine if themes of recession and budget cuts were used to dump second-string
employees, including you. Rather than answering the question directly and chancing an
emotional response or misinterpretation, Kennedy advises punting. Respond: “I don’t know the
reason. I was an excellent employee who gave more than a day’s work for a day’s pay.”

No. 2: If employed, how do you manage time for interviews?

“The real HR interview question is whether you are lying to and short-changing your current
employer while looking for other work,” says Kennedy. The interviewer may wonder: If you’re
cheating on your current boss, why wouldn’t you later cheat on me? She suggests placing the
emphasis on why you’re interested in this position by saying you’re taking personal time and that
you only interview for positions that are a terrific match. If further interviews are suggested,
Kennedy advises mentioning that the search is confidential and asking to schedule follow-ups
outside of normal working hours.

No. 3: How did you prepare for this interview?

The intention of this HR interview question is to decipher how much you really care about the
job or if you’re simply going through the motions or winging it. Kennedy says the best way to
answer is by saying, “I very much want this job, and of course researched it starting with the
company website.” Beyond explaining how you’ve done your homework, show it. Reveal your
knowledge of the industry, company or department by asking informed questions and
commenting on recent developments.

No. 4: Do you know anyone who works for us?

This one really is a tricky HR interview question, says Kennedy, because most interviewees
expect that knowing someone on the inside is always a good thing. “Nothing beats having a
friend deliver your resume to a hiring manager, but that transaction presumes the friend is well
thought of in the company,” she says. Because the HR interviewer will likely associate the
friend’s characteristics and reputation with your merits, she recommends only mentioning
someone by name if you’re certain of their positive standing in the organization.

No. 5: What bugs you about coworkers or bosses?

Don’t fall into this trap HR interview question. Kennedy says you always want to present
yourself as optimistic and action-oriented, and hiring managers may use this question to tease out
whether you’ll have trouble working with others or could drag down workplace morale and
productivity. “Develop a poor memory for past irritations,” she advises. Reflect for a few
seconds, and then say you can’t recall anything in particular. Go on to compliment former bosses
for being knowledgeable and fair and commend past coworkers for their ability and attitude. It
will reveal your positive outlook and self-control and how you’ll handle the social dynamics in
this position.

No. 6: Where would you really like to work?

“The real agenda for this HR interview question is assurance that you aren’t applying to every
job opening in sight,” says Kennedy. She advises never mentioning another company by name or
another job title because you want to highlight all the reasons you’re perfect for this job and that
you’ll give it all of your attention if achieved. A good response would be: “This is where I want
to work, and this job is what I want to do.”

No. 7: Can you describe how you solved a work or school problem?

Kennedy says that, really, no one should be too taken aback by this HR interview question, as
it’s one of the most basic interview questions and should always be anticipated. However, all too
often interviewees either can’t come up with something on the spot or miss the opportunity to
highlight their best skills and attributes. Kennedy says what the HR interviewer really wants is
insight into how your mind works. Have an answer ready, like how you solved time management
issues in order to take on a special assignment or complicated project that showcases an
achievement.

No. 8: Can you describe a work or school instance in which you messed up?

This HR interview question is a minefield. “One question within the question is whether you
learn from your mistakes or keep repeating the same errors,” says Kennedy. Similarly, the HR
interviewer may be trying to glean whether you’re too self-important or not self-aware enough to
take responsibility for your failings. Perhaps even more problematic, if you answer this HR
Interview question by providing a list of all your negative traits or major misdeeds, then you’re
practically spelling out your insecurities and guaranteeing you won’t get the job. So you don’t
want to skirt the question or make yourself look bad. “Briefly mention a single small, well-
intentioned goof and follow up with an important lesson learned from the experience,” she
advises.

No. 9: How does this position compare with others you’re applying for?

“The intent of this HR interview question is to gather intel on the competitive job market or get a
handle on what it will take to bring you on board,” says Kennedy. There are two directions to
take: Coy or calculated. “You can choose a generic strategy and say you don’t interview and tell,
and respect the privacy of any organization where you interview,” she notes. Or you could try to
make yourself appear in demand by confirming you’ve received another competitive offer,
which may up the bidding for your services. Always bring the focus back to this position, by
asking: “Have I found my destination here?”

No. 10: If you won the lottery, would you still work?

Admittedly, this HR interview question is a little silly. Even so, it’s another opportunity to
underscore your motivation and work ethic. Kennedy advises acknowledging that you’d be
thrilled to win the lottery but would still look for meaningful work because meeting challenges
and achieving make you happy. And say it with a straight face.

If at any point in a HR interview you’re uncertain or caught off guard, don’t panic, Kennedy
warns. Deflect a HR question by saying you’d like to mull it over and come back to it, or by
being honest that you don’t know the answer and, as a careful worker, would prefer not to guess.
“If you’ve otherwise done a good job of answering HR Interview questions and confidently
explained why you’re a great match for the position,” she says, “the HR interviewer probably
won’t consider your lack of specifics on a single topic to be a deal breaker.