What Do You Think My Major Challenges Will Be Integrating Myself Into The Company Should I Get The Job
Sometimes, getting creative with your job interview questions can pay off big time.
That was the case for a candidate interviewing with an HR manager with experience working for Starbucks and Coach. Traci Wilk, a senior vice president of an early-education franchise with hiring experience at Starbuck and Coach, told Business Insider that one question impressed her more than any others.
A candidate asked: “Knowing that I don’t have experience in this type of business, but I bring all these other types of skill sets to the table, what do you think my major challenges will be getting immersed into the company, should I get the job?”
Wilk was impressed with the candidate’s vulnerability. “To me there’s nothing more important than self-awareness,” Wilk said. “If you can ask that question in the , it shows there’s a confidence that is very appealing.”
Other Questions You May Want To Ask
As well as the 4 key questions outlined above, you may also want to consider some of the following topics:
- How would you ensure employee inductions are done right?
- Which employee benefits do you find drive the highest employee motivation/satisfaction/retention/engagement?
- What do you consider to be the most successful internal recruitment strategies?
- Which personal development strategies do you find the most successful?
- How would you go about resolving a conflict between an employee and their manager?
- What can you do when an employee doesnt want to develop in their role?
- What processes or methods would you follow to deliver bad news to staff?
- How can you make negative staff more positive?
Tips For Passing The Human Resources Manager Interview
TIP #1 We strongly recommend you study all relevant behavioural type interview questions before you attend the HR Manager interview. These will include showing an ability to manage your team effectively, abide by all relevant employment law and human resources guidelines, be capable of motivating and inspiring your team to achieve organizational objectives, show resilience in the face of adversity, attention to detail, great communication skills and maintain confidentiality at all times when appropriate.
TIP #2 During the Human Resources Manager interview, you will need to provide evidence-based responses to all of the competency-based questions. We recommend you make good use of the STAR technique when constructing your answers. The STAR interview method utilizes Situation, Task, Action and Result and within the HR Manager interview questions and answers guide, which is available to download on this page, we will provide you with 12 great sample questions and answers to help you prepare.
TIP #3 Attention to detail is absolutely critical to the HR Manager role. This essential quality will need to be demonstrated at all times when creating legal-binding documents, employee guidelines, employment contracts and also when communicating with heads of departments and team leaders. Prior to attending your Human Resources Manager interview, make sure you have specific examples of where you have demonstrated attention to detail in a previous work-related scenario.
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What Do You Know About Our Companys Product/services
The purpose of these types of HR questions is clear: the HR professional wants to ensure that the candidate has researched the company and understands what theyre applying to. Candidates dont need to show deep knowledge of the company and its products, but they should certainly know everything that can be discovered via a simple online search of course, if they have already used the companys products/services or they know someone who works there, thats a plus.
Sample answer:
I know that your company manufactures machinery and factory equipment. Actually, I used your brand when I was working at Acme SA a couple of years ago. I was really impressed with how high-quality and durable that equipment was. I also saw your company has recently opened a new manufacturing branch, a good sign for your companys success.
What Is Your Biggest Strength
This is a simple but important question. Be honest. The interviewer wants to see if you can answer this spontaneously and honestly. The answer to can be simple and not too wordy:
My biggest strength is diplomacy. In my junior year, I took a class in negotiation that helped me enhance my skills of getting different groups to work together, a skill that I got a lot of practice with in my role as coordinator of Greek life at my college.
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What Do You Think The Biggest Challenges Of This Role Are
Your answer to this question should show your interviewer that you understand some of the challenges of the specific role youre applying for. A solid should include some examples of situations you could face in this position:
As an HR professional, I would deal with employees on all levels and in situations that may be unpleasant, like firing employees or having to take disciplinary action. These situations are challenging for both the employee, the manager, and the HR professional, but theyre part of the job.
How Would Your Current Manager Describe You
It can be awkward to brag about yourself, so while this question may seem weird, it’s really the HR professional’s tactic for hearing how your current boss views you in a work environment. To feel less uncomfortable answering this question, thoughtfully consider your last performance review, and use direct quotes from your boss in your answer.
Sample Answer
“During my last performance review, my current manager told me she appreciates how quickly I take constructive feedback and use it to improve in my role. She’s grateful that she never needs to repeat areas of improvement to me once she gives me feedback, I take it seriously and make sure she never needs to bring it up again. She has also described me as diligent and trustworthy, two aspects I believe are critical for excelling in any role.”
Tips
- Be clear about your strengths this is really your moment to shine.
- Focus on a single characteristic youd like to highlight.
- Try to connect the strength to the role youre applying for.
Things to Avoid
- Dont focus on a specific accomplishment, but rather on a soft skill that can lead to sustainable growth in the role.
- Dont start with Well, Im really good at
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How Do You Keep Up With Employment Law
Its vital that your business complies with the law and ultimately you’ll need to rely on your HR manager to ensure that it does.
So, you want someone who is knowledgeable about HR law. That doesnt mean you need a lawyer, but you do want someone who knows their stuff.
Some things to look out for include:
- The candidate regularly reading industry magazines and reports
- being HR qualified and perhaps is a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development
- subscribing to HR newsletters
Human Resources Manager Position Job Duties And Description
The Human Resources Manager job duties and responsibilities include:
In addition to the above requirements of the role, effective HR Managers will need to demonstrate numerous competencies and skills including an ability to communicate effectively, work under pressure, follow strict employment law and working practices, maintain resilience, maintain confidentiality, work as part of a team, inspire and motive human resource team members and also promote best working practices within the organization.
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If You Were To Hire Me What Might I Expect In A Typical Day
This shows your eagerness about the position, Harrison says, and it gives you a better idea of what the job would be like on a daily basis so you can decide whether you want to pursue it.
“A frank conversation about position expectations and responsibilities will ensure not only that this is a job you want, but also one that you have the skills to be successful in,” he says.
What About This Position Is Most Important How Does It Support Management And Serve Direct Reports
This is an important and good question to ask in an interview because it can help you get insight into the position and how it fits into the network of the company. Who will you support? Who will you supervise and guide? What is their management style or working style? What skills are critical for success?
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How Do You Evaluate The Performance Of The Person In This Position
Knowing how you will be evaluated is a good idea before going into any position. Some companies offer annual evaluations, while others offer more frequent feedback. It may also benefit you to know if you will be working directly with your supervisor who will be there to observe your work or if they will be relying on data or results that will affect your evaluation.
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Where Do People Usually Eat Lunch
Do they take the time to go out? Do people bring lunch but eat in groups? Do folks normally eat at their desks because they’re too busy to socialize? Asking this question serves as a great way to find out a little bit about the company culture. Plus, this is a more lighthearted question that might relax a stiffened atmosphere or lead to a conversation about shared interests.
How It Helps You
Along with learning about company culture, it doesn’t hurt to get a few good lunch suggestions for the future.
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Why Did You Decide To Apply To This Role
This question aims to evaluate the candidates interest in the role. Are they really motivated to get hired for this specific job or do they just mass-apply to every job ad under the sun? Candidates should show that this application was a conscious decision on their part.
Sample answer:
I have been following your companys successes for some time now and I know you have a great software development team. I was thinking that this would be the best environment for me to apply the skills I acquired during my internship and Masters degree. So, I checked your careers page regularly and when I saw this job ad, I thought it was finally time to try my hand. I have experience in web development and Im really interested in the projects youre mentioning in the job ad in fact, one of them was the subject of my thesis. I really think Im a good fit for the job and can grow even more in your workplace.
Why Should We Hire You Or Why Should I Hire You
Most freshers might treat this as a challenging question. Remember that its not some sort of a blow to your ego, but a stress test which you can pass smoothly with a powerful answer.
Below given is your perfect answer, which you can use in your discussion pertaining to HR interview questions and answers.
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Where Will It Be
When its an in-office interview, the scheduler will likely ask you if you know where the office is and provide you with details about parking. But with so many companies switching to remote work and interviewing online, theres a good chance that youll be meeting virtually. Take this time to ask about the tools that youll need to familiarize yourself with, and details about whether these will be video interviews, audio-only, etc.
What Would You Consider Your Greatest Strengths & Weakness
This is a popular interview question
Following are 4 sample answers
Sample answer #1
My strength is my ability to convert negative work environment into positive. At the same time, developing a supportive team. I am also capable of keeping many projects on track and ensuring deadlines are met. As far as my weakness is concerned, I get impatient sometimes in order to get everything done very quickly. To tackle the problem, I am trying to re-consider the to-do list and prioritize the tasks.
Sample answer #2
I am very comfortable working with different groups of people. My strength is my analytical and planning skills, developed over the years. It helps me to complete my work before the deadline. I am a little bit nervous while speaking in a group, but I have given many presentations to overcome this.
Sample answer #3
I am efficient in many programming languages, including HTML, C++, Java, and AppleScript. I have generated over 100% excess revenue for two separate companies through cost-cutting programming efficiency, and I have leadership experience with a team of five IT professionals working on some of the popular iPhone apps online. As far as weakness is concerned, I have a tendency to remain quiet in meetings, but I am working on speaking up when I feel I have ideas to share.
Sample answer #4
Im a highly motivated person. I dont stop until I get things done. I value other peoples time and the companys resources. I work to become an asset, not a liability.
Tips
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What Areas Of Hr Do You Feel Most And Least Skilled In
Depending on your previous role, you should expect to have certain strengths and weaknesses in the realm of HR. Any employer will expect the same. Maybe your experience lies mainly in recruiting and employer branding, but you lack skills in benefits administration. Be open with your employer about this so that each of your expectations regarding the opening is made clear.
What Is The Hr Round Interview
The HR round is an interview thats typically conducted by a human resources generalist at the beginning of the hiring process. In this initial screen, HR interviewers want to find out general information about your previous roles, core qualifications, key strengths and weaknesses, and salary expectations.
Its easy to underemphasize HR interviews in comparison to interviews with, say, your potential manager. Theres even a misconception that the HR round is only a formality. But the truth is that this interview is critical to the hiring process.
It allows you to establish a positive first impression. Your HR contact decides whether you get to move forward, so youll want to make sure you exhibit your competencies and establish rapport.
I spoke with Alexa Matthews, a senior recruiter here at HubSpot, who pointed out some additional benefits to the screening process “It’s an opportunity for a great first impression. In the first call, a candidate can often convey things that are not written on their resume. We take that information so that we can be their advocate and make recommendations to hiring managers throughout the process.”
Lets go over a few of the questions you might have about the HR interview.
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How Would You Improve Our Current Product Or Service
An HR professional wants to know whether you’re innovative, whether youre a quick-thinker, and whether you’ll bring new ideas to the role. There isn’t necessarily a wrong answer, here you just need to show some creativity, and planning in advance will help. Consider potential problems they might be experiencing with their product or service, and how your unique skillset can fill that void.
Sample Answer
“I’ve noticed your product is in English, without current translation options. I believe your product could benefit from multilingual translations, which would help you appeal to a wider demographic. This could help you become more of a global leader. As someone who is fluent in French and Spanish, I’d like to potentially help spearhead a project that moves the product in that direction.”
Tips
- Be honest but brief about the products limitations.
- Focus on how you can help the company make the improvement.
- Mention how this change can help the company grow.
- Prepare for this question by using the product or service before the interview.
- Tastefully mention competitors and their products it will show that youre informed about the industry.
Things to Avoid
- Dont hate on the product.
- Dont sing too many praises for the competitors product.
More Hr Interview Questions
Here are 32 more HR interview questions you might encounter:
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Are You Applying For Other Jobs Do You Have Any Other Offer In Hand
Do not get intimidated with this HR interview question and answer. You can be open about the other offer or keep it private, depending on how happy you are with it.
HR recruiters generally ask this to understand your demand in the market. They also want to know that by the time they interview you and reach the offer stage, you would have already accepted another one.
