Introduction
I did some research on the typical compensation for this kind of job in my location, and I believe this job should pay between X and Y. But if you think I’d be a good fit for the position, I believe we can talk about this in more detail at a later date. Could you let me know the range of pay that you have in mind?
What are the following steps in the hiring process, please? Additionally, your CEO stated in an online interview that your business aims to use speech recognition technology. That intrigues me greatly. Will this position need participation in these kinds of projects?
General HR manager interview questions
Examples of interview questions for HR managers that may be used to gauge your background and work history include the following:
- What would you say your managerial style is?
- What skills do you have that will make you a successful HR manager for our business?
- Describe a challenging situation you encountered with a coworker or management and how you handled it.
- What academic credentials do you have that make you eligible for this HR role at our business?
- How long have you worked in human resources?
- What prior project management experience do you have as an HR manager?
- How adaptable are you while using HR software systems?
- How have you handled disputes inside an organization?
- How have you handled being in charge of a hiring team?
- Give an example from your experience.
HR interview questions about experience and background
HR manager positions require an array of skills and knowledge. Role-specific interview questions seek to learn if your abilities match the skill set required to perform the job.
Here are some examples:
“How do your experience and educational background qualify you for this position?”
The interviewer wants to see if the kind of experience and education you have translates well into this position, so you need to provide details. This is your opportunity to directly tie your previous responsibilities and achievements to what’s listed in the job description, and to the HR management fundamentals.
You can also take it a step further and mention how your personal qualities have contributed to successfully handling your duties.
“What is your favorite part about working in HR?”
You probably enjoy quite a few facets of HR, so it may be challenging to narrow your answer down to one area. Is it working directly with and helping employees? Is it the strong impact it has on the organization? Maybe you like that HR involves a variety of responsibilities and puts so many of your skills to use.
Think about which part you would miss the most if it were removed from your duties and start with that, explaining what you like about it. Then you can mention a few other aspects that you find especially satisfying. The more you appreciate HR, the more you will demonstrate that you have passion for your work.
“As an HR manager, what qualities do you possess that will help you drive results for our company?”
Affirm that your role as an HR manager goes beyond the practice of administering benefits or filling job openings. On the contrary, it involves ensuring all processes work the right way to support organizational goals. (There’s no point in filling a job with the wrong candidate or handling employee disputes unsuccessfully.)
Explain what you believe is effective people management and how you measure success. Be prepared to name an initiative you would like to implement and how it would impact this company’s bottom line. The role of an HR manager is strategically important and the manager has to be proficient in a multitude of areas of HR.
“What experience do you have leading a project team as an HR manager?”
This question aims to determine if you can handle problems and provide solutions while leading a team and working on a project. Your response should reflect strong communication skills and your ability to motivate people and get to the source of problems.
If you haven’t led an HR project team, you can share a time when you observed great leadership from a team you were on. You can also use an example of when you’ve led a team in another field or a volunteer role from your personal life.
“What is your experience with HR software systems?”
Modern HR relies heavily on software and data. Ideally, employers will seek candidates who already have experience with the programs they have in place or are looking to implement. If you haven’t worked with their system, explain the extent of your experience with other systems and your ability to quickly learn new tools and software.
“What is your recruiting strategy for finding qualified applicants?”
The interviewer wants to find out if your recruitment approach fits in with the organization’s current practices or could bring in some needed improvements. It’s important to show that you have good judgment with a comprehensive plan that involves the crucial elements, such as:
- Understanding precisely what is required for open positions to match candidates who have the right skills.
- Well-written and defined job posts that incorporate the employer brand.
- Effective communication with applicants.
- A thorough application and interviewing process.
- Using innovative recruiting methods (social media, niche job boards, previous applicants, etc.)
“What do you foresee happening in the next five years that will change and shape HR?”
Savvy HR managers are well aware of how prevalent change is in the industry. They must stay current with emerging HR trends. Let the interviewer know that you have a grasp on what may affect HR and the direction it’s heading.
Choose a topic such as remote hiring and working, artificial intelligence, or diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, and discuss its future impact. If you can cite information from HR trade publications, conferences, or other sources, you will show that you’re keeping up with the latest industry research and developments.
In-depth HR manager interview questions
1. How does this position advance the bigger company objectives?
Finding a candidate who can perform in a role is not too tough. Finding a candidate who can also see how it fits into bigger goals is quite difficult, though.
This entails having the capacity to manage oneself, give high-value tasks top priority, and develop their position in a way that supports the expansion of the organization.
2. What do the newest employees that succeed here do in their first month?
Your response to this question demonstrates your preference for getting things done quickly. Additionally, it demonstrates your understanding of successful patterns and your desire to imitate only the most successful performers.
3. How would you gauge your success in this position?
This kind of question demonstrates your goal-oriented nature and willingness to accept responsibility for achieving those goals. You welcome responsibility instead of avoiding it.
4. What are some of the difficulties or obstacles I might face in this position?
A question like this shows that, should you get the job, you’re already seeing yourself in the position and formulating an offensive strategy. Additionally, it shows that you are cognizant of the fact that no work is free from difficulties. It conveys that you’re not only not frightened to face those difficulties, but that you’re also ready for them.
5. What has been the team’s largest obstacle over the past 12 months?
Asking this question can enable you to learn about some of the recent realities the team has been dealing with, even while the interviewer may be attempting to portray a fairly ideal picture of what working on the team may entail.
If you decide to join, you will unavoidably learn about these difficulties and perhaps even be required to contribute to their resolution.
6. What made you choose to work for this business?
An interviewer can talk about themselves and offer a no-holds-barred sales pitch about the organization while answering this question.
The sales opportunity is welcomed by qualified candidates. A lot of people also like any opportunity to brag about themselves.
7. What keeps you inspired?
Understanding why your interviewer has worked for the organization for a time may provide you with some pretty interesting information about the business and its relationships with its employees.
8. Do you organize gatherings outside of work with the team?
Does everyone go about their business in silence and solitude? Or is everyone content to be around one another? This interview query is a fantastic approach to learning a bit about workplace culture.
A solid work-life balance is important, and the organization should provide possibilities for that to happen.
9. What is the company’s approach to providing client or customer service?
This question is noteworthy since it demonstrates your ability to relate how an organization views its consumers to the outcome.
In other words, how the consumer is handled daily and how that manifests itself in the final product.
10. What are some of the less obvious characteristics of successful team members?
Have you ever worked with someone who just got it? Hiring supervisors are seeking people like that.
Here are more common in-depth interview questions that you are likely to encounter during your next HR manager interview:
- What can you tell us about job elimination based on your work experience in HR?
- Have you ever deviated from the company’s policy while carrying out your duties as an HR employee?
- Have you dealt with an unethical situation in your previous roles? If you have, share an example.
- How have you handled cost reduction efforts as an HR employee?
- As an HR employee, how do you deal effectively with challenges within a team you are leading?
- Have you handled or led a team of workers from different backgrounds? If you have, can you share your experience with us?
- How do you win the cooperation of members of a team you are leading?
- What is your recruiting strategy as an HR employee?
HR manager interview questions with sample answers
1. What made you choose to apply for this position?
This inquiry is to gauge the applicant’s level of interest in the position. Do they genuinely want to be hired for this particular position, or do they simply mass-apply to every job posting there is? Candidates must demonstrate that submitting this application was a deliberate choice on their side.
Sample Answer
I’ve been keeping up with your business’s achievements for a while, and I’m aware that you have a top-notch software development staff. I believed that this would be the ideal setting for me to put the abilities I had learned through my internship and Master’s degree to use. I therefore frequently checked your careers page, and when I came across this job posting, I decided it was finally time to give it a shot. Since one of the projects mentioned in the job posting was the topic of my thesis, I have experience in web development and am very interested in it. I genuinely believe I’m an excellent fit for the position and can advance even further in your company.
2. What professional background do you have that might be useful in this position?
Using this question, recruiters can determine whether candidates believe they are qualified for the position and whether they have a thorough understanding of the requirements. The most qualified applicants will be happy to discuss how their prior experience connects to the job description.
Sample Answer
You specify in your job posting that you’re looking for someone with skills in inbound sales. I spent around three years working as a sales associate in a little shop in my neighborhood. During this time, I learned how to speak with clients and probe for information about their needs. I gained experience managing challenging clients and resolving emergencies. I think it’s a fantastic asset for any salesperson to be persistent without coming across as pushy, which I think I can do.
3. Describe your background in…
Despite being identical to the preceding query, this one specifically inquires about the most crucial facets of the function. For instance, if a business is looking to hire a copywriter, it will undoubtedly inquire about the applicant’s experience with various forms of writing or editing.
Sample Answer
I had the opportunity to produce a lot of marketing copy while working as a marketing professional for Acme Inc. I was the only one who wrote the emails, including newsletters, that we delivered to clients and potential clients. Additionally, I periodically authored articles for our website and short material for social media.
4. What about the job description did you appreciate best?
One of the best HR interview questions to use to start a discussion about obligations and duties is this one. Additionally, it’s helpful to evaluate how well the candidate comprehends the role.
Sample Answer
First, the job description itself was excellently worded and offered me a clear understanding of the duties of the position. Second, I enjoyed the fact that this accounting position requires teamwork. I enjoy accounting, but I don’t want to spend my days staring at numbers at a desk. Instead, I’d like the chance to collaborate with others on a team to come up with the best strategy to set up the company’s accounting department.
5. What led you to leave your current position? Why did you quit your prior position?
The most qualified individuals will provide valid justifications for leaving their current position. Being unfavorable or disparaging of their employer is a warning sign. There must be a balance, of course. Honest candidates frequently respond honestly, and occasionally, the termination of an employee’s job relationship was the fault of their prior employer. When answering these HR interview questions, attitude is key. It would be OK, for instance, if a candidate said that they left their last position because it didn’t pay them at a fair market rate. However, it would be suspicious if they went off on a rant about how dishonest their old company was.
Sample Answer
My former job and team were great. I began as a junior and advanced to the position of the marketing team lead. However, I believe that my experience with this organization has come full circle because I am now the one coaching others while no longer learning anything. I value learning, thus I’m looking for a new position that will push me and advance my development.
6. What is your knowledge of our business’s goods and services?
These HR questions have a very specific goal: the HR professional wants to make sure the applicant has done their research on the business and is aware of the position they are looking for. Candidates don’t need to demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the business and its offerings, but they should know everything that can be found with a quick online search. Of course, it helps if candidates have experience with the business’s goods or services or know someone who works there.
Sample Answer
I am aware that your business produces industrial machines and supplies. A few years ago, while I was employed by Acme SA, I utilized your brand. The equipment’s excellent quality and robustness greatly astonished me. I also noticed that your business recently launched a new manufacturing branch, which is encouraging for the future of your business.
7. Describe the gap on your CV for me.
This is one of a number of frequently asked HR interview questions that could be about anything “out of the norm” or intriguing on a candidate’s résumé, such as a brief stint at a position that seemed unconnected to the candidate’s background or experience, or a clear employment gap. These HR interview questions are meant to elucidate these topics and make sure there aren’t any warning signs.
Sample Answer
I began working full-time for six years after earning my master’s degree. I decided to take a break from my job and go volunteer abroad for that reason. I was able to use this to gain new skills, relax, and help others (like communication and organizational ability).
8. Describe the place of employment where you will be most content and successful.
Other variants of this include, “What can we do to keep you pleased if we hired you?” or “What qualities about your current position would you like to see here as well?” These are a few illustrations of culture-fit interview questions designed to gauge a candidate’s appropriateness for the position. There is typically no right or wrong response. Everything depends on how well each candidate fits each specific firm.
Sample Answer
I prefer work environments that value both independence and collaboration. I enjoy cooperating with others and discussing ideas, but I also need the freedom to work solo occasionally. I also appreciate the lack of constraints, such as the requirement for casual attire unless I’m dealing with clients or business partners.
9. What salary goals do you have?
Similar HR inquiries to this one concern other “technical” aspects of the work, like the candidate’s desire to relocate or travel or their capacity to adhere to a schedule. To make sure they’re not speaking to an applicant who has unrealistically high compensation expectations, HR professionals utilize this inquiry (or who is generally unable to meet the demands of the job). Expectations are an excellent approach to ensure that both sides are on the same page, but candidates shouldn’t be requested to disclose their income history or current salary in certain areas, it’s outright unlawful to do so.
Sample Answer
I did some research on the typical compensation for this kind of job in my location, and I believe this job should pay between X and Y. But if you think I’d be a good fit for the position, I believe we can talk about this in more detail at a later date. Could you let me know the range of pay that you have in mind?
10. Do you have any more questions?
Candidates should always have the chance to ask questions themselves, regardless of the hiring process’s stage, so they can determine whether the position is a suitable fit for them. The second reason HR asks this question is to determine whether applicants are genuinely curious to learn more. They should inquire intelligently about the business and, if possible, the position as well.
Sample Answer
What are the following steps in the hiring process, please? Additionally, your CEO stated in an online interview that your business aims to use speech recognition technology. That intrigues me greatly. Will this position need participation in these kinds of projects?