HR INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

‘Fun at work’ is the hot topic in the modern day workplaces with HR professionals in many companies working on different strategies to make their offices best places to work. I do believe in the concept not as a HR policy or procedure. Making the team feel comfortable and happy in all their interactions with their peers, superiors and clients is very important for productivity. Organising small team outings, birthday bashes and monthly top performers announcements are some of the initiatives that help in making the workplace filled with positive energy.

In fact, for any leader 80% of the success is in dealing with people and 20% in doing the job well. Conflicts at work would generally be differences of opinion between two or more people on a common issue. Take the example of a conflict between the heads of two departments like design & Testing on the target date of project completion.

Resolving the conflicts will be possible by being patient, empathetic and an active listener ensuring that each of their view points is heard. Finally influencing and collaborating everyone for a win –win situation.

The interviewers look for your attitude towards failure as the path of a leader is not always filled with green pastures. Explain the situation and ensure that something has gone beyond your control as it is understood that business is uncertain and lot of factors do influence. Show the acceptance and what lessons were learned during the course while leaving no negative feelings.

Apart from strong technical skills and good qualification, one needs to be a good team player with positive attitude to learn new aspects in the new organization. Also one who is willingness to take challenges with high aspirations to grow I would be the person I choose to be in my team.

Firing a person sends a wrong impression on the hiring and management of talent in the system. It is the last resort any organization would opt for as it brings down the morale of other employees. 

If you have really faced such a situation, describe the management process followed and rational behind the decision.

At the same time, it is a tough decision but when it needs to be taken in favour of the organization, it has to be and the leader should be emotionally strong enough to make such decisions.

Yes. There have been many such instances where my decisions were challenged both by superiors and subordinates. This actually ensures everyone thinks carefully before they act and hence need to be double careful while taking decisions.

Pressure and stress are very common in today’s competitive world. Proper planning and execution are the two aspects that I follow to mitigate the pressures of deadlines. Again with the kind of experience I have gained over the years helps to analyze and understand the customer behavior and thus maintaining good relationships.

Effective delegation of work is very much necessary for meeting the targets successfully and reducing the work pressure. It is again an avenue that I use to identify talent and giving additional authority to perform certain activities. It is more about tapping the right talent in the team and empowering them.

Explain a situation where you have delegated a crucial work to a team member who has successfully completed it under your mentorship.

Taking up challenges and focusing towards achieving the goals are the two very important aspects that help in keeping high levels of self –motivation. Also the recognition at different occasions and forums from the management or organization helps in forgetting all the hardships undergone for the fulfillment of the set targets and boosts positive energy.

Yes. It is rightly said that recognition and rewards are important tools of management. I categorize my team members as highly resourceful, resourceful and average performers. The performers on month on month basis are recognized in team meetings and project reviews. Star performers based on annual performance are recommended to the HR for consideration on higher increments and promotions.

The highly resourceful team members are ensured that they get fast tracked growth and recommend for any onsite opportunities whenever possible and encourage a competitive spirit among the team members..

The fact that being associated with the current company for a long time is true and it is really a difficult decision looking to move out of the organization that has groomed me to what I am today.

But Change is beautiful and it is for good. Looking for an equally challenging role that can help me grow further in the career and contribute to the growth of the industry as a whole.

These questions are a kind of trap and need to be careful while answering them as such.

You as an outsider know about the products & services that the organization offers in different platforms. Also know the kind of customers they cater to.

Any individual can bring in changes to the existing system only after understanding the existing processes and influencing factors in the organization. If one tries to say that he \ she can bring in a particular change shows the lack of maturity.

So the best way is to tell the interviewers that rich experience you have gained over the years can help them in analyzing the situation and taking the best possible alternatives after joining their organization.

At a certain stage in career travel becomes very inherent part of the job of a leader where in visiting other business locations for project transitions, meeting customers and business development plays a key role.

The answer should express your view of being open and flexible to travel and relocate for the benefit of organization.

I look forward to my boss as perfect mentor and a great people’s person. He should be the one whom I can approach any time to seek necessary support and guidance. 

You can give the example of a relationship you share with the your present or previous boss who has become your role model. This helps the interviewers understand the good relationship that you have developed with your boss which is not that everyone is able to do very easily.

The leader is the key in demonstrating the core ethical values both in the personal behavior and aligning them with the practices in the organization. I personally believe that honesty and transparency help in gaining confidence both in the interactions with superiors as well as the team. Integrity is an important competency that I have developed over the years growing up in the ladder.