HR Interview Questions – Set 04

Possible Answer #1:
“I have never been a great public speaker. The very thought of facing a crowd used to make me nervous.

When I started college, my best friend advised me that I had to get over this roadblock to shine through.

So, last year, I took the bold step of trying my hand at public speaking. I joined the Debate Club in my college.

Since then, I have participated in multiple contests.

Initially, I stammered, forgot my lines, dropped the microphone once due to my sweaty palms and even got booed at or scolded by the judges.

Yet, I kept on participating. Last month, for the very first time in a year, I won the third prize.

It was a great boost to my self-confidence.

I believe that it is my greatest feat so far, even bigger than my AIEEE rank.”

Possible Answer #2:
“I have helped my father set up his business from scratch. This is our family business and a startup as well.

The initial days were really very tough as I had to learn and apply everything at once.

Be it sales, marketing, leadership, management, finance, finance, human resources etc.

I became a jack of all trades overnight. It was really difficult to running and grow the business.

Nothing was so difficult or stressful as this one, midway I even slipped into depression and anxiety.

I even made up my mind to quit my job and focus entirely on my father’s dream, but thankfully the business took of due to our collective efforts.

Today, I am free to focus on my career once again, and do what I love the most.

The accomplishment bit here is that I feel whole and complete, as my family business is running smoothly and my career is undisturbed.”

Make sure you know each of your skills thoroughly. In case you don’t know a particular software package or a terminology, please do not talk about it in front of the interviewer.

(Keep this important tip in mind while preparing for HR interview questions and answers).

Possible Answer #1:
“I am proficient in Operating Systems like Windows and Linux. I am familiar with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint from the Microsoft Office Suite.

I am also familiar with regular web Browsers, Photoshop and AutoCAD.”

Possible Answer #2:
“Among the Operating Systems, I am proficient in Windows NT, Windows XP, Windows ME, Mac 0SX, Windows 2000, Mac OS 8.6, Solaris, Mac 0S9, UNIX, Linux, AIX, Sun OS, OS/2, DOS, FreeBSD, Novell 4.0, Exchange 5.5, etc.

Among software solutions, I am proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, IE, Outlook Express, Lotus 1-2-3, IBM Notes, etc.

I also have good knowledge of Adobe Photoshop, Corel Draw Pro, Adobe Illustrator, Studio, FileMaker Pro, MySQL, SQL Server, SQL 6.5 & 7.0, Enterprise Manager, EZ-SQL, Net Objects Fusion, Vignette, Broad Vision, etc.

The remaining have been listed in my resume. Please have a look.”

Most freshers might treat this as a challenging question. Remember that it’s 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.

Possible Answer #1:
“Sir/Ma’am, I have all the requisite qualifications and skills. I can do the work that the profile requires me to do.

Besides, I have the capacity to deliver exceptional results. I can blend into mixed cultures and will fit in beautifully, which will make me a great addition to the team.

For a fresher, I have the right amount of exposure into this industry, as I have completed my internship with XYZ company only recently.

Hiring me will be a great value-add to your workforce as the organization will keep on gaining, with me around.”

Sell your interviewer on you and close the deal on your dream job while having a discussion on HR interview questions and answers!

To do so, you need to stay prepared with a summary of the best reasons why they should select you. If you feel you are the winning candidate, you should prove that you are more than qualified. Here’s your best answer.

Possible Answer #2:
“Sir/mam, I have great communication skills, desired experience and the requisite skill set for this job role.

If I get a chance to showcase my abilities, I will leave no stone unturned with my commitment to hard work and dedication.”

This is your chance to repeat your strengths and describe your best-selling points while discussing HR interview questions and answers.

Tweak them to align your answer to the position’s top requirements.

Your answer should be ready in a few bullet points with the optimal combination of your industry experience, your domain expertise, your technical skills and your key accomplishments.

Articulate smartly for a sure shot impact.

Possible Answer #3:
“Sir/Ma’am, I am confident about the fact that my strong technical experience and outstanding knowledge of SKILL1, SKILL2, and SKILL3 make me a strong contender for this position.

I have been in this field for X years. I have got several to pick up skills, for example in my previous organization, I have completed an internal certification on SAP and supply chain management process.

I have successfully executed projects right from inception to delivery.

I must add that today I am sitting here because I strongly believe this is the right place to extend my skills.

This might be excellent for my future and for the growth of this esteemed organization as well.”

Some other variations of this question that are generally asked, are as follows.

Your answer remains the same for the below questions as well (amongst all other HR interview questions and answers), as discussed above. But remember to keep it short and precise.

What makes you the best candidate for this position?
Why do you think you can fit well into the position?
What can you bring to the position and to the organization

Possible Answer #1:
“I make a to-do list with timelines and stick to this until any further revision of schedule is announced. That’s how I manage time.”

Possible Answer #2:
“I decide on the order of my task list and prioritize tasks according to the instructions from my seniors.

I try to deliver urgent tasks first and then the remaining ones.

In case the urgency part is unclear, I prioritize complicated or time taking projects over the simpler and smaller ones.

Throughout the process, I keep adapting and updating my seniors to ensure that I am on track and my efforts are not getting wasted.”

This question is asked exclusively to experienced professionals who have switched jobs more than two times in their entire career. Freshers can skip to the next question.

Possible Answer #1:
“You may label me a ‘frequent career-changer’ but I genuinely feel that today I am a far better employee.

My switches have helped me develop better interpersonal skills, gain diverse skills and adapt to rapidly changing business environments.

I can solve problems more efficiently and creatively, as I have learned to live with ambiguity and uncertainty. My first job helped me develop patience.

My second job helped me master spreadsheets and numbers.

My third job helped me develop better people skills and also adjust amidst culturally diverse and geographically dispersed teams.

All in all, I feel that my varied background makes me an ideal candidate for this job role today.”

Possible Answer #2:
“I never expected to work with so many companies in these few years.

The companies that I worked for were small and one of them was going through a really bad patch.

But honestly, my journey has been a rewarding one. I can now confidently walk into a new situation and successfully figure out ways to make a difference.

This was truly meant to happen and I wouldn’t exchange all the experience I’ve gained from my switches, for anything!

But I am seriously looking forward to not having to do this, any more in the near future.

I want to make a stint that lasts for 5 to 10 years with a reputed organization, such as yours.

This will make my career a stable and a fruitful one in the long run.”

Possible Answer #1:
“I can’t exactly recollect. Since I am hoping to become a software developer, I have to be creative at all times. Writing code not only requires technical expertise and logic but also creativity to a great extent. Only then the solutions developed will be flexible and be accommodating.”

Possible Answer #2:
“Recently, the company that I work for, inaugurated a new store. On the day of the opening, the air conditioning of the outlet failed.

In order to keep all the new customers comfortable, I immediately cracked the idea of organizing a sidewalk open-air sale! It was a life saver as the shop was super-hot inside. This is an example of how resourceful and creative I can be when the situation demands!”

HR interview questions and answers are a way of testing you in and out. The HR interviewer may ask you this question to gauge your self-confidence.

Possible Answer #1:
“I rate my leadership skills an 8 out of 10. There is much to learn, but I have always been a strong leader.

I was the head boy/girl during my school days and in the college, I was a Senior Wing NCC Cadet.

I have completed my C-certificate and have earned lots of badges in several NCC camps.

I have led the Senior Boys/Girls contingent at the Republic Day Camp in 2012 as well.”

Possible Answer #2:
“I am a good leader. That is the reason why today, I manage a 5-member strong team independently in an MNC.

While assigning tasks, I consider people skills often.

If a team member is feeling demotivated, I try my level best to understand them and accordingly control the situation.

Bearing my performance as a Manager over the past few years, I would rate myself an 8.5/10, as there is still a lot of scope to learn and grow.”

Possible Answer #1:
“My salary expectations are in line with the current industry standards, according to my experience and qualifications.”

Possible Answer #2:
“Thank you, Ma’am/Sir, once my responsibilities are clear I can state an exact figure.

Right now, I would like to know what my potential Manager expects from this job position, in your organization.

After this discussion, maybe we can both meet a conclusion about my future remuneration.”

Possible Answer #3:
“Sir/Ma’am, I am sure your company is already paying a specific package to someone in a similar position.

Hence, I would like to know your budget, if you do not mind. Accordingly, I can put forth my expectations.”

Read more answers here.

If you are interested to know your exact in-hand salary, use this free Take Home Salary Calculator here.

You can also read all about your salary and its various components from this blog post.

Wondering if you should negotiate salary? Read how to negotiate salary.

This is rarely asked to professionals during interview discussions pertaining to HR interview questions and answers.

Possible Answer #1:
“At college, we had an 85% attendance adherence rule. I followed this rule all along.

If there are certain policies in the company pertaining to an employee’s attendance, I will surely abide by them.”

Possible Answer #2:
“I value punctuality in my personal life. I am absent from work, it is backed by either a prior notification or a valid reason.

I follow all company rules and HR policies regarding attendance and leave.

I do not encourage habitual evasion of work among my team members as well.

Habitual absentees are warned by me and I also put the work across to requisite authorities in case somebody is overtly disobedient.”