While there are as many different possible Basic HR interview questions as there are interviewers, it always helps to be ready for anything. This is why we’ve taken the time to prepare this list of some basic interview questions.
1. Tell me about yourself
This is one of the first questions you are likely to be asked. Be prepared to talk about yourself, and why you’re an ideal candidate for the position. The interviewer wants to know why you’re an excellent fit for the job.
However, recruitment managers are not looking for your whole life story, your third-grade achievements, or what you had for dinner last night. Instead, they are looking for a pitch.
Use the Present-Past-Future Formula
If it feels daunting to generate an answer from scratch, you can rely on a simple formula to construct your answer. The “present-past-future” formula is a way to share key background points while ending on a high note.
- Begin with a brief overview of where you are now (which could include your current job along with a reference to a personal hobby or passion)
- Reference how you got to where you are (here you could mention education, or an important experience such as a past job, internship, or volunteer experience) and
- Finish by touching on a goal for the future.
What to say:
- Be Honest
- You can talk about your Education
- About your previous Experience
- What motivated you to do that particular job
- Your career Goals and Objectives.
- How you are different from others.
What to avoid:
- Don’t share too much or too little information.
- Avoid potentially contentious subjects such as political or religious leanings.
- Don’t talk about a hobby that might seem to be more important to you than your career.
- Avoid sharing personal information about your family.
- Avoid Controversy
Example:
Possible Answer 1:
“Good morning/afternoon/evening” sir/mam, it’s my pleasure to introduce myself. My name is John. I belong to US. I have done my B.Tech in CSE from Professional University.
Carrying 5 years of experience at IT Companies. In my recent company, I led the development of an award-winning new trading platform. I can survive in a fast-paced environment.
Now I am looking for a chance to apply my technical expertize and my creative problem-solving skills at an innovative software company like yours.
Possible Answer 2:
“Good morning/afternoon/evening” sir/mam,
Hey! So, my name is John and I’ve worked as a business analyst for 5+ years in Company X and Company Y.
I have some background in data analysis, having studied Information Systems at Professional University.
Throughout my career, I’ve done some pretty impressive stuff (if I do say so myself, haha).
For example, at Company X, I led a project for migrating all operations data to a new data warehousing system to cut down on costs. The new solution was a much better fit for our business, which eventually led to savings of up to $200,000 annually.
2. Why are you applying for this job? (or) Why does this role attract you?
Upon first hearing this question (especially if you are unprepared for it), you might think that the hiring manager wants to learn more about what you want in your next job. To some extent, this is true; the employer definitely has to ascertain whether your career goals are aligned with the organization’s needs.
What to say:
- The reason behind your Job Change.
- What do you love in the company you are applying for.
- Your experience and skills
What to avoid:
- Insult about the previous company.
- Insult about the previous staff.
- Salary.
Example:
Possible Answer 1:
I have applied for this vacancy because it is an excellent match for my skills and experience. This role is exactly the sort of role I am currently targeting, and I am confident I will be able to make a major contribution.
Possible Answer 2:
- ‘This opportunity is really exciting for me as I will be able to…’
- ‘My career in a forward-thinking/well-established company/industry as…’
- ‘I feel I will succeed in the role because I have experience in/softs skills that demonstrate/ I’ve taken this course…’
- ‘I believe my skills are well-suited to this job because…”
3. How did you hear about this position?
Although at first glance this might seem like a straightforward question, you should grab any opportunity you can to show your interest in the company.
Even if you haven’t been continuously refreshing the company’s website for job listings, make it seem like you have (in a professional way, of course). Show excitement and curiosity.
If someone inside the company told you about the position or recommended that you apply, definitely make sure to mention that.
What to say:
- You saw an advertisement for a job opening (on LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.)
- A colleague or friend who doesn’t work in the company right now heard they were hiring and suggested you apply.
- You read an article, press release, or other news source saying they were hiring.
What to avoid:
- Don’t say you’re not sure or don’t remember.
- Don’t do anything to make it sound like you are applying for every job you find.
- Do not tell a lie that could get you caught.
Example:
Possible Answer 1:
“I’m actively job searching right now, and found your job posting on LinkedIn while searching for Senior Engineer positions. I reviewed the job description on LinkedIn before applying and it seemed like a great potential fit so I wanted to apply and learn more about the opportunity to see if it’s a good match.”
Possible Answer 2:
“I wasn’t actively looking for a job change, but a colleague mentioned that she saw you were hiring on your website, and said she had heard good things about your work environment. I went to your website and did some reading on the Careers page and liked what I saw, so I decided I should apply and learn more about the opportunity.”
4. What are your biggest strengths?
There are two answers you could go for here: what your actual strengths are, and what you think the hiring manager or HR representative wants to hear. We would most certainly suggest you go with the first answer.
For this question, you would want to narrow your answer down to at most three strengths. Pick 1 or 2 skills that would help you really excel at the job, and 1 or 2 personal (more or less unrelated) skills.
Example of Strengths:
- Enthusiasm.
- Trustworthiness.
- Creativity.
- Discipline.
- Patience.
- Respectfulness.
- Determination.
- Dedication.
- Detail-oriented
- Motivated
What to say:
- Choose One Strength.
- Choose a Strength that Relates to Their Job.
- Explain Why This Strength Will Help You Succeed in Their Job.
- Give some proof of your strength.
What to avoid:
- Don’t say “I’m not sure” or “I don’t know”
- Avoid naming too many strengths
Example:
Possible Answer 1:
“My greatest professional strength is the ability to handle pressure and work under a tight deadline. I think that would help me succeed in this position because of the large number of clients and deadlines I’d be working with here. In my last position, I handled difficult projects on short notice for a number of our top clients like Coca-Cola and Microsoft. I completed 100% of the projects I was assigned and this resulted in us winning $2 million in additional business from these clients.”
Possible Answer 2:
I’m very collaborative and have always preferred to work in groups. In the project teams I’ve directed, members work with a variety of people and are motivated by diverse creative tasks. Since I began managing my current team, I’ve increased productivity by 15 percent and retention by 25 percent over three years.
5. What is your biggest weakness?
Employers may ask what your weaknesses are during an interview to learn if you have the ambition to use your weaknesses as a chance to grow in your career.
Example of Strengths:
- Harsh Self-Criticism
- Lack of Organization
- Overworking
- Fear of Public Speaking
- Shyness
- Asking for help
- Lack of Patience
- Talkative
- Emotional
- Nervousness
What to say:
- Be Honest
What to avoid:
- Don’t lie
- Don’t try to be tricky
- Giving a fake weakness
Example:
Possible Answer 1:
“Well, I think my biggest weakness is giving presentations to large audiences. In a small group meeting I feel okay, but as soon as there is more than 10 people or so, I start to feel nervous. I noticed this even more during the Covid-19 pandemic when 30-50 people would be on a Zoom call and I was asked to speak. Once I identified this fear, I started to look for ways to improve my confidence when speaking to groups. I found that practicing a presentation in front of a mirror helps me to feel more prepared and confident so I started employing this strategy. I’m still working on it, but I feel like I’m improving every day.”
Related Post: Interview Questions
6. Why did you leave your last job?
One of the most common questions you’ll be asked in an interview is “Why did you leave your last job?” or maybe “Why are you looking to leave your current job?” It can be a tricky question to answer. You don’t want to bad-mouth your current or past employer, as that doesn’t always sit well with the hiring manager. If you’re so quick to speak poorly of your past employer, the interviewer may draw the conclusion you might be the problem and will want to get the other side of the story.
What to say:
- New challenges
- New responsibilities
- Try different environment
- I’m passionate about what your company does.
What to avoid:
- Position closer to home.
- Pay increase.
- Don’t blame any from your last job.
Example:
Possible Answer 1:
To be honest, I wasn’t considering a change, but a former colleague recommended this job to me. I looked into the position and was intrigued by the role and by the company. What you’re offering sounds like an exciting opportunity and an ideal match for my qualifications.
Possible Answer 2:
I recently achieved certification and I want to apply my educational background and technical skills in my next position. I couldn’t accomplish this goal in my previous job.
7. How Do You Handle Stress and Pressure?
What do you do when things don’t go smoothly at work? How do you deal with difficult situations? The employer wants to know how you handle workplace stress.
What to say:
- The best way to respond to this question is to share an example of how you have successfully handled stress in a previous position.
- Staying positive.
- Using stress as a motivator.
- Accept what you can’t control.
- Practicing relaxation methods, like yoga or meditation.
- Choosing healthy habits.
What to avoid:
- Avoid claiming that you never, or rarely, experience stress.
- Be careful how you respond. If you say you get stressed when you’re given multiple projects, and you know the job will require you to juggle many assignments at once, you’ll look like you’re not a good fit for the position.
Example:
Possible Answer 1:
I try to react to situations rather than to stress. That way, I can handle the situation without becoming too stressed. For example, when I deal with an unsatisfied customer, rather than focusing on feeling stressed, I focus on the task at hand. I believe my ability to communicate effectively with customers during these moments helps reduce my own stress. I think it also reduces any stress the customer may feel.
8. Why should we hire you?
Job interviews can be daunting. You will find yourself sitting in a room with the hiring manager, having to answer tough questions about your experience and qualifications for the position you are seeking with the company.
Throughout the interview, it’s important to deliver specific examples as often as you can. The more concrete examples you can give, the better you will be able to showcase your value to the hiring manager.
What to say:
- Confidence
- Show you’ve researched the job and know what it involves
- Show them you’re interested in this type of work
- Be as specific as possible
What to avoid:
- Don’t say “I don’t know, you decide who to hire.”
- Avoid Naming too many reasons
Example:
Possible Answer 1:
I’m glad you asked. With over 15 years of leadership experience in the agency world, I will bring my creative, motivational and strategic marketing skills to the client side with your company. While I don’t have direct experience working in a corporate environment, I have delivered results above and beyond the ask from my clients in the agency where I’ve been a key stakeholder for over 20 years.
Possible Answer 2:
“Yes, I’ve led people for the past three years. I started with two direct reports and then hired an additional three people to grow my team to five total. I did their performance reviews, training, and more, and it’s an area I enjoy a lot and am targeting in my next position. That’s one reason I applied for this job; I saw this Manager role has the opportunity to build and grow a team.”
9. What is more important to you: the money or the work?
This is a very tricky question. Work should always be more important than money. This frame of mind is good for you(at least at the time of the interview).
Example:
Possible Answer 1:
“Money is always important, but the work is most important for me.”
Possible Answer 2:
“I think money probably matters to me about as much as it does to anyone. It’s vital and necessary for us to live and prosper but, at the same time, it’s not my single most important driving force. I believe that money is rewarded for work.”
10. What are your salary expectations?
Don’t ask about your salary in exact numbers, instead of this shows your commitment to the job itself.
Possible Answer 1
I am more interested in the role than the pay, and I expect to be paid appropriate money for this role based on my experience. As you also know that the high cost of living here in Delhi.
Possible Answer 2
As I am fresher, Salary is not an issue for me. Learning and gaining experience is my major priority. As your company is one of the most reputed company, I just accept the salary offered by you is the best in the industry.
11. What Are Goals for the Future?
This question is designed to find out if you’re going to stick around or move on as soon as you find a better opportunity. Keep your answer focused on the job and the company, and reiterate to the interviewer that the position aligns with your long-term goals.
What to say:
- Career Goals
- Your Dreams
- Answer must be related to the position you are applying for.
- Talk about Company growth.
What to avoid:
- Don’t say I will be in your Position.
- Don’t say like I will be the CEO of this company.
Example:
Possible Answer 1:
My current short-term goal is to develop and use my marketing and communications skills in a job like this one. However, I eventually want to develop into a position that allows me to continue to use these skills while also managing a marketing group. I will prepare for this goal by taking on leadership positions in team projects, and by developing my professional career through attending leadership conferences such as the one put on annually by your company.
Possible Answer 2:
In the short term, I hope to work as a sales representative for a company such as yours—one with a mission-based on excellent customer service and care. Working as a sales representative for a company I believe in will prepare me to take on expanded team leadership responsibilities in the future, as those become available.
12. Where do you see yourself in five years?
Most professionals will get the question ‘where do you see yourself in five years?’ in an interview at least once during their careers. Employers frequently ask this question as a way to gain a better understanding of your future goals and how those goals align with the position you’re applying for. While you may not know exactly where you want to be in the next few years, being prepared to answer this question will set you up for success and help support an overall productive interview.
What to say:
- Get clear about your career goals.
- Find connections between your goals and the job description.
- Ask yourself if the company can prepare you for your career goals.
What to avoid:
- Avoid saying “I don’t know”
- Don’t alert the interviewer to the fact that you have long-term goals to work somewhere else
Example:
Possible Answer 1:
‘In five years, my goal is to successfully obtain two certificates that are related to my position. I took some time to review your website before this interview, and I noticed that you offer your employees education advancement opportunities that include pursuing certifications to further their careers. Using the resources your company provides its employees, I truly believe that I can pursue my career goals and eventually move into a management position within your organization over the next few years.’
13. Assume you are hired, then how long would you expect to work for us?
Possible Answer 1
“I will do my best for the growth of your company as long as I have the career growth, job satisfaction, respect and a healthy environment, then I don’t need to change my company.”
Possible Answer 2
“I will work with the company as long as my presence benefits the company and I get ample opportunity to grow and develop both professionally and monetarily.”
14. What is your objective in life?
Your answer should be realistic and practical.
Possible Answer 1
“My short-term goal is to work in a reputed organization like yours where I can enhance my technical skills and knowledge.
My long-term goal is to see the company at a topmost position where I am one of the people responsible for that.”
Possible Answer 2
“My goal is to become a successful person and make my family proud of me.”
15. What are your hobbies?
It totally depends on you what you like and what hobbies do you have but always justify your answer.
For Example:
My hobbies are dancing, Internet surfing, playing Chess, listening to music, watching the news channel. In my spare time, I like to read news on my phone and traveling to my hometown. Thank you for giving this opportunity to introduce myself.
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