14 Common HR Interview Questions And How To Answer Them

Interviews are the essential aspect of getting a job and getting a good job means successfully cracking an interview with confidence and finesse. In this article we shall focus on the basic questions that HR generally asks and how to tackle them.

1) Tell me about yourself / Introduce yourself / Run me through your profile.

This is a very basic question so we should keep it short, simple and precise. Begin with your name, qualification and work experience (if any). Try to speak about any of your major accomplishments and avoid going into anything deeply personal. Don't repeat everything exactly from the CV. Eg. Hello, my name is ABC, and I have done bachelor's in electronics and communication engineering from DCE University. I have 2years of experience in XYZ company as Head project engineer and we have successfully completed the testing of the 5G network. I look forward to the new opportunities and challenges.

2) Why do you want to work for this company?

Possessing knowledge about the company and its products or services helps you prepare well for this question. Before the interview, we should always do a thorough research of the company which will enable us to answer it more relevantly. This shows that you know and have faith in the company and you understand its business. Eg. I would be proud to work for a company like yours with such a humongous reputation of leadership in the industry. I believe that the company’s values and its future are very impressive and promising. The XXX team is the team I would take pride in working with. A place where my skills or background fits perfectly and can be utilized, so that I can be an important asset to the company and simultaneously help myself in career growth.

3) Are you willing to travel?

The answer to this question is usually yes because if you're living and working in a city, travelling shouldn't be a concern. Public transportation can most definitely be helpful . In very rare scenarios where the job is actually very far and the commute is not possible at all then we can request for a closer location.

4) What would you consider your greatest strengths & weaknesses?

This is by far one of the questions where you have to be quick on your feet like a cat. You have to talk about the strengths but in the weaknesses you disguise your strengths in such a way that adds to your value and they both should not contradict each other. Eg. My strengths are that I am hardworking, honest and persistent. But my weaknesses are that I am too honest at times and I tend to get involved in my work and do not know when to take a break.

5) Tell me about a time when you made a mistake, and share the steps you took to remedy it.

Interviewers want to understand how you handle personal failure and move forward to overcome it, as well as your problem solving process. Choose a time when you were able to successfully correct a mistake using many of the skills you’ll need to perform the job you’re interviewing for.

6) Why should we hire you?

This is your opportunity to really make yourself stand out from the other candidates. Use your company knowledge and the job description to detail how your skills, experience and personality are the perfect match and how the company can benefit from hiring you. Proving you're a valuable asset to the company is the task.

7) What is your desired salary range?

Answer to this question is a bit tricky one. Before going for an interview, make sure you check out websites such as Glassdoor and Payscale. You can find out what the current salaries are for a particular job role and have a rough idea about the number.

8) What is your ideal work environment?

Describe a work environment which promotes you as well as others to work at the best potential. It can differ from person to person but make sure it is ethically and legally acceptable. Mention how you would like your superiors to ideally behave and motivate you and what do you expect of your colleagues.

9) How well do you work under pressure?

Regardless of the job, there will come a time when you’re faced with a high-pressure situation. Tell interviewers about a time when you’ve faced a tight deadline or a major change that required you to remain poised and productive.

10) What are your hobbies outside of work?

Your hobbies and interests decide a major part of your personality. Having hobbies which add to your credibility always is a boon. Eg. Reading books, sports(team sports mainly), yoga, etc . Such additional qualities prove that you're active and knowledgeable as well.

11) Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

This is one of the favorites of most of the interviewers. They measure your aim and ambition. Your answer should always be positively strong and realistic. A promotion or a superior designation after 5years , in the same field and hierarchy is expected. Make sure you plan out the answer accordingly.

12) Why are you leaving your current position?

If you're working or looking for a better opportunity due whatever reason(it should not be ethically and morally questionable), then you have to answer constructively. Eg. I am looking for a challenging environment. I did enjoy working at my previous organization but I knew in my heart that I wanted to work in a more challenging and rewarding organization such as yours.

13) Tell me about a challenging situation and how you overcame it.

This is a question that everyone should expect in all the general personal interviews. Our personal experiences define our characteristics which can add to your credibility. Finding the right experience and showing the key features such as problem solving, creative thinking, risk management, etc will help a lot.

14) What do you consider to be your biggest failure?

Your failures teach you more than your success stories will ever do. It shows how you dealt with it, the remedies you took to fix the problem and the effort to see it through. This question looks out for your fighting spirit, your grit and perseverance. Be prepared with an example of your life that will express your hardwork.