What happens in a HR interview?

One of the most inevitable interview rounds is that of the HR of your prospective employer. Many candidates just walk into the room without knowing how to prepare for this interaction. This article may help you get some idea of what happens in a HR interview.

Why an HR round is needed?

The only reason we (HR) do an HR round is to assess fitment. Whether you will fit into our culture, value system, working ethos etc.

Hence, most commonly these are the questions we ask:

• Why do you want to join us?
• Why do you want to leave your current employer?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• What is one big achievement of your professional life?
• How is a typical work day like?
• How do you mostly spend your weekends?
• What are your hobbies?
• What are your short term/long term career and personal goals?
• Have you understood the job description? What is it that excites you about this role?
• What part of the role you are not very confident of delivering?

Through your answers, we get inputs on your behaviours and personality.

• What is your working style like?
• How do you manage your work/tasks: planning/delegation/organizing skills?
• How is your attitude towards work- do you enjoy what you do?
• What motivates you in life? What gives you peace/satisfaction/happiness in life?
• What kind of person are you: solution oriented, problem finder, creative, social etc.?

Now, the biggest thing with this is, you do not know what kind of a person the employer needs. Should you come across as the most cool dude or as a simpleton. Should you flaunt your skills or should you be diplomatic in answers?

You would get selected if your answers are aligned to what the employer is seeking. There are no right or wrong answers, and it is a fact. What doesn’t work with one employer, may work with the other. If you do not know what the requirement is, then don’t shoot in the dark. Be honest and real. It is good for you in the long run.

What do we do in the HR round?

While asking you questions and hearing your answers, we also observe things about you.

Choice of words: How you are answering (language/choice of words) is equally important as what you are answering (content). Using exterme words like hate or love depict your strong alienation to a certain issue, which gives you points if an employer is needing someone with a black & white approach. Using diplomatic words in your statements could project you as a “grey” person, which could work well if the employer is seeking people like this.

Personal choices v/s employer choices: Basis your answers, we understand what kind of personal choices you have. If thats the same choices we provide to our employees internally, then it’s a win-win for both of us. We both like working as per the defined guidelines; we both like doing different things; we both like to have a good balance of professional and personal commitments; we both like to finish work and think of personal life only on holidays etc.

Body Language: This old rule still applies and would continue to for a long time. We recently had an amazing CV we shortlisted for a role. We were sure the position is getting closed with this candidate. When we met the candidates, he was fumbling in answers, kept looking on his phone when asked a question, avoided eye contact throughout the interview, and took a 10 minute loo break in between the interview. The person really had a self-confidence issue.

So what should you answer?

Be real in your answers. Let your true self come out in these rounds. If you don’t get shortlisted for a role, thank your stars. Because, through a process, the employer told you that the company is not a good fit for the kind of person you are. You are saved of torturous times ahead of adjusting to a culture which doesn’t match your definition.

Stay tuned to know how you can increase your chances of clearing the HR round. You could subscribe to storysideup so that you keep getting updates on the posts of this page.