Most frequently asked HR interview questions and answers.

Tell me something about yourself in brief

This is one of the most frequently asked questions during an HR round interview.

Your answer has to be short, crisp and to the point. Here are some possible high-impact answers to help you leave a great impression.

Here are some possible high-impact answers to help you leave a great impression.

Possible Answer #1:

“Thank you, Sir/Ma’am for this opportunity. I am from XYZ City and belong to a nuclear family.
My father is a Central Government Employee and my mother is a Vice Principal at a private school.
My younger sister will appear her CBSE 10 board this year.
We are a very close-knit family. On an individual front, I perceive myself as a confident, conscientious and hardworking individual.
I carry out any task assigned to me without hesitation, provided the instructions are clear. In the case of doubts, I never hesitate to put forth my questions.
I have always been a fast learner, and I love to keep up my process of learning to figure out better ways of solving problems.
Moreover, I love to compete with my own past performances than competing with my peers, as I believe that improvement is always better than perfection!”

Don’t make the mistake of sharing too much personal information in any of your HR interview questions and answers round.

You will not be left with enough time to sell your experience and relevant technical skills.

Possible Answer #2:

“Well, I am a confident, hardworking and a very professional individual.
I have always carried out all the tasks assigned to me without hesitation, provided the instructions from my Reporting Managers or seniors were clear.
I have also been a good mentor to my juniors and never hesitate to guide them.
On the other hand, I am a creative person and I love to test my boundaries.
In order to do so, I keep pushing myself to think out of the box!”

This is another version of frequently asked HR Interview questions and answers, for the same question.

Possible Answer #3:

“I’m a management consultant with 12 years’ of experience that I have gained across multiple industries and sectors such as financial services, IT, Telecom, retail, and media.
In my current job role, I am responsible for business development activities.
In the last financial year alone, I sold projects totaling INR 40,00,000 to clients.
On a daily basis, I handle a 10-member strong team of consultants and junior consultants.
Besides being a management consultant, I am a fair and independent individual.
I try not to be judgmental and always absorb constructive criticism, listen to my boss' inputs, my client's complaints as well as address my team members' issues, to my best possible abilities.”

Read more answers here.

Also read: Self-introduction for interview

Describe who you are or Tell me about your background

In a job interview, you can be asked to describe who you are, Describe yourself in one word or Describe yourself in 3 words, but all such questions essentially mean that you talk about your skills and qualities.

In an HR round, you will surely face this question among all other HR interview questions and answers asked to you, and I am sure you treat it as the easiest of all questions.

Well, it’s not!

Never underestimate the possibility of scoring better points with a crisp answer, if you feel confident.

It can become a fate-changer for applicants having fewer than 5 years of total job experience.

If your degree is obviously related to the job you’re interviewing for, you can give this answer.

Possible Answer #1:

“I am a B. Tech in Computer Science/B. Com in Economics. I also have an MBA or I have completed a certification course in Digital Marketing from ABC Academy.
What else would you like to know?”

In case your degree is not as relevant as it should have been, but you feel that you have the potential to shine through, you can give this answer.

This is a useful tip for HR interview questions and answers.

Possible Answer #2:

“I have worked on an independent project work with 2 other students on Soft Skills.
I have also participated in several paper presentations on Business Communication.”

Do not forget to talk about your major subject in your UG/PG at the University and also about subjects/papers, that are relevant to the job, that you have applied for.

Possible Answer #3:

“I have scored an A in Professional and Technical Written Communication in English, in my first semester. Here’s my marksheet.”

Here you will expect a new HR interview question, and the answer to this one will be more relevant to your education.

In case there is an odd pause, start talking about cocurricular activities that you are good at.

For example, you can say this.

Possible Answer #4:

“I am a music enthusiast and a beginner level guitarist. I love to jam with my 4-member band every weekend at my place.”

Such an answer will add a light mood to the interview and make things more positive.

Professionals can also cite the above answer and highlight certain awards and accolades which they have earned during their school/college or university years.

Possible Answer #5:

“I was a good orator and always stood first in debate and elocution competitions during my school and college days.”

Read more answers here.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

This is a very common question asked by HR personnel to candidates.

Remember that interviewers these days hardly ever get impressed by flowery responses.

So be careful while tackling this one.

Possible Answer #1:

“I have several strengths namely – I am patient, committed, honest and self-motivated.
I am the biggest dreamer I have ever come across! I forgive easily and hate to keep grudges in my heart.
My greatest weakness is that I don't like getting interrupted when I am seriously into something.
Another one of my weaknesses is that I trust people very easily.
As I already said, I am a very patient person, so I am actively working on this lacuna.”

Possible Answer #2:

“I am impatient which is the reason why I am a quick learner.
But I honestly believe that being impatient is a real weakness.
I expect my team members to prove themselves and start delivering on the very first assignment.
In case a particular resource fails, I have a tendency to stop delegating work to them and pick up projects on my own.
I am working on this attitude and in my previous organizations, my peers helped me cope up with this to a great extent.
To compensate for my own weakness, I prep my people about my exact expectations.
Then I give them a complete scope of the assignment followed by various “checkpoint” dates, where they can update me about their progress, with a demo/presentation if applicable.
In my previous job as a Project Manager, I was handling a 15-member team of both individual contributors and business managers like lawyers, Web Designers, Graphic Designers, SEO/SEM Consultants, Editors, Writers and Callers.
I used to break the entire task down into manageable chunks for each employee, followed by stringent timelines about when they would circle back to me.
This process worked brilliantly, helped me stay within the assigned budget and helped everyone achieve their individual targets, as they learnt.”

Tip: In your HR interview questions and answers round, avoid confusing answers such as this one. It might spark a war of words. Instead of this, you need to highlight a skill-set which you feel has scope for improvement. Remember to summarize what you have been doing to improve the same. The takeaway here is that your HR round interviewer is not interested to know about your weakness. Rather s/he is interested to see how well you handle the situation!

Possible Answer #3:

“I am a perfectionist and that is my main weakness, which I also think is my strength.”

Read more answers here.

You have not done your PG yet. This is not a drawback, but don’t you think you should get a PG degree asap?

Other variations of this question are as follows:

Do you want to complete your Masters/Post Graduation in near future?
Do you aspire to pursue higher studies?

Don’t fall into the interviewer’s trap. This question is shot at you to check your confidence level.

So, do not feel unarmed or look surprised. Keep your calm and answer smartly with a strong and indestructible logic.

Possible Answer #1:

“As soon as I graduated, I felt the urge to start working in the real world. It’s not that I am a total novice.
I have undergone 3 internships, of which 2 are paid from reputed organizations.
This credential has helped me land an offer from one of those firms.
I sometimes wonder whether I should have first completed my post-graduation.
Had I done so, I wouldn’t have been able to develop my complete portfolio.
And I am hoping that my track record will help me get selected for this position in your esteemed organization.”

Possible Answer #2:

“Having a PG degree is important, but I don’t think it is mandatory.
Most job seekers out there have similar degrees. In order to differentiate, a PG degree from a reputed university along with the total experience can obviously help me stand out.
I am aware of this and as soon as I get a call from any university about an executive program with weekend classes, I will surely enroll for the same.
As of now, I have a lot of responsibilities back home, which is why I don’t think it will be wise on my part to enroll myself into a full-time PG program.”

You have changed jobs/jumped ship too many times already, why so?

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.”

Read more answers here.

What are your strong points? or What are your strengths?

Don’t just talk about your strengths, your interviewer genuinely wants to know about your strong points.

Possible Answer #1:

“I am passionate towards my work and also a good listener, which means, I take my instructions seriously.
I am not a person who leaves things midway. I never lose focus, even if I am under stress or have stringent deadlines to meet.
I like to finish every single task on my to-do list completely.
Optimism, energy and my ability to learn quickly let me hit the ground and rapidly solve problems.
I also have good communication skills which means I can deal fairly well with my business clients as well as with the members of my internal team, in the future.
Based on my skills, abilities, and experience, I know I would be a great addition to the team.”

Possible Answer #2:

“I have the requisite skills to make your risk worth it. Chatting less and letting my work do the talking, is my motto.
In the past, whatever project was assigned to me was delivered on time and also at par with all the quality standards.”

Possible Answer #3:

“I’ve been told that I’m a very good manager.
My team tells me that I give them a lot of freedom in how to do their work, which they really appreciate.
They also say that I’m really enthusiastic, so when we’re faced with too much work, they tell me that my manner really helps to keep them motivated and calm.
My boss also tells me that I’m very innovative in terms of finding new ways of working that cut out inefficiency.”

What is your greatest fear?

Remember that this is a stress test question.

Don’t simply talk about your weaknesses, your interviewer genuinely wants you to talk about your loopholes!

Try to resist the urge to give him/her more points to reject you. Answer diplomatically.

Possible Answer #1:

“You might think that since I have never worked in my life, and this is only my first job, my inexperience is my weakness.
But I beg to differ. I am a fast learner and very open minded.
I assure that I do not carry any pre-conceived notions regarding how I feel I should perform my job.”

Possible Answer #2:

“I work too hard sometimes and care too much about my work. I take my tasks back home and work even during the weekends.
You can call me a workaholic, but my family always points out that this is not right.
Slowly and steadily I am realizing that speed and working smartly are the key.
So, I have begun to reach out to my colleagues for ready-to-use workarounds so that I can give more time to my family.”

If I call up your current or previous reporting manager now, what will be their opinion about you? What will they say that you need to work on?

Freshers with no internship experience can move on to the next question to prepare for HR interview questions and answers.

Possible Answer #1:

“I used to get nervous while speaking in front of large groups. You can say that I had stage-fear, and I believe that I still do.
This is partly because I am shy by nature. No wonder that I have been always assigned Individual Contributor roles.
My current manager might cite this as one of my weaknesses, and he has actually helped me to overcome my shyness.
Thanks to him, today I am an active member of Toastmasters International and my journey with them has been great so far!
I am working to improve my public speaking, and leadership skills and I am sure my future employer will witness a blatant change in me.”

Possible Answer #2:

“Interesting. During my last performance review, my boss did not list any areas of improvement and gave me an outstanding rating.
However, if I were to think of one, I would guess that I need to speak up more during meetings.
I always have good ideas and contribute my thoughts to my current project.
But I discuss these ideas with my boss and let him do all the talking during meetings.
I should work on speaking up more during brainstorming sessions.”

Do you have any serious medical issues?

Note: Please make sure that you talk about relevant health conditions, wherever needed while having a discussion during your HR interview questions and answers round.

A “serious health condition” generally includes pregnancy or any chronic disease such as epilepsy and cancer.

If you do not have any of the above, do not give out too many details about your illness.

For example, if you are suffering from cold flu, say so.

Do not exaggerate the situation as it might create a negative impression wherein your HR will start to anticipate your absence in the near future.

If you do so, you might bid goodbye to goodies such as travel opportunities, promotions, hikes and even ripe leadership positions.

It is permissible for your future employer to question you. Some might ask you to get a complete medical check-up done and submit the report during joining.

While giving out the answer, be brief and summarize the health condition in a few short sentences.

Possible Answer #1:

“I am partially color blind. Sometimes I face difficulty in distinguishing between colors.
For example, I cannot see shades or tones of the same color.
But for your information, no adjustments would be required on your part to accommodate this minor disability.
As you can see from my resume, it does not have any impact on my ability to get the job done.”

Possible Answer #2:

“I do not have severe health issues, but I do have a migraine issue.
I have never disclosed my condition on a job interview before or on a pre-employment health questionnaire, as I was afraid that it might jeopardize my career.
But I am undergoing both acute (abortive) and preventive (prophylactic) therapies and most of my colleagues know about it.
The situation is completely under control and I have been almost cured.”

Possible Answer #3:

“I do not have any serious medical issues.”

Did you ever have a conflict with your current/previous boss or professor?

Possible Answer #1:

“Recently I had a disagreement with one of my professors about a question that was out of syllabus in one of the semester exams.
It was not a major one, but yes I will label it a ‘conflict’.
Most of my friends and peers did not attempt this question due to ambiguity.
When I brought the cause into my professor’s notice in private, he remained cold and unconcerned.
So, I and my batchmates had a discussion following which, we went to him together.
At that point, our professor agreed that the question was ambiguous, but he refused to give us grace marks for the same.
I felt disappointed because he did not appreciate the fact that I brought the situation earlier, into his notice in private.
Besides, he did not suggest an alternative paper or project work, with which students could make up for the lost marks.”

Possible Answer #2:

“I was managing the creation of our new company presentation, flyers, standees, brochure, and emailers.
My team had to meet a very tight deadline because everything had to be delivered on time.
I was in charge of the deliverables and had to manage all my team members which included marketing, sales, graphic design, events and product management.
My designer was very talented, but he, unfortunately, missed a deadline.
When I approached him about the same, he started bad-mouthing me.
I was taken aback but explained my reasoning again.
Eventually, we decided to speak to our AVP about how important and time-consuming this project was.
The AVP agreed and ended up assigning other designing projects to another graphic designer.
This took pressure off my team and then we focused on our priority.
Later my designer apologized for the blow-up and his behavior. He also thanked me for my help.”

What do your friends/co-workers say about you?

Possible Answer #1:

“I recently completed my internship at Tata Steel Ltd., Tata Center, Kolkata.
My project lead told me that in the beginning, I was a little lost, but by the end of the summer internship program, she knew that she could count on me.”

Possible Answer #2:

“Since I like to build strong professional relationships with my teammates, most of them have become great friends.
We have been spending eight hours a day, five days a week for several years now.
So, I am sure that whatever they say, will be realistic and not made up.
One thing that they will surely mention about me is my love for food! The rest is up to you to find out.”

What did you do in the last year to improve your knowledge?

Possible Answer #1:

“In 2016, I was in the final year of college. During that time, I did three things to improve my knowledge.
I got myself enrolled in Aptech for the Sun Certified Java Programmer course. I will appear my exam soon.
I have bought magazine subscriptions such as Dataquest. These magazines help me to stay well informed about new topics in the IT world.
I completed my final year application project based on Java. The topic was Centralized Remote Based College Information Scheme.”

Possible Answer #2:

“Being an L3 or senior level Windows/Linux Administrator I have mastered my virtualization experience on VMware, KVM, Xen, Hyper-V etc.
I made sure to understand storage and networking better last year.
I picked up PERL scripting last month and plan to pick up Ruby and Python in the next 3 months.
I am also a beginner level programmer as I learnt C++.
I mastered Chef on job and have deployed Amazon AWS to understand cloud better.
I also earned my Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) license and I am targeting RHCA by the end of 2017.”

Note: Remember, certification is the key to land a job in an IT firm. So, get certified asap in your core skills.

Explain the difference between group and team. Are you a team player?

Possible Answer #1:

“Yes I am. During my summer internship at Cadence, me and my friends were working together.
Ours was a mixed group with varied skills and we produced results which would have been impossible to produce individually.
I had to keep all my communication channels open at all times to ensure that the project stayed on track.
I was responsible for my part of the code and also for the collective delivery of the entire project.
I worked closely with senior key team members to keep my deliverables on track.
In the end, I was able to deliver on time and within budget.”

Possible Answer #2:

“Yes, I am. Though I am currently in an IC (individual contributor) role, I like working with others as personally, I am social and outgoing.
I like to nurture and build team spirit. At least once a month we go for team lunch or host team parties and generally, I am in charge of the fiancés from the pool fund.
In case there is no budget left in some month, I ensure a potluck lunch.
Being a senior in the team, I keep my eyes and ears open to understand the needs of all the others, especially my juniors and freshers.
We help each other focus on what really matters, instead of getting bogged down with irrelevant pressure.
My strong communication skills help me coordinate between different team members and resolve further issues.”

Read more answers here.

What is your ideal company or workplace?

Possible Answer #1:

“My ideal workplace or company is a fair one that values my contributions even as a fresher and encourages me to speak up and share my ideas.
It is a place where I can be myself, while working towards a greater goal.”

Possible Answer #2:

“My ideal company is the one which can bring forth exciting challenges. Such opportunities will bring out the best in me as I can use my interests and experiences to grow.
I like my present workplace as it offers all this along with a clean and professional work atmosphere, and more.
But I am looking forward to a company that is actively involved in social welfare, and your organization does exactly that.”

Have you ever had to fire anyone? How did you feel about that?

This question is not applicable to first-time job seekers who are about to face a round of HR interview questions and answers.

You can skip to the next question if you are a fresher.

Mostly manager and above level interview candidates are asked this question.

Possible Answer:

“Yes, I have and believe me it feels horrible. But I know how to keep emotions at bay, while I am at work.
Firing comes at the very end of road with me.
When I set up a team, I do so very carefully after considering the past feedback and history of every single team member.
But it is not always possible to choose your team.
Sometimes, you have to work with a few rotten potatoes and it is essential to remove them from the basket, to save the rest.
I have a tendency to spot poor performers within two to three months of them or me joining a new team.
Last time I spotted one, I consulted my peers and other team members.
Then, I had to set up a one-on-one meeting with the person and gave him several warnings, both written and verbal, over a 30-day period.
I helped him prepare a list of work and behavioral goals, that I decided upon after consulting the rest of the team.
Eventually I had to fire that person because he showed zero signs of improvement, drive and motivation.
That firing was for a cause and I had no other resort left in my rule book.”

What is the most difficult thing that you’ve ever accomplished? or What is the most difficult thing you have ever done?

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.”

What is the difference between hard work and smart work?

Possible Answer #1:

“Hard work is what every breadwinner does today, including a rickshaw puller or a daily wager.
Smart work is what the educated masses like us are supposed to do, and some of us are actually doing it, like my father.
A well-balanced combination of both hard work and smart work is the secret formula to success.
I have friends who study all through the year and yet have 10 back papers to clear.
They do not have any interview calls in their kitty, and what do you think is the reason behind this?
It is their lack of understanding about smart work.
All year through, they were only working hard, but not smartly.
They did not prioritize their goals properly.
Again, there’s me, I do not have any back papers and have a decent CGPA. I am also attending this interview today.
Whatever might be the outcome, I feel I have prioritized my goals correctly and have worked both hard and smart.
That is the difference between hard work and smart work.”

Possible Answer #2:

“Hard work is delivering work on time with more effort and smart work is delivering work on time, with lesser effort.
I feel that is the basic difference.
Most of the times, in the corporate world, I feel a combination of both is needed to attain excellence.”

Read more answers here.

How do you feel about working weekends and night shifts?

Possible Answer #1:

“I am a fresher and I hardly have any exposure of the corporate world.
Back in college, weekends were no different from weekdays for us.
The assignments, tasks and projects had to be submitted within deadlines, and to do so, we would study during the weekdays.
As far as night shifts are concerned, I would like to say that I am a nocturnal person and I like to do my studies generally at night.
I have no issues working during weekends and at night, provided I get enough compensatory offs to relax and wind down.”

Possible Answer #2:

“Sir, my body clock has got tuned into regular weekday shifts from 9 to 6.
I am not comfortable working nights and weekends on a regular basis, unless there is some urgent deliverable or a resource crunch in the team, I will surely pitch in.
But working odd shifts is not good for the mental and physical health of employees and I hope you understand the same.
Yet, if the company needs my presence mandatorily at night or during the weekend for continued growth and success, I will definitely work for it.”

Where do you see yourself 3 years from now? or Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Possible Answer #1:

“My current goal is to find a career spot that ensures continued growth alongside new challenges daily.
3 years from now, I see myself as an experienced and reliable senior in the team and 5 years from now, I assume that I will be ready to take up managerial responsibilities like product strategy.
I want to have a stable career in a single organization and hope I will get the same wherever I start.”

Possible Answer #2:

“I see myself working for a reputed organization, at a strategic position with budgeting power, good remuneration, and minimal interference.”

Read more answers here.

Give an example of a time you had to respond to an unhappy manager/ customer/ colleague/ professor/ friend.

Possible Answer #1:

“Personally, I am not too fond of conflicts. I don’t like it when people are mean, so I try to avoid conflicts and tongue-lashing as far as possible.
In case such a situation arises, I let my seniors or professors handle it.
I cannot recollect the exact situation right now, but that’s what I have done in the past.”

Possible Answer #2:

“In my previous job, a client was yelling on the phone. I understand that his reaction was completely out of frustration.
So instead of taking it personally, I tried to calm him done, and ensured that his concern was well heard. How did I do it?
Well, I listened to him carefully and apologized once he finished. It ended up being a win-win situation for everyone.”

How quickly do you adapt to new technology?

Possible Answer #1:

“I can adapt quickly to new circumstances.
Since I am clear about my job role and I am mentally prepared to take up challenges, I feel I have the capacity to learn fast and apply my new knowledge.
During my student life, I had to clear new papers and projects in every semester and thoroughly enjoyed doing it.
Similarly, I will enjoy picking up new technologies in my professional life as well.”

Possible Answer #2:

“Being a Bigdata Engineer working on game analytics engine, which is in itself a completely new field, I have a great track record of adapting to new technologies.
I have picked up and implemented restful cloud application which can extract data from MongoDB or Aerospike and processes this data in Spark.
The application I built takes SQL query inputs to process and generate output in a JSON, PSV, TDE format Same is published on a tableau server and further uploaded into the AWS S3 buckets.
In order to build this API, I mastered Java/Scala Drop wizard, Spark, MongoDB, Aerospike, SQL, Tableau SDK, YAML, Maven, and SBT in just 1 year.
Whatever may be the case, the core requirements of my job role are constant. I AM a Hadoop/Spark Engineer.
Yes, it does take me some time to forge positive working relationships with new colleagues, but when it comes to technology, I am always the front runner.”

Also read: 12 Technical Skills in demand

What software packages are you familiar with?

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.”

On a scale of 1 to 10 how would you rate yourself as a leader?

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.”

What makes you angry?

Possible Answer #1:

“I get angry when I get falsely accused of something that I did not do.
Lack of order and discipline also irritates me, but 4 years of hostel life have taught me to cope and adjust with other people.”

Possible Answer #2:

“In a team, there are times when I and some of my peers work hard to achieve a goal, while there are some people who leave their modules incomplete or quit mid-way.
At such a juncture, this load also gets assigned to us, the hardworking lot.
I don’t mind helping my peers out, but when an extra load of work gets assigned to me in the 11th hour, I get irritated.
Sometimes, when I know that I cannot do justice to this new module, I politely refuse to take it up.”

Are you open to take risks? or Do you like experimenting?

Possible Answer #1:

“It is always good to venture into new waters and new technologies.
I am a very adaptive person and my diligence helps me pick up new stuff quickly.
Experimenting or taking risks can yield both good and bad results, but the exercise in itself is a great learning experience.
Such experiences generate experts and I want to become an SME or a JAVA subject matter expert someday.”

Possible Answer #2:

“This is a good question and a complex one. My answer would be both a No and a Yes.
Personally, I like to experiment with new things, but I keep all my past mistakes in mind before taking a shot at a brand-new project.
For example, carpentry is my hobby and I love to build small furniture pieces with my new toolkit, which was a gift from my brother.
But I will never venture into a complete home renovation project with that little kit!
What I mean to say is that baby steps are fine, but I will not jump off a cliff at once.”

What are your future goals? Tell me about your short term and long-term goals.

Possible Answer #1:

“My short-term goal is to join a reputed company, like yours, where my job role would allow me to apply my knowledge and key strengths.
I want to get recognized for my contribution to the company in the long-run.”

Possible Answer #2:

“I’ve picked up Marketing Automation basics during my first job, which lasted for two years.
Now I am prepared to take up a bigger and more challenging project.
I want to see myself as a marketing analyst in the next two years, that would be my short-term goal.
Following which, I would see myself as an end-to-end Digital Marketing Strategist or a Manager in the long run.”

What motivates you?

Possible Answer #1:

“I love public speaking.
Preparing a presentation and talking about it in front of an audience, and then getting back to them with answers in the question and answer round, motivates me!
The whole experience is so thrilling.
As a Sales Rep, I think building a connection with my audience is useful, inspiring and exciting.”

Possible Answer #2:

“Meeting the set target within an assigned deadline motivates me the most.
When I do so, I get a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment.
When this is coupled with an award, I feel all the more motivated.
All in all, I like to achieve milestones, so that I can look back at them and say to myself, ‘Yes, that was my achievement.’ Visible results also motivate me.”

What are your hobbies? or What are you passionate about?

You can talk about your own passion here. This is a commonly asked question in all ‘HR interview questions and answers’ lists.

Possible Answer #1:

“I am passionate about painting. I have been a painter all along, ever since my childhood.
Even today, I take advanced art classes during the weekends.
The whole exercise of beautifying a blank canvas with colors relaxes me. It is my way of unwinding.”

Possible Answer #2:

“I’m passionate about cooking. I love to stir up a new dish or experiment with a new recipe every now and then.
Every weekend, my friends come over to my place to try out a new dish.
I maintain a journal where I jot down all my kitchen quests.
I might publish it as a guide for home cooks, but that will have to wait until I develop and write down at least a 1000 final recipes.”

What are your biggest achievements till date?

Possible Answer #1:

“Becoming the Champion with 4 first prizes at the 25th Zonal Sports Meet is my biggest achievement till date.”

Possible Answer #2:

“Till date, I have accomplished several goals and milestones in my career as an app developer.
The one that rings a bell is the latest version update on a core product of my current organization for customer profiling and payments.
We had been slogging on this version update for 12 months at a stretch and I was a core team member.
My team made me their team lead during the last 6 months and at that time, we were working on the mobile components of the product.
To meet the deadline, I brought in 5 more resources, who had expertise in certain technologies, which were crucial for the pending modules.
After the deployment of each of the component, all of us cross-trained to support all the platforms proficiently.
In the end, we were able to deliver the project within time and budget constraints.
Our CEO was highly impressed and all of us were also awarded at the quarterly town hall in December.
Would you like to take a look at the Android version of our product?”

What are you most proud of?

Possible Answer #1:

“It is yet to come. The day I land my first job in a reputed company such as yours, will be my proudest achievement. That moment is still pending.”

Possible Answer #2:

“I am very proud of how I helped ABC company set up successful sales funnel by satisfying 60,000 hyper-responsive customers.
I even won a ‘Best Performer’ award and 100% incentive payout for the same.”

What has been your greatest failure?

Possible Answer #1:

“I could not secure a perfect 100/100 in my Math paper in 12th Standard, despite my hard work.
That is my greatest failure till date.”

Possible Answer #2:

“Last year, we wanted to improve sales by 50% but achieved just 35% which was a huge letdown, even if there was a huge boost to our ROI.
The underlying issue was that I was on a holiday and my entire team took this last big deal for granted.
They are all star performers, but I don’t know why they took this sure shot deal so lightly.
We had built a great rapport with this client over a period of 3 months and the deal had almost been wrapped up.
That was a huge failure in the recent past for me.
Eventually, the deal slipped out of our hands and impacted the overall sales percentage.”

Read more answers here.

What do you always regret? or Do you have any regrets?

Possible Answer #1:

“I still regret turning down the position offered to me at XYZ company last year.
I have gained good experience in my present organization.
But it’s good that I turned it down, otherwise, I wouldn’t have been promoted and become a Manager.
Neither I would have got the opportunity to interview with your esteemed organization today!”

How do you respond to change?

Possible Answer #1:

“I am patient, persistent, practical, and always positive. This helps me cope up with change smartly.”

Possible Answer #2:

“I try to stay focused on what I am and what I need. This helps me respond to change effectively.”

Are you demanding as a boss?

Freshers may skip this question as it is not relevant to their set of HR interview questions and answers.

Possible Answer #1:

“My demands as a boss are never unreal. If the workload is huge and timelines are not negotiable with my seniors, I do become a demanding boss.
Yet, as a manager, I always ensure that I help my team members progress and grow on their individual career paths.
If they are having hiccups or challenges along the way, I delegate work accordingly to make their life easy, as well as ensure project delivery on time.”

Are you an organized person?

Possible Answer #1:

“Yes, I am quite organized. I keep all my documents, certificates and files labeled and sorted.
The labels are such that I can retrieve anything that I need instantly, in seconds. I also have a very clean desktop in my computer.”

Possible Answer #2:

“Organization comes naturally to me.
My desk, folders, software files, clothes, kitchen and everything else is always well arranged, sorted and neatly kept.
Thanks to my spouse and mom for instilling this skill as a habit in me.”

Can you describe your time management skills?

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.”

Also read: 15 powerful time management tips

What’s your absenteeism record like?

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.”

Are you reliable? or Can I trust you with responsibilities?

Possible Answer #1:

“Yes, I am a reliable person. I like helping my friends and family, whenever I get a chance. Be it an emotional boost or a financial aid, I am always around for them.”

Possible Answer #2:

“Yes, I am not only reliable but also a very dependable person. If a task is assigned to me, it will be dutifully handled and completed within the stipulated deadline.”

What are the three things that are most important for you in a job?

Possible Answer #1:

“Honesty, loyalty, and determination to achieve my team’s target.”

Possible Answer #2:

“Professionalism, growth and a healthy work-life balance are important.”

What was the toughest decision you ever had to make?

Possible Answer #1:

“Choosing Engineering over Medical Science after 12th was my toughest personal decision. But I think I have made the right choice.”

Possible Answer #2:

“When I was asked to step in as a temporary team leader for the first time, I still remember how I missed a couple of key communications from the manager. This pushed our deadlines back by 2 weeks. It was a great lesson and since then, I always make it a point to focus on the big-picture, instead of looking at smaller projects.”

If you won a Rs.10-crore lottery, would you still work?

Possible Answer #1:

“Yes, I would still work, to build my career. As far as the lottery money is concerned, I will buy a huge house for my Mom and Dad.”

Possible Answer #2:

“The amount you quoted is not huge, considering the fact that my spouse is a social worker! In order to sustain my existence and my family’s welfare, I would still keep working.”

Give me an example of your creativity.

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!”

What makes you happy?

Possible Answer #1:

“Success makes me happy. I also feel happy after accomplishing my task or makes me happy achieving my goals. Holidaying with my family also makes me happy!”

Possible Answer #2:

“Exercising energizes me and keeps me happy. I would say that working out on a regular basis keeps me charged as it keeps my mind and body healthy. I am not a work out freak but I follow a healthy way of living.
After channelizing my extra energy in cardio, I feel charged at work and tend to deliver better. Going on long rides or weekend trips on my Royal Enfield cruiser bike, also makes me feel happy.”

How do you work under pressure? Can you handle the pressure?

Possible Answer #1:

“Working under pressure is what I have done a lot during my college days. I have realized that I can actually work well under pressure.
It is the pressure factor that brings out maximum efficiency in me.”

Possible Answer #2:

“I like to work under pressure. It brings out the best in me as well as helps me grow. I learn faster and perform well when I have a strict deadline, because I plan accordingly, work in a more organized manner and also tend to finish my tasks with more efficiency.
In my current job role, deadlines and ‘pressure situations’ are common, and I have grown immune to them.”

Are you willing to relocate or travel?

Freshers, do not say ‘YES!’ at once. This will only show your desperation to be a part of the company. Answer carefully like this. (This is an important tip for your HR interview questions and answers).

Possible Answer:

“I would definitely consider it. If the opportunity given to me is appropriate, rewarding and feasible, I don’t think I will have any issues with the relocation or traveling involved.”

You need to understand the purpose of this question. Answer correctly, as explained above.

What do you know about us or our company?

Possible Answer #1:

“I’m a Blivkart customer myself. The company was founded by Som and Bandit Vashisht. They previously worked for Umazin.com, and then quit their jobs to start their own firm in India. Today it is one of the fastest growing companies in India and is all set to create new records. It will be more than a privilege to get through and join such a super talented team.”

Possible Answer #2:

“Yours is one of the fastest growing and leading IT firms in India. Both your mission statement and tag line, are catchy and very attractive.
Everyone I know, who is a part of this organization, is very happy about working here. I think this will be a great place for me to perform, show my talent and get recognized as well.”

How long do you think you will work for us after we hire you?

Possible Answer #1:

“I am fresher and nothing can be better for me than starting my professional career in a reputed company like yours. If everything goes well, I will be looking forward to a long stint here, as long as the company needs me.”

Possible Answer #2:

“I believe in long hauls. I have been with 2 organizations in the past, and my stints have lasted for 5+ years. Being an experienced professional in the IT sector, I have done my homework and believe this company will surely offer a best-in-class working environment and a rewarding career.
I plan to stay for a long time here, or at least for as long as my services will be valued and required.”

Are you applying for other jobs? Do you have any other offer in hand?

Do not get intimidated with this HR interview question and answer. You can be open about the other offer or keep it private, depending on how happy you are with it.

HR recruiters generally ask this to understand your demand in the market. They also want to know that by the time they interview you and reach the offer stage, you would have already accepted another one.

Possible Answer #1:

“Yes Sir/Ma’am, I am negotiating verbally about an offer with the HR of a startup company right now. But there is no documentation to support the same. So, nothing is concrete yet.”

Possible Answer #2:

“I and some of my batchmates received verbal offers from a company, during our campus placements.
I was supposed to receive the official offer letter through an email communication from the company within a week of my selection, but it’s been over 6 months now.
I have sent them one follow up email, but the HR that I am writing to is still silent. So, I don’t know clearly if I actually got the job. That is the reason why I came for this interview.”

Possible Answer #3:

“No I don’t.”

Play safe with this answer while you face your HR interview questions and answers round. If you have an offer letter already, keep it a secret till the salary negotiation stage comes up.

There, you can negotiate your remunerations on the basis of your current drawn package and also the offer letter that you have.

You can negotiate with all the three organizations at this stage (your current organizations, the company that issued an offer letter and also the company with which you interviewed) and finally select the best possible option.

5 Hacks to Get a Higher Salary Package at Any Company

In case this strategy conflicts with your personal theories and beliefs, you can frame your answer, as shown below.

Possible Answer #4:

“I’ve been talking to ABC company for the past 15 days, but it is not final yet. I am interested in working with them, but I’m still not sure. Is there something you know about company ABC that you can share with me?”

Why do you want to work for us or our company? or Why do you want this job?

Possible Answer #1:

“I read an article in the newspaper a few months back. The news piece revolved around your corporate community service. I am not exactly a philanthropist, as I am not that rich yet, but giving back is a big part of my personal philosophy. When I read that article, I was moved.
The true excitement overtook me when I got this interview call. It will be really nice if I get to work in an organization, which follows the same philosophies as I personally do.
Because my technical skills will be recognized in other places as well, but personal philosophies are equally important.”

Possible Answer #2:

“Teamwork is what I truly believe in. When I saw that there was an opening in your organization, I made sure that my application was put in.
Being a team-player, I believe working together to achieve a higher goal is what drives success in the long run.
And my skills as an engineer and a team member will give me a 360-degree work satisfaction for me”

Read more answers here.

Also read: How to get a job as a fresher?

Must Read: Top Unique & Awesome Things To Reveal Company Culture

Do you know anyone who works for us?

The purpose of this HR interview question and it’s answer is tricky and most of the interviewees these days fail to give an appropriate answer.

Your interviewer wants to find out if you have relatives, friends or acquaintances working for the organization.

From a psychological point of view, they want to know if you already have a mentor within the organization.

So it is recommended that you frame a positive answer while facing your round of HR interview questions and answers.

Possible Answer #1:

“I’m good friends with the daughter of Mr. XYZ, who is a part of this organization.
My friend is not your employee, but thinks very highly of this organization and has been constantly encouraging me to apply.
That is the reason why I am here today, as the more I learned about this company, the more I wanted to become a part of it.”

Possible Answer #2:

“I am a friend of XYZ, who is a part of your Finance Department, but our friendship was not the primary factor for me to apply here.
Besides, I know how to separate my professional life from my personal life.
This company has a strong reputation in the market and I have always looked up to your brand.
I truly believe that I can use my skills and expertise to help my team and the organization grows.”

Why should we hire you? or Why should I hire you?

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

Read more answers here.

What are your salary expectations?

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.

Do you have a good work ethic?

With this question, the interviewer is judging if you are disciplined and structured in your work.

To answer this question, you must communicate your ability to maintain your work schedule without compromising on its quality.

Possible Answer #1: (For fresher)

I am quite disciplined as a person, and I believe in doing my work in a planned and organized manner.
A well thought out plan and discipline in execution is the foundation of high-quality work.

Possible Answer: 2 (For Experienced candidates)

In my X years of professional experience, I have rarely missed a deadline.

Barring extraordinary circumstances, I am usually able to stick to my writing schedule without compromising on quality.

Besides that, I get long well with people which helps in maintaining a good work environment.

How do you deal with feedback and criticism?

The purpose of this question is to test your attitude toward feedback and criticism.

In answering this question, you need to indicate that although you are confident about your work, you are not stubborn.

Show that you are flexible and willing to make changes and modifications, when necessary.

Possible Answer #1:

To err is human, and I too have faltered at times in interpreting a client's/company’s briefings and/or expectations.
However, maintaining a cordial relationship with the clients as well as with my seniors helps me discuss and resolve the gaps without any fear or distress.

Possible Answer #2:

I have learnt that it is best to take criticism positively.
Feedback and criticism help one to look at things from a different perspective, which results in a better understanding of the situation.
It ultimately helps one gain useful insights into one's strengths and weaknesses.

Why do you want to leave your current job?

This a very common HR interview question which is asked to assess whether the candidate will stick around and align him/herself with the company's mission statement.

The question can be answered in the following manner.

Possible answer:

" I have been working with a great team in my current company and have learnt a lot from each member.
But after working with the organization for more than 4 years now, I believe I have exhausted all the challenges that could be there.
I am now looking forward to more challenges that can push my limits further and open new learning oppurtunities.
I believe the job role offered by your company is the perfect scope for the same and I assure you I can surely add more value to the team as well if given the chance."

Your interview is more or less coming to an end when the interviewer asks you, “Do you have any questions for me?”

Never say “no” as this is perhaps the worst response ever given by any interview candidate! Remember that interviews are not integrations but are business conversations where both the parties should ask and respond to questions. Coming back to the situation, the best answer for a fresher is as follows:

Possible Answer #1:

“Yes, I do!”

This is probably your very first chance during the interview, to ask a question. Questioning will indicate that as a fresher, you came well-prepared for the interview and you are still absorbed in the conversation.

It will also show that you do take interest in the organization. Make a general list of five questions about the company and ask them to your interviewer, after all other HR interview questions and answers are over.

Possible Answer #2:

“How has your journey been so far in this organization? What excites you the most about working here? How long does it ideally take a person to prove their caliber here? Where is the organization headed in the next years? What are the next steps of this interview?”

In case you already know everything about your potential employer, you can ask the interviewer a direct question like:

Possible Answer #3:

“Can you tell me something about yourself?”

Everyone likes to talk about themselves, so this is a safe question amongst all other HR interview questions and answers. In the end, try to throw in an enthusiastic conversation ender like:

Possible Answer #4:

“It was great talking to you!”

Read detailed article on questions to ask in an interview.

Lastly, wait for the interviewer to utter “Thank You” or any other concluding line.

Now it’s your turn to get up, put your hand out for a handshake and then step out of the interview room.

Remember to carry out your bag, folder, and other belongings. ?

We hope that this compilation of some of the most frequently asked HR interview questions and answers will help you ace in your next HR interview round.

Wish you all the best! Once you are done with your interview, don’t forget to share your interview experience with us.

We would love to know how it went. All the best!

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Most frequently asked HR interview questions and answers.