Going through a job interview process can be stressful at times and the best way to relive that stress is being fully prepared for the interview. When you are fully prepared for a job interview, the job interview may seem more like a networking opportunity or meeting a new person that is interested in learning more about you! After you have prepared and been on a handful of job interviews, stress and pressure of a job interview should not longer exist. 

In today’s world, you may interview with more than one person, which include HR personnel.  In most cases, HR Interview questions are much different from questions from a direct or hiring manager. The main different between HR interview questions and a hiring manager’s questions is that HR interview questions are more general and less based on your experience. Here is a list of HR Interview questions you can expect to be asked.

1) Tell me about yourself.
Although this is probably the most feared questions of all time, it is really pretty easy.  I know it’s human nature for people to over analyze this question in a job interview situation, but really this is a perfect opportunity to sell yourself to the interviewer. The best way you should prepare for this question is to have a personal branding statement already memorized. A personal branding statement shows who you are, what strengths you as a person bring to this position, and what benefits your previous employer(s) have gained because of your employment. Here is an example of a personal branding statement

Example Answer: "I am a seasoned Underwriting Manager in banking industry, strong in expedite loans for future 500 companies through effective credit investigating and matching the client's needs and qualifications."

2) Why do you want to leave your current employer?
The best way to answer this question is not to talk negatively about your current employer. Some good answers to this question include looking for career advancement opportunities and looking for an increase in salary.
 
3) Where do you see yourself in five years? Ten years?
A good way to approach this question is to have a good sense of your own goals. Potential employers would generally like to hear that somewhere in your goals that you would plan to stay with the employer for an extend period of time. Company loyalty and long term commitment are always a big with interviewers. Also, include in your answer that this position is a stepping stone towards achieving your goal(s).

Example Answer: “I am certainly interested in working towards becoming a mid level manager in my next position. Judging by what you have told me already about this position, I feel that this position will help me gain the experience I need to get to the next level and I feel that I am very qualified to succeed in this position.”

4) How well do you work with others? Do you like working in teams or working alone? The key to this question is telling the HR Interviewer that you like both. There may be a time with this employer that you may have to do both. 

Example Answer: “I like working both alone and with others. I like taking responsible for my own work, but I do welcome the opportunity to work with others on a project. I feel that it provides an opportunity to learn from others.

5) Have you ever had time that you didn’t agree with a supervisor? How did you resolve the conflict? When you answer this question, make sure you don’t reveal to the interviewer that you hold a grudge against your former supervisor. You want to keep everything positive as can be with an interview. Never say anything bad about your former employer.

6) How would friends describe you? This is a good time to incorporate some of your key strengths and skills into your answer. i.e. Passionate, Driven

7) Tell me about your biggest weakness.
Of course you don’t want to answer this question. Why answer a question that reflects negatively on you? To answer a question like this you’ll have to use this simple strategy: Turn a negative into a positive.

Example Answer: "I always had a hard time using Microsoft Excel. I decided that the way to fix this problem was to take some courses on Microsoft Excel. Within 4 months of training, I had become very good at using Microsoft Excel and even became the office “expert” on the matter. "

More types of Interview Questions:
     
     Interview Questions and Answers
     Management Interview Questions
     Top 10 Interview Questions
     Phone Interview Questions