All The Useful HR Questions & Answers in One Place

Part A: Most Useful HR Interview Questions

1. What is the reason behind having worked with so many companies?
Start by discussing the number of working experiences you have to date. Example: All the companies in the resume and well-established and renowned and I feel the opportunity of working and learning with big brands. Moreover, I continuously thrive for upgrading my skills and learn new things updating my resume. I have worked with all the companies for a substantial amount of time and never think of putting my skills on a horizon.

2. Tell me about yourself.
Here, you need to walk yourself through your background. Most of the candidates make the mistake of diving into the resume and reciting what it has been already written into it. The things which would help you to stand out of the crowd is discussing your job profile and work responsibilities in detail. You can't mention every minute in detail in the resume, but you can utter it. So, try to be enthusiastic while talking about your work. When you are finished, say something about your family and your future goals.

3. Why should we hire you?
Here, you should tell the recruiter about your achievements in the last company and the appreciation you have received from your managers. It is one of the most common HR Interview Question.

Tell them that you are open to work the best and give the desired results and meet your expectations as the company's employee. Also, mentioning the traits like team spirit, a good fit for the company's success can be shared.

4. Why did you leave your last job?
The most common reason for leaving one's current job is career advancement and personal growth. Here, you can also talk about what you need to upgrade your skill set and work in some new environment and meet new people.

5. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
 

Assessing your strengths:
In this, you need to cover all the skills such as knowledge-based skills, transferrable and personal traits. Talk about the acquired experience and education including technical ability, courses, language proficiency, training, and abilities. Include planning and problem-solving skills, formal, punctual, flexible, friendly, working, expressive, empathetic. Along with these, you can mention others as what you think about yourself. It might also add disciplines, patient, respectfulness, dedicated, honest, determined to work, etc.

Assessing your weakness:
It is one of the trickiest questions in the HR round, and here you need to be smart. The best answer which we have come across is saying the ability to do one work at a time. See, it is a two-way answer. Other answers to this question can be pleasing to everyone, being too critical at some point in time. Don't forget to minimize your focus on this question and concentrate on your strengths.

6. Why do you want to work at our company?
To answer this question correctly, you must know your career goals, and how you fit in the job role offered to you. Read the JD entirely and tell the recruiter how you fulfill all the requirements. Study about the company, talk about the work and the positives of working there such as enhanced learning, teamwork, working with experts. One tip is that if you are not interested in the position, then there is no idea of taking it to that level. It will decrease your motivation level to be there with complete intend.

7. Explain the difference between Smart work and hard work.
Smart work is doing work more effectively, in a faster and optimized manner as compared to the work which we do with hard work. Giving more efforts in any task without thinking of the availability of any smart tricks is hard work and playing some way outs for the same problem and saving time and efforts is quick work.

8. What are your goals?
I wish to learn and grow with the company. My goals consist of upgrading my skill set, being a part of such a well-reputed and established a company and serving my best. Crack this HR Interview Question and increase your chances of landing in the job.

9. Who inspired you in your life and why?

Some advice on how to answer this one:

Keep your answer short. 
Choose one person who you respect. 
Explain how that person has values and behaviors that you want to have. 
Connect those values and behaviors to how they affect you as a professional. 
Family example. 
Mentor example. 
Historical figure example. 
Book character example.

10. What was the toughest decision you ever had to make?
The interviewer wants to gauge your ability of decision even if there is really hard to choose between any two. They want to hear on what circumstances what will be your priorities and values you take while taking a decision which can effect a lot and most important to it.

11. What do you know about the company?
You need to conduct proper research about the company by going through the company's website. Read the 'home and about us' section of the company and go through its social media handles to know the targeted audience. Don't forget to tell about the nature of the company, such as whether it is product-based or service-based.

12. Why have you had so many jobs?
Here are some ideas on how you can answer this inquiry effectively: I was supporting myself while obtaining a quality education and each job provided me with skills that will assist me in my career. I spent some time working for several companies that did not share my values.

13. What are your salary expectations?
This answer can either land you to the seat in your desired company or ask you to search for other better opportunities.

You should say that you are flexible and I expect in line with my experience and qualifications. In this question as well, try to impress and give an answer to what the recruiter wishes to hear. Add that the company is the right place for me to work and learn and my skills and experience will come to an agreed salary.

14. Name the most boring job you have ever done.
It is one of the new HR Interview Question, but you need to be clear. For a far-sighted, hardworking and optimistic person, the most boring job is sitting idle. It is a skills and complete waste of time. I spent a few weeks idle at my house due to the overloading procrastination.

15. What changes would you make if you hired?
I have gone through the website of the company and the job role which I would be given if I come on board. Also, accordingly, I have made some plans and strategies which I would like to share with my team lead and proceed in the right direction. You can assign me any job responsibilities, my excitement level of doing the work will keep on increasing.

16. How to feel about reporting to a younger person?
Age is just a number it is a common saying, and I believe in it ultimately. A person who has knowledge and skills holds the right to be the boss, and there is nothing wrong in that. I have a learning attitude and wish to learn from all walks of life, be it a 5-year-old or a younger person at work.

17. What are your achievements in life?
My education and the quality of the work experience I hold has made me capable of pursuing interesting and high-quality work having a positive impact on my career and personal life. Here, emphasize on the skills which are most relevant to your job responsibilities. Moreover, mention all the awards and the promotions which your previous companies have honored you with. Talk about relations with your co-workers.

18. What are your hobbies and interests?
Areas to choose from: Sports such as competing on a team or in a league, hiking or other exercise. Creative arts, including writing, music, painting and crafts. Cooking or gardening. Volunteering, community service or charity work. Or, anything that comes from your life.

19. How to handle stress pressure and anxiety at work?
I would first acknowledge and detect the source of stress at the workplace, and they know the reason behind it. In between this procedure, establishing boundaries with the elements and the entities which would irritate me will also work. Recharging and learning the strategy of relaxing and fixing the issues is the next step. After the tracking of the stressors, developing healthy responses towards it and finding the way outs is the perfect strategy to follow. Exercising regularly and managing a proper diet are the two main steps to be followed.

20. How to deal with disappointment at work?
Taking some refreshing break from work is the most common step which people choose to deal with disappointment at work. Be honest with yourself and your work. There is nothing wrong in discussing it with your trust-worthy co-workers and friends. Being optimistic and being respectful and accepting the bad news gracefully is another trick you should consider. It is one of the best interview questions.

21. What are your expectations from the company?
I expect job security from the company providing me with steady employment. Learning in the most continuous way is another essential factor to be considered while joining any company. Advancement and skill upgradation assuring the company's progress along with mine is essential. I expect co-workers to be suitable and competent.

Part B: Most Frequently Asked Open-Ended Interview Questions

1. What do you need to feel comfortable at work?
Here you have to choose your words wisely. Make sure not to say anything that could leave your negative impression.

The simple answer to this question can be: A positive environment

2. Why do you think you are right for this position?
This is the question where you have to showcase yourself. Tell the interviewer all the good things about you and share some details about the extraordinary skills, if you have.

3. Tell me about something that's not on your resume.
This is one of the most common open-ended interview questions, this is why it is recommended to go through your resume thrice before the interview.

Here you can share about your movie or web series interest, that's we are pretty sure they were not in your resume.

4. How do you handle stress and pressure?
Here you do not need to go aggressively, just answer this question politely. If there is something specific that you used to do while under stress; do share it.

Some people used to play their favorite games while under stress, some used to talk with their friends or close ones while working under pressure/stress. Some people like to take a walk, whatever is your way, do share it with the interviewer.

5. What challenges are you looking for in a position?
In this question, you have to show your enthusiasm towards your career. Tell the interviewer that you love challenges and keep this thing in mind that challenges can be anything. They are not specific to your choices.

Example: Here you can say I am looking for the challenges that help me in growing my capabilities and enhance my skills to the other level.

6. Why did you leave your previous position?
The simple answer to this question can be: I am looking for financial and personal growth in my career and don't want to miss this opportunity.

7. If you could go anywhere on business travel, where would you go? Why?
The answer to this question varies from person to person, as it depends on your level of choice. Be honest and tell the interviewer about the places where you would love to go.

Example: If you love water and beaches you can ask France, Australia, Greece on the other hand if you love mountains then you can say the USA, Switzerland, Newzealand or if you are one of those who love adventure then you must go to Brazil, Italy, Spain. Brazil is ranked as number one for adventure activities.

8. Describe a specific problem you've encountered in your position. How did you go about solving it?
If you have encountered any such thing in the past, feel free to share the same. Just to make sure that you are not saying anything that will leave your negative impression.

9. Tell me about a time when you've been overloaded with work. How did you go about prioritizing your tasks?
For prioritizing the task, make sure to share some names of tools. This will show that you're an organized person.

Example: Firstly, I will create a list of all the tasks that I need to perform on the same day. Later that, I will mark the most critical one as a HIGH priority and will spend a couple of minutes to figure out how much time I need to complete the high priority tasks. After that, I will calculate the time for the low priority ones. According to the calculation, I will start working on each task and will try my best to complete that in the defined effort.

10. Give me an example of a time when your work was criticized in front of others. How did you respond? What did you learn from this situation?
If something like this has ever happened to you, do share it. If not, then reply that I will positively take the feedback and will work on it to improve myself.

11. Give me an example of a situation when you've had to deal with a very difficult client or boss. How did you go about dealing with the situation? Would you do anything differently next time?
Share the scenario where you have handled such a situation. Also, remember to share what you have done at that time and what you are going to do next time if the same situation occurs.

The most important skill required here is 'listening'. Always remember in this situation, make sure you are listening to the client or boss's aspects regarding the problem. Then, write down each and everything and build your rapport. This will help you in finding the differences between what you are thinking and what the client is asking for. Later that, you can share your points with the client or boss.

Part C: Exit Interview Questions and Answers

Many employers are conducting the exit interview when an employee's term has come to an end so that they can have an idea about why the employee is leaving the organization. 

The exit interview process is one of the most unusual things to get a genuine assessment from the employees who are no longer entrusting on your organization for their employment.

1. What do you think is the key reason that you take the decision to leave?
This question will be asked by the employer to know the reason behind leaving the job. There might be a scenario you got the better offer, or there is a possibility of personal goals as well. While answering this question, make sure to manage the correct balance between honesty and kindness.

If possible, try to share the skills that you are expecting to learn in your new role.

2. In the event that you could change anything about the association, what might you pick?
On this question, you will get the chance to focus on one of the most important reasons for leaving the organization. Here you have to smartly tell your interviewer what you didn't like about the organization in a way they consider you are suggesting the things to be changed or improved. Make sure you're leaving the impression of the suggestion, not of the complaint.

3. Would you like to join us again in the future?
You have to be prepared for the answer to this question with definite YES or NO and with what circumstances. There might be a possibility you are looking for a hike in your current package, or another option is you are planning for the role change. So, here you have to be truthful; because you never know your employer may offer you compensation for this.

4. Is there something that would have altered your perspective on leaving?
The agenda of this question is again to know the actual reason for leaving the job. If there is anything in your mind from the improvement areas regarding your current organization, honestly tell your interviewer. It might not help you in staying that organization (if you want to), but it will be a good chance that will be beneficial to other existing employees.

5. What characteristics do you think we should search for in your substitution?
Here you will get the chance to showcase your skills and expertise, and this is the best chance where you can tell them they are losing the great asset in their organization.

So tell them everything about your roles and responsibilities in an elaborative way.

6. Would you like to recommend our company to your friends or family?
The answer to this question is all depends on the experience that you had with this company.

If you say YES, then it will express the success of the company. That they actually deserve; if they have helped you in gaining and learning new skills. Then you can tell them, I have learned a lot from this company (mention skills and areas that you have developed), and I would definitely recommend this company to my family and friends.

If you say NO, then it will lead to the failure, and the interviewer wants to know the reason behind it; so that they can improve themselves in those areas if required. You have to be honest while giving the feedback, but make sure you are not getting personal. You have to maintain the right balance between your personal and professional reasons.

Note: This is one of the standard exit interview questions that has been asked by many employers. So this is highly recommended that you should get prepared for this beforehand.

7. Did you consider that your work objectives and obligations were clear?
If your answer is YES, then you can just tell them from where they came and how you have achieved them.

In case your answer is NO, then the interviewer will get an idea that you have been hired for the bigger purpose, and you are not only a shared asset that the company is going to lose.

8. Are there any other issues or concerns that you would like to address?
If there is anything that needs improvisation, be truthful, and tell the interviewer. This is something that will help in the growth of the organization as well as the other employees who are associated with this organization.

9. Did you feel you had all the assets you expected to accomplish your best work here?
The reason why this question has been asked: is to know about the behavior with your colleagues in your team and your manager how they are helping you in achieving your goals and how you are maintaining other team members.

Also, highlight if your manager is allowing you access to all the tools or applications you needed in your project.

10. What benefits or programs did you feel we're missing from the organization?
Here you will get the opportunity to tell your employer about the training or certifications that you are looking to achieve but didn't get the chance to take the benefits of it; since our organization doesn't support them.

11. What did you like the most about working with this organization?
This question is asked to you for getting the positive feedback for the organization. Here you can share your experience and the good times that you had to spend with your colleagues, manager, or supervisor. You can also share the story where your colleagues have been turned to your friends.

12. Any advice you want to like to share with your team member?
Whenever someone asks you, give advice, make sure you have to tell them the things in a positive way. And try to finish your answer with good wishes to them for their journey ahead, such as 'I wish them all the good luck for their career and their future endeavors.'

13. Are there any suggestions you have for the organization? How might we improve?
Now, you can share tell them the real reason behind leaving this organization. Here it doesn't matter if you are leaving the company for your personal goals; you can say to them honestly. But make sure you are not going offensively, be polite, and tell them in a story way.

Because now you are not relying on this company for your livelihood.