Answering Human Resource Job Interview Questions

Searching for a job can be a full time job in itself. Networking, scouring the help wanted ads, and filling out applications can sometimes seem like more effort than it's worth, especially when contemplating how to answer interview questions. But don't give up -- you never know when you'll get a call from the human resources department of a wonderful company asking to schedule a face-to-face interview. 

 

When that call does come, you can delight in the idea that you are only one step away from your dream job. So shine your shoes and start giving some thought to the best way to answer the interviewer's questions! 

Here are a few job interview tips to learn how to answer human resource job interview questions:

• Be honest. You are giving the interviewer their very first impression of you. Be sure that you present yourself as honest, trustworthy, and forthcoming when answering questions.
• Display a positive attitude. Everyone prefers to work with upbeat people; no matter what the questions are, try to answer them in an optimistic, upbeat and enthusiastic way.
• Highlight your skills and abilities at every opportunity. If you have previously worked in the same job field, emphasize your advancements and achievements. If you haven’t, be sure to relate the skills you do have to the job for which you are applying. Give examples of any successes you may have had at other jobs that might be similar.
• Point out your education and training if it is applicable. If you have attended conferences, seminars or other job-related professional development or training sessions, be sure to mention what you have gained from those experiences.
• Give credit to others when appropriate. If your last employer or manager was a great motivator or made the work environment comfortable and productive, mention it. Speaking well of others can reflect well on you during an process.
• Never point out the shortcomings of others. Avoid talking about any personal issues you may have had with past employment situations, managers, bosses, or coworkers when being asked interview questions, because the interviewer will assume that you may have these same issues with coworkers or managers at a new company over time.
• Highlight particular life events that have given you skills that might apply to this position. For example, volunteering in the past may have increased your ability to communicate well with a variety of people and/or developed your time management skills. This can apply likewise even to those who have extensive job experience.
• Be open and friendly, but not too chatty! Directly answer the questions, but do so in a calm, friendly and complete manner.