Human Resources Specialist Interview Questions & Answers

Human resources specialists recruit, screen, interview, and place workers. They also handle employee relations, compensation and benefits, and training.

Interviewers look for candidates that demonstrate excellent skills such as:

• Communication skills
• Analytical skills
• Computer skills
• Decision-making skills
• Attention to detail
• Math skills

In this blog, we discuss commonly asked interview questions during job interviews for human resources specialist positions. We also discuss the qualities that interviewers look for in successful candidates. In other words, we’re here to help you out!

Also, read more about frequently asked job interview questions here and check our job interview preparation checklist.

Skills Interviewers Look For In Successful Candidates

Below we discuss the skills that you can highlight in your answers to demonstrate that you’re qualified for the job.

Communication skills

Why the interviewer is interested in your communication skills:

Listening and speaking skills are essential for human resources specialists. They must convey information effectively, and pay careful attention to questions and concerns from job applicants and employees.

Learn more about communication interview questions and how to answer them!

Decision-making skills

Why the interviewer is interested in your decision-making skills:

Human resources specialists use decision-making skills when reviewing candidates’ qualifications or when working to resolve disputes.

Related: What Does a Recruitment Associate Do?

Attention to detail

Why the interviewer is interested in your attention to detail:

HR-Specialists must be detail-oriented when evaluating applicants’ qualifications, performing background checks, maintaining records of an employee grievance, and ensuring that a workplace is in compliance with labor standards.

Interpersonal skills

Why the interviewer is interested in your interpersonal skills:

HR-Specialists continually interact with new people and must be able to converse and connect with people from different backgrounds.

(source: bls.gov)

Human Resources Specialist Job Interview Questions & Answers

During a job interview, the hiring manager wants to discuss several things. Think of your:

• Employment history
• Skills and abilities
• Accomplishments
• Job qualifications
• Educational background
• Career goals
• Personality

Below you find a list of commonly asked interview questions.

Examples Of General Human Resources Specialist Interview Questions

1. Tell me about yourself.
2. How would you describe yourself?
3. Why do you want to work here?
4. What interests you about this position?
5. Walk me through your resume.
6. What motivates you?
7. Why are you leaving your current job?
8. Describe your work ethic.
9. What is your greatest strength?
10. How does your experience qualify you for this job?
11. What is your greatest weakness?
12. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
13. Tell me about a challenging work situation and how you overcame it.
14. What are your expectations for this position?
15. What are your career goals?
16. Why should we hire you?
17. What did you like most about your last position?
18. What did you like least about your last position?
19. How do you handle stress?
20. What is your greatest accomplishment?

Learn how to answer these common job interview questions!

Examples Of Specific Human Resources Specialist Behavioral Interview Questions

Learn more about answering behavioral interview questions by using the STAR interview technique.

1. Tell me how you make sure all employees understand and adhere to the policies of the company.
2. Describe the effective methods or systems you use to make sure all employee records are kept up-to-date.
3. How would you handle a situation in which employees demand a change in management due to unhappiness?
4. Describe a successful onboard process for newly hired employees.
5. What do you think is the best way to evaluate the performance of salespeople?
6. Walk me through your work experience and give me a description of how you think your experience relates to this position.
7. What human resources software do you have experience with?
8. What resources do you use to ensure that you stay up-to-date on the latest (changes in) labor laws?
9. Walk me through your method of making sure that you hire skilled and qualified candidates. Give me an experience in which this method helped you find and hire a great employee.
10. What benefits would you suggest offering employees to help improve work/life balance without losing team productivity?
11. How do you calculate different turnover rates?
12. Tell me about a time you successfully resolved differences between an upper-level manager and an employee.
13. Walk me through how you go about employee onboarding. What is essential in this process, according to you?
14. What is the most challenging project you have worked on as a human resources specialist?
15. Please describe how you plan, organize, and prioritize your work?

Learn more about questions to ask the interviewer during your job interview.