Labor Relations Specialist Interview Questions & Answers

Labor relations specialists interpret and administer labor contracts.

Interviewers look for candidates that demonstrate excellent skills such as:

• Attention to detail
• Interpersonal skills
• Decision-making skills
• Listening skills
• Writing skills

In this blog, we discuss commonly asked interview questions during job interviews for labor relations 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.

Decision-making skills

Why interviewers are interested in your decision-making skills:

Labor relations specialists use decision-making skills to help management and labor agree on decisions when resolving grievances or other disputes.

Attention to detail

Why interviewers are interested in your attention to detail:

Specialists must be detail-oriented when evaluating labor laws and maintaining records of an employee grievance.

Interpersonal skills

Why interviewers are interested in your interpersonal skills:

Interpersonal skills are essential for labor relations specialists. When mediating between labor and management, specialists must be able to converse and connect with people from different backgrounds.

Listening skills

Why interviewers are interested in your listening skills:

Listening skills are essential for labor relations specialists. When evaluating grievances, for example, they must pay careful attention to workers’ responses, understand the points they are making, and ask relevant follow-up questions.

Writing skills

Why interviewers are interested in your writing skills:

All labor relations specialists need strong writing skills to be effective at their job. They often draft proposals, and these proposals must be able to convey complex information to both workers and management.

(source: bls.gov)

Labor Relations 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 Labor Relations 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 Labor Relations Specialist Behavioral Interview Questions

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

1. Tell me how you handle disputes between employees. Can you give me an example?
2. How do you stay up-to-date on developments in employment law?
3. Tell me about a time you made a mistake in your duties. How did you rectify the situation?
4. What do you think are essential skills for a labor relations specialist to be successful?
5. Describe a time you effectively trained supervisors or managers on a labor relations topic.
6. Tell me how you select effective mediators and arbitrators for negotiations and disputes.
7. Describe a time you successfully reconciled a conflict between an employee and an employer. What approach made you successful?
8. As a labor relations specialist, give me an example of how you handled a situation that demonstrates your management style.
9. What work experience do you have with respect to this particular labor relations specialist position?
10. Give me an example of how you worked on your personal development in the last year.
11. As a labor relations specialist, what is the most challenging situation you have to face, and how did you handle it?
12. Can you describe the day-to-day responsibilities of a labor relations specialist?
13. Which of your prior work experience will help you most in this position?
14. What is your specialty as a labor relations specialist?
15. Describe a successful teamwork experience. What made it a success?
16. What have you done to improve your knowledge in the last year?

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