Human Resource Phone Interview Questions
An HR candidate has to go through various rounds of interviews to finally secure the position as a human resource professional. The first round of interview is usually a phone interview.
Questions asked to an HR candidate during phone interviews do not differ much from the other phone interview questions. However, your answers and the manner in which you answer are certainly evaluated. Thus, it is important that your pleasing personality and confidence must come out despite the interview being conducted over the phone.
- Is this a good time to talk to you?
The good time to talk you would be when you have necessary materials with you. A phone interview can be easily tamed when you are in a relatively disturbance free zone and, when you have in front of you, a copy of your resume, a book and pen to take notes. If it is not possible for you to talk to the interviewer, politely request for a reschedule.
- Could you quickly brief me your resume?
Since you have your resume in front of you, speak about it. However, avoid reading out your resume as it is. Your resume should only serve as a ready-reckoner. Add in some more details about you that do not feature in your resume.
- Why do you want this job?
Make sure that your reasons for wanting this job impress the panelists. Refrain from quoting monetary benefits or perquisites offered as your reasons, even though they might be true. You can mention the opportunity of immense career growth as a human resource professional, desire to tackle various work related challenges etc. as your reasons for applying to the company.
- As a human resource manager, where would you rate yourself on the scale of 1 to 5? Justify your rating.
Rating yourself too low will disrupt your chances of being selected, whereas rating yourself high will portray you as over confident. Thus, keep some points reserved providing a scope for improvement.
- What do you think are your strengths and weaknesses?
Speak about your job related strengths and weaknesses. One or two points about each one of them should be enough. And, make it a point to tell the interviewers that you are working on improving your weak points. This will hint them that you do not only identify problem areas but also strive to find a solution to them.
- Do you know about our company's HR policies?
To answer to this question, you should have done a small research on the company. HR policies are internal aspects of the company. Thus, if you do not know about them, it isn't a problem. However, make sure you know at least the basic HR policies that work for most of the companies.
- Do you have any doubts that you would like to clarify?
At the end of the interview, you may be invited to ask them a few questions. You can enquire more in detail about the job profile, the working hours, responsibilities that will be held by you etc. However, avoid asking about the pay package and the holiday structure. These matters are discussed in the subsequent interviews. Moreover, they will present you as a very unprofessional candidate.
