Essential HR Consultant Interview Questions & Answers:

1. Tell us what is your greatest accomplishment?

This is somewhat similar to the “what is your greatest strength?” question and can be handled along the same lines. You want to pick an accomplishment that shows you have the qualities that the company puts value in and that are desirable for the position you're interviewing for.

2. Why should we hire you as HR Consultant?

Leverage your company research and the job description to find exactly why the company is hiring someone for this position. What problem/pain points does the new hire have to solve? You need to show that you are the perfect candidate that can solve those problems/pain points.

3. Explain me how have your efforts in your job added value to the business?

An aspect that many young professionals tend to overlook is the final deliverability of their work and how their efforts can be monetised. The reality is that at the end of the day, someone has to pay and buy a product or service that your company works for.

4. Tell us why are you switching jobs? why are you leaving your last employer?

That's the trickiest question of all. Answers like, “I'm bored; I don't like my boss; or I'm changing my job for money”, will put off your interviewer. Instead, answer with something like, “I'm seeking fresh challenges, If you answer, ‘I don't think I'm paid well', the interview is over. Compensation isn't considered a good enough reason for changing jobs. Speak of your achievements instead

5. Explain what do you know about the company?

Any candidate can read and regurgitate the company's “About” page. So, when interviewers ask this, they aren't necessarily trying to gauge whether you understand the mission-they want to know whether you care about it. Start with one line that shows you understand the company's goals, using a couple key words and phrases from the website, but then go on to make it personal. Say, “I'm personally drawn to this mission because…” or “I really believe in this approach because…” and share a personal example or two.

6. Tell us could you talk about an issue on which you disagreed with your manager?

Tricky as this question is, it provides a great opportunity for you to demonstrate to the interviewer your courage, conviction and logic. Don't beat around the bush or try to make up an answer; your interviewer will immediately know you are not being honest. “Give a genuine answer and describe an example of disagreement with your senior in the past, where you had put your viewpoint across. What your interviewer also wants to know is how you resolved this issue. So be sure to describe how you handled the disagreement with maturity and how you maintained professionalism and a cordial relationship afterwards.

7. Tell us what would be your plan of action and strategic vision if you were to take the role?

To answer this satisfactorily, you should have spent enough time understanding the company. “The answer has to show commitment and genuineness. The interviewer, by asking this question, is looking to see whether the candidate is really interested in the role, whether he or she has spent enough time understanding the company and whether they are aware of the challenges and opportunities at a higher level

8. Explain me have you faced any challenging situation? How did you handle it?

When you are cornered by such a tricky interview question, you need to stay calm and composed and think back to a time when you actually had to make a tough decision. No one is expecting or asking you to talk about a situation that will be equivalent to India deciding on how to tackle the threat and friendship of China.

So, you can talk about the difficulty you faced when choosing a stream in school or college. That situation was a challenge in your little world and it is worth talking about. Or if you opted for an unconventional career path (anything different from engineering or doctoring), then you can tell the interviewer how you convinced your family to let you go ahead with it.

9. Tell me why do you wish to leave your present job as HR Consultant?

Never say anything negative about your present employer and don't mention money as a motivator either. The interviewer will reason that if you're prepared to leave one organisation for money, you might leave his/her company if another waved a bigger pay cheque in front of you. The safest track to take is to indicate a desire for greater responsibility and challenge, or the opportunity to use talents you feel are under-used. Make sure your abilities are relevant.

10. Explain me could you talk about some events that influenced you to become what you are today?

I find they generally respond with an answer which they believe can help them get the job rather than introspecting to determine what they are really seeking. As a result, certain candidates tend to create a façade rather than share a true reflection of themselves, which does not help us or them. His suggestion to all those seeking jobs is to first reflect, introspect and clarify to themselves their career goals, inherent strengths, preferences and aspirations, and then evaluate how a particular job opportunity fits in with their career goals.