Being in the interview seat rather than across the table can be a strange experience for some HR professionals so if you’re looking to make a New Year’s leap then don’t miss these great interview tips honed specifically for those in HR.

Be Prepared
Even though you might appear to be the best candidate on paper, a lack of preparation before the interview can let you down.

1. Research the organisation in as much depth as you can. You should do your own research through:

• The organisations website – this can be the best source of material.




• By keeping an eye on the press for information – bear in mind that many publications now have their own websites with archive material.




• Speaking to anybody you know who works within the organisation to gain an inside track.

2. Think about the questions that you are likely to be asked at interview since some of these can be quite predictable.

3. Know your own CV – it is amazing how many people fail at interview because they haven’t read their CV recently. It is important to be able to discuss any aspect of your CV such as the part that you played in a particular project/deal (also make sure that you can discuss any overall business aims).

4. Ultimately the interview is a two way street. As well as ensuring that you sell yourself to best effect, you should also be considering questions for the interviewer on aspects of the role, such as prospects for career development and the corporate culture.

5. Make sure that you are up to date with employment legislation – are you aware of the implications of the Age Discrimination Act, when will it come in to effect, how will it affect recruitment processes?

6. If you are working in a specialist area – learning, resourcing, European HR – are you in touch with trends, innovations and new thinking?

Topical HR issues include:

• The implications of the scrapping of the Operational and Financial review OFR.




• The implications of the Turner Report on thinking around pensions.




• The renewed emphasis around recruiting and retaining talent in the light of a more candidate constrained market across all sectors and disciplines.




• An ongoing and increasing awareness of issues of diversity in the recruitment process.

The interview
Remember that it is not just your experience and skill set that is being examined at an interview, but also whether you will fit into the organisation’s culture.

• A firm handshake and an engaging smile are vital.




• Be to-the-point and answer the question succinctly. Be aware of rambling in your answers. Stop talking when you have answered the question.




• Do not fidget and be aware of your physical communication throughout the interview and at the same time monitor your interviewer’s body language.




• Do not overly criticise your current employer.




• Do not reply to a question with monosyllabic ’yes/no’ answers.




• Be positive and enthusiastic about the role for which you are being interviewed.




• Always ask questions if you have the opportunity to do so.




• Do not say anything that cannot be supported by examples.

Closing the interview
It is important to leave the interviewer with a positive impression – thank them for the opportunity to meet with them and for their time. If you are still interested in the position make sure that they know.

Immediately afterwards, note down your thoughts on the interview and any questions that you might have, while they are still fresh in your mind.

Follow up the interview with an email or letter to your interviewer, again thanking them for their time and interest.

Possible interview questions
These are all deliberate ‘open’ questions, in other words you cannot answer them with a ‘yes’ or ‘no’.

• Why do you want to leave x organisation?




• Why are you interested in joining y organisation?




• What will you miss most about your current position?




• What types of people do you work well with/not work well with?




• What would you say have been your greatest successes in your current position?




• What would you have done differently in your current position?




• Give us examples of how your management style has been effective?




• What have you learnt over the course of the last five years?




• What have you done that shows initiative in your current position?




• How would your team describe you?




• What are your career goals?




• Give examples of your delegation skills?




• What are your hobbies?




• What is the most difficult thing you have ever done at work?

Questions to ask the interviewer

• Why has the position become available?




• What is the culture of your organisation?




• What are the future plans of the company?




• Who do you regard as your main competitors?




• What type of employee is historically successful in your company?




• What would I expect to be involved in during my first 3/6/12 months?




• What are the long-term prospects for the successful applicant?




• Ask the interviewer what their background is. People always like to talk about themselves and this gives you the chance to gather your thoughts.

Interviews can be daunting and nerve wracking experiences even for seasoned HR professionals used to being in the selector’s seat but the more prepared you are the better you will perform on the day. Just bear in mind that for many companies the priority will be to sell themselves to you as much as finding out who you are and what you can bring to them.

Jenni McCann is the group manager at Frazer Jones, a specialist recruitment firm dedicating its activities to the Human Resources market.

HR Zone would like to hear your HR interview tips and advice – simply post your comments in the box below.