35 Great HR interview questions for choosing the best candidate

Every company values hiring the right candidate for the job. At this point, the interview process is an important step in determining who is best for the relevant position. The HR department plays a critical role in identifying and selecting the best candidate. As a result, the human resources interview is the essence of the recruitment process.

When practicing HR interviews, asking the right questions can be difficult, and choosing the best candidate can be even more difficult. In this article, we will provide 35 HR manager interview questions that will help you find the best candidate for your company. The following questions cover a wide range of topics, including communication abilities, problem-solving abilities, work experience, and cultural compliance. You can improve your interview surveys and make better hiring decisions with the help of these questions.

The right questions will get you the right answers

HR professionals can learn about a candidate's qualifications by asking effective questions in an HR interview. It is critical to include open-ended questions that require more than a yes or no response. Questions requiring candidates to give examples or describe their experiences in detail can reveal candidates' problem-solving abilities and thinking skills.

It is critical to ask the right questions in an interview in order to determine whether the candidate is a good fit for the position and the company culture. Besides, a well-prepared interview questionnaire can help make sure that each candidate is consistently evaluated. This is critical for avoiding potential biases and ensuring fair hiring decisions. Important topics should be covered during the interview by creating detailed interview questions for HR professionals.

a HR interview evaluation questionnaire example

35 Question examples to ask in an HR interview

In this section, we've compiled 35 unique HR interview questions from a wide range of topics. These topics possibly include employee relations and HR policies and procedures. These questions are designed to help you identify the most qualified and suitable candidates for the job.

General interview questions

There are several general interview questions that can help you assess a candidate's overall qualifications. These questions cover topics such as problem-solving skills, teamwork compliance, and career goals and can help you gain a comprehensive understanding of a candidate's suitability for the role.

1  - Can you describe your greatest strengths?

2  - How do you approach conflict resolution in the workplace?

3  - How do you stay organized and manage your time effectively?

4  - What is your motivation for applying for this position, and what do you hope to gain from it? 

5  - Where did you last work and how long was your relationship with this company?

6  - What is your long-term career path? 

7  - What do you know about our company?

Questions about work experience

It's important to ask questions about a candidate's previous work experience to assess their qualifications and suitability for the position.  Gaining insight into a candidate's previous work life, responsibilities, and achievements is vital for successful hiring and falls within the roles of HR managers.

8  - Can you give an example of a successful project or accomplishment you achieved in your previous role?

9  - In general, what role do you play in ensuring the team's success?

10  - Have you ever had a project problem that didn't go as planned? Were you able to solve such a problem?

11  - What was the most innovative idea you introduced in your previous job?

12  - How did you manage and resolve conflicts within your team or department in your previous job?

13  - Can you describe your work style?

14  - Have you ever had to deal with a difficult customer?

Questions about education

While work experience is an important consideration when hiring, a candidate's education can also provide useful information about their qualifications. Degree programs, certifications, and professional development are among the subjects covered in these questions.

15  - Did you participate in any extracurricular activities or organizations during your education?

16  - Can you discuss any internships or co-op experiences you had during your education?

17  - How did your education prepare you for this position?

18  - How did you balance your academic responsibilities?

19  - Have you completed any continuing education courses or certifications?

20  - How did you integrate your academic knowledge and skills into your professional experiences?

Questions about personality

Human resources specialists must have good interpersonal skills, such as the ability to communicate effectively, handle conflict, and create relationships with employees at all levels of the organization.

21  - How would your co-workers describe you?

22  - If a coworker was struggling with a personal issue that was affecting their work performance, how would you approach the situation and offer support? 

23  - Can you describe your leadership style and how you motivate your team?

24  - Would you describe yourself as a problem-solver?

25  - In your opinion, how important is attention to detail?

26  - What are your hobbies outside of work?

27  - What is your approach to risk-taking in your job?

28  - How do you manage your emotions in the workplace?

Questions to ask HR candidates

As an HR recruiter, you need to ensure that you find the right HR manager candidates who have the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience to help create and maintain a positive and productive work environment. 

29  - What types of HR positions have you held in the past?

30  - In your opinion, how important is experience with HR policy development and implementation?

31  - How can you demonstrate your experience in talent acquisition?

32  - How do you approach communication and collaboration with other departments within the organization?

33  - What is your approach to handling confidential HR information?

34  - How do you ensure compliance with HR policies and procedures?

35  - If the company was considering implementing a new HR software system, how would you approach the selection and implementation process?

How to create an interview questionnaire

With the help of an online form builder like forms.app, creating a customized job interview form can be quick and easy. We listed the steps you will go through to build an HR survey.

1  - Navigate to the forms.app website and click the “Create a Form” button. Then, you can select from the related existing templates. Or, you can choose “Blank Form.”

Create a form on forms.app

2  - Give your form a name and a brief description. Enter the name of your questionnaire in the “Form Title” field at the top of the screen. 

3  - Click the “Add Field” button to add the fields you want to include in your interview questionnaire. A window with a list of field types to choose from will appear. forms.app offers a variety of field types (short answer, multiple selection, date, time, etc.). Select the best type of field for the question you want to ask.

Add questions and fields to your questionnaire

4  - You can customize your form by uploading images, changing the color scheme, or adjusting the layout. forms.app offers several options for customizing the appearance of your form, such as changing the background color, adding images or videos, and adjusting the layout. To access these options, go to the “Design” tab.

Customize your HR interview questionnaire

5  - After all the steps, your form is ready. Go the share panel and choose how you want to share your form.

Choose a sharing method for your questionnaire

Tips to create better HR questionnaires

Building an interview questionnaire can help recruiters take notes and assess prospects throughout the interview process. The following are some important points to consider when creating an interview questionnaire: 

Wrapping it up

It is important to note that no question can offer a definitive response regarding an applicant’s fitness for the job. HR generalists must use their discretion and experience to interpret the responses they receive. This will help them make informed decisions based on a comprehensive evaluation of an applicant’s qualifications and potential.

The ultimate aim of any HR interview process should be to select a candidate who is compatible with the corporate culture and has the potential to positively affect the company. By asking the proper questions and implementing effective recruitment policies, HR professionals can make confident and effective hiring decisions that benefit both the candidate and the company.