As I’ve said before, an HR manager does much more than simply vetting applicants -- they have a direct input on the hiring process, working closely with departmental hiring managers and CEOs or presidents. Thus, it’s important to follow these interview tips even in a preliminary meeting with an HR manager -- your performance there can directly affect your ability to get the job. Here are my interview tips to help you ace your interview with an HR manager.
Interview Tips to Impress the HR Manager
Preparing for Interview Questions
With my years of experience working as an HR manager and an executive career coach, I know the questions that HR managers ask, and one of my biggest interview tips is preparing for common questions.
In the past, I have shared the ten interview questions that you might encounter during your executive job search along with interview tips to answer them. During your initial interview, the HR manager might ask similar, but less probing questions designed to explore your personality, work ethic, and skill set, such as:
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What do I need to know about you that I don’t already know?
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How would a peer describe you? A friend?
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Tell me about your passion.
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Are you a continuous learner? How do you keep up-to-date with industry developments?
In addition to preparing quantifiable success stories to share in your meeting, follow my interview tips and think about your answers to the above questions.
Asking Questions During Your Interview
One of my interview tips is to prepare 3-5 specific questions to ask your interviewer. You should avoid asking “What are you looking for in a candidate?” as this is like asking “Tell me what I need to say to get this job.” Instead, show that you’ve done your homework on the company (another one of my interview tips!) by asking specific questions, like:
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Where do you see the company in 5 years?
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What are the specific goals for growth in this department? In the company overall?
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I see that you are launching a new service. Are there plans to offer any other new products or services?
Keep these interview tips in mind and you are sure to impress when asking the HR manager questions during your meeting.
Controlling Your Body Language
One of my interview tips that might seem difficult to implement is learning to control your body language during your HR interview. It’s harder to control our mannerisms when we’re under pressure, but it’s key for success in your interview. You want to seem confident and energetic. Since 55% of communication is visual, 38% intonation, and only 7% verbal, it’s imperative that you carry your body well and speak in a measured way.
Here are my interview tips for controlling your body language:
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Avoid nervous habits like playing with your hair or shaking your foot. These motions will distract your HR manager and suggest that you are uncomfortable.
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Do not slouch and be sure to make eye contact with your interviewer; otherwise, they may feel you are not engaged.
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There is a fine line between confidence and pushiness. Do not spend most of your interview talking and not allowing the HR manager to get a word in edgewise. If you grow overly-talkative when nervous, be conscious of this and take purposeful breaths when answering questions.
It’s important to prepare for an interview with an HR manager just as you would for a meeting with a departmental hiring manager or a company’s CEO. HR managers do have a say when it comes to hiring decisions -- and following my interview tips should help you make a great impression on HR.
If you need more interview tips or would like further insight into the mind of an HR manager, I would love to help -- contact me directly at (816) 600-2478.
