HR Generalist Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

Human resources (HR) has become a popular career choice, offering high salaries and opportunities for advancement. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a 6 percent growth rate in HR specialist positions from 2022 to 2032, which is faster than average [1]. HR departments hire a range of HR professionals, with the HR generalist able to handle a wide range of HR tasks.

To successfully land an HR generalist role, be prepared for the interview using this guide. It includes HR generalist interview questions in various categories, some examples of strong answers, and more. 

Read more: What Is Human Resources and HR Management?

Understand the HR generalist role

As the job title implies, the HR generalist is responsible for various tasks in a company’s human resources department. You’ll need knowledge and skills in all areas of human resources, including recruitment, training, and policy compliance. 

Read more: What Is Human Resources (HR)? Description, Duties, and Jobs

Qualifications

To better understand what it takes to be an HR generalist, consider the qualifications you'll need for the position and the daily duties you may have. 

To become an HR generalist, you’ll likely need a bachelor’s degree in human resource management or a similar field, such as business administration. Getting certifications can also help you compete for an HR generalist position. 

Some examples of certifications are as follows:

• Professional in Human Resources (PHR) from the HR Certification Institute (HRCI)

• Senior Certified Professional from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)

• Certified HR Generalist (CHRG) from HR University

Job responsibilities 

Responsibilities for HR generalist may be different depending on your employer; however, typical responsibilities include:

• Recruiting new job candidates

• Interviewing and hiring employees 

• Conducting background checks on potential employees

• Checking references of potential employees

• Conducting job orientations

• Explaining and administering compensation and benefits packages to employees

• Creating and maintaining employee policies and procedures

• Scheduling and setting up job training

• Administering employee evaluations

Read more: What Does an HR Generalist Do? Your Career Guide

Common HR generalist interview questions

Knowing what questions to expect can help you prepare for an interview. Examine six common HR generalist interview questions and answers in three categories: personality, position, and situational.

Personality questions 

Personality questions help an interviewer understand how you work in a team and what unique qualities you can bring to the work environment. When answering these questions, share relevant stories about your past work life and bring up skills and qualities that may help you excel in an HR generalist position. These might include communication, cultural awareness, empathy, and interpersonal skills.

1. Why do you want to work here?

What they’re really asking: What is it about our company that interests you?

“This company has a strong reputation for putting employees first. I consider myself a happy person, and as I walk through the building, I notice that people seem genuinely happy to be here. So, I feel like I’ll fit in well and thrive in such a positive environment.” 

Other forms this question might take: 

• Explain why you might be a good fit for our company.

• Tell me three reasons you want to work for us.

2. Can you tell me about something you like to do in your spare time and what you like about it?

What they’re really asking: Will you fit in at our company? Do you have healthy interests outside of work?

“I like running in my spare time. I particularly enjoy a long run outdoors in the morning when it’s quiet. It provides me with an opportunity to let go of my thoughts and pay attention to my breathing, pace, and form. I started running while getting my master’s, which was stressful at times, and I noticed right away that running regularly made me calmer and more focused at school and at home. I continue to bring that calm and focus into my work.”

Other forms this question might take:

• What makes you want to get up in the morning?

• What does a typical Saturday look like for you?

Position questions

Position-based questions let the interviewer know whether you understand your potential role at the company. Answer these questions in ways that let the interviewer know you’re the best candidate for the HR generalist position. Always familiarize yourself with the job description when preparing for your HR generalist interview. In the interview, point out any certifications you’ve earned or training sessions you’ve completed that relate to the position.

3. What is your understanding of the HR generalist role?

What they’re really asking: Are you prepared for work on day one? 

“It’s my understanding that an HR generalist needs to have strong knowledge and skills in all areas of HR, and with my educational and work background, I’m prepared to deliver. Key areas that come to mind include employee recruitment, hiring, onboarding, training, compensation, and evaluation.” 

Other forms this question might take:

• What interests you about being an HR generalist?

• What do you think an HR generalist position entails?

4. How do you stand out from other job candidates?

What they’re really asking: Do you have the confidence to advocate for yourself?

“I believe I stand out from other candidates because I truly enjoy working in HR. I take great pride in helping employees with all kinds of issues, and other employers have praised me for my calm presence and skill in resolving conflicts. I also try to stay abreast of the latest HR practices and trends and participate in training and development events once or twice a year.” 

Other forms this question might take:

• What do you bring to the HR generalist job that no one else does?

• Why should I hire you instead of another job candidate?

Situational questions

Situational questions allow an interviewer to understand how you might behave in a particular work situation. When preparing for situational questions, it helps to use the STAR method, which stands for situation, task, action, and result. Think of a few specific challenges you overcame in past jobs, and for each one, describe the situation, your task in the situation, what action you took, and what happened as a result. This method helps you practice answering situational questions in a calm, clear manner.

Read more: STAR Interview Questions: What They Are + How to Answer Them

5. How would you handle working alongside someone you don’t get along with?

What they’re really asking: How do you respond in uncomfortable situations at work? Do you have good interpersonal skills?

“When I experience conflict with someone at work, I make extra effort to get to know them. I have noticed that some people just need a little more time to open up, and the situation usually improves once they do. In past jobs, I’ve found that my coworkers respond well when I listen, stay positive, and treat them with respect.”

Other forms this question might take:

• How do you manage stressful situations at work?

• Tell me how you handle interpersonal conflict at work.

6. What would you do to ensure good teamwork on an HR project?

What they’re really asking: Can you work well as part of a team? Do you have good leadership skills?

“I’ve found that teams work best when everyone has a clearly defined role. When working with a team, I encourage open communication with regular meetings and involve the whole team in goal setting and planning to give them a sense of ownership. To keep the whole process calm, I try to address small problems before they get too big.” 

Other forms this question might take:

• Give me an example of a time you worked productively with a group.

• Why do some teams function well and others don’t? 

Prepare for your interview with Coursera

Human resources is a growing field, and the role of an HR generalist offers variety, interest, and stability. As you begin your HR generalist interview preparation, it’s important to consider the types of questions interviewers may ask based on the job description and your own thorough research of the company. 

To prepare for your job interview and a new career, consider taking the People and Soft Skills for Professional and Personal Success Specialization offered by IBM on Coursera. You’ll get tips for communicating effectively at work, collaboration techniques to foster teamwork, new problem-solving strategies, and more. This course takes about one month to complete at 10 hours per week, and you’ll earn a career certificate to add to your resume or professional social media page.