- In this job, you might be given tasks you haven’t done previously. How would you deal with them?
- Suppose you make a mistake at work but nobody is around to notice it. Would you let it pass so that things can continue smoothly or stop and confess so that it can be corrected?
- Tell us about a time you failed at a task and how did you deal with it?
- How would you handle a disagreement with a team member you work closely with without it affecting your work?
- How would you react to an unsavory complaint filed by an angry customer against you?
- How would you ensure high quality results when handling a large pool of clients at the same time?
- How would you keep the pace and standards of your work intact throughout a long-term project at our company?
- What do you do when your manager is wrong about something important and you are sure about it?
- Can you tell us about a noteworthy presentation you made in the past and why you think it was a success?
- What has been your greatest accomplishment so far?
- Tips for answering HR situational interview questions
Situational interviews can be very stressful and can put anyone in a fix.
Situational questions test a job applicant’s problem-solving and critical thinking skills and assess how a candidate deals with stressful situations in the workplace.
If you are preparing for an HR interview, you must read the top 10 HR situational interview questions to ace it like a pro!
In this job, you might be given tasks you haven’t done previously. How would you deal with them?
A new job always brings new responsibilities and through this situational interview question, the interviewer evaluates how you approach things you are not prepared for.
To answer, highlight the strategies you would adopt to understand and learn a new task to the best of your abilities. Review it to assess your standards.
Answer to reflect the readiness to learn new things, adjusting to new roles and solving problems intelligently.
Sample answer
I always find it helpful to research and consult experienced colleagues or seniors if I can.
I also take care to double-check after a few steps so I know I am doing it right.
Lastly, I always review the results before submitting them to my superior to reduce room for errors further.
Suppose you make a mistake at work but nobody is around to notice it. Would you let it pass so that things can continue smoothly or stop and confess so that it can be corrected?
This is a tricky but crucial HR situational interview question.
Such questions are meant to test your honesty and work ethic. Use your judgment well while answering.
A good strategy is always to lean towards an answer which shows that you are committed to quality and honesty.
Sample answer
My past experiences have always taught me that it is better to take responsibility and own up to your mistakes.
Even if I do not disclose my mistake immediately for the sake of maintaining calm and order, I would always admit it at an appropriate time.
The fear of rebuke does not deter me if it means I can improve and do my job better from that point onwards.
Tell us about a time you failed at a task and how did you deal with it?
This is another commonly asked situational question which tests your problem-solving skills, the ability to face defeat and turn negative outcomes into positive experiences.
Do not speak in general terms about yourself to answer this situational question – mention a specific experience that can demonstrate those aforementioned qualities.
Sample answer
As a {job title} in my last office, I set some goals and deadlines which were a bit too ambitious.
As a result, the work was rushed and not of great quality, the client was disappointed and my team suffered a lot of anxiety.
However, I convinced the client I can manage things better the second time and did so by setting more realistic goals, letting my teamwork stress-free and delivering much greater results.
How would you handle a disagreement with a team member you work closely with without it affecting your work?
Since teamwork and conflict resolution are key skills in an office environment, you should answer this question carefully.
Highlight how well you can manage interpersonal relationships and not let anything breach your professionalism.
Sample answer
Firstly, I would maintain my composure and professionalism instead of giving in to any petty impulses.
Being a part of a team is important to me and I believe that having a calm and rational dialogue with my colleague would be a good step towards solving any disagreements between us.
I would try my best to not let any conflicts escalate, but if they do, I would seek intervention in the workplace itself instead of resorting to any unprofessional or unethical tactics.
How would you react to an unsavory complaint filed by an angry customer against you?
In client-facing profiles like customer support, retail or front-desk jobs, handling criticism and negative reviews is part of the job.
To answer this situational interview question, mention your abilities to overcome negative emotions and handle any unfair or unpleasant experiences with grace.
Sample answer
I believe in the adage "the customer is always right". So I would make it a point to remain calm and face the situation as positively as possible.
Even if I have to defend myself in front of my manager, I would not place any blame on the customer.
If possible, I would like to revisit the issue and make amends so both the customer and I can have a sense of closure and satisfaction.
How would you ensure high quality results when handling a large pool of clients at the same time?
Your answer to this should outline a definite strategy to handle multiple clients at your job.
Make sure your answer is specific to your job profile or industry and shows that you are skilled at time management and multitasking.
Sample answer
I prefer doing one thing at a time instead of being a jack of all trades, so a planned schedule would be my starting point when dealing with multiple clients.
I would prioritize tasks and clients in an order where I can attend to them individually throughout the day or week.
I would also take the help of project management systems to keep my schedule in order.
How would you keep the pace and standards of your work intact throughout a long-term project at our company?
HR situational interview questions like these are designed to find out how well you can plan, manage projects, work steadily and keep yourself focused.
You can support your answer with an example of any long term projects you have worked on in the past.
Sample answer
I prefer dividing a long-term project into short-term goals and deliverables to keep myself motivated and maintain the momentum.
This also helps me manage time and expectations better.
I can tell you more about my experience with this long-term project I had worked on at my previous company.
What do you do when your manager is wrong about something important and you are sure about it?
Such situational questions test your communication skills, judgment, and relationships with authority.
Answer this carefully and do not say you would never correct a boss but do not overstep your boundaries and badmouth a former boss either – keep your answer balanced and rational.
Sample answer
I feel that tact is an essential value in tricky situations like these. Miscommunication and miscalculations often cause errors and managers are not immune from making them.
I will try to communicate the error to my manager but make sure I do it privately so as not to cause any disrespect.
However, as a subordinate, I would respect my boundaries and take care not to insult my manager in the process.
I would seek any praise or rewards in doing so, it would be simply to avoid hindrances at work.
Can you tell us about a noteworthy presentation you made in the past and why you think it was a success?
Situational questions often ask you to speak of yourself and your accomplishments.
Your answers to such questions can reveal if you possess values like humility, self-confidence, self-critique, and team spirit.
Specific questions like these can also look for specific skill sets, e.g. planning, creating a presentation and public speaking in this case.
Sample answer
At my previous job, I was asked to prepare a presentation on {topic} for an important client.
I worked hard on it and was able to impress the clients by the end of the presentation.
I think it was a success because I made it a point to not only create a sharp presentation but also learn about the topic inside and out and practice beforehand.
This made me explain my points to the client without referring to my notes or breaking the flow constantly and answering any cross-questions confidently.
What has been your greatest accomplishment so far?
Like the previous one, this common situational question also tests you for values like taking initiative, self-reflexivity, and modesty.
You should be able to highlight your successes without sounding too boastful.
At the same time, you should have enough confidence to recognize successes and speak objectively about them.
Mention recent accomplishments that can be related to the job you are interviewing for.
Sample answer
I cleared the {name of exam} in the first attempt and obtained the third rank nationally.
I consider it my biggest accomplishment because I prepared for the exam alongside working a full-time job to support my family.
My rank has made me believe in the virtues of hard work and a positive goal-oriented outlook in life, and I intend to carry these with me as I begin a career in {name of industry or field}.
Tips for answering HR situational interview questions
1. Study the job description
The questions you will face might depend on the job profile you are interviewing for.
For instance, if it is a public-facing job like customer service, you might be asked more about how you would handle conflicts with a customer.
Go over scenarios that you anticipate in your job or have faced in previous jobs and prepare how to speak about tackling them.
2. Do not worry about “correct” answers
Situational questions are intended to test how you would react to challenges.
These questions are open-ended so you create your answers according to who you think you are.
This is why it can be counterproductive to memorize any specific answers or worry about answering “correctly.” Most interview experts also recommend using the STAR technique to answer such questions.
3. Be frank and honest
While you may want to answer according to what your interviewers would like to hear, try to be as honest as possible.
Interviewers can always tell the difference between a textbook answer and one which is honest and spontaneous.
The goal is to let your true personality shine – it is more likely to impress the interviewers than some memorized answers.
4. Practice answering
Nevertheless, it is useful to make a mental note of general points to include or avoid in your answers before you face the interview.
Instead of writing and memorizing answers, try to spin something on the spot using those points (refer to the STAR method) and practice speaking them out loud.
This will give you more confidence when you are faced with questions during a situational interview.
5. Get to the point
While answering situational questions, try to be brief and get to the point of how you would resolve a situation as fast as possible.
Speak briefly about the context and your role in a given situation and move to specific strategies you would use to tackle it.
It will show you are a quick-thinker and a more dedicated and result-oriented problem-solver.
All the best!
