Landing an interview for an HR intern position is the first step to getting your foot in the door of the human resources industry. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of 20 HR intern interview questions you’re likely to be asked during your next interview, along with tips on how to answer each. We’ll also give you some helpful hints on preparing for your interview.
Table of Contents
Basic Interview Questions for HR Interns
Before we get into HR-specific questions, let’s cover some basics. You should prepare to answer these questions no matter what industry you’re interviewing in.
- Tell me about yourself?
- Why are you interested in this position?
- What are your strengths?
- What are your weaknesses?
- What are your career aspirations?
- What is your experience with [X Skill]?
These are all questions that you should be able to answer relatively easily. The key is, to be honest, confident, and prepared. Please do your research on the company before your interview so you can tailor your responses to what they’re looking for.
Find here More Common Interview Questions
Human Resource Intern Interview Questions About Experience
Now let’s move on to some questions specifically about your experience in the human resources field. If you don’t have any direct experience, that’s okay. Just be honest and discuss any transferable skills or experiences you may have.
- What attracted you to the HR field?
- Tell me about your previous experience working with people?
- Describe a time when you had to manage a large project. How did you go about it?
- What do you think sets HR apart from other industries?
- What do you think are the most important skills for an HR professional?
- How would you describe your experience dealing with difficult situations?
- How do you handle change in the workplace?
- Tell me about a time when you had to implement a new policy?
- What software are you familiar with?
- What do you think is the most important trait for an HR professional?
- How do you collaborate with other departments in your company?
- How do you stay up-to-date with changes in the HR field?
In-depth HR Intern Interview Questions
These are some more in-depth questions you may be asked during your interview. They require a bit more thought to answer, but they’re still relatively easy if you’re prepared.
- What do you think is the most important function of HR?
- How do you think HR can impact the bottom line of a company?
- What do you think are the biggest challenges facing HR professionals today?
- What are your thoughts on the current state of the job market?
- What will you do if an employee comes to you with a problem?
- What will you do if an employee is breaking company rules?
- How will this role as an HR intern help you in your future career?
- What are your thoughts on employee retention?
- What do you think are the most important strategies for recruiting top talent?
Sample HR Intern Interview Questions and Answers
What are your career aspirations?
Your answer to this question should demonstrate that you clearly understand what the HR intern position entails. It would help if you also highlight how your skills and experiences make you a good fit for the role.
Some tips on how to answer this question:
- Do your research on the company and the position before your interview.
- Be specific about why you’re interested in the role and what you hope to learn or accomplish.
- Avoid generic answers like “I’m interested in HR because I want to help people.”
Tell me about a time when you had to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously?
This question is designed to test your ability to handle multiple priorities at once, as well as your time management skills. Be sure to give a specific example of when you had to juggle multiple tasks.
Some tips on how to answer this question:
- Choose an example demonstrating how you could prioritize and manage your time effectively.
- Avoid giving an example that is too personal or too detailed.
- Keep your answer concise and to the point.
How would you identify suitable candidates for job vacancies?
This question tests your ability to identify the key skills and qualities required for a particular role. Be sure to mention specific methods you would use to identify suitable candidates, such as job postings, online research, or networking.
Some tips on how to answer this question:
- Do your research on the company and the position before your interview.
- Be specific about the methods you would use to identify suitable candidates.
- Avoid giving a generic answer like “I would use the internet to find candidates.”
What do you think sets your qualifications apart from other candidates?
In your answer, you should highlight the unique skills and experiences that make you a good fit for the HR intern position.
Some tips on how to answer this question:
- Be specific about why you think you’re a good fit for the role.
What are your strengths?
When answering this question, you want to focus on qualities that make you a good fit for the HR intern position. For example, if you’re a good communicator or have experience with data analysis.
Some tips on how to answer this question:
- Be specific and give examples to support your claims.
- Focus on qualities that are relevant to the position.
- Avoid listing qualities not related to the job or that you cannot back up with examples.
Wrapping Up
That’s it! 20 HR intern interview questions that you’re likely to be asked, along with tips on how to answer each. Remember to be honest, confident, and prepared, and you’ll do great. Good luck!