New HR Graduate Seeking Advice: How to Prepare for Interviews and Boost Confidence?

Hi Monika,

I have just completed an MBA in HR from IMT-Ghaziabad (results awaited). Can you please tell me:

1. The fields in which I need to brush up my knowledge before going to an interview.
2. What are the important tasks an HR executive performs.
3. How to feel confident without any relevant experience.

Regards

Hi,

The following acts are very important for working in a manufacturing company:

1. ID Act
2. Factories Act
3. PF
4. ESI
5. National Festival Act

Other acts are also important. As a fresher, you should familiarize yourself with the forms and precedents of the above acts. Apart from the acts mentioned above, training and development, counseling skills, performance appraisal, recruitment processes, etc., are crucial. Having knowledge of the above will enable you to work confidently, requiring diplomacy and common sense.

Thanks & regards,
Shiva Prasad
sprasad@tb-india.com

Hi Monika,

I am in my final year of MBA. During our campus recruitment, we were asked mainly about our project work. This is an area where you can demonstrate strength. They primarily question you based on your resume and your areas of interest, such as why you chose HR, etc.

In terms of concepts, make sure you are clear on your OB concepts. Understand theories related to motivation and leadership. In HR, focus on training and development, performance appraisals, and the significance of labor laws like Minimum Wages, Factories Act, Bonus, Gratuity, and ESI.

Additionally, please be confident when discussing your strengths and weaknesses and provide examples to support your points.

Regards,
Ramya Vasudevan

Hello Monika Handa,

Keep your eyes open to choose which area you would like to go: Manufacturing/Services/Telecom/Banking. If you have made your choice, then the question is: what do you know about that area (+-)? Be specific in your answers. All the best for your career.

With best regards,
Vennpuru

Hi

I have had a lot of HR fresheners for interviews and I would recommend:

1. Make some research about the company. Find out e.g. what their values and working environment is like and make sure you get this in the reason for you want to be a part of this company.

2. Be relaxed. Don't sit there and say nothing. I need to know what you are all about. But also remember to listen to the questions that I ask you.

3. Show some personality. Tell me what it is you think is so interesting about HR. What is your field of interest (please don't tell me that you think everything is interesting, because I will not believe you).

4. Give me some examples of your knowledge - what kind of papers you have been writing; what kind of companies you have researches etc. I need to see you can use what you have learned in real life.

5. Don't answer like you have been rehearsing at home - show that you think about what you say and answer from your point of perspective.

6. Show initiative and that you are not too good to do all kind of work. Specify that you see this as a great learning opportunity

7. Make sure that you can answer some normal questions like: what are your strong and weak points. Please don't say that you are too emotional! Show that you know that you are great at some things and that you know that you can improve on others. Always mention things that are work related here as I am not interested in your weak points in your personal life.

When you (like me) meet maybe 20 candidates in a day it is all about the candidate that shows something unique. I look for candidates that will be able to take initiative use their knowledge in my company on real life issues, that can be responsible and independent and overall that are interested in learning.

Hi,

Thanks a lot again. Can you please tell me the various types of employees in an organization like:

1. Permanent
2. Temporary
3. Professional
4. Consultant, etc.

I don't know in detail but have heard about all these, please help.

Regards, Monika