HR Interview Prep Confusion: What Should I Focus On to Succeed?

First, be relaxed before the interview. Be 100% confident in what you say. If you don't know an answer, simply tell the interviewer that you don't know. Please don't try to give wrong answers because Human Resources want people who are confident.

Regards,
Ramu

anil.arora

I am Pravin Kumar, and I have a problem regarding HR interview preparation. I am always confused about what exactly I need to prepare. I have completed an MBA in HR and an M.Com. Please help me with my preparation.

Understanding Your Current Position

The very first thing to consider is your knowledge in your area of function. Are you a fresher, or do you have some experience? Are you currently employed? This confusion often arises due to a lack of knowledge and low confidence. Please provide more details about your qualifications and experience so that I can offer specific solutions to your problems.

Regards,
Pravin Kumar

Pravinkrishn

I completed my MBA (HR & Finance) and M.Com (Advanced Accountancy) in April 2010 with 66% and 64%, respectively. I have no experience in HR, but I want to make my career in HR. Please guide me. Thank you for your response.

Regards,
Pravinkumar

tajsateesh

Like Swapna mentioned, this happens to all freshers. But also, don't think that experienced persons are experts in handling interviews. You will be surprised when you know the facts.

Addressing Your Concern

First and foremost, please stop thinking from the interviewer's perspective. This means that if you judge whether a particular answer will satisfy him or her, that's when your problem begins. Every interviewer has his or her own perspective—even if you think you have given the perfect answer, chances are very high that each interviewer will look at it differently and give scores accordingly.

To give an example, you got 66% in your MBA. I may think it's okay, another may think it's a very low percentage, and yet another may rate it differently. You have no way to know what the interviewer is thinking.

Unspoken Communication in Interviews

Another important factor that quite a few people overlook is that much of the interview assessment happens through the unspoken word—basically the body language of the candidate if it's a face-to-face interview, or the tone and texture of the voice if it's a teleconference. It's not what is being said, but how it's being said. That's where Ramu's suggestion—be 100% confident—comes into the picture.

Focus on Your Strengths

From your preparation point of view, I suggest focusing on yourself, your strengths, and maybe limitations (I wouldn't like to term them as weaknesses). Brush up on what you know so that you can handle any question asked in those areas. If the interviewer asks something in IR and you aren't very good in that area, admit clearly and frankly but immediately follow up with what you are good at. Anyone will appreciate when someone (1) admits what they don't know rather than beating around the bush or outright bluffing, and (2) gives an alternative. In a way, you will be leading the interviewer in a direction where your strengths are, from areas where you aren't confident.

This attitude or way of looking can be practiced by freshers and experienced people alike—in any domain or field.

Regards,
TS

jogesh satapathy

Dear Praveen, Don't worry about interviews; just present yourself confidently before the interviewers. Don't try to fake anything. For preparations, I think you need to immerse yourself in the project work you completed during your MBA, as this is the only experience you have now. Prepare yourself with theoretical subjects like Training & Development, Recruitment, etc. Don't forget to study Organizational Behavior and Principles of Management as much as you can. Also, prepare for HR tricky questions.

All the best for your career.

For any more assistance, you can reach me at [Email Removed For Privacy Reasons].

Thanks.

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