Effective HR Interview Preparation Tips for Freshers

Respected Sir,

I am Pravin Kumar and I have one problem regarding HR interview preparation. I am always in confusion about what exactly I have to prepare.

I have completed MBA (HR) and M.Com. So please help me in preparation.

Thank you.

Dear friend,

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

Dear Pravin,

This happens to all who are freshers and are attending interviews. Feel relaxed, know the position you are applying for, prepare yourself well before, and attend the interview. I am sure you will be able to do it.

If you have any further queries on any questions on how to be answered, etc., do mail me at swapna52000@gmail.com. I will be glad to help you.

Swapna.

A lot of people have briefed you on what to prepare. The only thing that matters is who you are and what you want to be. Speak your mind. Success will be yours. Just be yourself.

Regards

I had completed my MBA (HR & Finance) and M.Com (Advanced Accountancy) in April 2010 with 66% and 64%. 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

Hello Pravin,

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.

Coming to your problem/concern, FIRST & FOREMOST, PLEASE STOP THINKING FROM THE INTERVIEWER'S PERSPECTIVE. Which means this: if you think/judge whether a particular answer will satisfy him/her, that's when your problem just begins. Every interviewer has his/her own perspective—even if YOU THINK you have given the perfect answer, chances are very high that each interviewer will look at it in a different way & give scores accordingly.

To give an example, you got 66% in MBA. I may think it's OK. Another one may think it's a very low percentage. And yet another one may rate it differently. AND YOU HAVE NO WAY TO KNOW WHAT THE INTERVIEWER IS THINKING.

Another important factor quite a few people overlook is that in an interview, 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 & texture of the voice if it's a telecon—NOT WHAT IS BEING SAID, BUT HOW IT'S BEING SAID (that's where Ramu's suggestion—be 100% confident—comes into the picture).

So from your preparation point of view, I suggest FOCUS ON YOURSELF, YOUR STRENGTHS & MAYBE LIMITATIONS (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 & you aren't very good in that area, admit clearly & frankly BUT IMMEDIATELY FOLLOW UP WITH WHAT YOU ARE GOOD AT. Anyone will like when someone (1) admits what they don't know rather than beating around the bush or outright bluffing, AND (2) gives an alternative—and 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/way of looking can be practiced by freshers & experienced people alike—in any domain/field.

Regards,

TS

Dear Praveen,

Don't worry about interviews, just present yourself before the interviewers. Don't try to fake anything. For the preparations, I think you need to immerse yourself in your project work that you must have done during your MBA because 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 yogesh.satapathy@gmail.com.

Thanks.