Struggling with "Why HR?" in Interviews? Seeking Advice on Crafting a Convincing Answer

Hello seniors, I am in the 3rd semester of my PGDM (HR) and have been participating in many mock interviews where they often ask me the question, "Why HR?" My response has been that I like to interact with people from different societies and cultures. However, it seems that they are not convinced by this answer. Can you please correct me where I went wrong? What could be a better answer when anybody asks why HR?

Thank you,
Neha Sandilliya.

The Role of HR in Business Success

HR personnel are expected to be the ones who take care of the most precious resource in the business, which is people. If HR fails to understand the sensibilities of the employees, the core objectives of the organization will also fail.

Regards,
Madhu.T.K

In addition to the points mentioned by Mr. Madhu T.K, please introspect why you selected this course. Remain honest; it can simply be because other courses required a higher grade during your MBA. Even if it is so, please accept that. In case you had a different motive, no matter how naive it is, please formulate that. It is possible you saw someone as an effective HR professional when you were young, and that impacted you. It can also be that you have a dream to bring value to this profession. You may not have any clue how to make that idea work, but you would learn more as you intern and apprentice in the role.

Right now, you may not realize it, but that naive idea can be the sole driver during your career and take you through when you hit a roadblock.

You may then look into the professional offerings in HR and find an alignment in yourself. You may define the area you enjoy troubleshooting and connect how it would add value to your future role.

Please do read other discussions on the same topic. But form your answer based on your reflections. If you pick keywords from others' answers, your reply will seem fake and never convince anyone.

https://www.citehr.com/107458-what-f...#axzz17FrzEKym
https://www.citehr.com/300889-how-de...#axzz17Fvqly77

First mistake is never a letdown. It's an important step from where we start learning.

Wishing you all the very best!

Regards,
(Cite Contribution)

I think that your reply should focus on the fact that since employees are the backbone or the most essential ingredient of any company, you want to study how this resource may be best managed and encouraged to learn and grow for the ultimate good of the company. The fact that you are able to interact well is a skill but not the reason for studying HR.

Answering the Question: "Why HR?"

I think it is one of the basic questions that an interviewee should prepare for before going to an interview. Another thing that I would like to highlight before answering your question is that there are no right or wrong answers, only appropriate or inappropriate ones.

If you say that you have chosen HR to interact with people, the interviewer might get the idea that you have done something just for the sake of it.

I think you should jot down your strengths and weaknesses and how these are going to help you in your chosen area. What are the expectations from an HR manager, and how are you going to work on that with your present skill set? Also, the prospects of HR in the future should be added to the answer.

Last but not least, being a woman, nature has bestowed you with the quality to nurture, while a man has to acquire this through training. An HR manager has to work tirelessly with missionary zeal towards people and their development.

Hope this gives you some clarification in writing your answer.

Regards,
Nandini Sinha
Principal - NMS
[Phone Number Removed For Privacy Reasons]

Ms. (Cite Contribution) has spelled it right. Forget about the interview and his question. Ask yourself, why have you chosen HR? Try to dig within yourself. Think slowly and without inhibitions of ego or shame. Please write down your answer. Now sit and think: what you have written, is it true and real? If you sit as an interviewer, does it convince you?

Have you chosen it for easy job prospects, easy passage, does it fit your background, or did somebody advise you or your friends have chosen the same? Or was there no alternative, it can be anything or just like any job. Please make yourself clear of your doubts and confusions. Then prepare for a suitable reply. Please do not try bluffing.

The other person at the other end of the table knows far more than you and can catch you or embarrass you.

The answer can be as simple as this: I chose HR because it is easier to read, or I do not like mathematical types. But after choosing and studying, I find it has a vast field and is very interesting. There are many problems for which nobody has been able to provide correct solutions because man is a complex person and changes his response to work depending on hundreds of parameters influencing his character. I would like to contribute to this, accepting challenges, etc. Best of luck.

I see that you enjoy interacting with people, which is why you have chosen HR. However, interaction is a crucial aspect present in various profiles and specializations. When asked how your future goals are connected to HR, it's essential to provide a well-thought-out answer. The suitability of the response varies for each individual, as one person's perspective may not be applicable to another.

I suggest interpreting the question based on your own objectives and characteristics. Consider deriving your answer from your aspirations and personality traits.

Thank you.

Regards,
Astha Srivastava
HR Executive

I absolutely agree with the statement and suggestion given by Miss Nandini, but most importantly, you should be honest with yourself. Interviewers are also trying to check your confidence level and the way you are presenting the answer. It may vary from one interviewer to another, but make sure the answer is ready beforehand by identifying your weaknesses and strengths.

All the very best,

Regards,
Ritesh Sinha
HR Manager
Vijay Sales, Gujarat

All the suggestions are trying to lead Neha to an answer. The best approach would be to decide on what you believe is true to yourself and justify it. However, it is true that one must be bold enough to say if they could not pursue other streams and hence chose HR. Be truthful to yourself, and it will work.

As someone said, there is no right or wrong answer; only your confidence in answering is important.

Regards,
Arvind

Hi, all the suggestions are trying to lead Neha to answer. The best approach would be to decide on what you replied is true to yourself and justify it. However, it is true that one must be bold enough to say they could not get into other streams and hence chose HR if that is the case. Be truthful to yourself, and it will work. As someone said, there is no right or wrong answer; only your confidence in answering is important.

Regards,
Arvind

Absolutely agree with ranganathmegge. Do not ever give textbook answers. The answers need to be yours and only yours.

Self-Assessment Exercise

An exercise in self-assessment might also help you to find the right answer, that is, the right answer for you.

You could tell them that you are interested in managing the most important resource of an organization, i.e., the manpower. Let them know that you enjoy interacting with people and that you are very sociable and a people person.

Well, I would say HR is the backbone of all organizations, and all other departments are interconnected with HR. HR plays a role of competitive advantage and supports the business in generating revenue, which really excites and encourages one to be associated with HR.