How Can I Stand Out in HR Interviews with My Experience and Skills?

Dear Seniors,

This is Babu. I have 4.6 years of experience as an HR Generalist in the IT field. Recently, I attended an interview, and the first question that the interviewer asked was, "Why should we recruit you? How are you different from others?"

My areas of expertise are:

1. Recruitment: SAP all modules, Dot net, Java, DBA, System and Network Administrator, Testing, and HR. I take care of end-to-end recruitment, which involves from junior to senior-level positions. Recruiting the right candidate based on the requirements, salary negotiation, notice period negotiation, initial reference checks, and follow-up until the candidate joins.

2. Post recruitment: Joining formalities, offer letter, appointment letter, NDA, attendance register maintenance, employee record maintenance, employee master, reference checks, welcome circular, introduction, induction, employee code, ID card issuance, stationary management, bank account opening, task sheets, policy-making, holiday list preparation for the year, documentation, labor records, leave and permission records, performance appraisals, issuing salary revision letters, probation and confirmation letters, warning letters to non-performers, payroll, payslip issuance, exit formalities, full and final settlements, and employee retention.

3. Employee Welfare: Resolving employee issues related to HR and admin activities, organizing birthday/wedding day celebrations, celebrating festivals, planning annual day functions, team lunches, team outings, sending motivational emails, and conducting presentations for employees.

4. Achievement: Actively participated in the Mass Recruitment Drive conducted by our company in Hyderabad on May 07 for SAP. Coordinated with developers to develop an HR Application site for employees where they can access policies, apply for leave and permissions, view payslips, check leave and permission status, view leave balances, provide feedback, participate in employee polling, lodge complaints, receive important announcements, and get notifications via their official email. Additionally, won several prizes in dance competitions and served as College president for 2 years in UG and 1 year in PG.

5. Employee Recognition: Announcing and issuing certificates for Best Employee and Peer Recognition awards, conducting surveys, and employee referral schemes. Additionally, organizing annual health check-ups for employees.

Please guide me on what I should highlight to impress the interviewer. Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Babu

Dear Babu,

I can quote the six areas of readiness, which I read in a book titled "Recruitment Techniques":

"(1) Know yourself: Your background, skills, accomplishments, and goals;

(2) Know what you need: Your interests, values, career goals, and salary requirements;

(3) Know how to look the part: You must work on your self-presentation so that only the best shines through;

(4) Know the company: Search through the website. If you go into an interview without having learned about the company with which you are talking, you are likely to leave the interview with a red face and no offer;

(5) Know the interviewing game: Winning sports teams take care to explore their opponent's strategies before each game. The interview process can be explored in the same way;

(6) Know how to answer and ask the right questions: If you are not prepared well, a lot of stumbling, stammering, faltering may happen, and certainly, regret."

Coming back to the question your interviewer raised, the answer is there itself (how are you different from others?). You might have felt it as a killer question if you did not have any idea about the job profile of the position for which you were appearing for an interview. So, taking care of point no. 4 before attending any interview is very much imperative to be successful. There should be a comparison of Person Profile (your profile) and the Job Profile (Job Description of the position applied for) before you attend any interview. Highlight your achievements in the current organization by explaining your job profile. Tell firmly and confidently that you can add value to the organization by using your past experience in all areas. Last but not least, Preparation is the Key for success. Don't wait until you land an interview to begin preparing for it.

All the best,

Gopal

You have to express your values and positive points for this question. You can also explain your qualifications, experience, attitude, and passion for work.

With warm regards,

S. Bhaskar
[Phone Number Removed For Privacy Reasons]

Dear Bhaskar, I did list the entire gamut of HR functions that I am involved in. Let's assume that you have the same profile that I do, and if the interviewer poses this question to you, what would be your answer?

- Babu

I understand that the profiles of two candidates could be similar, but their interests and competency levels may differ as they are different individuals. Therefore, you should focus more on mapping the company's requirements with your skills, strengths, and areas of interest.

Regards,
Nitu