How to prepare for a screening interview with HR after you apply for a job (tips + examples)

Summary

In this episode of the Career Strategy Podcast, the focus is on acing HR interviews. These interviews are more about assessing your soft skills and personality than technical expertise. The key to standing out is sharing specific stories that demonstrate your qualities, rather than relying on clichés and buzzwords. HR professionals value examples that showcase your abilities with real-world evidence. Additionally, candidates should avoid discussing personal topics, ensure they have good interview setups, and always come prepared with insightful questions. The episode provides tips on how to leave a strong first impression and avoid common interview mistakes.

Takeaways

• 😀 HR interviews focus more on your personality and soft skills than technical expertise or role-specific knowledge.
• 😀 Avoid using cliches and buzzwords like 'team player,' 'fast learner,' and 'critical thinker' in HR interviews.
• 😀 Share stories with concrete examples to illustrate your experience instead of just listing your skills.
• 😀 Always bring specific examples (or 'receipts') to showcase your skills and achievements.
• 😀 When answering questions, structure your responses like a journalist, incorporating the five W's (who, what, where, when, why, how).
• 😀 Focus on professional topics during interviews; avoid discussing personal life details such as hobbies, religion, or politics.
• 😀 Ensure a quiet, professional setting and solid internet connection for remote interviews to create a strong first impression.
• 😀 Never end an interview without asking questions—this shows you're engaged and interested in the role.
• 😀 Do not highlight your lack of experience; avoid calling attention to perceived weaknesses.
• 😀 Research the company thoroughly before your interview to ask informed, specific questions rather than general ones.
• 😀 Be confident that the recruiter or HR representative is already interested in you, as they’ve seen something in your resume or application that stood out.

Q & A

What is the main focus of HR interviews as discussed in the transcript?

HR interviews are typically focused on understanding the candidate's personality, communication style, teamwork abilities, and past management experience, rather than technical or role-specific skills.

Why should candidates avoid using buzzwords and cliches like 'team player' or 'critical thinker' in HR interviews?

Buzzwords and cliches tend to sound generic and can make the candidate forgettable. Instead, candidates should use specific examples or stories to demonstrate their qualities and experiences, which are more memorable.

What is meant by 'showing the receipts' in an HR interview?

'Showing the receipts' means providing concrete examples or evidence of past experiences that demonstrate your skills. It's about sharing specific instances where you have successfully executed a task or solved a problem, not just telling the interviewer that you can do something.

How can candidates make a strong first impression in HR interviews?

To make a strong first impression, candidates should focus on providing detailed examples or stories that showcase their skills. They should also avoid cliches and focus on evidence of their experience, demonstrating their qualifications through real-world examples.

What are some tips for answering interview questions effectively, as recommended in the transcript?

One tip is to think like a journalist and use the five W's (who, what, where, when, why, how) to structure your responses. This helps to make your answers more detailed, clear, and memorable. Also, ensure your examples cover the specifics of how you achieved results.

What topics should candidates avoid discussing during HR interviews?

Candidates should avoid discussing personal topics, such as hobbies, family, religion, politics, or other areas that could introduce bias. The focus should remain on their professional skills and experiences.

What should candidates do if their interview is remote?

Candidates should ensure they are in a quiet space with a solid internet connection and clear audio. Technical issues, like poor sound quality or background noise, can distract from the conversation and create a negative first impression.

Why is it important to ask questions during an HR interview?

Asking thoughtful questions shows interest in the company and the role, indicating that the candidate is engaged and has done their homework. Not asking questions can give the impression of disinterest or lack of preparation.

What are some red flag phrases candidates should avoid during HR interviews?

Candidates should avoid phrases like 'I don’t have much experience in that area' or 'I don’t know much about the company.' These can make the candidate seem unprepared or lacking in confidence.

What should candidates do if they feel they lack experience for the role they are applying for?

Candidates should avoid focusing on their lack of experience. Instead, they should emphasize transferable skills, relevant experiences, and their ability to learn quickly. The goal is to demonstrate how their background is a strong fit for the position, even if they don’t meet every requirement.