Prepare for your Head of People interview. Understand the required skills and qualifications, anticipate the questions you may be asked, and study well-prepared answers using our sample responses.
Employers ask this question to see if you can work with people from different cultures, backgrounds and experiences. They want to know that you are able to communicate effectively with people from all walks of life and that you can build relationships with those who are different from you. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific person who has different backgrounds than you. Explain how you were able to work together effectively and build a strong relationship.
Answer Example: "I have worked with a team of professionals from different backgrounds many times in my career. I am comfortable working with people of all ages, races, genders and sexual orientations. I believe that everyone has something to offer, so I try my best to listen to everyone’s opinions and ideas. I also try to be open-minded when it comes to new ideas and ways of doing things. I believe that by working together, we can create an environment where everyone feels valued and respected."
This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills and abilities they’re looking for in a leader. When answering, it can be helpful to mention some of the same qualities that are listed on their job description. This can show that you understand what’s important for this role and how your skills match up with those requirements.
Answer Example: "I believe the most important quality for someone in a leadership role is communication. Leaders need to be able to communicate their ideas clearly so that everyone understands them. They also need to be able to listen to their team members and respond to their concerns. Another important quality is empathy. Leaders should care about their team members and want to ensure they’re happy and productive."
Conflict can arise within teams, and the interviewer wants to know how you would handle it. Use examples from your experience to show that you can collaborate with others, resolve issues and maintain a positive team environment.
Answer Example: "In my last role as head of people, I had a team member who was consistently late to work. This was causing other team members to have to cover for them, which was disrupting our workflow. I met with the employee to discuss their lateness and why it was an issue. After several conversations, they started coming to work on time."
The interviewer may ask you this question to learn more about your experience with people management. This can be an important part of being a head of people because you’ll need to hire new employees and help them get acclimated to their job. In your answer, try to highlight any specific skills or strategies that helped you successfully onboard new employees.
Answer Example: "In my last role as head of people, I was responsible for hiring all new employees. I always tried to hire people who were a good fit for our company culture. To do this, I would ask them questions about their interests and experiences so I could determine if they would be a good match for our team. Once I hired someone, I would send them an email welcoming them to the company and explaining some of our policies. Then, I would have a meeting with them to go over more details about their job."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle giving negative feedback and whether you do so in a respectful manner. Use your answer to highlight your communication skills, empathy and ability to provide feedback that helps employees improve their performance.
Answer Example: "In my last role as head of people, I had to give an employee negative feedback about their performance. The employee was an older worker who had been with the company for many years and was very loyal to our brand. They took the feedback very seriously and worked hard to improve their skills so they could continue working for us. I appreciated their dedication to improving and felt comfortable giving them more time to do so."
This question is a great way for the interviewer to get insight into your strengths as a leader. It also shows them that you are aware of your own skills and how to use them to benefit a company. When answering this question, it can be helpful to highlight one or two specific skills that you feel are most important for this role.
Answer Example: "In my last role as head of people, my performance reviews consistently pointed out my ability to develop strong relationships with employees. My previous employers noted that I am able to create an environment where people feel comfortable sharing their ideas and concerns. This ability has helped me create effective hiring strategies and develop training programs that help employees grow within the company."
This question can help the interviewer assess your problem-solving skills and how you might handle a challenging situation. In your answer, try to highlight your ability to communicate with others, encourage collaboration and motivate employees to work harder.
Answer Example: "If I noticed a decrease in productivity among some of my team members, my first step would be to speak with each individual separately to find out what was causing the issue. I would want to understand what they’re feeling, what challenges they’re facing and if there’s anything I can do to help them. If the issue is something I can solve, such as providing training or resources, I would do so immediately. If it’s something more complex, I would work with them to develop a plan to overcome it."
This question can help the interviewer determine how much you know about the company’s culture. It’s important to research a company’s mission and values before an interview, but it’s also helpful to ask someone who works there what their organization stands for.
Answer Example: "I’ve been researching your company for several weeks now, and I’m impressed with the way you strive to provide excellent customer service to all of your clients. Your mission statement says that you want to ‘deliver unparalleled service to every customer, every time.’ I think this is an admirable goal, and I’m excited to join a team that values customer satisfaction so highly."
This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with HR software tools and how you might implement them in your new role. If you have no prior experience with HR software, consider mentioning other software tools that you’ve used in other roles and how they helped you complete tasks more efficiently.
Answer Example: "I’ve used several HR software tools in my past roles as a Head of People, including Zenefits, Gusto and Paychex. Each tool has its own unique features, but I find that the most useful aspect of these programs is their ability to automate certain processes. For example, with Zenefits, I could set up new employees with their own login information and access to the company’s benefits program within minutes of hiring them."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you plan and organize your team’s work. Your answer should include a step-by-step process for developing objectives and goals, including any tools or software you use to help you complete this task.
Answer Example: "I start by meeting with each member of the team individually to discuss their goals for the year and any personal objectives they may have. I then use this information to create an individualized plan for each employee that outlines their objectives and provides guidance on how to achieve them. Next, I meet with the entire team together to discuss the individual goals and objectives and create team objectives based on those conversations. Finally, I review the objectives with the team regularly throughout the year to ensure they remain relevant and achievable."
This question can help the interviewer understand your leadership style and how you define success. Your answer should show that you have an understanding of what it takes to lead a team successfully, including communication, collaboration and motivation skills.
Answer Example: "Success as a leader is when my team members are happy and productive in their roles. I believe that if my team members are happy and feel like they’re making an impact, then they’ll be more motivated to work hard and achieve their goals. I also think it’s important to give my team members feedback and provide them with opportunities to grow and develop their skills."
Social media is a common tool for employers to connect with candidates and potential employees. Employers ask this question to see if you have experience using social media and how you would recommend they use it to their advantage. In your answer, explain which platforms you would recommend for the company’s needs. Explain why you chose those platforms over others.
Answer Example: "I believe that social media is a great way for companies to increase their presence. I would recommend focusing on Instagram and Facebook for businesses looking to grow their following. Both platforms are popular among consumers, so they’re great for reaching new customers. I also think that Twitter could be beneficial for communication purposes."
The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your experience with creating HR policy manuals. This is a valuable skill that shows your ability to create clear, concise documents that explain company policies to employees. In your answer, explain how you created the policy manual and what steps you took to ensure it was accurate and effective.
Answer Example: "In my last role as head of people, I was responsible for creating our company’s HR policy manual. First, I met with all of the department managers to discuss their employees’ questions about company policies. Then, I compiled all of their answers into one document so everyone could easily find answers. Finally, I reviewed the manual several times to ensure there were no errors."
Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you feel about the job. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills and experiences that qualify you for this role. Focus on what makes you unique from other candidates and highlight any transferable skills or knowledge you have.
Answer Example: "I am passionate about people management, which is why I chose to study human resources. I also have several years of experience working in HR roles, so I understand the challenges of managing a team. In my last role, I was responsible for hiring new employees and training them on company policies. This helped me develop strong relationships with my team members and understand their needs."
This question can help the interviewer understand your background and how it relates to their company. Use this opportunity to highlight any experience you have that is similar to the role you’re applying for, such as working in an environment with a large team or managing a variety of projects at once.
Answer Example: "I’ve worked in both corporate and nonprofit environments, which has given me valuable insight into how different organizations operate. In my current role as head of people at XYZ Company, I’ve seen how important it is to have a diverse team that reflects the customer base. I plan to bring this same philosophy to your company."
This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the role and how you would approach it. It’s important to answer this question by identifying an aspect of people management that you find important, but also explaining why it’s important. This helps the interviewer understand your thought process and how you make decisions.
Answer Example: "I think communication is the most important aspect of people management because if employees don’t know what’s expected of them or if they don’t feel like they can talk to their manager, then they’re not going to be motivated to do their best work. I always make sure to have regular one-on-one meetings with my team members so they know I’m available if they have questions or concerns."
This question can help the interviewer understand your leadership style and how often you meet with your team. Your answer should show that you value communication with your team members, but it’s also important to explain why you think this is important.
Answer Example: "I believe team leaders should meet with their team members at least once a week. In my previous role as head of people, I met with my team members every Monday morning to discuss their goals for the week and any challenges they were facing. This helped me stay informed about what was happening in each team member’s life and allowed me to offer support when needed."
Diversity is a hot topic in the workplace, and many employers are looking for candidates who can help their team become more inclusive. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you are willing to learn about different cultures and backgrounds and how they can benefit the company.
Answer Example: "I am aware that there is a lack of diversity in my team, and I am committed to changing this. I believe that diversity leads to better decision-making and problem-solving because it allows us to see things from different perspectives. To address this issue, I would first talk to my team members about why diversity is important and encourage them to be open-minded when interacting with others. I would also encourage them to attend training sessions on diversity and inclusion. Finally, I would create an inclusive environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing their opinions."
