Prepare for your HRBP interview. Understand the required skills and qualifications, anticipate the questions you may be asked, and study well-prepared answers using our sample responses.
This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience managing a team of employees. If you have previous experience managing a team, share some of your best practices for ensuring everyone is productive and happy at work. If you haven’t managed a team before, you can explain how you would approach managing a team of employees.
Answer Example: "Yes, I am very comfortable managing a team of employees. In my current role as HRBP, I am responsible for overseeing all aspects of employee management, including hiring, firing and performance reviews. I also work closely with my team to ensure they have all the resources they need to be successful at work. For example, I hold weekly meetings where we discuss any issues or concerns they may have and brainstorm solutions."
This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills and experience needed for this role. Use your answer to highlight some of the most important qualities for success as an HRBP, such as communication, problem-solving and interpersonal skills.
Answer Example: "Successful HRBP’s need to have strong communication skills, as they are often the first point of contact for employees with questions or concerns. They also need to be able to problem-solve effectively, as they may be tasked with resolving issues within their department or company. Finally, I believe it’s important for HRBP’s to have strong interpersonal skills, as they work closely with other departments and employees."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you would handle a common workplace issue. Your answer should show that you are willing to take action when necessary, but that you also respect employees’ rights.
Answer Example: "I would first talk to the employee about their tardiness and ask them why it’s happening. If it’s a matter of miscommunication or forgetfulness, I would try to find a solution that works for both of us. For example, I could ask them if they would prefer a later start time or if there is a way I can remind them to arrive on time. If it’s not a simple mistake, then I would take action based on company policy."
This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with implementing change and how you handle it. Use examples from previous roles where you helped implement new policies or procedures that helped improve the company’s HR operations.
Answer Example: "In my last role, I was responsible for creating and implementing new employee onboarding procedures. We had been using an outdated system that made it difficult for new hires to access important information like benefits packages and HR contact information. After researching different options, I decided to create a digital onboarding system that allowed employees to access all of this information online. The new system saved time and money while also improving customer service."
This question can help the interviewer understand your negotiation skills and how you use them to benefit your company and its employees. Use examples from previous jobs to explain what led you to negotiate a salary increase, what steps you took to do so and the outcome of the negotiation.
Answer Example: "In my last role as an HRBP, I noticed one of my employees was consistently working overtime without being compensated for it. After discussing this with him, I learned that he was struggling financially and couldn’t afford to take on any extra work. I spoke with his manager about the situation and we decided to give him a raise so he could afford to refuse extra assignments."
This question can help the interviewer determine your comfort level with public speaking and how you might handle important meetings and presentations in your new role. Use examples from past experiences where you successfully led meetings or gave presentations to groups of people, and highlight any skills or traits that helped you succeed in those situations.
Answer Example: "Yes, I am comfortable leading meetings and giving presentations to groups. In my current role as an HRBP, I lead weekly team meetings where I discuss upcoming events, provide updates on company news and share feedback from employees. I also give presentations to new hires about company policies and procedures. My favorite part about these tasks is getting to know my coworkers better and learning more about their backgrounds."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you might manage a team of HR professionals. Use examples from previous experiences where you’ve helped a group achieve goals, work together or achieve success.
Answer Example: "In my last role as an HRBP, I worked with a team of five other HR professionals who were all responsible for different aspects of the company’s human resources department. We met once a week to discuss any issues we were having with our individual departments and how we could help each other out. For example, if one person was short-staffed, they could ask another for help with training new employees. This helped us all stay organized and efficient."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you would apply your HR skills in a real-world situation. Your answer should show that you are willing to hold employees accountable for their actions and provide them with the resources they need to improve their performance.
Answer Example: "I would first meet with the employee to discuss their performance issues, as well as their goals for improvement. I would then create a plan together that includes specific objectives they need to meet in order to improve their performance. This could include additional training or resources they can use to achieve their goals. I would also track their progress regularly to ensure they are meeting expectations."
Working with a team of people from various backgrounds and with different points of view is a common requirement for HRBP positions. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re comfortable working with people who may have different opinions than you. In your answer, explain that you enjoy collaborating with others and finding common ground. Explain how you would work with a team of people from different backgrounds and points of view.
Answer Example: "I am very comfortable working with a team of people from various backgrounds and with different points of view. I have experience working in a diverse workplace where everyone had different perspectives and opinions. In these situations, I always tried to be open-minded and understanding of others. I also tried to find common ground with others so we could work together effectively. I believe that by listening to each other’s opinions and concerns, we can find solutions that work for everyone."
This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you possess the skills and abilities needed for this role. You can answer this question by listing several qualities, explaining what they mean and how you use them in your work.
Answer Example: "A human resources business partner should be organized, detail-oriented and have excellent communication skills. They should be able to work independently yet collaboratively with other departments, as well as have strong problem-solving skills. A HRBP should also be empathetic, as they will be working with employees on a daily basis. Finally, I believe that a HRBP should be someone who is passionate about helping others and improving the workplace environment."
This question can help the interviewer determine your ability to create a positive work environment for employees and how you would go about doing so. Use examples from past experiences where you helped create a positive work environment for others, including any specific strategies or methods you used to achieve this goal.
Answer Example: "I would start by creating an open line of communication between myself and my employees so they feel comfortable coming to me with any questions or concerns they may have. I would also make sure to hold regular meetings where I can answer any questions they have or address any issues they’re facing at work. In addition to this, I would encourage employees to get to know one another better by setting up social events like happy hours or team lunches where they can build relationships outside of work."
This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with one of the most important parts of being an HRBP. It’s important to highlight any specific skills or knowledge you have in this area, as well as how you’ve helped your organization save money or improve benefits for employees.
Answer Example: "In my last role, I administered all of our employee benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans and vacation time. I was responsible for making sure all employees were enrolled in the correct plans and that they met all eligibility requirements. I also worked closely with our HR team to ensure we were compliant with all federal regulations related to employee benefits. This experience has helped me develop an understanding of all the different types of benefits available and how to best choose ones that meet our employees’ needs."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle difficult situations. Use examples from your previous experience that show you can solve problems, communicate with others and manage a team.
Answer Example: "In my last role as an HRBP, I had an employee who was consistently late to work. At first, I tried to talk to him about it and explain why it was important to be on time. However, he did not seem interested in changing his behavior. Eventually, I decided to give him a written warning about his tardiness. If he continued to be late, I would have to let him go. Thankfully, he stopped being late after receiving the warning."
This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience with leadership skills. It also shows them how comfortable you are speaking in front of large groups of people. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific experience where you led a meeting or gave a presentation to a large group of people.
Answer Example: "Yes, I am very comfortable leading meetings and giving presentations to large groups. In my current role as an HRBP, I regularly lead meetings with my team members and clients. I also give presentations to employees about new policies or procedures at my company. I have experience with using visual aids like slideshows and graphs to help me communicate my message more effectively."
This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills and abilities they’re looking for in an HRBP. Use your answer to highlight some of your most important skills, such as communication, problem-solving and organization.
Answer Example: "The two most important skills for an HRBP are communication and problem-solving. An HRBP needs to be able to communicate effectively with employees, managers and other stakeholders in the organization. They also need to be able to solve problems quickly and efficiently. Another important skill for an HRBP is organization. An HRBP needs to be organized in order to keep track of all the tasks they need to complete."
Conflict is a natural part of any team environment. Employers ask this question to see if you have strategies for resolving conflict and keeping the team productive. In your answer, explain how you would approach a situation where two team members were arguing. Explain that you would try to understand both sides of the issue before making a decision about how to move forward.
Answer Example: "I believe that it’s important to resolve conflict within a team environment as quickly as possible. I would first ask the two individuals what the issue is and try to get them to talk to each other. If they refuse to do so, I would step in and mediate the conversation. I would listen to both sides of the story and help them come up with a solution that works for both of them."
This question is a great way for the interviewer to assess your knowledge of the industry and how you might fit in. If you have experience using human resources software, share what you like about it and what challenges you’ve faced when using it. If you don’t have any experience using these systems, explain that you are willing to learn new systems and technologies.
Answer Example: "I am familiar with several human resources software systems used in this industry, including Zenefits, Greenhouse, and BambooHR. I’ve worked with these systems in previous positions and have found them to be user-friendly and efficient. I also understand that each company may have different needs when it comes to HR software, so I am willing to learn new systems if necessary."
This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills and abilities needed to succeed in this role. Use your answer to highlight some of your most important qualities, such as communication skills, problem-solving ability and teamwork.
Answer Example: "Successful HRBP’s need to be organized, detail-oriented and able to multitask. They also need strong communication skills, including the ability to listen and empathize with others. A strong sense of empathy can help HRBP’s understand the needs of employees and make decisions that benefit them. Finally, I think it’s important for HRBP’s to be forward-thinking and innovative when it comes to finding new ways to improve employee satisfaction and retention."
This question can help the interviewer determine how you would handle a challenging situation. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to collaborate with others.
Answer Example: "I would first meet with the employee to discuss their tardiness and why it’s happening. I would then create a plan together that includes specific consequences for continued tardiness, such as loss of pay or reduced hours. I would also offer support through counseling or other resources to help them improve. If the employee continues to be late, I would follow through with the consequences outlined in our agreement."
An exit interview is a process that HR professionals use to learn more about why an employee is leaving their job. Employers want to know if there is anything they could have done to keep the employee on board, so they often ask HR professionals to conduct these interviews. In your answer, explain how you would conduct an exit interview and what steps you would take to ensure that it’s done properly.
Answer Example: "I believe it’s important to conduct an exit interview with any employee who is leaving the company. First, I would make sure that the employee feels comfortable talking to me. Then, I would ask them questions about why they are leaving and what they enjoyed about working at the company. I would also ask them if there is anything we could have done differently to keep them here. Finally, I would thank them for their time at the company and wish them luck in their future endeavors."
