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HR Assistant Interview Questions

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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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Whether you are preparing to interview a candidate or applying for a job, review our list of top HR Assistant interview questions and answers.

  1. What do you feel are the most important personality traits and skills of an HR assistant? See answer
  2. What do you think about working in a team of other HR professionals? See answer
  3. What experience do you have in the recruitment process? See answer
  4. How would you grade your communication skills? See answer
  5. What experience do you have using human resource management systems? See answer
  6. How do you ensure employee databases are accurate and up to date? See answer
  7. How do you stay motivated when carrying out repetitive tasks? See answer
  8. How do you manage multiple calendars as an HR assistant? See answer
  9. What key information do you think must be in an employee handbook? See answer
  10. What educational qualifications and training do you have as an HR assistant?
  11. How well do you thrive in a fast-paced environment?
  12. How do you maintain confidentiality in the workplace?
  13. How do you motivate employees?
  14. Why do you want to work for our organisation as an HR assistant?
  15. What would you do when employees submit their timesheets late?
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Hire your next HR Assistant today.

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Hire your next HR Assistant today.

Post a job
Our mission

Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines

15 HR Assistant Interview Questions and Answers

What academic qualifications and training do you have as an HR assistant?

This question helps you determine whether a candidate has the academic requirements to succeed in this role. An excellent candidate has post-secondary school education and a desire to learn new skills. What to look for in an answer:

  • Post-secondary school education
  • Relevant or industry-specific professional certifications
  • Knowledge of the duties of an HR assistant

Example:

"I have a bachelor's degree in business administration. During my undergraduate, I learned about business development, economic principles, and organisational management. My previous role provided on-the-job training as an administrative assistant, and I love learning about personnel administration. I look forward to applying my skills and knowledge as an HR assistant in your organisation."

How well do you work in a fast-paced environment?

HR assistants often perform tasks such as providing administrative support or maintaining employee files quickly and continuously. The goal of this question is to determine how well a candidate copes in fast-paced environments. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to thrive and maintain organisation in a fast-paced environment
  • Excellent time management skills
  • Resilience

Example:

"I work well in fast-paced environments. In my experience, my organisational and time management skills improve in fast-paced environments. It keeps me motivated. My past two HR assistant positions were continuously busy, and I developed many skills during that period. I also have strategies to make sure I achieve work-life balance while working in fast-paced environments."

What do you feel are the most important personality traits and skills of an HR assistant?

The goal of this question is to determine whether a candidate knows the personality traits and skills that an HR assistant needs. A promising HR assistant mentions qualities relating to computer, organisational, and communication skills. They may also include how they intend to apply these skills in your organisation. What to look for:

  • Knowledge of relevant hard and soft skills
  • Passion for the human resource management
  • Integrity and trustworthiness

Example:

"I think integrity and honesty are the most important personality traits of an HR assistant. Database management, organisational, time management, and communication skills are also important. I'm confident that my skill set includes the qualities of a good HR assistant and I have the required personality traits for the role."

What do you think about working in a team of other HR professionals?

HR assistants support employees with clerical duties and collabourate with HR managers and other professionals. The goal of this question is to understand how well a candidate can work with others and take direction. What to look for in an answer:

  • Interpersonal skills and experience with teamwork
  • Effective communication skills
  • People management skills

Example:

"I'm comfortable working with other people. In my previous roles, I carried out various tasks with other HR assistants, such as handling payroll, communicating with employees, and assisting with the hiring process. In my experience, working with other HR professionals is a great opportunity to learn new skills."

What experience do you have in the recruitment process?

The goal of this question is to determine whether a candidate is familiar with the recruitment process. It also reveals details about their work history. What to look for in a candidate's answer:

  • Understanding and confidence supporting HR managers through the recruitment process
  • Relevant experience recruiting, interviewing, or advertising job positions
  • Effective communication skills

Example:

"In my previous role, I assisted HR managers through various stages of recruitment. My task was to confirm applicant references and perform background checks. As I progressed in the company, I took part in more stages, including candidate screening and preparing interview questions."

How would you grade your communication skills?

HR assistants need strong communication skills to assist HR managers with administrative tasks and relate with other employees. Asking this question reveals whether a candidate is an excellent and experienced communicator. What to look for in an answer:

  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Ability to communicate professionally
  • Teamwork skills

Example:

"On a scale of one to ten, I'd grade myself a nine. I believe communication starts by listening actively to understand the needs of others and responding properly. I also observe and empathise with people, which I've been told makes me easy to talk to. I graded myself a nine because believe there's always room for improvement, and I'm eager to develop my communication skills."

What experience do you have using human resource management systems?

HR departments use human resource management systems (HRMS) to manage employee life cycles. A strong candidate should be familiar with popular HRMS and know how to navigate them. What to look for in an answer:

  • Proficiency with specific HRMS
  • Critical-thinking skills
  • Examples of experience or preference of specific HRMS

Example:

"I have two years of experience using HR Cloud. I'm also proficient in Oracle HRMS. I find Oracle HRMS is easier to use because of its interactive user interface. I'm very open to learning the HRMS your organisation uses to manage employee demands."

How do you maintain confidentiality at the workplace?

HR assistants handle confidential files and sensitive information such as salary information and travel documents. The goal of this question is to determine how a candidate makes sure these files remain confidential. What to look for in an answer:

  • Experience and professionalism in handling sensitive files
  • Integrity, ethics, and a moral compass
  • Understanding of the importance of maintaining confidentiality

Example:

"My last two jobs required me to maintain sensitive documents for new employees. I made sure only authorised personnel had access to the files. We used a very secure HRMS scanning system for employee files. I understand the importance of keeping details confidential and would never discuss employee records with anyone."

Do you have experience with employee engagement initiatives?

The purpose of this question is to understand what strategies an HR assistant is familiar with for boosting employee engagement and productivity. An ideal candidate would describe their experience assisting with incentive programmemes and conducting performance evaluations. What to look for in an answer:

  • Experience assisting with employee engagement initiatives
  • Effective communication and interpersonal skills
  • Confidence implementing common HR strategies

Example:

"In my previous role, I designed an incentive programmeme that offered gift cards to employees who exceeded performance expectations each quarter. I also helped organise team-building workshops every month to encourage collabouration among employees. I believe motivating and keeping employees engaged is an important part of an HR assistant's role."

How do you ensure employee databases are accurate and up to date?

An employee database needs to be updated constantly, and HR assistants must ensure records are up-to-date. This question determines what steps a candidate takes to ensure the database is always complete and accurate. What to look for:

  • Strong organisational skills
  • Effective communication skills
  • Ability to manage a large employee database

Example:

"First, I make sure I enter all employee information into a central human resource information system as soon as it comes through. I send a company-wide email twice every year to remind employees to update the HR department with any record changes. These emails typically include a link to a digital form where employees can update their information and send it through to me. Finally, I update the database."

Why do you want to work for our organisation as an HR assistant?  

The purpose of this question is to find out whether a candidate wants to work in your organisation and what they hope to contribute to it. What to look for in an answer:

  • Research to prepare for the interview
  • Desire to contribute to your organisation
  • Enthusiasm for the role

Example:

"I want to work here because I believe I can contribute my skills to helping your organisation reach the goal of 100% employee satisfaction. The opportunity to work here also excites me because of your organisation's reputation for career development opportunities. I look forward to applying my experience, knowledge, and skills to be a valuable member of the HR team."

How do you stay motivated when carrying out repetitive tasks?

An HR assistant typically carries out daily duties, such as assisting with administrative tasks and filing paperwork. A strong candidate is happy to perform these tasks and is self-motivated. They also have strategies to improve their efficiency. What to look for in an answer:

  • Experience and comfortable performing repetitive tasks
  • Time management and organisational skills
  • Self-motivation

Example:

"I'm happy to perform repetitive tasks as an HR assistant. In my last role, I created daily targets to stay motivated. I found fun, professional ways to improve my productivity whenever I felt overwhelmed with routine tasks. I also took breaks and changed the order of my tasks for the day. From my experience, self-motivation and a positive attitude are key."

How do you manage multiple calendars as an HR assistant?

An HR assistant typically manages multiple calendars for other professionals in an organisation. By asking this question, you can determine whether a candidate has experience with schedule management. What to look for in an answer:

  • Experience with scheduling software like Microsoft Office or Google Calendar
  • Effective communication skills
  • Experience coordinating multiple calendars

Example:

"In my previous role, my HR manager granted me access to every employee's work schedule and each department's calendar. I made sure there were no conflicts when I set up meetings. I have two years of experience scheduling meetings and coordinating various appointments."

What do you do when employees submit their timesheets late?

HR assistants support the payroll department in some organisations. The goal of this question is to understand how a candidate manages difficult situations and solves problems. What to look for in an answer:

  • Problem-solving skills
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Experience with supporting the payroll team

Example:

"I understand that employees can sometimes forget to submit their timesheets on time. In such situations, I first make sure they understand the company's expectations on when to submit timesheets, and walk them through the process. I find it helps to remind them that their pay may come through late if their timesheets are late."

What key information do you think must be in an employee handbook?

The human resources team develops and issues the employee handbook. By asking this question, you can find out whether a candidate understands what policies, information, and procedures an employee handbook should contain. An excellent candidate would highlight their experience helping HR managers to develop handbooks or related documents. What to look for in an answer:

  • Strong written communication skills
  • Clear, concise, technical writing abilities
  • Knowledge of how to develop or issue employee handbooks

Example:

"In my previous roles, I helped HR managers refresh our employee handbooks. It involved the review of important information like the company policies, employee benefits, employer expectations, and the organisation's legal obligations. I think a clear contact information section and steps for communicating with employee relations officers is very important."

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