HR
Interview
Picture this: You're moments away from clicking “join the meeting” and entering the “room” with a recruiter. Heart pounding? Palms sweaty? Or maybe just angry that the HR Specialist will again ask some out-of-the-blue questions you’re not really happy to answer?
Job interviews can be nerve-racking experiences, but they don't have to be. Imagine walking into your next interview feeling as confident as a seasoned pro. It's all about the art of preparation, and we've got you covered. Join us on a journey to unlock the secrets of interview mastery.
Let us start with a brief clarification, why do companies need HR interviews at all. Usually, they’re the first step in the hiring process. Their primary purpose is to screen candidates to ensure they meet the basic qualifications for the position. For an Engineer/Developer or any other Tech Expert it would be best to jump straightforwardly to the tech meeting, right? But unfortunately it’s not that easy. Companies receive an enormous number of applications, depending on the position and its level. It’s just impossible to ensure a technical meeting for everybody. At Blazity, for example, we understand the importance of candidates’ experience in the recruitment process, therefore we don’t want to leave anybody without answers or keep them waiting for too long. Here’s where our HR Specialist steps in.
Different Flavors of Interview Questions: Our No-Nonsense Approach
In the world of job interviews, there are various ways companies like to interview candidates. Probably, you’ve heard some stories (or even experienced them yourself) about questions asking about the number of windows in Warsaw, or what type of an animal you would like to be. These questions can be intentionally challenging or unexpected to see how candidates handle stress or pressure. However, at our place, we keep things simple and direct. Also, we don't fuss over every single detail in your CV; instead, we're more interested in the big picture. This approach not only makes the interview process smoother but also helps us get to know you better and find out if we're a good fit for each other.
So, what types of questions might you expect?
1. Please, tell us something more about your experience with …
You may expect this question especially if your CV “skills” section is not well-described. The Recruiter usually expects a straightforward answer, e.g. “I have 5 years of experience with React.js”. It’s also great to mention whether you’ve been using a language/framework/library commercially or not.
2. What were some of your biggest challenges in the project X?
Let’s state it clearly - it’s OK (and important!) to talk about struggles and challenges. What HR people like to hear is how you’re able to solve them. Have you ever heard of the STAR method? It’s an acronym that stands for: Situation, Task, Action, Result. You can use this method for answering almost any question, so it’s better to practice it a little beforehand.
- Situation: Begin by describing the situation or context in which the event or challenge occurred.
- Task: Explain the specific task or goal you needed to achieve within that situation.
- Action: Detail the actions you took to address the situation and accomplish the task.
- Result: Conclude by discussing the outcomes of your actions, highlighting any achievements, lessons learned, or improvements.
It helps to deliver well-rounded answers with clear points, showing your expertise and ability to take action. Other popular methods are CAR (Context-Action-Result) or PEARL (Problem-Example-Action-Result-Learning). And yes - we, the HR folk, love to hear examples!
3. Can you tell me about a situation where you …?
This question might be tricky. It can apply to a situation with a team/client, a successful accomplishment of a project goal or any other situation that requires a real-life example. It doesn’t mean you have to come-up with an example on the spot. Best tip is to think about some cases before the interview. If something like a situation mentioned by the Interviewer has never happened to you, it’s best to talk about it openly. The possible solution might be “I’ve never been in a situation like that, but hypothetically I’d try to solve it this way (...)”. Try to avoid general answers, where there is a space for some real-life examples.
4. Can you tell us about a piece of feedback you’ve received?
Questions about feedback might be structured differently. Sometimes, it's directly about feedback from your annual evaluation, sometimes it might be about your learning experience. Learning from your own mistakes is very valuable. There is no shame in sharing negative feedback as well - as long as you were able to take action upon it and improve.
5. How do you usually work with your team?
This question might sound like a broad one, and a trap to fall into generalization. Tell the recruiter about the team's size and roles. Whether the team is self-organizing or who’s the leader (Project Manager, Product Owner or maybe a Tech Lead?). You can talk about working remotely and what tools you use to make sure everybody’s on the same page. It’s great to mention what methodology you have implemented - is it pure Agile or something adapted to project’s needs - or what task management tool do you use. A rule that applies here as well - provide examples.
6. How do you work with the business/clients?
Depending whether you originate from a product company or a software house, the answer will be different. It would be easier to think about clients as stakeholders - whether they’re internal or external ones. Internal clients might be from the same company (e.g. branches from other countries) or simply from different departments. Tell the Recruiter how do you cooperate - whether it’s based on the ticketing system or do you have regular meetings? Is the product you work on only for internal use or will it be more widely spread? When it comes to external stakeholders (end-users, other companies, etc.) it’s good to mention whether you have been involved in gathering requirements, doing estimates, preparing demos, etc. Various companies have different work dynamics, and sometimes the PM/PO is the only client-facing party but maybe you’ve had a chance to work with client’s tech teams? Simply think about your involvement that does not relate to writing the code only.
How to Outsmart Common Interview Pitfalls?
Here are some Crafting the Perfect Answers tips.
- Avoid being too general - as already mentioned, it’s best to stick to the topic, and provide well-rounded answers. During the interview, both you and the Recruiter have a limited amount of time, so it’s best to skip anecdotes and backstories which are unrelated to the core question.
- Do not “time travel” - frequently you might hear an opener “please, introduce yourself briefly”. There is no need to describe your whole professional journey and graduating from a university (which is already mentioned in your CV). It’s perfectly fine to say that you’ve been working professionally as a Developer for six years, your last project was related to creating a food-delivery app for a client from Germany, and privately you’re an avid fan of football and Scandinavian cinema.
- Be Self-Aware - it’s important to be able reflect on your strengths, as well as weaknesses and areas for improvement. The key is to find balance - of course you don’t want to appear too arrogant in highlighting your achievements but still there are definitely some accomplishments you can be proud of.
- Avoid buzzwords - we, the HR people, frequently hear common things like “communication is important” or “I’m really a team player”, and it doesn’t mean much. It’s great to elaborate a little, for example: “Communication is important, I always make sure that everybody understands the assignment, and also I try to be an active listener when I mentor somebody”. Instead of “I’m really a team player” say that “you’re always eager to help colleagues with their tasks, review their code or do a quick pair-programming session when they’re stuck.” Similarly, throwing in some tools and names also may appear to be buzzwords without proper explanation. Instead of just saying “I worked with AWS”, mention that, for example, you used AWS Amplify for hosting a certain type of an application.
- Be ready to talk about your expectations - we want to understand your needs and values. What’s the most important for you (apart from the salary and flexible working hours)? Are there any specific tools you’d like to use or maybe types of projects you’re really into? Would you like to stick to a given framework or are you excited about discovering new ones? Such discussion also helps to discover whether a given company is a match to your needs. Don’t be afraid to ask questions as well!
- Show interest - of course, not everybody is always full of beans, but it’s important to show your enthusiasm. It also signals your motivation! After all, you’re being interviewed for a position you want to obtain, and you’re talking about things you like. It’s good to put a smile on your face. :)
- Be prepared for speaking in English (if it’s not your first language) - doesn’t matter whether it will be 2-3 questions or the whole interview; if the company doesn’t have an external language audit, the Recruiter most certainly will check your English skills. Take a deep breath and relax. Remember, your accent is less important than your ability to communicate and create cohesive sentences. Speak with confidence, and don’t panic when you make a slip or lose a word - it might happen, it’s not the end of the world. Currently, good English language skills in the IT world are as important as good code quality.
It’s worth remembering that interview success is not only about what's on your resume but how well you can communicate and show your skills. With some preparation, a positive attitude, and effective communication, you can increase the chances of getting your next dream job. Also, reflect on your interview experiences and learn from them, especially from feedback received. HR interviews are nothing to be afraid of, think of them as a friendly and casual conversation. But don’t forget about highlighting your achievements, experiences, and skills. :) Good luck!
