When you’re interviewing for positions in your human resources department like Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP), it’s particularly important to be able to assess all candidates using the same data (or scoring). This is where structured interviews come in. In a structured interview, questions are determined in advance and consistent. In unstructured interviews, the questions are not set in advance or may come from a loose set of notes from a hiring manager. Some hiring managers prefer to wing it in interviews, but being able to set benchmarks for candidate “must-haves” and “nice to haves” as they apply to this position.
List of HRBP Job Interview Questions
Based on the qualifications you’re looking for, your HRBP interview questions should be open-ended but also structured so that candidates may provide specific information that will distinguish them from the other candidates you’re interviewing for the position. Asking the right structured interview questions during the interview is crucial to selecting the right candidates to hire.
What Does a Human Resources Business Partner Do?
The HRBP or Human Resources Business Partner role is seen less of a generalist or manager and someone who takes a more consultative role working in HR. Human resource business partners have clients within the organization. They provide resources and build relationships focusing on the missions and objectives set forth by the organization. There is much less focus on compliance and administration. An organization instead typically has an HR Services Center or central department to help provide support in the form of policy development and enforcement, benefits, and compensation. This person is seen as an operational and more strategic resource for the region or area in which they support. This is an exempt level position.
Related: Human Resources Business Partner Job Posting
List of Interview Questions to Ask HRBP
Below are a list of Interview questions for a Human Resources Business Partner to get you started. You can access our downloadable resource called for more interview tips and downloadable interview forms to use during the hiring process.
1) Tell me about your current position or most recent position and how you helped the organization accomplish its goals and mission.
2) What do you think is the role of the HRBP in strategic planning for the organization?
3) How do you stay informed of current ideas on management and the HR field for the company/organization?
4) What characteristics do you feel are necessary for success as an HR business partner and why?
5) How do you balance business objectives with HR initiatives?
6) What has your past experience taught you about diversity and inclusion in the workplace?
7) What are your top three “mission critical” metrics when reporting outcomes of HR programs to company stakeholders?
8) What, for you, is the most satisfying part of your job?
9) What do you see as the greatest challenges HR faces in the coming decade? How would you prepare for these challenges?
10) After learning about this opportunity, what made you take the next step and apply for the job?
Once the HRBP interviews for the job are completed, it’s up to you and your team to decide on which of your top prospects is the one that you are going to offer the job. The key when interviewing and selecting candidates is to be sure of the job requirements and most important skills and abilities to ensure you are selecting the most qualified and capable person for the human resources assistant job you have an opening for.
Grab our downloadable HR Business Partner Interview Guide along with a handful of other helpful human resources interview questions guides to help staff up your HR team.
