20 Questions

What Questions to Ask HR

Essential questions to ask HR that help you understand company policies, benefits, culture, and opportunities while demonstrating your interest in the organization and making informed decisions about your career.

1

What are the company's core values and culture, and how do they guide employee behavior and decision-making?

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Why this works

Critical for understanding the company's culture and ensuring you understand their values and how they influence the workplace environment.

2

What are the company's policies on professional development and career advancement, and how do you support employee growth?

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Why this works

Important for understanding career development opportunities and helps you learn about how the company supports employee growth and advancement.

3

What are the company's benefits and compensation packages, and what is included in the employee benefits?

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Why this works

Reveals the company's compensation approach and helps you understand what benefits and compensation are available to employees.

4

What are the company's policies on work-life balance and flexibility, and how do you support employee well-being?

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Why this works

Critical for understanding their work-life balance approach and helps you learn about how they support employee well-being and flexibility.

5

What are the company's policies on diversity and inclusion, and how do you promote a diverse and inclusive workplace?

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Why this works

Important for understanding their commitment to diversity and helps you learn about their approach to creating an inclusive workplace.

6

What are the company's policies on performance management and feedback, and how do you support employee success?

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Why this works

Reveals their performance approach and helps you understand how they manage performance and provide feedback to employees.

7

What are the company's policies on training and onboarding, and how do you help new employees succeed?

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Why this works

Shows you care about employee success and gives them a chance to share their approach to training and onboarding new employees.

8

What are the company's policies on communication and transparency, and how do you keep employees informed?

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Why this works

Critical for understanding their communication approach and helps you learn about how they keep employees informed and maintain transparency.

9

What are the company's policies on recognition and rewards, and how do you celebrate employee achievements?

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Why this works

Important for understanding their recognition approach and helps you learn about how they celebrate and reward employee achievements.

10

What are the company's policies on employee engagement and satisfaction, and how do you maintain a motivated workforce?

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Why this works

Reveals their engagement approach and helps you understand how they maintain employee engagement and satisfaction.

11

What are the company's policies on health and wellness, and how do you support employee health and well-being?

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Why this works

Critical for understanding their wellness approach and helps you learn about how they support employee health and wellness.

12

What are the company's policies on remote work and flexible arrangements, and how do you support different work styles?

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Why this works

Important for understanding their flexibility approach and helps you learn about how they support different work arrangements and styles.

13

What are the company's policies on leadership development and succession planning, and how do you develop future leaders?

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Why this works

Reveals their leadership approach and helps you understand how they develop leaders and plan for succession.

14

What are the company's policies on innovation and creativity, and how do you encourage new ideas and innovation?

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Why this works

Critical for understanding their innovation approach and helps you learn about how they encourage creativity and innovation.

15

What are the company's policies on team collaboration and communication, and how do you foster teamwork?

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Why this works

Important for understanding their teamwork approach and helps you learn about how they foster collaboration and teamwork.

16

What are the company's policies on change management and adaptation, and how do you support employees through change?

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Why this works

Reveals their change approach and helps you understand how they support employees through organizational changes.

17

What are the company's policies on employee feedback and suggestions, and how do you encourage input?

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Why this works

Critical for understanding their feedback approach and helps you learn about how they encourage and use employee feedback.

18

What are the company's policies on career paths and opportunities, and how do you help employees advance?

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Why this works

Important for understanding their career approach and helps you learn about how they help employees advance and develop their careers.

19

What are the company's policies on employee retention and satisfaction, and how do you keep employees happy?

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Why this works

Reveals their retention approach and helps you understand how they keep employees satisfied and retain top talent.

20

What are the most important things to know about working here, and what should new employees consider?

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Why this works

Essential for understanding their guidance and helps you learn about their advice for working at the company and what factors to consider.

How to Interview HR: Essential Questions and Strategies

Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.

Best Practices

Research the Company

Research the company's culture, values, and recent developments. Understand their mission and how they treat employees.

Understand the Role

Learn about the specific role and how it fits into the company's structure. Understand the responsibilities and expectations.

Prepare Thoughtful Questions

Prepare meaningful questions that demonstrate your interest in the company and help you understand the workplace culture.

Show Genuine Interest

Demonstrate genuine interest in the company and the role. Ask questions that show you're serious about joining the organization.

Question Sequences

The Culture Sequence

1
Start with: 'What are the company's core values and culture, and how do they guide employee behavior and decision-making?'
2
Follow with: 'What are the company's policies on professional development and career advancement, and how do you support employee growth?'
3
Deepen with: 'What are the company's policies on work-life balance and flexibility, and how do you support employee well-being?'

The Benefits Sequence

1
Begin with: 'What are the company's benefits and compensation packages, and what is included in the employee benefits?'
2
Explore with: 'What are the company's policies on health and wellness, and how do you support employee health and well-being?'
3
Connect with: 'What are the most important things to know about working here, and what should new employees consider?'

Common Pitfalls

Don't Ask Generic Questions

Avoid asking generic questions that could apply to any company. Ask specific questions that show you've researched the company and understand their unique culture.

Avoid Focusing Only on Benefits

Don't focus solely on compensation and benefits. Show interest in the role, the company culture, and the opportunity to contribute.

Don't Ignore Culture Fit

Avoid ignoring cultural fit. Ask about the company's values and culture to ensure you'll be a good fit for the team.

Avoid Being Unprepared

Don't come unprepared. Research the company, understand the role, and prepare thoughtful questions that demonstrate your interest and knowledge.

Interview Templates

The Culture Assessment

1
Step 1: Understand company values and culture
2
Step 2: Explore professional development opportunities
3
Step 3: Assess work-life balance and flexibility
4
Step 4: Evaluate diversity and inclusion policies

The Benefits Evaluation

1
Step 1: Begin with benefits and compensation
2
Step 2: Explore health and wellness support
3
Step 3: Discuss recognition and rewards
4
Step 4: Connect on career advancement opportunities

Further Reading

"HR Interview Guide" by Career Resources
"Human Resources and Career Development" by Career Institute
HR Interview and Career Resources
Career and Professional Development

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