You’ve visited s1jobs and been wowed by the variety of top HR roles available. You’ve chosen your favourite vacancies and sent off a world-class CV, highlighting your skills, qualities and experience.
Now you’re looking forward to the interview, where you’ll be open and honest.
Or will you? Often in a high-pressure situation we find ourselves saying the silliest things.
Thankfully, there is a way to avoid bloomers: recognise the big five fibs and replace them with five big winners.
Yes, I can do anything you ask!
Okay, can you sing Bohemian Rhapsody with your head in a bowl of custard? So you can’t do anything your new HR Manager asks.
What you can promise is to bring passion and energy to the position. No-one is expecting miracles or magic but enthusiasm is a must.
Actually, I can’t think of any weaknesses
Come on, even Marvel superheroes have weaknesses. You just showed yours to be an inability to recognise overambitious confidence.
What you could have said is: if anything, I’m too keen to learn and do everything at once. Over-enthusiasm can be curbed: but your apparent ‘weakness’ also means you’re coachable and willing to take on extra responsibilities.
Oh, I’ve done that a million times
Exaggeration is understandable on a first date but not so much at a job interview for new HR Assistant. Your new manager can easily check what your duties were in your previous role, so stick to the facts.
If you’re put on the spot by a question, it’s better to admit you’ve not much experience but you’re keen to learn more and make it an integral part of your new role.
I agree. Yes, that’s right. Absolutely!
Chances are your interviewer wants a colleague not a confidence boost. Anyone who agrees entirely with everything will make a hiring manager skeptical.
Relax and allow your body language to reflect confidence and calmness. Now think about what you’re being told. If you don’t agree, beg to differ.
The HR Manager may be testing not only your knowledge of HR but your honesty and confidence in replying.
No, I’ve no questions, we’ve covered it all
Actually, your potential new boss will probably decide if everything’s been covered. And they really do want know what’s on your mind before you go.
If you just can’t think of anything or you freeze, use the corker of a question you’ve rehearsed all week: I’d really love the chance to prove myself, so how could I most impress you in my first three months?
Now put yourself to the test by applying for top HR roles with s1jobs