There are several stages in the recruitment process. You’re likely to have a job interview with a human resources (HR) recruiter before meeting a line manager. Don’t neglect this stage! HR plays a role in the progress of your application. If your skills are equal, it could tip the balance in your favour.

We’ve put together a list of four tips for a successful interview with a HR recruiter!

1. KNOW EVERYTHING THERE IS TO KNOW ABOUT THE COMPANY
Human resources are the representatives of the company. The interview with the HR recruiter will focus on the company and your ability to fit in. Know everything about the company: its activities, organisation chart/governance, key figures, commitments and recent appointments.
HR recruiters will be looking for candidates who fit in with the company’s culture and values. Show them that you’re not there by chance! Demonstrate that as well as knowing the company’s main activities, you know what it’s involved in, what its mission is, what its ambitions are, and that you share these plans.
It’s at this point that you’ll have to answer the questions about your motivations: why apply to us?

2. KNOW HOW THE COMPANY’S VALUES MATCH YOU
An essential element for a successful job interview with HR: work on your interpersonal skills! As a general rule, human resources are more interested in your soft skills than your know-how.
The following questions are often used to find out about your behavioural skills:

• What values are important to you?
• How do you react in the event of conflict?
• What are your faults/qualities?
• How do your colleagues describe you?
• What are your interests?

These questions are designed to assess your ability to fit in with the team and the company. Do you stand out from other equally competent candidates? They also serve to give an idea of your ability to communicate and summarise: the way you answer is as important as the answers themselves.

3. THINK LONG TERM ABOUT YOUR POSITION IN THE COMPANY
The human resources recruiter takes a longer-term view. You will therefore need to prepare different answers for the recruitment interview than you would for an operational interview. They will be looking to find out more about your ability to develop within the company, to take on more responsibility, etc.

You may be asked the following questions:

• Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years’ time?
• Do you change jobs regularly? Do you get bored of your tasks quickly?
• Do you have management ambitions?

Prepare for your interview in advance and think about these questions to avoid a black hole!

4. ASK QUESTIONS
One last question will be asked during your interview: do you have any questions?
It’s up to you! Show the recruiter that you are interested in the job and that you are keen to join the company. Asking questions will reiterate your motivation.

But what questions should you ask at a job interview with a HR recruiter? Avoid asking very specific technical questions about the job. The HR manager will probably not be able to answer them. Instead, ask general questions about the company, practical questions about the job and the contract, particularly about pay. But be careful. You’ll find a lot of details in the job advertisement. Review it carefully before you apply and make a list of any points that need clarifying.
Don’t forget to ask what you can expect from the rest of the recruitment process!