20 H&R Block Interview Questions and Answers

H&R Block is a well-known tax preparation company, but did you know that they also offer other financial services? If you’re interested in working for H&R Block, you’ll need to be prepared for their interview process.

In this article, we’ll give you an overview of the company and their interview process, as well as some sample questions that you may be asked.

H&R Block Interview Process

The interview process at H&R Block is generally pretty smooth and easy. The length of the hiring process varies depending on the position you’re applying for, but it usually takes a few weeks from start to finish. Interview difficulty also varies depending on the role, but most interviews are fairly straightforward and shouldn’t be too difficult to prepare for. Overall, the experience is generally positive, with friendly staff and a relaxed atmosphere.

1. Tell me about a time when you had to meet a tight deadline.

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of how you handle pressure and time constraints. Use your answer to highlight your ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines and manage your time effectively.

Example: “When I was working as an accountant for a small business, my manager asked me to prepare their taxes by the end of the week. At first, I thought this would be easy since it was only two people who owned the company. However, when I started going through all of the financial records, I realized that they had more expenses than anticipated. I stayed late every night that week to ensure everything was done on time.”

2. Why do you want to work at H&R Block?

This question is a great way for an interviewer to learn more about your interest in the company and how you might fit into their team. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific aspects of the job that appeal to you or what drew you to apply.

Example: “I applied to work at H&R Block because I am passionate about helping people with their taxes. I love being able to use my skills as a tax preparer to help clients understand their financial situation and find ways to save money on their taxes. I also really enjoy working in a fast-paced environment where I can collaborate with other professionals.”

3. What is your experience with software development and programming languages?

H&R Block uses a variety of software and programming languages to complete its work. The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your experience with these tools and how you might fit into the company’s existing processes. If you have no prior experience, consider describing what you would do if faced with a similar situation in your new role.

Example: “I’ve never worked directly with software development or coding languages before, but I am familiar with some common programs like Microsoft Office Suite and Google Drive. I also understand the basics of HTML and CSS coding languages. In my previous position, I was responsible for managing our organization’s social media accounts, so I learned how to use third-party applications to edit content.”

4. How would you handle an upset customer who was claiming that we made a mistake on their taxes?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and whether you have experience with customer service. Use examples from your previous work to show that you know how to resolve conflicts and keep customers happy.

Example: “I would first apologize for any inconvenience caused by our mistake, then I would explain what happened and offer a solution. If we made an error on their taxes, I would immediately correct it and file new paperwork at no cost. If they were upset about something unrelated to our company, such as a tax law change or a delay in receiving their refund, I would do my best to calm them down and find a solution.”

5. Are you comfortable working under pressure?

This question is a great way to determine how well you can handle stress and pressure. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you are capable of handling high-pressure situations while also remaining calm and collected.

Example: “I am definitely comfortable working under pressure. In my previous role as an accountant for a small business, I was responsible for preparing the company’s taxes every quarter. This meant I had to work quickly and efficiently in order to meet deadlines. While there were times when I felt overwhelmed by the amount of work I had to do, I always managed to stay calm and focused on getting everything done.”

6. Describe a situation where you had to be very detail oriented and thorough.

Detail orientation and thoroughness are two important qualities that employers look for in a candidate. They want to know that you can be responsible with their company’s resources, so they ask this question to make sure you have these skills.

Example: “When I worked as an accountant at my previous job, I had to prepare the monthly financial reports for our clients. This included making sure all of the numbers were correct and that there weren’t any discrepancies between what was reported on the client’s books and what we found when we did our own audit. It was very important that I double-check everything because if I made a mistake, it could cost them money.”

7. Do you have any experience in tax preparation?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the tax preparation process and how you can apply it to this position. If you have experience, share what you did in that role. If you don’t have any experience, explain why you’re qualified for this job even if you haven’t done it before.

Example: “I’ve worked as an accountant for five years now, so I’m very familiar with the tax preparation process. In my current role, I help clients file their taxes online or by phone. I also review their returns to make sure they are accurate and complete.”

8. We are looking for a candidate who can interact well with our customers, how will you accomplish this?

This question is an opportunity to show your customer service skills and how you can help customers with their tax returns. You should describe a situation where you helped a customer or client solve a problem, answer questions or find information.

Example: “I have experience working in customer service for several years now, so I am used to interacting with people of all ages and backgrounds. When someone comes into the office looking for assistance, I make sure to greet them warmly and ask if they need any help finding what they are looking for. If they do, I will direct them to the right person or department. If not, I will take down their information and provide them with privacy while they fill out their forms.”

9. When did you last update your knowledge of the tax code?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your commitment to staying up-to-date on tax law. You can answer this question by mentioning any continuing education courses you’ve taken or books you’ve read recently.

Example: “I took an online course in tax code updates last year, and I also subscribe to a newsletter that sends me alerts when there are new laws regarding taxes. This helps me stay informed about changes so I can make sure my clients receive accurate advice.”

10. Have you ever worked in a team environment, if so what were some challenges you faced and how did you overcome them?

This question is designed to assess your ability to work in a team environment and how you can contribute to the success of that team. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight your interpersonal skills and willingness to collaborate with others.

Example: “In my last position as an accountant for a small business, I was responsible for managing all financial records and reporting them to shareholders on a monthly basis. However, there were times when I would miss deadlines because I had too much work to do alone. To overcome this challenge, I asked my coworkers if they could help me by taking over some of my responsibilities so I could meet those deadlines.”

11. At H&R Block we look for candidates who have strong organizational skills, describe a time where you had to organize something.

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have the ability to organize and prioritize tasks. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe how you used your organizational skills to complete the task successfully.

Example: “At my previous job, I was responsible for organizing our weekly staff meeting. This included creating an agenda, sending out reminders before each meeting and making sure everyone had everything they needed to participate in the meeting. By using my organization skills, I was able to make sure every aspect of the meeting ran smoothly.”

12. Describe a time where you had poor communication with someone while working on a project, how did you work through it?

When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide specific details about the situation and how you resolved it. This can help show your interviewer that you are able to work through challenges with others and resolve conflict.

Example: “In my last position as a tax preparer, I had a client who was very upset because they received an audit notice from the IRS. They were convinced that we did not do our job correctly when preparing their taxes. After speaking with them for several minutes, I realized that they misunderstood some of the information on their tax return. Once I explained everything to them, they understood what happened and felt much better.”

13. What makes you interested in working as a receptionist?

This question is an opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the position and highlight any relevant skills you have. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific aspect of the job that interests you or how you plan to use your receptionist skills in this role.

Example: “I am interested in working as a receptionist because I enjoy helping people and providing customer service. In my previous role, I was responsible for greeting customers and answering their questions about our products and services. I also enjoyed learning more about the company’s offerings and assisting customers with finding what they were looking for.”

14. What type of phone system are you familiar with?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your technical skills. If you have experience with phone systems, describe how they work and what you like about them. If you don’t have any experience with phone systems, explain that you are willing to learn.

Example: “I am familiar with Cisco’s Unified Communications System, which I used at my last job. It was easy to use and had many features that made it easier to communicate with other employees. For example, we could send each other instant messages or call one another through the system. We also had access to voice mailboxes where we could leave messages for each other.”

15. Do you have previous experience scheduling appointments?

This question can help the interviewer understand your ability to work with customers and schedule appointments. Use examples from previous jobs or school projects that show you have scheduling experience.

Example: “In my last job, I was responsible for scheduling appointments for our clients who needed tax preparation services. I used a calendar system to keep track of when each client’s appointment was scheduled. This helped me ensure we had enough staff members available during busy times of the year.”

16. During busy season we need to be able to keep track of many things, tell us about a time where you had to prioritize tasks.

This question is a great way to see how well you can multitask and prioritize your work. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you are able to manage multiple tasks at once while still completing them in a timely manner.

Example: “In my last position as an accountant for a small business, I had to keep track of many different accounts and transactions. During tax season, we would have several clients who needed their taxes done by the same deadline. This meant that I had to prioritize which clients’ returns I worked on first so they could submit them on time.”

17. Give an example of a time when you had to make a quick decision.

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of how you make decisions and what your thought process is. When answering this question, it can be helpful to give an example that shows how you used critical thinking skills to come to a decision.

Example: “When I was working as a cashier at my local grocery store, there was a time when a customer came through my line with over $200 worth of groceries. The customer paid for their items using a credit card, but they only had $50 in cash on them. I knew that if I didn’t accept the transaction, the customer would have been upset. So, I decided to call my manager over so we could discuss the situation together.”

18. Can you give an example of a time when you had to deal with conflicting priorities. How did you manage?

This question is a great way to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to prioritize. When answering, try to provide an example that shows you can work under pressure and make quick decisions.

Example: “In my previous role as a customer service representative for a software company, I had to deal with conflicting priorities on a daily basis. One day, I was helping a client who needed help installing their new software program. While I was working with the client, I received a call from another client who needed assistance with a different issue. In this situation, I prioritized the client who needed immediate assistance and then worked with the other client after I resolved the first issue.”

19. If hired, what would you do to ensure you provide excellent customer service?

This question is an opportunity to show your interpersonal skills and how you can help customers feel valued. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the importance of customer service in your role as a tax preparer.

Example: “I believe that providing excellent customer service is one of the most important aspects of my job. I would make sure to greet every customer with a smile and be friendly throughout their visit. If they have any questions or concerns, I would do everything I could to answer them and provide assistance. I also plan on being timely with each client so they don’t have to wait long for their appointment.”

20. Do you think you could adapt to our fast-paced work environment?

This question is a great way to determine if you’re ready for the work environment at H&R Block. The interviewer wants to know that you can adapt to their company’s culture and processes, so it’s important to show them that you understand what they do and how you would fit in.

Example: “I think I could adapt to your fast-paced work environment because of my previous experience working with a similar organization. At my last job, we had to process many customers each day, which meant we had to be efficient and accurate when entering data into our systems. I’m used to this type of work environment, so I don’t think adapting will be an issue.”