17 Human Resources Clerk Interview Questions and Answers

Human resources clerks are responsible for a variety of administrative tasks in an organization’s human resources department. Their duties may include maintaining employee records, processing employee benefits, and assisting with the recruitment and hiring process.

If you’re interested in a career in human resources, you may be wondering what the interview process is like. How can you make sure you stand out from the other candidates? What questions will the interviewer ask?

In this guide, we’ll give you some tips on how to prepare for your human resources interview. We’ll also provide some sample human resources interview questions and answers to help you get started.

Are you familiar with the laws and regulations that govern human resources in this state?

Employers ask this question to make sure you understand the laws and regulations that apply to human resources in their state. They want to know that you can follow these rules, which helps ensure your company stays compliant with local HR laws. Before your interview, research any specific laws or regulations that govern human resources in your state. If you are not familiar with them, tell the interviewer that you would be willing to learn about them if you get hired.

Example: “I am very familiar with the laws and regulations that govern human resources in my state. I have worked as a human resources clerk for five years now, so I’ve had plenty of time to become familiar with all of the relevant laws and regulations. In fact, I often help other employees understand these rules when they need clarification.”

What are some of the most important qualities that an HR clerk should have?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have the qualities needed for this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few of these qualities and explain why they are important.

Example: “The most important quality in an HR clerk is attention to detail. This job requires someone who can accurately record information about employees’ benefits, time sheets and other HR-related documents. Another important quality is communication skills. An HR clerk needs to be able to communicate with both coworkers and employees. I feel confident that my strong communication skills make me well-suited for this role.”

How would you deal with an angry employee who is upset about a decision that was made about their benefits?

This question can help the interviewer assess your interpersonal skills and ability to diffuse a tense situation. Your answer should show that you are able to remain calm, listen to an employee’s concerns and respond with empathy and professionalism.

Example: “I would first make sure I understood what the employee was upset about. Then, I would try to empathize with their feelings by acknowledging how they must feel in this situation. If it is appropriate, I might ask them if there is anything I can do to help resolve the issue or find out more information about why the decision was made. In my experience, remaining calm and listening to employees can often diffuse a tense situation.”

What is your experience with using payroll software?

Human resources clerks often need to use payroll software, so the interviewer may ask you this question to learn about your experience with it. If you have previous experience using payroll software, describe what kind of software you used and how comfortable you were with it. If you don’t have any experience using payroll software, explain that you are willing to learn how to use it if hired for the role.

Example: “I’ve worked in human resources for five years now, and I’ve always been responsible for entering employee information into our company’s payroll system. In my current position, we use a program called HRPro, which is very user-friendly. I am familiar with all of its features, and I can enter data quickly and accurately.”

Provide an example of a time when you provided excellent customer service to an employee or client.

Human resources professionals often interact with employees and clients. Interviewers ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills. They want to know how you can help them provide the best possible experience for their company’s employees. In your answer, describe a specific situation where you helped someone solve a problem or achieve a goal. Explain what steps you took to resolve the issue or help the person.

Example: “In my previous role as an HR assistant, I had a coworker who was having trouble finding time in his schedule to take care of some paperwork. He was very busy at work, so he asked me if there was anything I could do to help him get those forms turned in on time. I looked through our database and found that we had a few open slots in other employees’ schedules. I contacted each employee and explained the situation. Each employee agreed to switch their schedule around to accommodate my coworker.”

If hired for this position, what would be your priorities during your first few weeks on the job?

This question helps employers determine how you plan to get started in your new role. They want to know that you are eager to learn and contribute to the company’s success as soon as possible. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to become familiar with the job duties and expectations. Share any specific goals you have for yourself during this time period.

Example: “I am excited to start my career in human resources. I understand there is a lot of information to learn, but I am confident I can do so quickly. During my first few weeks on the job, I would like to meet with my supervisor to discuss their expectations for me. I would also like to spend some time getting to know the HR team members and learning about the company culture. I plan to set myself up for success by being organized and asking questions when needed.”

What would you do if you discovered an error in an employee’s record that had been made by a previous human resources clerk?

This question can help the interviewer assess your attention to detail and ability to work independently. In your answer, demonstrate that you are willing to take responsibility for errors in order to correct them.

Example: “If I discovered an error in an employee’s record, I would immediately contact the human resources clerk who made the mistake to ensure they corrected it. If they were no longer with the company, I would make sure to document the issue so that a senior member of the human resources team could review it. I would also make sure to update any records that may have been affected by the error.”

How well do you handle confidential information?

Human resources clerks often handle sensitive information, such as employee salaries and medical records. Employers ask this question to make sure you understand the importance of keeping confidential information private. In your answer, explain that you will never share any confidential information with anyone. You can also mention that you have experience working in a secure environment.

Example: “I am very aware of how important it is to keep all HR documents confidential. I would never share salary or medical information with anyone outside of human resources. When I worked at my previous job, I was responsible for maintaining our company’s confidentiality policy. I created an online training course on privacy policies so employees could learn about their responsibilities when handling confidential information.”

Do you have any experience working with employee benefit plans?

Human resources clerks often work with employee benefit plans, such as insurance and retirement. This question helps the interviewer understand your experience working with these types of paperwork. Use examples from your previous job to show that you have experience in this area.

Example: “In my last role, I was responsible for updating our company’s benefits plan each year. I worked closely with human resources managers to ensure all information was accurate. I also helped employees enroll in their health care plans and update their personal information when necessary. These tasks included answering questions about enrollment procedures and helping employees fill out forms.”

When dealing with an employee who is frustrated or upset, what is your method for calming them down?

Human resources clerks often have to deal with employees who are upset or frustrated. Employers ask this question to make sure you know how to handle these situations and keep them from escalating. In your answer, explain that you would try to calm the employee down by listening to what they have to say and empathizing with their situation. Explain that you would also do everything in your power to help resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

Example: “I think it’s important to listen to an upset employee and let them vent. I would try my best to understand where they’re coming from and reassure them that I’m going to do everything I can to help them. If there is a way for me to solve the problem immediately, I will do so. Otherwise, I will find out when the appropriate person can address the issue and relay that information to the employee.”

We want to improve our employee turnover rate. What strategies would you use to identify the cause of turnover and implement solutions?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to implement solutions. Your answer should include a step-by-step process for identifying the cause of turnover, analyzing data and implementing strategies that improve employee retention rates.

Example: “I would first identify the reason employees are leaving by conducting exit interviews with those who have recently left the company. I would also conduct surveys among current employees to find out what they like about working at this organization and what improvements could be made. After collecting all the information, I would analyze it to determine the most common reasons why employees leave. Then, I would use these findings to create actionable solutions to reduce employee turnover.”

Describe your experience using payroll software and other tools used in the human resources field.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with human resources software and other tools used in the field. Use your answer to describe your experience using these tools, including which ones you’ve used and how often you’ve used them. You can also mention any training or certifications you have that relate to payroll systems.

Example: “I’ve worked as a human resources clerk for five years now, and I’ve had plenty of experience working with payroll software and other HR tools. In my current role, I use our company’s payroll system every day to enter employee information into the database and calculate their paychecks. I also use several different types of online databases to store important documents related to employees’ benefits and leave requests.”

What makes you the best candidate for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their company. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for this role. Focus on highlighting your soft skills such as communication, organization and problem-solving abilities.

Example: “I am passionate about helping others find employment. I have experience working with multiple job seekers at once, which makes me well suited for this position. In my previous role, I helped over 100 people apply for jobs online each day. I also understand the importance of confidentiality when handling sensitive information. As someone who values privacy, I would never share confidential information with anyone.”

Which human resources functions do you enjoy the most?

This question can help the interviewer understand what you enjoy about human resources and which aspects of the job are most important to you. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a few specific tasks that you find enjoyable or interesting.

Example: “I really enjoy helping employees with their benefits questions. I feel like I have a lot of knowledge in this area, so when someone asks me a question, I love being able to explain how the system works. Another thing I enjoy is creating employee handbooks. I think it’s important for new hires to know what to expect from the company, so I take pride in making sure my handbook is easy to read and full of useful information.”

What do you think is the most important role of a human resources clerk?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you understand what human resources clerks do and how their work impacts an organization. Your answer should include a brief description of the role of a human resources clerk, along with examples of how you would perform this job function.

Example: “I think the most important role of a human resources clerk is to ensure that all employees are aware of company policies and procedures. I have experience creating training materials for new hires and updating existing documents as needed. For example, when our onboarding process changed last year, I updated all HR-related documentation so that it was accurate and easy to follow.”

How often do you perform audits on employee records?

Human resources clerks often perform audits on employee records to ensure compliance with company policies and procedures. This question helps the interviewer assess your experience performing this task, as well as how comfortable you are working with confidential information. In your answer, describe a time when you performed an audit and what steps you took to complete it successfully.

Example: “In my previous role, I performed audits on employee records at least once per year. During these audits, I would review all of the documents that HR kept on file for each employee, including their hiring paperwork, performance reviews and disciplinary actions. I also ensured that we were in compliance with state and federal regulations regarding record-keeping.”

There is a conflict between two employees that you are unable to resolve. How do you handle it?

HR professionals are often the first point of contact for employees who have conflicts with their colleagues. Employers ask this question to make sure you know how to handle these situations and can resolve them in a way that is fair to both parties. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to try to solve the conflict between the two employees.

Example: “I would schedule a meeting with both employees separately to hear each side of the story. Then I would meet with both employees together to discuss my findings and come up with a solution that works for both employees. If they cannot agree on a solution, I would help them find a compromise.”