HR Generalist

 Function: Human Resources

  About HR Generalist:  Handles various HR functions, including onboarding and employee relations. This role falls within the Human Resources function of a firm.  Important aspects of this role are covered below to give you an idea about your own resume and help you distill your own experiences for a prospective employer in interviews

 Primary Activities 


  A HR Generalist in the Human Resources function is typically expected to perform the following activities as a part of their job. Expect questions delving deeper into these areas depending on your level of experience. This is a representative list and not a complete one; the latter are generally based on the exact nature of the role

  •  Recruitment & Selection: Manage the end-to-end recruitment process, including job postings, screening resumes, conducting interviews, and making job offers
  •  Employee Relations: Handle employee grievances, conflicts, and disciplinary actions, ensuring fair and consistent treatment while maintaining positive employee relations
  •  Performance Management: Implement and monitor performance management programs, including goal setting, performance appraisals, and development plans
  •  Training & Development: Identify training needs, design and deliver training programs, and facilitate employee development initiatives to enhance skills and knowledge
  •  Compensation & Benefits: Administer compensation and benefits programs, conduct salary surveys, analyze market trends, and ensure competitive and equitable pay practices
  •  Hr Policies & Procedures: Develop, update, and communicate HR policies and procedures to ensure compliance with employment laws and promote a positive work environment
  •  Employee Engagement: Plan and execute employee engagement initiatives, such as team-building activities, recognition programs, and employee surveys to foster a motivated workforce
  •  Hr Data Management: Maintain accurate employee records, generate HR reports, and utilize HRIS systems to track and analyze HR metrics for informed decision-making
  •  Compliance & Legal: Stay updated on labor laws and regulations, ensure HR practices align with legal requirements, and handle compliance-related matters
  •  Offboarding & Exit Processes: Manage employee separations, conduct exit interviews, process final payments, and ensure smooth offboarding procedures

 Key Performance Indicators 


  HR Generalists in the Human Resources function are often evaluated using the following KPI metrics. Address atleast some of these metrics in your resume line items & within your interview stories to maximize your prospects (if you have prior experiences in this or a related role). This is not a comprehensive list and exact metrics vary depending on the type of business

  •  Employee turnover rate: Percentage of employees who leave the organization within a specific period of time
  •  Time to fill vacancies: Average time taken to fill open positions within the organization
  •  Training hours per employee: Number of training hours provided to each employee within a specific period
  •  Absenteeism rate: Percentage of scheduled work hours missed by employees due to absence
  •  Employee satisfaction score: Measure of employee satisfaction and engagement within the organization
  •  HR cost per employee: Total HR expenses divided by the number of employees in the organization
  •  Time to hire: Average time taken to hire a new employee from the start of the recruitment process
  •  Performance appraisal completion rate: Percentage of employees who have completed their performance appraisals within a specific period
  •  Diversity and inclusion index: Measure of diversity and inclusion within the organization
  •  Employee engagement score: Measure of employee engagement and commitment to the organization

 Selection Process 


  Successful candidates for a HR Generalists role in the Human Resources function can expect a similar selection process as the one outlined below. Actual process may vary depending on seniority, size/type of company etc.

  • Phone screening

    Brief phone call to assess qualifications and fit

  • Initial interview

    In-person or virtual interview with HR manager or recruiter

  • Skills assessment

    Test or exercise to evaluate HR knowledge and abilities

  • Behavioral interview

    Structured interview focusing on past experiences and behavior

  • Panel interview

    Interview with multiple HR professionals or stakeholders

  • Case study

    Problem-solving exercise related to HR scenarios

  • Reference checks

    Contacting provided references to gather insights

  • Final interview

    Meeting with senior HR leaders or executives

  • Offer

    Job offer extended to successful candidate


 Interview Questions


  Common Interview Questions that a HR Generalists in the Human Resources function is likely to face. Prepare stories that tailor to your own experiences that may help you answer these questions effectively. This is not a complete list and more questions will be added over time. Use the topic tags in the search box below to filter by specific topics


  Link   Question   Topic(s)
 Link
Tell me about your experience in handling employee relations issues.
 Employee Relations 
 Link
How do you ensure compliance with employment laws and regulations?
 Compliance 
 Link
Describe your experience in conducting performance evaluations.
 Performance Management 
 Link
How do you handle confidential employee information?
 Confidentiality 
 Link
Tell me about your experience in recruitment and selection.
 Recruitment 
 Link
How do you handle employee grievances and complaints?
 Employee Relations 
 Link
Describe your experience in developing and implementing HR policies and procedures.
 Policy Development 
 Link
How do you ensure a diverse and inclusive workplace?
 Diversity and Inclusion 
 Link
Tell me about your experience in conducting training and development programs.
 Training and Development 
 Link
How do you handle disciplinary actions and terminations?
 Employee Relations 
 Link
Describe your experience in managing employee benefits programs.
 Benefits Administration 
 Link
How do you handle conflicts between employees?
 Conflict Resolution 
 Link
Tell me about your experience in HRIS implementation and management.
 HRIS 
 Link
How do you ensure data accuracy and integrity in HR systems?
 Data Management 
 Link
Describe your experience in conducting workplace investigations.
 Investigations 
 Link
How do you stay updated with the latest HR trends and best practices?
 Professional Development 
 Link
Tell me about your experience in managing employee onboarding and offboarding processes.
 Onboarding/Offboarding 
 Link
How do you handle sensitive employee situations, such as harassment or discrimination claims?
 Employee Relations 
 Link
Describe your experience in managing HR metrics and analytics.
 HR Analytics 
 Link
How do you ensure confidentiality and privacy in employee records management?
 Confidentiality 


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