You’re interviewing for an Employee Relations position. What are the best ways to answer technical questions?

1 Know the basics

Before your interview, review the core concepts and terminology of ER, such as the employee lifecycle, the employment law framework, the ER policies and procedures, and the best practices for communication and documentation. You should also familiarize yourself with the specific ER challenges and goals of the organization you’re applying to, such as its culture, values, mission, and vision. This will help you show your understanding of the ER function and its alignment with the organizational strategy.

2 Use the STAR method

When answering technical questions that ask you to describe a situation, task, action, and result (STAR) related to ER, you should use the STAR method to structure your response. This involves explaining the context of the ER issue, outlining the task or objective you had to achieve or support, detailing the action or steps you took or recommended to address the issue, and highlighting the result or outcome of your action. Doing this will help you provide a clear, concise, and relevant answer that showcases your ER skills and achievements.

3 Show your critical thinking

When answering technical ER questions that involve analyzing a hypothetical or real scenario, it is important to demonstrate your knowledge of the relevant ER laws, policies, and procedures. Additionally, you should identify the key issues, risks, and stakeholders involved in the scenario and explain your rationale for choosing a solution or recommendation. Furthermore, you should anticipate the potential challenges and outcomes of implementing your solution or recommendation, as well as suggest ways to monitor and evaluate its effectiveness. Ultimately, showing your critical thinking will help you prove your ability to handle complex and sensitive ER situations with professionalism and integrity.

4 Ask clarifying questions

When confronted with a technical question that is vague, ambiguous, or incomplete, such as how to deal with a low-performing employee, it's important to ask clarifying questions to gather more information and context before providing an answer. You could inquire about the performance standards and expectations for the employee’s role, how long they have been underperforming, how their performance has been measured and communicated, and the consequences of their low performance for the team and the organization. Asking these questions will help you avoid assumptions and provide a more accurate response.

5 Be confident and honest

When answering technical questions in your ER interview, you should be confident and honest. Speak with clarity, confidence, and enthusiasm. Give examples and evidence to back up your answers, but avoid jargon, acronyms, and technical terms that may confuse the interviewer. If you don’t know the answer or have limited experience in a certain area, admit it. Show your willingness to learn and improve your ER skills and knowledge. Doing so will help you build rapport and trust with the interviewer, as well as demonstrate your passion and potential for the ER role.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?