How much information to share during an HR interview?

Anonymous

September 20,2022 at 3:22PM UTC

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How much information to share during an HR interview? Last week, I had an interview for a Director of Communications position. I was well prepared and kept my actions to a high level of what I accomplished and could bring to the table. During an interview with the team, I planned on sharing more details in terms of strategies and tactics as it would pertain to them.

I found out yesterday that I wasn't selected as other candidates discussed strategies and specific plans. I'm confused about how much to share as I thought that would be information for a hiring manager and not HR. I have two other interviews this week so I wanted to learn from my mistakes. How much to share or risk oversharing with HR?

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Joanne RosenSeptember 20,2022 at 3:49PM UTC
Ask questions.
Are you interested in hearing a couple ideas I have?
What would you say is the main issue facing the company? I'd love to give some suggestions about how I could help with that.
Ask them what they want. Never try to guess.
Cheers
Joanne
https://www.analyticadvantagecc.com
AnonymousSeptember 20,2022 at 3:55PM UTC
Could you change your strategy going forward and communicate to HR that you plan to share details on strategies and tactics with the team in the next interview?
AnonymousSeptember 20,2022 at 3:56PM UTC
What a disappointment! I've worked in HR for many years and spent quite a bit of time as a Recruiter. Most candidate interviews that I have conducted have been more of a pre-screen - very high level, so I completely understand your approach to the interview with HR. HR is there to make sure you meet the qualification of the position and perhaps to gauge culture fit, at least that is what I've experienced. It makes sense that you would have left the finer details for an interview with the hiring manager and team. I think if you end up interviewing with an HR person again, you could ask if they would like to hear specific strategies. It is hard to know what interviewers and companies are looking for when interviewing. It sounds like you prepared the best you could with the information you had available. Best of luck with your next interviews!
Afo Ogbeyalu KaluSeptember 20,2022 at 4:41PM UTC
It is especially important for Director-Level/Executive Suite/Leadership Role candidates to communicate projects, initiatives, programs, and/or culture change that they spearheaded, directed, and executed at every level of the interviewing process. They would then follow up with statements related to what they foresee as a need or challenge that the screening organization is facing, and how they would address it. Those interviewing you have to be confident that you'd be capable of doing so within their organization, and one of the ways you build that confidence is by sharing your real world career accomplishments. It can be a summary statement of career highlights for the initial HR Recruiter, and more detailed information for 2nd and 3rd round of interviews.
Laura BrowneSeptember 20,2022 at 5:00PM UTC
Typically, the first HR interview is more of a screening and high-level concepts make sense In the future, you could share that you do have ideas and ask if they would like to hear them. You could give some high-level ideas and say you have more details that you would be happy to share. You can also ask them what other information they would like to know more about.
Also, there could be many other reasons why other participants are chosen to move forward. Don't let one company's choice discourage you.
Rachel CSeptember 22,2022 at 12:31PM UTC
It really depends on the company’s relationship with HR. If Hr is a true partner, they are going to understand the business and what they are looking for. They will be recommending whether to move forward. If an HR person has worked for a company for a while, they also can gauge someone’s technical capabilities or strategic acumen, even if it’s not their area of expertise. I would go all in on any interview and put your best foot forward whether it be with HR or anyone else.
AnonymousSeptember 22,2022 at 4:14PM UTC
OP: Thank you for sharing your ideas. I've had a mix of HR experiences where they are reading a script and others that understand the company and teams. I've tried to straddle between the two extremes in order to make sure my experience and ability to help the company is conveyed. I like the idea about asking if there's any strategies or more details they would like me to share. I'm all in to find my next job!