Human Resources Mock Interview
Master 40 Human Resources interview questions covering employee relations, compliance, and talent management.
Question 30 of 40
How do you treat candidates not selected for the job? Walk me through your process.
Entry Level
How to Answer
Example Answer
Community Answers
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"It is essential to me that I treat every candidate with care and respect. Even if they are not right for the job, it does not mean that they won't be a fit for a similar role with our company down the road. Because of this, I must close off with them professionally, which keeps the door open for future conversations. I handle the dispositioning of candidates that interviewed for positions over the phone. I always encourage hiring managers to disposition candidates that they personally interviewed to give direct feedback to candidates. With candidates that weren't interviewed, I send an auto-response from our ATS that includes a link to our career site for them to stay in touch with future openings we may have."
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
During talent acquisition campaigns, human resource professionals speak to many candidates in a day and often interview handfuls of people for one role. Show the interviewer that you treat your applicants with respect and are unafraid to be forthright with them when they don't get the job. Your interviewer wants to see that you have a professional level of compassion for those not hired while also keeping an eye out on the future with potential silver medalist candidates that were not offered the job.
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"Part of being a successful HR professional is to gain and keep the respect of your talent pool. When I disposition a candidate, I will notify them by email. Our company has a canned email response for rejection notices; however, I always personalize these. I want these candidates to know that I value their time and expertise."
Interview Coach
Jaymie
A real coach, not AI. I read every answer myself and write back with personalized feedback.
Typically responds within 24 hours.
0 - Character Count
Unlock All 40 Human Resources Questions
Unlock expert responses that demonstrate strategic HR thinking and people leadership.
Get StartedJump to Question