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10 Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) Interview Questions and Answers

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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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Whether you are preparing to interview a candidate or applying for a job, review our list of top Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) interview questions and answers.

Hire your next Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) today.

Post a job

Hire your next Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) today.

Post a job
Our mission

Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines

If you were hired as our CHRO, what would be your first priority? What steps would you take to achieve it?

This question provides a glimpse at the candidate's priorities and how they relate to your organization's overall goals. It also reveals valuable information about their planning process and how well they've researched your company. What to look for in an answer:

  • Awareness of organizational goals and values
  • Ability to prioritize and set measurable goals
  • A realistic plan with actionable steps
Example:

"My top priority would be to evaluate the organization's current human resource activities and pinpoint areas that can be improved upon. I would conduct a comprehensive examination of all aspects of your HR operations, including current policies, training and development, hiring processes, occupational health and safety, employee benefits, talent acquisition, and more. I would also seek feedback from the HR team and those in other departments. Armed with this knowledge, I'd then identify areas that need improvement and develop a plan of action. My end goal would be to ensure that every team member feels engaged, supported, and equipped to use their talents to the fullest."

How would you promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within our organization? What DEI strategies have you implemented in your previous workplace?

Establishing a corporate culture that celebrates diversity and inclusiveness requires a CHRO who shares these values. This question will reveal their level of commitment to DEI initiatives and what strategies they will likely employ moving forward. By linking the question to past performance, you can better assess their ability to navigate a diverse workplace, implement policies that translate into a genuine culture of inclusion, and align these efforts with your organization's goals. What to look for in an answer:

  • A high level of commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace
  • Past successes with implementing DEI strategies and creating a culture of inclusivity
  • A solid plan with achievable steps for increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in your organization
Example:

"During my time at Wavewood Enterprises, I did a thorough examination of the company's DEI situation. I conducted a series of surveys and met with each employee individually. This research revealed where 123 Enterprises was succeeding and failing to foster a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. From there, I introduced diversity education, ensured that our HR activities adhered to the principles of DEI, and fostered mentorship and resource programs to serve underrepresented groups. As the CHRO of your organization, I would approach my new position in a similar manner—starting with conducting research into the efficacy of our current DEI initiatives."

One of our goals for the coming months is to increase our employee retention rate. What steps would you take to achieve this?

Retaining your company's top talent is essential in this highly competitive job market. As such, it is important that your prospective hire makes this a top priority. A desirable candidate will be able to communicate a detailed plan to increase your employee retention rate that involves taking a deep dive into multiple aspects of your organization's HR endeavours and your company's culture. Ideally, their response will include a well-developed solution, a plan, a series of actionable steps, and a way to measure the results. What to look for in an answer:

  • An understanding of the importance of retaining talent
  • A logical method for achieving insight into what factors are impeding employee retention within your organization
  • An ability to provide concrete solutions and measure the results
Example:

"In order to increase your organization's employee retention rate, I would begin by examining your current recruiting and onboarding activities, opportunities for skill development and advancement, employee wellbeing initiatives, benefits packages, and the overall corporate culture. This means more than simply poring over policies. I will need to conduct employee surveys and meet with team members to measure the effectiveness of these policies. When I have identified areas that require improvement, I will develop an achievable plan of action and a way to measure the success of these changes. Of course, I would need to monitor our employee retention rate on an ongoing basis through workplace surveys designed to measure employee satisfaction. I would also make exit interviews standard procedure. Asking employees why they are opting to leave the organization would yield valuable information that can be used to introduce change."

Why is employee engagement important to you? What is the secret to effectively engaging employees?

This question requires the candidate to put their commitment to employee engagement into words, allowing you to assess how much they value this endeavour. It will also reveal the depth of their understanding of how employee engagement levels impact different aspects of your organization. A viable candidate will be able to discuss a breadth of employee engagement strategies designed to assess your company's current levels of engagement and identify areas that could be improved upon. They will demonstrate creative thinking and problem-solving abilities. Your optimal hire will provide novel programs and initiatives to boost employee engagement, improve morale, and create a positive corporate culture. What to look for in an answer:

  • A high level of commitment to fostering employee engagement
  • An ability to measure employee engagement, identify potential problems, and provide achievable solutions
  • A willingness to think outside the box and create new employee engagement initiatives
Example:

"An organization's number one asset is its people. As such, cultivating a happy and loyal workforce is a top priority, and a driving force behind happiness and loyalty is employee engagement. The secret to keeping your talented team engaged requires the ability to put oneself in your employees' shoes and view company policies, initiatives, and culture from their perspectives. I would begin by familiarizing myself with your organization's current policies, programs, and environment. Then, I would conduct employee surveys and meetings to evaluate the current levels of employee engagement and identify areas where the company is underperforming. The next logical step would be to develop solutions to solve these issues, devise a plan to implement these solutions, and identify ways to measure the results. I would also look at introducing new programs and initiatives in areas like employee recognition, training, mentoring, wellness, team-building, and DEI. Most importantly, I would ensure that team members have regular opportunities to voice their concerns via surveys, group meetings, and one-on-one conversations."

How do you ensure that your organization complies with labour laws and regulations? How do you stay up to date with these laws and regulations as they evolve?

Your CHRO is charged with the responsibility of protecting your company and its employees by adhering to local labour laws and regulations. Therefore, it is imperative that they remain current and can seamlessly integrate these mandates into all aspects of the company's operations and culture. This question is designed to help you measure a candidate's knowledge of this legislation, their ability to ensure compliance, and their efforts and methods used to remain updated on changes. What to look for in an answer:

  • Knowledge of local employment laws
  • The proactive monitoring of laws and regulations for change
  • The ability to easily integrate legislation into your company's operations and adapt to changes with agility
Example:

"As a CHRO, I recognize the importance of knowing and complying with labour laws and regulations. It is my duty to protect the organization and its employees. In order to ensure compliance, I conduct regular audits, provide compliance training to team leaders and members, consult with legal professionals, and regularly check that our policies comply with legislation. I also believe in harnessing the power of technology to accomplish or enhance any of these activities. I take a proactive approach to staying current regarding labour laws and regulations. I subscribe to bulletins and updates, attend industry and HR seminars and webinars, network with other HR professionals, and regularly keep in touch with employment law experts. This comprehensive approach ensures that I have access to the latest information."

Some company policies are easier to enforce than others. In your past role, how did you convince employees to comply with a less-than-popular policy?

The CHRO is responsible for ensuring that all company policies are followed, no matter what the general consensus is. This question is designed to illustrate a candidate's leadership skills and their willingness to put the company's interests first. Ideally, they will discuss the plan they used to identify the reasons behind employee resistance, how they encouraged employees to comply, and the results of their intervention. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to use critical thinking to determine the roots behind employee resistance
  • Effective problem-solving and planning skills
  • Dedication to upholding company policy and protecting its interests
Example:

"As a CHRO, it is my duty to ensure that all company policies—even the unpopular ones—are adhered to. At my previous company, customer-facing employees were required to wear red tops and black pants, the company colours. The rationale was that it would be easier for customers to identify staff members, which would enhance customer service. My first goal was to determine why employees were resistant to this policy. The number one sore point was the costs associated with purchasing red tops. Thankfully, we were able to budget for each employee to receive two company-branded red t-shirts at no cost to them. These would tide them over until they could afford to purchase their own generic red items at a later date. Our company saw 100% compliance once the complimentary tees arrived. The secret to success when introducing an unpopular policy is to find out exactly what makes it a sore point. Sometimes, compliance can be achieved by simply explaining why a policy is being introduced and how it relates to an employee's ability to perform their role to their full potential. The most important thing is that employees feel heard."

What strategies would you use to attract top talent during a time of substantial company growth?

With competitors battling to acquire top talent, it is imperative that your CHRO is up for the challenge. This is particularly important when you need to fill multiple positions quickly. The right candidate will be able to explain how they will balance a sense of urgency with the need to find the best hires for both the role and your organization. Ideally, they will focus on creating a desirable company culture and brand identity. A top-notch candidate will discuss a variety of plans to accomplish this quickly and maintain this culture and identity over the long haul. What to look for in an answer:

  • A plan to identify potential hires' key motivators when selecting an employer
  • A firm grasp on how to make your company's recruitment efforts more agile and scalable
  • An ability to strategize and implement effective methods for attracting new talent
Example:

"The key to attracting top-notch talent quickly is to identify their key motivators and ensure that your company is competitive in that area. Making your company more competitive may involve initiating or tweaking employee recognition programs, benefits and incentives, and training and professional development opportunities. It is also necessary to foster a positive employer image and company culture that highlights inclusion and diversity, collaboration, and a fun work environment that values its members. In order to ramp up recruitment efforts, it is wise to capitalize on social media channels, welcome employee referrals, streamline the hiring process, offer flexible work arrangements, and spread your net wide."

How do you resolve interpersonal conflict in the workplace?

In every organization, conflicts will inevitably arise. The CHRO must be adept at conflict resolution. This requires listening skills, empathy, emotional intelligence, people skills, and an ability to identify and implement a viable solution. The optimal candidate will be able to discuss these traits and how they benefit the conflict mediation process. What to look for in an answer:

  • A proficiency and high comfort level in mediating conflicts
  • An ability to devise win-win resolutions
  • People skills like empathy and diplomacy
Example:

"As the CHRO, I must approach all interpersonal conflicts in a way that is consistent with the organization's conflict resolution policies. With those in mind, I would begin by ensuring that all parties feel heard and that a consensus on the root of the problem is reached. I would begin by discussing the matter with each individual independently. From there, I will mediate a meeting between the concerned parties. The goal would be to arrive at a mutually agreed-upon solution. Another important aspect of my role is to cultivate a culture where conflicts are less likely to occur. These deterrents include DEI initiatives, employee engagement efforts, conflict resolution workshops, and clearly defined roles."

How would you deal with an employee who is not meeting the expectations of their job?

The CHRO position is responsible for addressing employee performance issues. This involves identifying the areas an employee must improve upon, providing support to facilitate these improvements, and enforcing the consequences of continued performance gaps. This must all be accomplished while maintaining positive employee relations. What to look for in an answer:

  • The ability to communicate difficult subjects in a truthful and straightforward manner
  • Problem-solving and goal-setting skills
  • Proficiency in delivering constructive criticism in a positive way
Example:

"When dealing with an employee who is not meeting expectations, my first order of business would be to meet with the employee and find out why they were not meeting their job requirements. Next, I would work with them to develop a plan to get them back on track. If they lack a certain skill or do not understand a task, I would ensure they receive training or mentorship in that area. We would formulate measurable performance goals and deadlines to meet them. If this support doesn't lead to improvements, other potential consequences would have to be considered. My primary goal would be to equip each employee with the tools required to grow and thrive."

What is your definition of a company's "culture?" As the CHRO, what role will you play in developing our organization's culture?

The role of CHRO has a significant impact on a company's culture. It is crucial that they fully understand what a company culture is and how it contributes to employee engagement, DEI, innovation, policy creation, and the success of a business. It is also imperative that they comprehend how the CHRO shapes and maintains an organization's culture. The ideal candidate will possess strategies for assessing and enhancing the current culture that mesh with your organization's values. What to look for in an answer:

  • A full understanding of what culture is and how it impacts employees and an organization's overall success
  • A leadership style that matches your company's culture and values
  • An ability to strategize and formulate an achievable plan to improve and maintain a positive company culture
Example:

"A company's culture encompasses the values, goals, principles, and overall atmosphere of an organization. These things all influence the work life of employees, the policies put in place, and the company's success. As the new CHRO, I would need to begin by familiarizing myself with the current company culture. From there, I would ensure that the policies in place nurtured the desired culture and would make changes as necessary. I would also examine employee recognition efforts, training and professional development, DEI initiatives, the physical workspace, communication styles, and employee well-being programs. My goal would be to ensure every aspect of this organization is working in tandem to foster and enhance a positive culture that puts people first."

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