HR folks can be warm and professional, but make no mistake they are gatekeepers.  Keep their agenda in mind, play it safe and make it is easy for them to do their jobs.  The following questions are designed to give the HR screener maximum confidence that he or she will not regret endorsing your candidacy. 

I. You must immediately show interest in the position, be positive and very likable.  Be confident not cocky. 

II. Treat them as an ally not an obstacle.  Listen intently and thoughtfully in your meeting with HR. 

III. You must persuade HR that you are A. qualified to do the job B. You want the job and C. that if given the job, you will it in.

Here are my top 10 questions for HR (in random order):

1. Can you please tell me a little bit about the people with whom I'll be working with most closely?

2. Do the most successful people in the company tend to come from one area of the company, such as sales or engineering, or do they rise from a cross section of functional areas?

3. In your opinion, what is the most important contribution that this company expects from it's employees?

4. What major problems are we facing right now in the (accounting/finance) department OR position?

5. I have really enjoyed meeting with you (and your team), and I am very interested in the opportunity.  I feel my skills and experience would be a good match for this position.  What is the next step in your interview process?

6. Before I leave, is there anything else you need to know concerning my ability to do this job?

7.  Why do you enjoy working for this company?

8. What attracted you to this organization?

9. Can you describe the work environment here?

10. What do you consider to be the organizations strength's and weaknesses?