Deck 14: Interviewing and Following up

Question 1

Which type of hiring/placement interview is the most common?​

A)​Sequential interview
B)​Online interview
C)​Panel interview
D)​One-on-one interview

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Which of the following is the best  advice about conducting company research?

A)Cancel the interview if you learn information that tells you that you don't wish to work for the company.
B)To make the interview feel more informative, ask questions to suggest that you don't know much about the organization.
C)Avoid connecting on social media with people who work at the company.
D)Examine the company's ads and promotional materials.

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Which of the following statements about screening interviews is most accurate?

A)Screening interviews are conducted after hiring/placement interviews.
B)Screening interviews are always conducted face-to-face.
C)Most screening interviews are conducted during job fairs.
D)Companies use screening interviews to save time and money.

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Which of the following should you do during a panel interview?

A)Contact each panel member personally beforehand.
B)When answering a question, maintain eye contact only with the person who posed the question.
C)Use your laptop to take notes during the interview.
D)Demonstrate active listening skills by leaning slightly forward and maintaining eye contact will all panel members.

Question 5

Because many companies now use social networking sites to screen job candidates, you should do each of the following except

A)remove yourself from all groups or fan pages.
B)make your personal social networking pages available to anyone who wishes to view them.
C)remove any photos, content, and links that could make you look unprofessional.
D)discuss your current job and your search frequently on social media so that friends and family will know.

Question 6

Panel interviews are typically conducted by people who will be your supervisors and colleagues. An important advantage of the panel interview is

A)allowing the company to measure the candidate's leadership and communication skills.
B)saving company money on repeated interviews and related costs.
C)determining the best candidate through multiple interviews.
D)testing the reactions of a candidate during nerve-racking situations.

Question 7

Which of the following telephone tips should you follow during your job search?

A)Create a unique, edgy voice mail message to demonstrate your individuality.
B)Prepare others who live with you to speak professionally and take complete messages.
C)Answer your cell phone any time it rings so that you don't miss the opportunity to speak with a potential employer.
D)Hire a professional to record your voice mail message to ensure that proper articulation, enunciation, and vocal intonations are used.

Question 8

Effective interview-preparation techniques include practicing answers to possible questions, preparing to explain problem areas on your résumé, deciding on professional attire, and

A)informing your current employer of your plans.
B)preparing success stories.
C)writing a resignation letter.
D)purchasing a gift for the interviewer.

Question 9

When interviewing for high-pressure positions, companies may use stress interview techniques, which include being

A)greeted immediately by the interviewer.
B)asked rapid-fire questions by members of a team.
C)given a test with no time limit.
D)offered challenging food, beverages, or tobacco products.

Question 10

Rebecca has an interview with a large company in a nearby city. What information should she learn about the company before her interview?

A)The company's mission and goals
B)The company's customers and competitors
C)The management structure and names of leaders
D)Rebecca should find out all this information about the prospective employer.

Question 11

Krista receives an unexpected phone call from a potential employer. Which of the following should she do?

A)Try to schedule an interview for a Friday afternoon.
B)Avoid taking notes during the call because it can take too much time.
C)Assertively begin discussing her qualifications for the position.
D)If she feels caught off guard by the call, ask whether she may call back in a few minutes.

Question 12

Global Connections Inc. is interviewing several candidates for a leadership position requiring strong communication skills. What form of interview will most likely be used for this interview?

A)A one-on-one interview conducted by the human resources director
B)A stress interview conducted by the head of the programming division
C)A computer screening interview to test applicants' programming skills
D)A group interview of several candidates at one time

Question 13

Which of the following is the best advice when traveling to and arriving at your interview?

A)Limit grooming time because the more time you have, the more nervous you will get.
B)If something unexpected happens causing you to be late, immediately call the interviewer to explain what is happening.
C)If you smoke on the way to the interview, brush your teeth or chew some gum when you arrive and liberally apply perfume or cologne.
D)Arrive at the interview 15 to 20 minutes early, and greet the receptionist promptly on arrival.

Question 14

An important question to be asking yourself during a job interview is

A)When will my start date be?
B)Where do I want to live?
C)Do I want to work for this organization?
D)How quickly could I be promoted?

Question 15

Which of the following statements most accurately describes a sequential interview?

A)You must be totally committed to the job and the company to participate in a sequential interview, which often takes weeks or even months to complete.
B)You can assume that later interviewers know what was said in a previous interview because sequential interviews are designed to save time.
C)As sequential interviews progress, interviews become more in-depth, which means that you need to know even more about the company.
D)As an applicant, you should never repeat yourself because each interviewer will brief the other interviewers, making it unnecessary for you to answer the same questions.

Question 16

Which of the following will not help you reduce your fears about interviews?

A)Let the interviewer have complete charge of the entire interview.
B)Practice interviewing as much as you can, especially with real companies.
C)Rehearse answers to the most frequently asked interview questions.
D)Take deep breaths while waiting for the interview to begin.

Question 17

A job interview provides an opportunity for you to do all of the following except

A)expand on the information in your résumé.
B)convince the employer of your potential.
C)meet with all the company's employees.
D)learn more about the job and the company.

Question 18

When you enter the office for an interview,

A)greet the interviewer confidently, and wait for him or her to initiate a handshake.
B)avoid direct eye contact so that you do not make others feel uncomfortable.
C)introduce yourself to the receptionist, and wait to be invited to sit.
D)immediately open your briefcase to sort through your contents to locate copies of your résumé.

Question 19

Braden is preparing several success stories prior to his job interview for a sales representative position. Which of the following scenarios would result in the best success story for this position?

A)A story about a lemonade stand that Braden ran when he was a child
B)A story about working as part of a team in college to prepare a classroom presentation about a company's history
C)A story about volunteering for a local food bank over the holidays
D)A story about developing a new sales technique that increased his customer sales by 30 percent over a six-month period

Question 20

Which of ​the following statements about online interviews is most accurate?

A)​Very few of today's companies conduct online interviews.
B)​Online interviews save job applicants and companies time and money.
C)​Individuals who participate in online interviews need not be concerned about their appearance, eye contact, and nonverbal behaviors.
D)​Companies conduct online interviews only when they must interview candidates who reside in other countries.

Question 21

How should you respond if an interviewer asks, Why should we hire you when other applicants have better credentials?

A)Admit that you are less qualified, but stress you can be paid less than more experienced applicants.
B)Describe how you are correcting one of your most significant weaknesses to display your strong work ethic and determination.
C)Confidently explain your strengths such as your openness to new ideas and knowledge of the latest methods and equipment.
D)Since it is clear that you will not get this job offer, do not answer this question.

Question 22

If an interviewer says Why do you want to work for us? , you should

A)briefly summarize problems at your current job that require you to change employers.
B)show what you know about the interviewer's company and how your goals match the company and its culture.
C)explain that as a recent graduate you want to work for any company needing a person with your skills and background.
D)tell the truth about your reasons for seeking this job; for example, you are unemployed, you need more pay or better benefits, or you just graduated.

Question 23

If an interviewer says Tell me about yourself , what is the best way to respond?

A)Present your brief biography as a chronology, beginning with when and where you were born.
B)Briefly discuss educational, professional, or business-related strengths.
C)To start the interview positively, provide a few humorous personal anecdotes.
D)Tell several success stories, making sure to fill at least ten minutes of interview time.

Question 24

Will has just driven home following an interview. What is the first  thing he should do?

A)Take notes about the interview.
B)Contact his current employer to explain that he may be leaving.
C)Call the interviewer to thank him or her.
D)Begin compiling a list of references.

Question 25

When the interviewer says Describe a time when you worked successfully as a member of a team , your best response will be to

A)reply that you have been a member of so many successful teams that no particular instance stands out.
B)say that you not only enjoy teamwork, especially problem-solving groups, but also work well independently.
C)tell a success story about a specific group project, your contributions, and the results.
D)list the names of all work teams on which you participated and stress that all were successful.

Question 26

Which of following is a legal interview question?

A)Are you married?
B)Are you a U.S. citizen?
C)Do you have any disabilities?
D)Are you authorized to work in the United States?

Question 27

If an interviewer asks if you have any questions at the end of an interview, which of the following is an inappropriate response?

A)May I have a tour of the facilities?
B)When do you expect to make a decision?
C)No, I have no questions right now; you have shared all the information I need.
D)What are the major challenges for a person in this position?

Question 28

You can send positive nonverbal messages during your interview by dressing professionally, controlling your body movements, making eye contact, and

A)arriving on time.
B)using gender-neutral language.
C)presenting success stories to respond to behavioral questions.
D)preparing thoroughly.

Question 29

What is the most effective way to handle an illegal or inappropriate question during an interview?

A)If you find the question harmless and you want the job, go ahead and answer it.
B)Confront the interviewer about the illegal nature of the question.
C)Storm out of the room in anger; after all, you wouldn't work for a company with such low ethics.
D)Refuse to answer the question because it is your legal right to do so.

Question 30

How should you close an interview?

A)Briefly review your strengths, thank the interviewer, and ask what action will follow.
B)Be confident and say, This job sounds great! When do I start work?
C)Ask about salary and benefits.
D)Invite the interviewer to lunch.

Question 31

Although you can't expect to be perfect in an employment interview, you can do your best by

A)showing some passion by bringing up a controversial topic and taking a clear stand.
B)speaking forcefully but using some slang such as like and y a know to sound relaxed and friendly.
C)elaborating on your answers and criticizing the person or object causing the problems at a previous job.
D)occasionally refocusing and clarifying vague questions by asking Do you mean...?

Question 32

When the interviewer asks you questions about the future, you should provide answers that

A)show ambition and interest in succeeding with the company.
B)are vague because no one can predict the future.
C)indicate that you want the interviewer's job.
D)focus on your needs.

Question 33

Which of the following is an example of a situational question?

A)If you were aware that a coworker submitted false data, what would you do?
B)What is your ideal work environment?
C)What do you predict for the future of our industry?
D)Tell me about a time when you dealt with confidential information.

Question 34

Which of the following statements about interview thank-you messages is most accurate?

A)​Thank-you messages are not important to employers.
B)​To avoid appearing as overzealous, an applicant should wait at least two to three days before sending a thank-you note.
C)Separate thank-you messages should be sent to each interviewer.
D)To personalize a thank-you message, an interviewee should begin each sentence in the thank-you message with the personal pronoun I.

Question 35

When an interviewer asks you a challenging question about a weakness, what is the best way to respond?

A)To prove you have only strengths, reply that you have no weaknesses at all.
B)To be completely honest with the interviewer, talk about the employment weakness that concerns you most.
C)Mention a previous weakness and the way you have corrected it.
D)Demonstrate your honesty by bringing up every weakness you can identify.

Question 36

Which of the following is the best nonverbal behavior to display during an interview?

A)Sit erect, leaning forward slightly to show interest and confidence.
B)Change positions often and gesture as frequently as possible to convey high energy.
C)Lean forward, resting your arms on the desk or table before you, to indicate control.
D)Relax back into your chair, slouching slightly, to demonstrate self-assurance.

Question 37

Which of the following is an example of a behavioral interview question?

A)Who in your life has most inspired you and why?
B)An irate customer is demanding her money back. How would you handle the situation?
C)Tell me about a time when you solved a difficult problem.
D)What is your greatest strength?

Question 38

Which of these is the most effective response to the question, What do you think is your greatest weakness?

A)Some people complain that I'm a workaholic with nearly too much passion for this field.
B)To tell the truth, I become frustrated with lazy coworkers who don't pull their own weight.
C)My typing speed isn't as fast as I would like, but this position doesn't require me to use the computer.
D)I've worked hard to eliminate every weakness, and I am confident you will find me the perfect employee for this position.

Question 39

In which part of the STAR technique for answering behavioral interview questions should you focus on yourself (rather than a group or team)?

A)Situation
B)Task
C)Action
D)Results

Question 40

Which of the following is the best advice when answering interview questions?

A)Focus your answers on your strengths, but reveal a weakness or two to show that you are not perfect.
B)Use the interviewer's name and title each time you answer a question to show respect.
C)To be concise, answer questions with a simple yes or no whenever possible.
D)Aim answers at the key characteristics needed, such as expertise, motivation, and a pleasant personality.

Question 41

After writing a follow-up letter to thank your interviewer, your next step should be

A)alerting your references that they may be contacted by the employer.
B)sending a small gift to the receptionist to show your sincere appreciation.
C)calling the organization's human resources department to learn more about your competitors for the open position.
D)waiting at least one month for a call of acceptance or rejection.

Question 42

Because online interviews are typically conducted using webcams and videoconferencing software, applicants do not need to worry about their appearance, nonverbal behaviors, or eye contact.

Question 43

The purposes of sending an application or résumé follow-up message to an employer include jogging the memory of the hiring manager, showing your serious interest in the position, and

A)emphasizing your qualifications or adding new information.
B)sending a personal note to the receptionist, who often helps make the final decision.
C)sharing your photograph to match your qualifications to your face.
D)setting a deadline for the employer to offer you the position.

Question 44

Recommended guidelines for completing application forms include which of the following?

A)Disregard questions that do not apply to you by leaving them blank.
B)Read the entire form before beginning to complete it.
C)Do not specify a position or job title to make yourself appear flexible.
D)Leave any questions about salary blank because they might limit what you will be paid.

Question 45

During your job search, you should treat any call from an employer like an interview.

Question 46

If you must turn down a job offer, employment experts suggest you should send the employer a letter

A)declining the offer, providing a thorough explanation of the reasons for declining, and expanding on your qualifications for a new position.
B)thanking the employer for the offer and briefly declining the position.
C)specifying personal reasons for your decision.
D)declining the position and offering assistance finding your replacement.

Question 47

A sequential interview is usually shorter than a one-on-one interview.

Question 48

The most common format for hiring/placement interviews is the sequential interview.

Question 49

What information should you provide your references so that they can write a recommendation?

A)​Name of the company
B)​Position title and expected job requirements
C)​A copy of your résumé
D)​You should provide all this information to your references.

Question 50

If a company is conducting a panel interview, a job candidate should establish eye contact with only the person who asked the question.

Question 51

Most employers contact job applicants by e-mail to set up interviews.

Question 52

Which of the following is an acceptable reason for following up with an employer in writing?

A)Your résumé or application has received no response.
B)You have learned that you are not being offered the position.
C)You received an offer for the position.
D)All of these are acceptable reasons to follow up with an employer in writing.

Question 53

As a job candidate, the purposes of an interview are to convince the employer of your potential, learn more about the job and the company, and expand on the information on your résumé .

Question 54

From an interview, an employer can learn what drives and motivates you.

Question 55

Hiring/placement interviews are typically conducted before screening interviews.​

Question 56

When writing a resignation letter to your employer, you should

A)allow more than the standard two-week notice if you have a high or responsible position within the company.
B)offer thanks and end with a forward-looking statement.
C)remind the employer of your contributions.
D)All answer choices are correct.

Question 57

Theresa decides to follow up with an employer a few days after her interview. Which communication channel is safest for her to use if she does not want to appear too intrusive?

A)Phone
B)E-mail
C)Twitter
D)Office visit

Question 58

Each of the following represents effective phrasing of a reason for leaving a previous position on an application form  except

A)Relocation
B)Seasonal
C)Quit
D)To continue education

Question 59

When you apply for a position but are rejected, employment experts recommend that you

A)send a rejection letter saying you believe the employer has made a hiring decision error in not choosing you.
B)phone the employer's personnel office to determine the reason why you were not selected.
C)send a rejection follow-up message indicating you are disappointed but will contact the company again in a month in case a job opens up.
D)do not apply at that company again for at least 12 months.

Question 60

Many screening interviews occur on the telephone.

Question 61

One of the most important steps in effective interviewing is researching the target company.

Question 62

When answering interview questions, interject many verbal pauses to give yourself time to formulate appropriate answers.

Question 63

When responding to the question Tell me about yourself , focus on personal information such as your hometown, family, and hobbies.

Question 64

You should use an interview as an opportunity to ensure that the position and organization are right for you.

Question 65

You should alert your references only after a second or third interview for a position.

Question 66

When answering interview questions, always aim your responses at the key characteristics ​interviewers seek.

Question 67

Summarizing your relevant qualifications is an effective way to end an interview positively.

Question 68

One of the best ways to overcome fear is to know what happens in a typical interview.

Question 69

An effective way to begin a thank-you message is Thank you for taking the time to interview me.

Question 70

To avoid coming across as tentative in an interview, always answer a question even if you don't understand it.

Question 71

You should share updates about your job search on social media sites so that as many professionals as possible know that you are in market.

Question 72

Reviewing a company's advertising and promotional materials can be an effective way to learn about a target company.

Question 73

On the day of your interview, you should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled appointment.

Question 74

As a job applicant, you should never answer an illegal or inappropriate interview question.

Question 75

Always ask permission before submitting someone's name as a reference.

Question 76

Effective storytelling is key to responding effectively to behavioral interview questions.

Question 77

To demonstrate your humility, openly share at least one personal weakness with the interviewer.

Question 78

If you've been interviewed by more than one person, send one thank-you note to the person who appeared to be in charge.

Question 79

The first thing you should do after an interview is compose a thank-you/follow-up message.

Question 80

When greeting the interviewer, you should smile, maintain direct eye contact, and wait for the interviewer to initiate a handshake.