Deck 14: Interviewing and Following up

Question 1

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

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Cody will be participating in a panel interview. What advice should he follow?

A) Try to gather basic biographical information about each panel member.
B) Maintain eye contact with the questioner as well as with the others
C) Show how he is motivated, qualified, and a good fit for position.
D) All answer choices are good tips for Cody as he participates in a panel interview.

Answer 2

D

Question 3

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.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

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 5

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 6

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 7

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

A) The more an individual learns about the interview process, the better prepared he or she will be.
B) Job interviews allow employers and candidates opportunities to evaluate one another.
C) Most people find job interviews stressful.
D) All answer choices are accurate statements about job interviews.

Question 8

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 9

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 10

How you can you locate information about a company?

A) Talking with current employees
B) Searching the Web
C) Reviewing company advertisements and promotions
D) All answer choices would help you locate information about a company.

Question 11

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 12

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 13

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 14

Which of the following is the best advice to make a positive first impression in a phone conversation with an employer?

A) Don't refer to your résumé or references during the first phone call because these references are appropriate only in the placement interview.
B) Take notes about the conversation immediately after hanging up to avoid forgetting details.
C) In the first phone call, be polite and enthusiastic; but don't be pushy by discussing your qualifications.
D) If caught off guard by the call, ask whether you can call back in a few minutes.

Question 15

What is the most professional telephone tip to follow during your job search?

A) Create a unique voice mail message to demonstrate your individuality.
B) Don't let children answer the phone during your job search.
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 16

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.

Question 17

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

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

Question 18

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 19

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 20

Because many companies now use social networking sites to screen job candidates, what is the best advice you should follow to project a positive image?

A) Join as many groups or fan pages as possible to demonstrate your popularity.
B) Make your personal social networking pages available to all individuals.
C) Remove any photos, content, and links that could make you look unprofessional.
D) Update your status about your current job search frequently so that your friends and family know how things are going.

Question 21

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 22

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 23

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 24

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 25

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 26

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 27

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 28

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 29

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 30

If the interviewer begins a question with Tell me about a time when..., you should

A) recognize that this is a trick question and tactfully refuse to answer.
B) politely explain that you have never experienced such a situation.
C) make up any answer and wish that you had been better prepared.
D) describe a situation or task, tell what action you took, and emphasize a positive result.

Question 31

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 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

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 ya 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 34

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 35

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 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

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 38

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 39

What should you do immediately after leaving an interview?

A) Take notes about the interview.
B) Celebrate.
C) Call the interviewer to thank him or her.
D) Send the interviewer(s) flowers.

Question 40

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 41

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

Question 42

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

Question 43

In a job acceptance letter, your tasks are

A) accepting the position, asking for clarification as needed, and expressing appreciation.
B) thanking the interviewer for the interview and job offer and accepting the position.
C) confirming your acceptance, reviewing salary and benefits, and affirming the start date.
D) noting the job offer date, specifying the job acceptance date, and agreeing to the job start date.

Question 44

Hiring/placement interviews are typically conducted before screening interviews.

Question 45

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 46

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 47

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 48

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) Ignore misspellings because you are not expected to carry a dictionary.
D) Leave any questions about salary blank because they might limit what you will be paid.

Question 49

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 50

What is the most appropriate response on a job application form to a question that asks your reason for leaving your last position?

A) Fired
B) Quit
C) None of your business
D) Accepted a position with more responsibility

Question 51

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 52

Many screening interviews occur on the telephone.

Question 53

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

Question 54

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

Question 55

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 56

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

Question 57

A job interview is a two-street. The employer will be judging you, and you will be evaluating the employer.

Question 58

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 59

How should you contact an employer if you have interviewed for a job and haven't heard from the interviewer in a few days?

A) Phone
B) E-mail
C) Certified mail
D) Twitter message

Question 60

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 61

An appropriate statement to include in a thank-you message is Thank you for taking the time to interview me.

Question 62

Sending a thank-you note after an interview is a social nicety that distinguishes you from other candidates, but thank-you messages carry little weight in the hiring process.

Question 63

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

Question 64

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

Question 65

To respond effectively to behavioral questions, use the storytelling technique to relate a success story about a recent educational or work situation or task.

Question 66

The first thing you should do after an interview is to contact your references.

Question 67

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

Question 68

A job applicant should never answer an illegal or inappropriate interview question.

Question 69

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 70

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

Question 71

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

Question 72

When asking a previous supervisor to write a letter of recommendation, you would be smart to provide the supervisor with a detailed description of your target job, the recommendation deadline, and copies of your résumé and college transcript.

Question 73

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

Question 74

At the end of an interview, you will usually be asked if you have any questions. The most effective response is No to avoid sounding too eager.

Question 75

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

Question 76

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

Question 77

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

Question 78

Don't worry about what information is available about you online because this information is irrelevant to the job search.

Question 79

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

Question 80

Before your interview you should study the job opening, identify key needs, and then develop matching success stories that emphasize your most strategic skills, areas of knowledge, strongest personality traits, and key accomplishments.