Deck 26: Creating Persuasive Application Letters

Question 1

Which of the following is a communication behaviour demonstrated by successful interviewees?

A)Using technical jargon pertaining to the relevant field
B)Making it clear that they are using the interview to learn about the company
C)Asking a small number of general questions
D)Responding neutrally to interviewers' statements

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Which of the following items should the applicant avoid taking to the interview?

A)Extra copies of his or her resumé
B)Copies of his or her work or a portfolio
C)Something to write on and something to write with
D)Letters from family members about how much he or she is loved

Answer 2

D

Question 3

When one refers to the next step in an interview follow-up letter,it sounds arrogant and may cost one the job.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

As an interviewee,one must avoid carrying a notebook and pen into the interview session.

Question 5

During a job interview,it is important for the interviewee to not discuss more than one of his or her strengths with the interviewer.

Question 6

During an interview,if an interviewer asks about one's interests outside of work,one should list at least 10 to make a good impression.

Question 7

It is important for the applicant to not practise what he or she is going to say before a telephone interview.

Question 8

Which of the following should be avoided by an interviewee at a job interview?

A)Assuming a radically different persona
B)Being aware of the corporate culture of the company
C)Taking copies of one's work or a portfolio
D)Taking extra copies of one's resumé

Question 9

After an interview,one's follow-up message should avoid mentioning any negative points that came up during the interview.

Question 10

As an interviewee,your clothing should always be more formal than the clothing of the person likely to interview you.

Question 11

Which of the following should be avoided by the interviewee before or during an interview?

A)Reviewing his or her positive traits and accomplishments before the interview
B)Arriving slightly later than the scheduled time
C)Rehearsing what he or she is going to say before the interview
D)Closing with an assertive statement at the end of the interview

Question 12

As an interviewee,one should never close the interview with an assertive statement.

Question 13

Which of the following is true about how one should dress for an interview?

A)One's clothing should always be more formal than the clothing of the interviewer.
B)When interviewing for a management or office job,one should wear a business suit in a bright and unusual colour.
C)One should learn about the corporate culture of the company before the interview.
D)Even if one is interviewing for a position that involves working,visiting,or supervising muddy or dirty sites,one must wear formal clothes in order to look professional.

Question 14

Behavioural interviews ask an applicant to describe actual behaviours,rather than plans or general principles.

Question 15

If one is naturally quiet and introvert,one should create a radically different persona for potential employers.

Question 16

Even if one is interviewing for a position that involves working,visiting,or supervising muddy or dirty sites,one must wear formal clothes in order to look professional.

Question 17

Research shows that successful applicants use different communication behaviours from unsuccessful applicants.

Question 18

If one is given time to consider a job offer,it is acceptable for one to telephone one's first-choice employer to find out where one stands on that list.

Question 19

When applying to a company for a job,one should expect to take one or more tests that assess one's ability.

Question 20

If one has been fired from one's last job,it's best not to say so at the interview.

Question 21

Which of the following statements is true about situational interviews?

A)Situational interviews ask interviewees to do-on the spot-the kind of things the job would require.
B)Situational interviews cannot be conducted using traditional questions.
C)Situational interviews ask applicants to describe actual behaviours,rather than plans or general principles.
D)Situational interviews require individuals to tell what they did in a previous situation,rather than what ought to be done.

Question 22

Which of the following is true about preparing for phone or Skype interviews?

A)For phone and Skype interviews,one must not practise one's answers before the interview.
B)For phone interviews,one's answers must be lengthy and complex.
C)For phone interviews,one must always take the interview sitting or lying in a relaxed position.
D)For phone interviews,one should identify in writing how one's qualifications can contribute to the company.

Question 23

If an interviewer asks you why you are looking for another job,which of the following would be the most effective response?

A)You got fired because you tend to take a lot of leaves.
B)You lost your job,along with many others,when the company downsized for economic reasons.
C)You got fired because you were never able to complete deadlines and caused trouble with the client.
D)You and your present supervisor always have personality conflicts.You often have this problem with other colleagues too and they are fed up.

Question 24

Successful interviewees:

A)use no industry language.
B)ask a small number of general questions.
C)use the company name in the interview.
D)talk much lesser than the interviewer.

Question 25

Which of the following should an interviewee use to analyse an interview before writing a follow-up email?

A)PAIBOC questions
B)BOPAIC questions
C)AICPOB questions
D)ICOBAP questions

Question 26

After an interview,one's follow-up letter should:

A)not counter any negative impressions that may have come up at the interview.
B)use emoticons.
C)reinforce the interviewer's positive impressions.
D)not use the language of the company.

Question 27

If one is offered a job,one should make one's acceptance:

A)contingent on the written job offer.
B)contingent on the verbal offer.
C)immediate but not enthusiastic.
D)immediate and enthusiastic.

Question 28

Which of the following is the most effective response to the following question asked during a behavioural interview: "Describe a situation in which you went beyond the call of duty to get a job done."

A)You avoid answering and instead,give an abstract definition of what "call of duty" means to you.
B)You tell the interviewer that you have never gone beyond the call of duty.
C)You tell the interviewer that you are not prepared for the question and will go home and think about it.
D)You describe a relevant situation and what you learned from it.

Question 29

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

A)"Why were your grades so low?"
B)"How did you help your team in your last project?"
C)"What are your weaknesses?"
D)"Sell me this car."

Question 30

During a job interview,the interviewer asks Mark why his cumulative GPA is so low.Mark's most appropriate response would be to:

A)admit that he has always had a tendency to shirk work and that affected his grades.
B)argue that B− is actually an above-average grade.
C)change the subject as quickly as possible.
D)demonstrate how his grades improved once he selected a different major.

Question 31

Identify a communication behaviour demonstrated by successful interviewees.

A)Having vague ideas of what they want to do
B)Rarely using the company name
C)Giving short answers-10 words or fewer
D)Supporting claims with specific personal experiences

Question 32

Unsuccessful interviewees:

A)use industry language.
B)know what they want to do.
C)ask a small number of general questions.
D)talk much more than the interviewer.

Question 33

Which of the following is the best response to the interview question "Why should I hire you?"

A)You list all the organizations that have hired you in the past.
B)You explain that your financial situation is poor and you need the money.
C)You state the qualifications,skills,and knowledge that separate you from other applicants.
D)You point out that you have travelled a long distance for the interview and it should be worth your while.

Question 34

Which of the following does the "P" in the PAIBOC analysis of an interview refer to?

A)Identifying the points that must be included in one's follow-up email
B)Identifying the people one's follow-up email is intended for
C)Identifying the pay range one should expect after the interview
D)Identifying the purpose of one's follow-up email

Question 35

While answering behavioural interview questions,an interviewee should start by:

A)describing the outcome of the situation.
B)describing the relevant situation.
C)explaining the implications of what he or she did in the situation.
D)explaining his or her actions in the situation.

Question 36

During an interview,which of the following questions asked by the interviewee will make the best impression on the interviewer?

A)What will my salary be?
B)How many days of leave do I get every year?
C)What kind of training programs do you have?
D)What benefits does the company offer?

Question 37

Which of the following is a communication behaviour demonstrated by unsuccessful interviewees?

A)Accepting topic shifts by the interviewer
B)Making it clear that they are using the interview to learn about the company
C)Making it clear that they have researched the company
D)Referring to the company name many times during the interview

Question 38

Which of the following questions is acceptable for an interviewee to ask in a follow-up letter?

A)"What would my annual perks be?"
B)"What employee benefits do you provide?"
C)"How much would the job pay?"
D)"When could we meet to discuss some of my new ideas?"

Question 39

What is the most effective response to the interviewer question "Tell me about yourself."

A)You start with your significant childhood memories and work your way up to the present.
B)You launch into an autobiography of your life.
C)You talk about all the regrets you have about your life and work.
D)You talk about your achievements as they relate to the organization's culture.

Question 40

In a follow-up letter after an interview,one should avoid:

A)countering any negative impressions that may have come up at the interview.
B)using shorthand language and/or emoticons.
C)being enthusiastic.
D)using a formal letter format.

Question 41

Describe the steps involved in a PAIBOC analysis of an interview.

Question 42

Name three things an interviewee should take to an interview.

Question 43

List two things an interviewee can do to prepare for a phone interview.

Question 44

Explain what the interviewee should expect from an interviewer in each of the three parts of a conventional interview.

Question 45

Explain what one should do if one receives a job offer that is not one's first choice.