Deck 13: Interviews and Follow-Up

Question 1

Which of the following will probably be most helpful in preparing for a job interview?

A)Check out and, if necessary, clean up any online information that an employer might perceive as negative.
B)Research the target company only if it is a large one; you likely won't find useful information about a small company.
C)Avoid preparing and rehearsing personal success stories because most interviewers don't respond well to arrogant candidates.
D)Practise avoiding or deflecting questions about problem areas on your résumé.

Answer 1

A

Question 2

When you submit employment applications, what kind of hiring/placement interview does your textbook say you are most likely to face?

A)stress interview
B)panel interview
C)one-on-one interview
D)sequential interview

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Which of the following questions is an interviewer legally entitled to ask?

A)What is your maiden name?
B)Are you legally entitled to work in Canada?
C)If we offer you this job, can your husband transfer or find a new job in this city?
D)Have you ever received worker's compensation?

Answer 3

B

Question 4

An interviewer asks you why you want to work for this company. Which of the following would be your best response to this question?

A)I've applied everywhere and really need this job.
B)I am very impressed by the benefits package you offer employees.
C)I am interested in using my skills and experience to obtain a career in the accounting field.
D)During my research on your company, I was impressed with your outstanding customer service record.

Question 5

During your interview, one member of the interviewing panel asks you a question. You aren't sure how to answer because you're not sure you understand the question. What would be the best response?

A)Demonstrate confidence by answering the question immediately based on your best guess about what the interviewer means.
B)Ask another member of the panel to repeat the question.
C)Apologize for not being as knowledgeable in that area as you should be and ask the interviewer to explain the question in detail.
D)Say I want to make sure I understand the question. Re-phrase the question in your own words, and then ask Do I understand you correctly?

Question 6

What advice does your text give about answering salary questions on a job application form?

A)Name a salary higher than you can realistically expect so the employer knows you have high self-esteem.
B)Name an unrealistically low figure to show that you are eager to work for the company.
C)Do your research so you can reply with a realistic salary range for the position.
D)Give an exact dollar amount and explain in detail how you arrived at that figure.

Question 7

During your interview, a member of the interview panel looks at your transcript and asks whether you feel that your grade point average accurately reflects what you are capable of. What is the interviewer's purpose for asking this question most likely to be?

A)to discover how you respond to being challenged or made uncomfortable
B)to explore your accomplishments
C)to understand why you applied for this particular position
D)to test your thought processes and logical thinking

Question 8

If an interviewer asks for one or more letters of recommendation from your references, which of the following would probably be most effective strategy?

A)Contact your references to ask them to write letters recommendation, but don't appear pushy by making any suggestions about the contents of the letter.
B)Let your references know that they can write the recommendations at their convenience.
C)Write a letter of recommendation yourself and send copies to your references that they simply have to sign.
D)Send a message to your references with details of the position, its requirements, the deadline, and reminders of positive experiences and/or accomplishments.

Question 9

What does your textbook identify as the primary purpose of most screening interviews?

A)to give the interviewer/s a general sense of your personality
B)to "weed out" candidates who won't proceed to the next phase of the interview process
C)to make candidates more comfortable when they are interviewed in person
D)to allow the interviewer/s to make a final hiring decision

Question 10

Which of the following would be the most important action to take after leaving an interview?

A)Go home and revise your résumé.
B)Write down key points that were discussed, the names of people you spoke with, and other details of the interview.
C)Stop and chat with the receptionist to see if you can get some inside information about other candidates.
D)Send an e-mail message to the interviewer/s asking for tips for presenting yourself more effectively at your next interview.

Question 11

Which strategy would likely be most effective in a job interview?

A)Ask questions politely throughout the interview if and when they come to mind.
B)Ask your own questions only when an interviewer specifically invites them.
C)Show your excitement about the job by asking many questions immediately.
D)Answer the interviewer's questions but refrain from asking your own.

Question 12

If an interviewer asks you about a weakness, what is the best way to answer the question?

A)Respond by saying that you don't have any significant weaknesses.
B)Try to turn a particular weakness into a positive selling point.
C)Explain why you have not managed to overcome a particular weakness.
D)Be truthful and list all of your weaknesses. Then defend each of them.

Question 13

An interviewer asks you to tell her about a time when you worked successfully as part of a team. Which of the following would be your best response?

A)Respond with a story about how much fun you had when you travelled to Vancouver with your hockey team to play in a tournament.
B)Tell the interviewer that you think teamwork is a very important skill and you are looking forward to meeting and working with new colleagues.
C)Explain that you usually work best independently.
D)Tell a story that you prepared using the STAR technique.

Question 14

An interviewer asks you to describe your accomplishments in each of your past jobs. Which of the following would be the best response?

A)Explain that since you are just graduating, you have only had two unskilled part-time jobs in the past that didn't allow you to accomplish a great deal.
B)Emphasize personal strengths and attributes that employers valued, such as the fact that you were never late, you were always available for extra shifts when needed, and you never missed a day of work.
C)Respond by talking enthusiastically about how much you will accomplish if you are hired for this position.
D)Be honest and admit that other candidates probably have more experience and have accomplished more.

Question 15

An interviewer asks Where do you expect to be five years from now? Which would be the best response to this question?

A)I would like to be president of the company. This shows ambition and drive.
B)In five years, I would like to have your job. This shows you admire the interviewer and respect his or her position within the company.
C)I would like to contribute to the organization and advance to a management position. This shows you want to grow with the company.
D)I would like to have my own business. This response shows leadership and entrepreneurial spirit, which are highly valued skills.

Question 16

You have applied for several positions and are expecting a response from one or more of the potential employers. Which of the following is the best advice to follow?

A)Make sure that others who may answer the phone are aware of your job search and the importance of answering the telephone politely and taking accurate messages.
B)Be sure to answer your cell phone immediately, no matter where you are, so that you won't miss a call.
C)Always answer phone calls in person, since most employers dislike leaving voice mail messages.
D)Make sure to check your e-mail messages several times during the day, since most employers choose to contact applicants by email.

Question 17

Which of the following is the most important advice for ending an interview positively?

A)Tell the interviewer you will call in three or four days to see if a decision has been made.
B)Mention that you need to have a decision very quickly because you have several more interviews scheduled for very appealing jobs.
C)Review your strengths, thank the interviewer, and ask what action will follow.
D)Apologize for being nervous and admit that you didn't present yourself very well.

Question 18

Which nonverbal action will most likely create a negative impression on interviewers?

A)Smiling continually during the interview.
B)Initiating a firm handshake with the interviewer.
C)Making frequent eye contact with the interviewer.
D)Arriving about five minutes early for the interview.

Question 19

A large accounting firm has invited you for an interview. Robert Kootenay, the person who called you, tells you that he will be one of a panel of interviewers. What would be the most useful strategy to use when preparing for the interview?

A)Try to keep Robert on the phone long enough to get a good idea of what he and the other panel members see as the most desirable quality in a candidate.
B)Practice taking charge of the interview while treating the interviewer with respect.
C)Remind yourself to remain calm, slow the interview down, and consider your answers carefully.
D)Try to find some basic biographical information about each panel member.

Question 20

An employer calls you to offer you a job. You thank him/her and explain politely that you have decided not to accept the offer. Following the advice in your text, what should you do after you hang up?

A)Send a brief text message to confirm your decision so that there is no risk of misunderstanding.
B)Quickly turn your attention and energy to finding a more suitable job.
C)Write a sincere, thoughtful letter explaining briefly why you are refusing the offer.
D)Write a letter explaining in detail the undesirable aspects of the job such as the inadequate salary, unreasonable hours, or undesirable job duties.

Question 21

Sending a thank-you (follow-up) message will communicate your good manners and your genuine interest in the job.

Question 22

Once you have asked your questions, you should signal the end of the interview by standing up and thanking the interviewer.

Question 23

When you arrive on time for an interview and greet the receptionist politely, you are sending positive nonverbal messages.

Question 24

A skilled interviewer will expect you to be at least slightly nervous going into the interview and will try to put you at ease.

Question 25

A panel interview is normally conducted by several members of an employer's human resources department.

Question 26

Interviewers will likely want to know why you want this particular position with this organization.

Question 27

It is never appropriate to ask current employees of a company to provide information before your interview.

Question 28

Since all interviews are different, it is impossible to prepare answers to questions you might be asked.

Question 29

During an interview, the candidate and the interviewer have the same goals: to minimize the faults and emphasize the strengths of the candidate.

Question 30

If you find out ahead of time that the company has a casual dress code, you should dress casually for the interview so that you'll be comfortable and look like you fit in.

Question 31

If you are taken off guard by a prospective employer's call, it's okay to ask if you can call back in a few minutes and return the call when you have organized your materials and yourself.

Question 32

Before an interview, you should prepare and practise "success stories" and find places to insert them during the interview.

Question 33

During a sequential interview, you should sell your qualifications to each interviewer and try to keep your responses sounding fresh.

Question 34

During an interview, you should speak positively about your previous employer.

Question 35

It is legal for an interviewer to ask you where you were born.

Question 36

Tell me about a time when you solved a difficult problem is an example of a question intended to gauge your interest.

Question 37

It is okay to initiate a handshake when you enter an interview. Doing so demonstrates confidence and professionalism.

Question 38

You don't need to worry about personal information or pictures posted to Facebook or other Internet sites because employers are much too busy to search online for information about you.

Question 39

Screening interviews may be conducted by telephone or by computer.

Question 40

If a question on a job application asks for the name of the position you desire, it's best to keep your options open by answering Anything or Open.

Question 41

If you don't get the job and you think it would have been perfect for you, you should send a(n) __________________ follow-up letter.

Question 42

_________________ interviews are meant to test a candidate's reactions to rapid-fire questions from many directions.

Question 43

Have you ever been convicted of a crime? Is an example of a(n) __________________ question.

Question 44

_________________ interviews are often conducted to decide which applicants to bring in for face-to-face interviews.

Question 45

When asking _____________________ questions, interviewers will describe a hypothetical situation and ask how you would handle it.

Question 46

In addition to what is on your résumé and what you say during an interview, ________________ messages also create powerful impressions on people.

Question 47

You should prepare and practice ________________ ________________ (two words) that demonstrate your positive qualities and achievements.

Question 48

What are your weaknesses? is an example of a(n) __________________ question.

Question 49

You can expect interviewers to ask questions about _________________ areas on your résumé.

Question 50

______________ interviews occur when a company interviews several candidates at the same time.