Deck 14: Applying and Interviewing for Employment

Question 1

Identify the purpose of each section of the application when using the AIDA approach to persuasive messages.

Answer 1

When getting attention,the opening paragraph of your application letter must accomplish two essential tasks: (1)explaining why you are writing and (2)giving the recipient a reason to keep reading by demonstrating that you have some immediate potential for meeting the company's needs.When building interest and increasing desire,the middle section of your letter presents your strongest selling points in terms of their potential benefit to the organization,thereby building interest in you and creating a desire to interview you.Be specific and back up your assertions with convincing evidence.The motivating action in the final paragraph has two important functions: to ask the reader for a specific action (usually an interview)and to facilitate a reply.

Question 2

To write an effective application letter,which of the following should be included?

A)Salary requirements
B)Details about your work experience
C)Fact-based data only
D)An understanding of the company and its marketplace
E)Relevant data from the résumé

Answer 2

D
Explanation: D)Clearly identify the opportunity you are applying for or expressing interest in. Show that you understand the company and its marketplace. Don't just repeat information from your résumé; use the conversational tone of the letter to convey additional professional and personal qualities and your reasons for wanting this particular job.

Question 3

What should be included in the middle section of your application letter?

A)Where you heard about the job opening
B)Your strongest selling points and their potential benefit to the organization
C)A description of your understanding of the job requirements
D)The name of a person known to and highly regarded by the reader
E)Solutions to the organizations problems

Answer 3

B
Explanation: B)The middle section of your letter presents your strongest selling points in terms of their potential benefit to the organization, thereby building interest in you and creating a desire to interview you. Be specific and back up your assertions with convincing evidence.

Question 4

An application letter should be used to repeat important information from the résumé.

Question 5

How long should you wait before following up on a résumé submission?

A)One to two weeks after the close date
B)Before the close date
C)Only when invited to do so by the organization
D)After the second submission of a résumé
E)On the close date

Question 6

What is the employer's objective during an interview?

A)To exchange information
B)To verify information given on the résumé
C)To find the best talent to fill a job opening
D)To find the right match for the candidate's goals and capabilities
E)To minimize salary demands

Question 7

A poorly written application letter can prompt the employer to skip reading your résumé,even if you are a perfect fit for a position.

Question 8

What should be considered when following up after submitting a résumé?

Question 9

Taking the initiative to write to a company even though they haven't announced a job opening is called what?

A)Cold calling
B)Prospecting
C)Application letters
D)Cover letters
E)Canvassing

Question 10

Which of the following would be the least effective question to ask when following up on the submission of a résumé?

A)Has a hiring decision been made yet?
B)Can I provide any additional information regarding my qualifications for the position?
C)What is the company's timeframe for filling this position?
D)Can you tell me what to expect next in terms for the hiring process?
E)Can you tell me who has been hired and what their qualifications are?

Question 11

In the action section of the AIDA plan,what should be included in an application letter?

A)Salary range
B)References
C)Personal characteristics that apply to the targeted position
D)A request for an interview
E)Date you will follow up for an interview

Question 12

When sending a résumé to a potential employer,what should be included with the résumé?

A)An application letter
B)URL links
C)A list of references
D)Samples of your work
E)A self-addressed stamped envelope for feedback

Question 13

An application letter should indicate how you can benefit from working at a particular organization.

Question 14

When sending a solicited application letter,what should be included in the opening paragraph?

A)Where you heard about the job opening
B)A catchphrase opening that shows ingenuity and imagination
C)Questions to demonstrate your understanding of the organization's needs
D)A reference to activities, achievements or changes that have been publicized about the company
E)A list of your strongest skills that will benefit the organization

Question 15

What type of format should be used for an application letter?

A)Direct
B)Indirect
C)Traditional
D)Online
E)Persuasive

Question 16

When sending an unexpected résumé,what should be researched before sending the communication?

A)Hiring manager's field of expertise
B)What the organization does
C)Qualities the company would seek in the type of position you wish to apply for
D)Correct address to send the résumé
E)Whether the company prefers a traditional résumé or an emailed résumé

Question 17

What is the job candidate's goal during an interview?

A)To exchange information
B)To verify information given on the résumé
C)To fill a job opening
D)To find the right match for the candidate's goals and capabilities
E)To maximize salary potential

Question 18

In additional to core job duties,the middle section of the solicited application letter should contain what type of information?

A)Who you know in the organization
B)Where you heard about the job opening
C)Personal characteristics that apply to the targeted position
D)Salary requirements
E)Potential start date

Question 19

Employers will reconsider applicants who came close but didn't get the job.

Question 20

What is the purpose of an interview?

A)To exchange information
B)To verify information given in the résumé
C)To find the best talent to fill a job opening
D)To find the right match for your goals and capabilities
E)To maximize salary potential

Question 21

Which of the following pre-employment test measures the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in a particular position?

A)Cognitive test
B)Language proficiency test
C)Job knowledge and skills test
D)Personality test
E)Integrity test

Question 22

Which type of interview has been found to better predict success on the job than the traditional interview?

A)Stress
B)Open ended
C)Panel
D)Group
E)Behavioral

Question 23

What is the advantage of email and IM interviews?

A)Email and IM interviews include nonverbal cues that support your message.
B)Responses can be edited before being sent.
C)You can have notes and other relevant data to pull support from.
D)You don't have to wear interview clothes.
E)Email and IM interviews are more casual and relaxed than other types of interviews.

Question 24

Which of the following types of online interviews minimize the risk of employment discrimination lawsuits?

A)Open ended
B)Job simulation
C)Structured questionnaires
D)Tests
E)Video

Question 25

Employers often use a variety of interview media to cut interview expenses.

Question 26

Which type of pre-employment test measures a candidate's ability to analyze,use and remember information?

A)Integrity test
B)Job knowledge test
C)Cognitive test
D)Substance test
E)Language proficiency test

Question 27

Which type of interview is designed to observe how candidates interact with each other?

A)Panel interviews
B)Behavioral interviews
C)Group interviews
D)Stress interviews
E)Working interviews

Question 28

Verifying your education and conducting an online search of a candidate is part of what type of pre-employment test?

A)Integrity test
B)Personality test
C)Cognitive test
D)Substance test
E)Background check

Question 29

During the interview process,who is most likely to get the job?

A)The candidate with the best skills
B)The lowest priced candidate
C)The candidate with the most experience
D)The candidate who is best prepared
E)The candidate who is most flexible

Question 30

Which type of interview allows a line of questioning based on the candidates answers to previous questions?

A)Working interview
B)Panel interviews
C)Structured interviews
D)Situational interviews
E)Open ended interviews

Question 31

Asking a series of questions in a predetermined order is done in what type of interview?

A)Screening interview
B)Panel interview
C)Open ended interview
D)Structured interview
E)Behavioral interview

Question 32

The first stage of the interview process is called the selection stage,where candidates to be interviewed are selected.

Question 33

When preparing for a video interview,dressing is less important as the interviewer will only see your face and top of your shirt.

Question 34

What is the objective in the final stage of the interview process?

A)To eliminate unqualified candidates
B)To determine which candidate is the best fit
C)To sell the candidate on the advantages of the organization
D)To allow the candidate to meet people they will be working with
E)To discuss salary and benefit requirements

Question 35

Which stage of the interview process allows an organization to filter out applications that are not a good fit for the position?

A)Screening stage
B)Selection stage
C)Face to face interview stage
D)Final evaluation stage
E)Group interview stage

Question 36

Which stage of the interview process helps the organization identify top candidates from all those who qualify?

A)Screening stage
B)Selection stage
C)Group interview stage
D)Final evaluation stage
E)Unstructured interview stage

Question 37

Which interview format is the most common?

A)Structured interviews
B)One-on-one interviews
C)Panel interviews
D)Group interviews
E)Final interviews

Question 38

When asked to relate specific incidents and experience from your past,what type of interview is taking place?

A)Situational
B)Working
C)Panel
D)Behavioral
E)Stress

Question 39

In addition to being able to handle the responsibilities of the position,what else do employers look for?

A)A candidate who will be a good fit for the organization
B)A candidate with a lower starting salary
C)A candidate who has extensive experience in a similar position
D)A candidate who can be easily trained
E)A candidate who is flexible

Question 40

Most applicants are interviewed several times before a job offer is made.

Question 41

When asked to tell the interviewer something about you,the best response would be to talk about what?

A)Where you want to be five years from now
B)What you liked and disliked about previous jobs or assignments
C)The story of you
D)Your strengths and weaknesses
E)Your decision making process for this position

Question 42

Which of the following enhances the meaning of your responses and can help support the appearance of professionalism?

A)Your nonverbal behavior
B)Your manner of dressing
C)Your use of filler words such as "uh" and "um"
D)Your time management skills
E)Supplemental material brought to the interview

Question 43

In order to determine whether you might be happy on a job,what might an employer ask?

A)Where do you want to be five years from now?
B)Tell me about yourself.
C)What is the hardest decision you've ever had to make?
D)What didn't you like about previous jobs you've held?
E)How do you spend your free time?

Question 44

Discuss what employers look for during an interview.

Question 45

How can you best prepare for potential questions that will be asked during the interview?

A)Research the organization, industry and competitors and relate your personal experience to support what the organization does.
B)Research the hiring manager and relate your personal experience to support what is most important to the hiring manager.
C)Prepare a list of events from your life and use them to better explain what is important to you.
D)Identify areas of interest in your life and use short, direct answers to support your personal areas of interest.
E)Research the organization and hiring managers and develop answers they most likely want to hear.

Question 46

What can a job candidate do to steer the discussion to areas that allow them to present qualifications to the best advantage?

A)Ask insightful and thoughtful questions
B)Prepare a list of information and look for ways to present it when answering questions
C)Begin the interview by explaining to the interviewer why you are right for the position
D)Provide supplemental material to better explain your qualifications
E)Limit your questions of the interviewer, showing that you have thoroughly researched the organization and are well prepared

Question 47

To minimize the stress of the interview,what should a candidate focus on during the interview?

A)How to help the organization succeed
B)How to minimize weaknesses
C)Relaying information that presents the candidate in the best possible light
D)Having well-rehearsed responses for "stock" questions
E)What effect the candidate's answers will have on potential salary and benefits

Question 48

Discuss what employers look for during the interview process.

Question 49

An interview should be considered a two way conversation and the questions the candidate asks are as important as the answers they provide.

Question 50

Most businesses today have a casual dress policy,therefore a pair of slacks and a button down shirt is appropriate for most interviews.

Question 51

If some aspect of your appearance or background makes you uneasy,how can you offset it during the interview?

A)By displaying a superior, know-it-all attitude during the interview
B)By focusing on how you can help the organization succeed
C)By displaying minimal interest in the job, allowing the interviewer to try to "sell" you on the position
D)By using evasive answers that will allow the interviewer to ask more detail oriented questions
E)By focusing your responses on what past employers have done wrong and how they could improve

Question 52

Which of the following is the most common mistake made by candidates during an interview?

A)Not being dressed appropriately
B)Not being prepared with questions to ask the employer
C)Not being prepared to answer questions asked by the employer
D)Being late for the interview
E)Answering calls or texting during the interview

Question 53

During the interview,it would be appropriate to ask the interviewer about their experiences in the profession or industry.

Question 54

When asked about long-term goals,your response should focus solely on your goals,and not the goals of the organization.

Question 55

Which of the following is/are enhanced by having the impression of poise,good manners,and good judgment?

A)Salary offers
B)The perception of competence and confidence
C)The perception of research ability
D)The perception of teamwork
E)The perception of strengths

Question 56

A candidate's ability to understand unspoken "rules" of a situation is best represented through what?

A)The candidate's thoroughness in researching the organization
B)The candidate's display of personal characteristics like warmth and professionalism
C)The candidate's presentation of a professional image
D)The candidate's ability to ask meaningful and thoughtful questions
E)The candidate's ability to make small talk with strangers at the workplace

Question 57

Discuss why employers use pre-employment testing and what types of testing are most popular.

Question 58

When responding to an interviewer's questions,what types of response will be most memorable for the interviewer?

A)Short and direct statements
B)Detailed fact based statements
C)Responses that show humor
D)Responses that are vague and require follow-up questions
E)Responses that are brief stories

Question 59

Which of the following identify the three stages of the interview process?

A)Planning, conducting and follow-up
B)Opening, middle and close
C)Warm-up, questions and answers, and close
D)Opening, questions and answers, and follow-up
E)Planning, questions and answer, and follow-up

Question 60

After researching the organization,the industry and the market,what is the next step in preparing for the interview?

A)Ensuring the appropriate business attire is cleaned and pressed
B)Thinking about and planning responses for potential questions you will be asked
C)Thinking about additional information you need to know from the organization
D)Practicing the interview
E)Preparing to arrive at the interview

Question 61

According to some studies,how soon is the decision on whether or not to pursue a candidate made?

A)Within 1 hour of contact with the candidate
B)Within 45 minutes of contact with the candidate
C)Within 20 minutes of contact with the candidate
D)Within 5 minutes of contact with the candidate
E)Within 20 seconds of contact with the candidate

Question 62

During the close of the interview,what should a candidate do to ensure the interviewer has accurate and meaningful information?

A)Clarify any misconceptions the interviewer might have
B)Ask the interviewer if they have additional questions
C)Ask the interviewer how well they understood potentially difficult information
D)Have a list of potential questions prepared about the organization
E)Have potential questions prepared about the next step in the interview process

Question 63

Discuss ways to polish your interview style and present a professional image during the interview.

Question 64

When is the best time to discuss salary requirements?

A)When setting up the interview
B)When first arriving at the interview
C)After the interview is over
D)When asked if you have any additional questions
E)When the job offer is made

Question 65

Which of the following should be emphasized during the close of the interview?

A)Your potential start date
B)Your salary requirements
C)When a hiring decision will be made
D)A critique of how well you did during the interview
E)Your value to the organization

Question 66

Which of the following is a potentially illegal question from an employer?

A)Did you graduate from high school?
B)Are you available to work weekends?
C)Have you ever been arrested?
D)Are you legally eligible to work in the United States?
E)Are you over 18?

Question 67

Which of the following is especially important during the first stage of the interview process?

A)Appearance
B)Timeliness
C)Confidence
D)Body language
E)Word choice

Question 68

During the close of the interview,it would be appropriate to read off a list of potential questions you have prepared for the interviewer.

Question 69

Small talk made during the warm up stage of the interview is as important as the structured questions asked during the question and answer stage of the interview.

Question 70

When there is the potential for multiple interviews what can be done during the interview process to ensure jobs and companies are not being confused?

A)Ask the interviewer to clarify what position is being considered.
B)Keep a notebook or database with relevant information on each job.
C)Treat each interview as a new, independent experience.
D)Ask the interviewer what they know about you so you don't repeat information.
E)Never refer to the interviewer or company by name so you don't accidently use the wrong name.

Question 71

Which of the following is not a consideration during the salary negotiation process?

A)What competitors are paying
B)Market demand for your skills
C)The strength of the job market
D)The company's financial health
E)What benefits in addition to salary are included

Question 72

Which of the following is the most important stage during the interview process?

A)Planning
B)Opening
C)Warm-up
D)Questions and answers
E)Follow-up

Question 73

Which of the following is the least important information to track during the course of the job search?

A)Contact information for each interviewer
B)Information about each company
C)Salary range for each position
D)Interviewers answers to your questions
E)Status of follow-up communication

Question 74

When asked a potentially illegal question,which of the following would be the best response?

A)Refuse to answer the question
B)File a complaint with the EEOC
C)End the interview
D)Try to determine why the question was asked
E)Politely explain to the employer that the question is illegal and should not be asked

Question 75

Which of the following is an indication that the interview is winding down,but not over?

A)The interviewer summarizes the discussion.
B)The interviewer asks if you have questions.
C)The interviewer explains the next step in the process.
D)The interviewer looks at their watch or a clock.
E)The interviewer tells you they are out of time.

Question 76

Which of the following would be a good final question during the interview process?

A)Did I get the job?
B)When can I expect an offer?
C)When will a decision be made?
D)How much does this job pay?
E)Is there anything I can work on to do better on the next interview?

Question 77

When responding to questions,what should a candidate look for to determine how the response was received?

A)Follow-up questions from the interviewer
B)Positive body language from the interviewer
C)Note taking from the interviewer
D)Positive verbal responses from the interviewer
E)Progression on the list of questions from the interviewer

Question 78

Which part of the interview consumes the greatest amount of time?

A)The warm up stage
B)The opening stage
C)The question and answer stage
D)The closing stage
E)The follow-up stage

Question 79

If a job offer is made and you need time to think about the offer,it is acceptable to thank the interviewer and ask for some time to consider the offer.

Question 80

When a recruiter asks a question that is difficult to answer,what might the recruiter really be looking for?

A)The candidate's ability to construct a logical approach to problem solving
B)The candidate's ability to evade uncomfortable situations
C)The candidate's ability to discuss hard issues
D)The candidate's ability to draw attention away from themselves and refocus on safer or easier topics
E)The candidate's ability to deflect a question by countering with a question of their own