Deck 16: Applying and Interviewing for Employment

Question 1

You can prepare for a job interview by anticipating the questions that will be asked and rehearsing answers to each one.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Part of your preparation for job interviews is an evaluation of your voice tone and speaking habits.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

During a stress interview,you might be asked pointed questions designed to anger or unsettle you.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

You prepare for a video interview the same way you would prepare for an in-person interview.

Question 5

Of the three stages of a job interview,the close is the most important.

Question 6

Preliminary screening interviews tend to be structured,with each applicant being asked the same questions.

Question 7

Because a job interview is a serious situation,you try to smile as little as possible.

Question 8

A screening interview is usually used to gauge a job candidate's personality and personal qualities.

Question 9

Job applicants don't ask questions during an interview; they are there to answer questions,not to ask them.

Question 10

As you ask questions during a job interview,keep a notepad handy so that you can record the interviewer's answers exactly and make full notes about other information you want to remember.

Question 11

An open-ended interview tends to be formal and highly structured.

Question 12

The appropriate clothing for most job interviews is something conservative and businesslike,such as a dark blue suit.

Question 13

A personal interview will provide an employer with more information about your suitability for a specific job.

Question 14

An important purpose of the final job interview is to determine whether there is a good psychological fit between you and the job.

Question 15

Staging mock interviews can help you identify self-defeating nonverbal behaviours and speech mannerisms.

Question 16

Most interviewers expect applicants to be a few minutes late for their appointment.

Question 17

During a screening interview,it's best to emphasize the "theme" you used in your résumé.

Question 18

Most employers interview an applicant two or three times before deciding whether to offer a person a job.

Question 19

It's only natural to be self-conscious in interviews,since interviewers will be hyperaware of your weaknesses.

Question 20

It's a good idea to take extra copies of your résumé with you to an interview,as well as a list of questions to ask and any past correspondence about the position.

Question 21

Immediately after a job interview,it's a good idea to record the answers you received to your questions and an evaluation of your performance during the interview.

Question 22

Body language is particularly important during the warm-up phase of a job interview.

Question 23

An application letter should not volunteer salary information unless an employer asks for it.

Question 24

The opening paragraph of an unsolicited application letter needs to grab the reader's attention and interest.

Question 25

Negotiating benefits may be one way to get more value from an employment package.

Question 26

At the close of an interview,you can impress the interviewer with your assertiveness by pressing for an immediate decision.

Question 27

If you are asked an unlawful question during a job interview,you should always refuse to answer.

Question 28

After an interview you should never follow up with a phone call; use regular mail or email.

Question 29

Unsolicited application letters are those sent in response to want ads for job openings.

Question 30

In the middle part of an application letter,you spell out your "selling points" and other potential benefits to your employer.

Question 31

During the question-and-answer phase of an interview,try to keep your answers short; usually just a yes or no will do.

Question 32

The opening of an application letter states one's reason for writing.

Question 33

When inquiring about a hiring decision as a follow-up to a job interview,you use the general plan for a direct request.

Question 34

It is risky to ask an employer for a time extension to consider a job offer because most employers want an immediate answer.

Question 35

A letter accepting a job is legally binding.

Question 36

Once an interviewer states the salary for a job offer,you never try to negotiate it.

Question 37

Even if you feel that you have little chance for the job,you should still send a thank-you message.

Question 38

It is illegal for an interviewer to ask about your religious affiliation,your marital status,or how many children you have.

Question 39

When declining a job offer or resigning,your letter follows the direct plan.

Question 40

A job interviewer will expect you to be the one who raises the issue of salary.

Question 41

If your application letter and résumé fail to bring a response within a month or so,you can assume that the company is not interested and cross it off your list.

Question 42

If you are a smoker and must go to a job interview __________________

A) ask the interviewer politely if you can smoke.
B) smoke only if the interviewer smokes.
C) refrain from smoking.
D) smoke just prior to the interview to calm yourself.

Question 43

Which of the following is an example of a warm-up question you might ask a job interviewer?

A) "What departments here at your company usually hire new graduates?"
B) "What kind of salary are you offering?"
C) "Does your company have a pension plan?"
D) "How soon would the job start?"

Question 44

During a screening interview,your best approach is to __________________

A) ask as many questions as possible.
B) follow the interviewer's lead.
C) expand on your answers as much as possible so that the interviewer knows you are at ease.
D) keep as low a profile as you can; this is not the time to try to differentiate yourself from other candidates.

Question 45

In situational interviews,various on-the-job scenarios are described,and candidates are asked how they would respond.

Question 46

You are more likely to have a successful interview if you __________________

A) refrain from smiling.
B) maintain eye contact with the interviewer.
C) avoid using hand gestures.
D) do all of the above.

Question 47

The best way to counteract feelings of shyness or self-consciousness about job interviews is to __________________

A) remove its source.
B) use humour to mask these feelings.
C) act overly confident to counteract these feelings.
D) see a psychotherapist, since you obviously can't deal with such a serious problem on your own.

Question 48

The three steps of a successful employment interview are __________________

A) screening, selection, offer.
B) warm-up, question-and-answer, close.
C) questions, conclusion, follow-up.
D) none of the above apply.

Question 49

Employers use preliminary screening interviews to __________________

A) find out as much as possible about each job candidate.
B) give employment tests.
C) narrow the field of applicants.
D) offer jobs to the best candidates.

Question 50

An interview in which a job candidate is criticized or provoked is a type of __________________

A) stress interview.
B) structured interview.
C) screening interview.
D) situational interview.

Question 51

When going to a job interview,__________________

A) take along samples of your work.
B) don't bring copies of your résumé; you can assume the interviewer already has one.
C) try not to be more than five or ten minutes late.
D) do all of the above.

Question 52

When asking questions during a job interview,you should __________________

A) stick to neutral topics such as the weather.
B) probe for what the company is looking for in its new employees.
C) stick to questions that elicit simple yes or no answers.
D) put as much pressure on the interviewer as possible.

Question 53

In general,employers are looking for two things: proof that a candidate can handle a specific job and __________________

A) excellent references.
B) high employment test scores.
C) evidence that the person will fit in with the organization.
D) long-term commitment to the organization.

Question 54

In the final paragraph of your application letter,you should forcefully demand an interview.

Question 55

When going in for a job interview,it's best to take __________________

A) a list of questions to ask the interviewer.
B) some kind of object to occupy your hands, such as a pen or a key ring.
C) a tape recorder.
D) all of the above.

Question 56

Most interviewers begin making a decision about the applicant __________________

A) within the first minute.
B) during the question-and-answer stage.
C) during the final minutes of the interview.
D) after the candidate has left.

Question 57

When choosing the clothing you will wear for an interview,the best policy is to __________________

A) pick something that will make you stand out from the crowd.
B) wear only dark colours.
C) dress as you expect your interviewer to be dressed.
D) dress conservatively.

Question 58

Planning for a successful job interview includes ___________________

A) sticking to neutral topics such as the weather.
B) learning about the organization.
C) bringing a companion to the interview with you for support.
D) completing a few pre-employment tests and bringing the results with you.

Question 59

In the second round of interviews,your best approach is to __________________

A) stick to brief, yes and no answers to the interview questions.
B) relate your training and experience to the organization's needs.
C) inquire about salary and benefits.
D) do all the above.

Question 60

An interview in which a job candidate is placed in a hands-on situation and asked to do job-related tasks is a type of __________________

A) stress interview.
B) structured interview.
C) screening interview.
D) situational interview.

Question 61

Which of the following letters would follow the bad-news plan?

A) Letter accepting a job offer
B) Letter of resignation
C) Letter requesting a time extension
D) All the above

Question 62

When writing a letter accepting a job,keep in mind that __________________

A) it begins with a buffer.
B) it constitutes a legally binding contract between you and the employer.
C) it is written within two weeks of receiving the job offer.
D) all of the above are true.

Question 63

Sending an unsolicited application letter to an employer means _______________________

A) that you'll need to do some research to identify the requirements the position is likely to have.
B) you are likely to irritate the personnel office staff.
C) that your letter will not get read.
D) that you have a better chance of getting hired because you are demonstrating your desire for the position.

Question 64

When writing a letter declining a job offer,you begin with __________________

A) an apology.
B) a buffer.
C) a statement of the bad news.
D) a cheery greeting.

Question 65

Use an inquiry letter as a follow-up to a job interview if you __________________

A) would like to have more information about the job.
B) are running low on funds and really need the job.
C) have received a job offer from another firm and need to make a decision.
D) want to bring your name to the interviewer's attention once again.

Question 66

In the closing paragraph of your application letter,you __________________

A) thank the reader for taking the time to read your résumé.
B) apologize for your lack of experience.
C) ask for an interview and make the interview easy to arrange.
D) introduce the subject of salary.

Question 67

Which of the following would be the most effective opening for an unsolicited application letter?

A) "Hi! Let me introduce myself. My name is Clydene Desmond, and I'd like to apply for any positions you may have for graphic artists."
B) "I hear you've been looking for a graphic artist. Look no further."
C) "I've just graduated from the Pasadena School of Graphic Arts, and somebody gave me your name as a company that could use my services."
D) "As a recent honors graduate of one of the top graphic arts programs in the country, I could make a strong contribution to Westec's publications division."

Question 68

In general,the following topics should not be directly or indirectly introduced by an interviewer: __________________

A) age.
B) a prior criminal record.
C) child-care arrangements.
D) all of the above

Question 69

Within two days after an interview,you __________________

A) have a friend call to see whether you got the job.
B) write a follow-up letter (using the format for persuasive messages) and include another copy of your résumé.
C) write a short note of thanks (using the format for routine messages).
D) assume that you didn't get the job if you haven't heard anything.

Question 70

The longest phase of a job interview is __________________

A) the warm-up.
B) the question-and-answer stage.
C) the close.
D) none; all are about the same length.

Question 71

When a job interviewer indicates the interview is coming to a close,you __________________

A) try to prolong the interview, since the more the interviewer interacts with you, the better impression you'll make.
B) leave as quickly as possible.
C) prepare to leave but try to determine what will happen next.
D) ask how you did.

Question 72

In the middle section of a job application letter,you __________________

A) summarize your qualifications that are directly related to the job and provide specific evidence of job-related qualities.
B) give your entire work history, in case the employer doesn't read your résumé.
C) mention any ways in which you do not meet the job qualifications but point out that you are willing to learn.
D) do all of the above.

Question 73

Letters asking for time to consider other job offers follow the format for __________________

A) direct requests.
B) bad-news messages.
C) persuasive messages.
D) goodwill messages.

Question 74

The main difference between solicited and unsolicited application letters is in __________________

A) the length.
B) the way qualifications are presented.
C) the way the letter begins.
D) the way the letter closes.

Question 75

Which of the following letters would not follow the direct plan?

A) Inquiry
B) Request for time extension
C) Letter of acceptance
D) Letter declining a job offer

Question 76

On your second or third visit to an organization,if you haven't been told by the end of an interview whether you got the job,you __________________

A) don't bring up the topic.
B) mention that you have another job offer and need to give the other company an answer by a specific date.
C) ask tactfully when you can expect to learn of the decision.
D) ask whether you did anything wrong during the interview.

Question 77

When you discuss salary requirements with a job recruiter,you __________________

A) let the interviewer raise the topic first.
B) say that you expect to receive the standard salary for the job.
C) try to negotiate a higher salary if you are not satisfied with the offer and are in a good bargaining position.
D) do all of the above.

Question 78

In a letter of resignation,you __________________

A) follow the direct plan.
B) air your gripes with the organization.
C) state your intention to leave and the termination date.
D) do all of the above.

Question 79

You'll impress prospective employers with your application letter if you __________________

A) use a gimmicky layout.
B) show that you know something about the organization.
C) use a personal, "chummy" tone.
D) do all of the above.

Question 80

A solicited letter written in response to a job advertisement begins __________________

A) by identifying the publication in which the ad ran.
B) by identifying the writer of the letter.
C) with an attention-getting device.
D) with a request for a job application.