Q&A Hero

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

Q: 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?"

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

Q: In situational interviews, various on-the-job scenarios are described, and candidates are asked how they would respond. A) True B) False

Q: If your application letter and rsum 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. A) True Incorrect: Correct B) False Correct: Incorrect

Q: In the final paragraph of your application letter, you should forcefully demand an interview. A) True B) False

Q: In the middle part of an application letter, you spell out your "selling points" and other potential benefits to your employer. A) True B) False

Q: The opening of an application letter states one's reason for writing. A) True B) False

Q: The opening paragraph of an unsolicited application letter needs to grab the reader's attention and interest. A) True B) False

Q: An application letter should not volunteer salary information unless an employer asks for it. A) True B) False

Q: Unsolicited application letters are those sent in response to want ads for job openings. A) True B) False

Q: When declining a job offer or resigning, your letter follows the direct plan. A) True B) False

Q: A letter accepting a job is legally binding. A) True B) False

Q: It is risky to ask an employer for a time extension to consider a job offer because most employers want an immediate answer. A) True B) False

Q: When inquiring about a hiring decision as a follow-up to a job interview, you use the general plan for a direct request. A) True B) False

Q: Even if you feel that you have little chance for the job, you should still send a thank-you message. A) True B) False

Q: After an interview you should never follow up with a phone call; use regular mail or email. A) True B) False

Q: 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. A) True B) False

Q: Negotiating benefits may be one way to get more value from an employment package. A) True B) False

Q: Once an interviewer states the salary for a job offer, you never try to negotiate it. A) True B) False

Q: A job interviewer will expect you to be the one who raises the issue of salary. A) True B) False

Q: At the close of an interview, you can impress the interviewer with your assertiveness by pressing for an immediate decision. A) True B) False

Q: If you are asked an unlawful question during a job interview, you should always refuse to answer. A) True B) False

Q: It is illegal for an interviewer to ask about your religious affiliation, your marital status, or how many children you have. A) True B) False

Q: During the question-and-answer phase of an interview, try to keep your answers short; usually just a yes or no will do. A) True B) False

Q: Body language is particularly important during the warm-up phase of a job interview. A) True B) False

Q: Of the three stages of a job interview, the close is the most important. A) True B) False

Q: Most interviewers expect applicants to be a few minutes late for their appointment. A) True B) False

Q: It's a good idea to take extra copies of your rsum with you to an interview, as well as a list of questions to ask and any past correspondence about the position. A) True Correct: Correct B) False Incorrect: Incorrect

Q: Because a job interview is a serious situation, you try to smile as little as possible. A) True B) False

Q: The appropriate clothing for most job interviews is something conservative and businesslike, such as a dark blue suit. A) True B) False

Q: Part of your preparation for job interviews is an evaluation of your voice tone and speaking habits. A) True B) False

Q: Staging mock interviews can help you identify self-defeating nonverbal behaviours and speech mannerisms. A) True B) False

Q: It's only natural to be self-conscious in interviews, since interviewers will be hyperaware of your weaknesses. A) True B) False

Q: 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. A) True B) False

Q: Job applicants don't ask questions during an interview; they are there to answer questions, not to ask them. A) True B) False

Q: You can prepare for a job interview by anticipating the questions that will be asked and rehearsing answers to each one. A) True B) False

Q: A personal interview will provide an employer with more information about your suitability for a specific job. A) True B) False

Q: An important purpose of the final job interview is to determine whether there is a good psychological fit between you and the job. A) True B) False

Q: You prepare for a video interview the same way you would prepare for an in-person interview. A) True B) False

Q: During a stress interview, you might be asked pointed questions designed to anger or unsettle you. A) True B) False

Q: An open-ended interview tends to be formal and highly structured. A) True B) False

Q: During a screening interview, it's best to emphasize the "theme" you used in your rsum. A) True B) False

Q: A screening interview is usually used to gauge a job candidate's personality and personal qualities. A) True B) False

Q: Preliminary screening interviews tend to be structured, with each applicant being asked the same questions. A) True B) False

Q: Most employers interview an applicant two or three times before deciding whether to offer a person a job. A) True B) False

Q: Discuss four ways that you can "talk yourself right out of a job" during a job interview.

Q: Why do employers use pre-employment tests? What do these tests measure? How do they help employers?

Q: Describe at least three common employment messages that follow an interview.

Q: Describe each of the three stages of a successful employment interview.

Q: Describe six types of interviews.

Q: Describe each of the three stages in a typical sequence of interviews.

Q: Explain the function of each phase of an application letter written in the AIDA format.

Q: List at least five items you should take to every interview.

Q: In general, what three guidelines should you follow when deciding what to wear for an employment interview?

Q: List at least five things that you might want to find out during a job interview.

Q: What six tasks do you need to complete to prepare for a successful job interview?

Q: Briefly define "situational interview."

Q: Briefly explain the difference between a structured interview and an open-ended interview.

Q: Explain the dual purposes of employment interviews.

Q: Explain how to select keywords to include on a scannable rsum.

Q: Describe the main sections or elements that are included on most rsums.

Q: List and describe the three methods for organizing a rsum along with the advantages and disadvantages of each one.

Q: List at least five questions you might consider when you are deciding what you want to do.

Q: Describe five factors that are likely to affect your entry into the job market and your career success in years to come.

Q: List at least seven of the 10 most common mistakes recruiters see on rsums.

Q: Name at least five types of information that should be excluded from all rsums in order to discourage discrimination.

Q: What potential risk do some experts associate with including a career objective on your rsum?

Q: Rewrite the following to make it a more active statement: "I was in charge of customer complaints and all ordering problems."

Q: In addition to your name, what should be included in the Contact Information section of your rsum?

Q: List four specific things that you would include in an employment portfolio.

Q: List four ways you can start networking now.