Q&A Hero

Q: ________ interviews, such as those on college campuses, are a means of eliminating unqualified applicants and identifying promising candidates.

Q: You've just finished a job interview that didn't seem promising. Since you know there's no chance of getting the job, you should not bother to send a thank-you message to the interviewer.

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

Q: A job interviewer will expect you to raise the issue of salary.

Q: Because a job interview is a serious situation, you should not smile when you initially greet the interviewer.

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

Q: If you are asked a potentially unlawful question during a job interview, you are legally obligated to refuse to answer.

Q: It is potentially illegal for an interviewer to ask about your religious affiliation or marital status.

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

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

Q: If you get off to a bad start in a job interview, you can usually turn things around with an impressive close.

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

Q: Most interviewers will make allowances for applicants to be a few minutes late for their appointment.

Q: It's a good idea to take extra copies of your rsum with you to an interview.

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

Q: Part of your preparation for job interviews is an evaluation of your vocal tone and speaking habits.

Q: Staging mock interviews can help you identify undesirable nonverbal behaviors and speech mannerisms.

Q: Job applicants should not ask questions during an interview; they are there to answer questions, not to ask them.

Q: Part of preparing for a job interview involves anticipating the questions that will be asked and rehearsing answers to each one.

Q: When applying for jobs, you should assume that every interested employer will conduct a general online search on you.

Q: In a behavioral interview, you are asked to describe how you would handle various hypothetical situations on the job.

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

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

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

Q: One challenge in a screening interview is to keep your answers short while distinguishing yourself from other candidates.

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

Q: Preliminary screening interviews are often conducted via telephone or Skype.

Q: Many employers interview an applicant multiple times before deciding whether to offer a person a job.

Q: In application letters it is acceptable to mention that you will follow up with a phone call in a few days.

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

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

Q: An application letter can follow the AIDA format for persuasive messages.

Q: The opening paragraph of an application letter states the reason for writing and gives the recipient a reason to keep reading.

Q: The difference between solicited and unsolicited application letters is similar to the difference between solicited and unsolicited proposals.

Q: An unsolicited job application letter should begin with a statement designed to get the reader's attention.

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

Q: Within two days after an employment interview, you should 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 rsum. C) send the interviewer a short note of thanks. D) assume that you didn't get the job if you haven't heard anything.

Q: If the interviewer makes you a job offer and you begin to discuss salary you should A) be sure to raise the topic before the interviewer. B) pick a salary number that is 20 percent higher than the industry standard. C) say that your salary requirements are negotiable. D) do all of the above.

Q: When the interviewer makes an offer to you A) you need to decide whether or not to accept the offer immediately. B) say yes immediately no matter how much she offers. C) thank the interviewer and inform her that you will take some time to make your decision. D) hold out for more money, no matter how much she offers.

Q: When a job interviewer indicates the interview is coming to a close, you should 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) find out what will happen next. D) press for an immediate decision on whether or not you got the job.

Q: If your interviewer asks you a potentially unlawful question, A) you are required by law to end the interview and report it to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. B) it is often a sign that the interview is going well. C) you may choose to answer or not to answer. D) you should ignore it unless it happens more than once.

Q: The employer should not ask you questions about A) your marital status. B) your ethnicity. C) your religion. D) any of the above.

Q: The longest phase of a job interview is usually A) the warm-up. B) the question-and-answer stage. C) the close. D) none; all are about the same length.

Q: Many interviewers begin making a decision about the applicant A) within the first 20 seconds of the interview. B) during the question-and-answer stage. C) during the final minutes of the interview. D) after the candidate has left.

Q: 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 before the interview. D) smoke just prior to the interview to calm yourself.

Q: When going to a job interview for a graphic artist job, you may choose A) to take along samples of your work. B) not to bring copies of your rsum; you can assume the interviewer already has one. C) not to be more than five or ten minutes late. D) do all of the above.

Q: A recent survey of hiring professionals revealed that A) most employers understand that candidates may need to answer their mobile phones during the interview, and that doing so has no effect on the outcome. B) candidates who answer mobile phone calls during interviews are more likely to get the job because they are perceived as busy and important. C) answering mobile phone calls or texting in the middle of an interview is the most common mistake candidates make during their interviews. D) candidates who warn the interviewer ahead of time that they might have to answer a call during the interview have a better chance of getting the job than those who do not.

Q: 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 bright colors. C) dress as comfortably as possible. D) dress conservatively.

Q: You are more likely to have a successful interview if you A) begin speaking immediately after the employer finishes asking the question, even if you haven't formed an answer in your mind yet. B) speak as quickly as possible throughout. C) pause for a moment before answering each question. D) do none of the above.

Q: For most interviews, asking your own questions is A) necessary only if you are interviewing for a management position. B) risky and a bad idea unless you are certain the interview is going well. C) just as important as answering the employer's questions effectively. D) usually viewed as a sign of arroganceafter all, the employer is in charge.

Q: When responding to questions during a job interview, you should A) stick to neutral topics such as the weather. B) look for opportunities to frame your answers as brief stories rather than simple declarative answers. C) limit yourself to yes or no answers only. D) not be afraid to ask, "Could we move on?" if the employer asks a question you don't like.

Q: When it comes to drug and alcohol tests, A) by law only government agencies can require them. B) a majority of companies require them of all applicants. C) only a few companies now require them. D) the Supreme Court has declared them unconstitutional.

Q: In general, employers are looking for two things: proof that a candidate can handle the responsibilities of the position 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: Preparing for a video interview is generally A) the same as preparing for a face-to-face interview. B) not necessary. C) similar to preparing for a face-to-face interview, but requires familiarizing yourself with the equipment and process. D) virtually impossible to do effectively.

Q: Which type of interview would be likely to include a question such as, "You seem wholly unqualified for this job, and your answers so far have been terrible. Why should we continue with this?" A) Stress B) Structured C) Screening D) Situational

Q: Interviews in which job candidates are asked how they would respond to various hypothetical situations on the job are known as ________ interviews. A) stress B) structured C) screening D) situational

Q: If you are asked back for a final job interview, you should expect the interviewer to focus on A) your previous job experience. B) selling you on the advantages of joining the organization. C) your educational background. D) checking your references.

Q: In the second stage 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: Your goal in the initial screening interview is to A) explain your greatest strengths in depth. B) distinguish yourself from other candidates. C) clinch the deal. D) show the interviewer that your personality fits well with the job.

Q: During a screening interview, your best approach is to A) ask as many questions as possible. B) keep your answers short, providing a few key details to distinguish you from other candidates. 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 just in case the person they are interested in turns them down. B) give employment tests. C) filter out applicants who are unqualified or otherwise not a good fit for the organization. D) offer jobs to the best candidates.

Q: Most employers interview an applicant ________ before deciding to make a job offer. A) once B) multiple times C) via email D) anonymously

Q: If your application letter and rsum fail to bring a response within a week or so after the position close date, A) call the highest-ranking employee at the company and complain that you are being mistreated. B) follow up by email or telephone. C) cross this particular job possibility off your list. D) send another copy of your application letter and rsum.

Q: In the final paragraph of your application letter you should A) show the reader you mean business and demand an interview. B) say something philosophical. C) request an interview and provide contact information. D) cover your bases by saying something like, "If I've left anything important out, I'm sorry."

Q: In the middle section of a job application letter, you should A) present your strongest selling points in terms of their potential benefit to the organization. B) give your entire work history, in case the employer doesn't read your rsum. 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.

Q: Which of the following would be the best opening sentence for a solicited application letter? A) "I am clearly the best person for the job you've advertised." B) "I'm sure you get these letters all the time, but I hope you'll read mine carefully." C) "I need a job, and I am very hard worker, so in my opinion you can't go wrong in hiring me for any number of different positions." D) "Based on my extensive training in forensic accounting, I think I may be of help to your rapidly expanding forensic department."

Q: Because application letters are ________ messages, the AIDA approach is ideally suited for them. A) positive B) negative C) persuasive D) routine

Q: The best salutation for an application letter is A) "Dear Hiring Manager." B) "To Whom It May Concern." C) one that addresses a specific individual by name. D) one that addresses a specific individual by first name only.

Q: You'll impress prospective employers with your application letter if you A) use a flashy, eye-catching layout that demonstrates how you might be able to upgrade the company's correspondence. B) show that you know something about the company and its place in the market. C) use a personal, "chummy" tone. D) do all of the above.

Q: Unsolicited application letters to prospective employers A) require more research than solicited letters. B) irritate the personnel office staff. C) are never read. D) are none of the above.

Q: The approach you take for an application letter depends on A) how badly you want the job. B) whether or not your rsum is up to date. C) how long you have been on the job market. D) whether it is a solicited letter or an unsolicited letter.

Q: An online rsum A) should never include "extras" such as screencasts and online videos. B) can give employers a more complete picture of who you are and what you have to offer. C) requires a paid subscription to an online hosting service. D) is useful only if you are applying for jobs in technology-related fields.

Q: Supplementing a traditional rsum with a PowerPoint presentation A) makes you appear desperate. B) is considered a viable choice in today's job market. C) is limited since it does not offer multimedia capabilities. D) is more convenient for employers than an online rsum.

Q: Creating a plain-text file of your rsum A) is an outdated practice. B) allows you to include your rsum in the body of an email message, instead of as an attachment. C) is helpful, but very difficult to do without expensive software. D) requires that you center all headings instead of left-justifying them.

Q: Including a photo of yourself with your rsum A) is a great way to personalize your application. B) helps you stand out among other applicants. C) will cause some employers to discard your application immediately. D) is the best way to guard against potential discrimination.

Q: The most common problem with rsum design is A) using excessive and distracting design elements. B) settling for an old-fashioned look. C) using the wrong type of paper. D) failing to include at least one graphic.

Q: To achieve the best physical appearance for your rsum, you should A) have it prepared by a professional artist for esthetic appeal. B) make subheadings easy to find and easy to read. C) use colored paper. D) use a variety of typefaces in various colors.

Q: Which of the following is not a common problem that employers see in rsums? A) They are too long. B) They display a weak understanding of the industry. C) They are filled with misspellings and grammatical errors. D) They fail to catch the employer's eye with flashy graphics.

Q: Military service relevant to the position you're seeking should be listed in the ________ section of your rsum. A) Education B) Work Experience C) Education or Work Experience D) None of the above

Q: Putting "References available upon request" at the end of your rsum is A) not necessary since the availability of references is usually assumed. B) standard practice, and most employers will expect to see it. C) less effective than listing the names and contact information for all references, even if the employer has not requested them. D) necessary only when applying for government positions.