Deck 19: Applying and Interviewing for Employment

Question 1

A prospecting job application letter should begin with a statement designed to get the reader's attention.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Why is writing a prospecting letter more challenging than a solicited letter when sending a résumé?

A)You have less research on the company
B)You don't know what skills the company is most interested in
C)You don't have a clear target as you have with a solicited letter
D)It is hard to find the name of a person to send the letter to
E)You have no common ground with the reader

Answer 2

C

Question 3

In the middle section of a job application letter

A)present your strongest selling points in terms of their potential benefit to the organization.
B)include your entire work history,in case the employer doesn't have time to review your résumé.
C)address your shortcomings but stress that you're willing to learn.
D)ask for an interview and include your contact information.
E)tell the reader when you expect their call.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

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)include a list of your skills and abilities.
E)specifically demand an interview.

Question 5

In the final paragraph of an application letter,be sure to inject additional evidence of your knowledge,skills,and abilities.

Question 6

The ________ must clearly state your reason for writing and give the recipient a compelling reason to keep reading.

A)career summary on your résumé
B)opening paragraph of your application letter
C)word cloud in your employment portfolio
D)keyword cluster included in your résumé

Question 7

Which of the following would be the best way to open a solicited application letter?

A)Mention the name of a person that your reader knows and regards highly
B)Use a question to demonstrate your understanding of the needs of the organization
C)Describe your understanding of the job's requirements and show how well your qualifications fit them
D)Identify where you discovered the job opening and describe what you have to offer
E)Describe your life-long desire to work at that organization

Question 8

Which of the following should be in the middle section of an application letter that follows the AIDA plan to build interest in you?

A)Your strongest selling points that will benefit the organization
B)Information about your academic performance
C)Areas of business that you are passionate about
D)Which specific skills the employer is asking for and how you can meet those skills
E)Information on salary history and availability

Question 9

Which of the following will make an application letter more effective?

A)Knowledge and professionalism
B)Creative graphics and design elements
C)Bold,bright colors
D)Salary history
E)A firm belief that no one will do the job as well as you

Question 10

Which of the following is one of the functions of the final paragraph of an application letter?

A)To remind the reader why you are the right candidate for the position
B)To resell one critical skill that you possess
C)To ask for a specific action
D)To explain how you heard about the available position
E)To introduce the attached résumé

Question 11

Which of the following takes place when you apply to a company that has not announced a job opening that is a good fit for you?

A)Building interest
B)Prospecting
C)Closing
D)Interviewing
E)Screening

Question 12

Accompany your résumé with ________ when you're responding to an identified job opening.

A)a message of inquiry
B)an unsolicited follow-up letter
C)a solicited application letter
D)a letter of intent
E)a direct format letter

Question 13

Whenever you submit your résumé to an employer,you should include an application letter to

A)identify what you're sending (your résumé).
B)explain why you're sending your résumé.
C)explain how they can benefit from reading your résumé.
D)all of the above.

Question 14

Prospecting application letters to prospective employers

A)requires more research than solicited letters.
B)irritate the personnel office staff.
C)are never read.
D)must include a specific job applying for along with salary requirements.
E)are more specific and detailed.

Question 15

When writing an application letter in response to a job posting what should be included in the letter?

A)The types of research done on the organization
B)Areas where the organization excels in the industry
C)What excites you about working for the organization
D)The specific qualification you have that were identified in the posting
E)An explanation of what you understand the company to be looking for

Question 16

The approach you take for an application letter depends on whether

A)you're looking for other career opportunities.
B)you're presenting your résumé in a chronological or a functional format.
C)you think the salary requirements of the job are appropriate.
D)you're applying for an identified job opening or whether you're prospecting.
E)you have the required skills asked for or you have many,but not all requested.

Question 17

Which of the following should be done before writing a prospecting letter to make sure you understand the qualities the company looks for in the position you are applying for?

A)Show the company you understand what is going on in their industry
B)Use color and creative fonts to detract from your lack of knowledge
C)Email a specific individual in the organization and ask questions about what is typically preferred
D)Write about the organization's role in the marketplace and how you can improve it
E)Research the company and the person you are writing to

Question 18

If you're responding to an advertised job opening,your application letter only needs to rehash the information from your résumé.

Question 19

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."
E)let the reader know they are making a mistake if they don't call immediately.

Question 20

Because application letters are ________ messages,the AIDA approach is ideally suited for them.

A)positive
B)negative
C)persuasive
D)routine
E)direct

Question 21

Which type of interview requires the candidate to actually perform some job-related tasks?

A)Stress
B)Unstructured
C)Working
D)Situational
E)Group

Question 22

Which type of pre-employment test attempts to measure how truthful and trustworthy a candidate is?

A)Personality
B)Integrity
C)Cognitive
D)Substance
E)Skills

Question 23

Which of the following is one of the key questions employers attempt to answer during an interview?

A)Is the candidate a good fit for the organization and the position?
B)Can the organization afford the candidate?
C)Can the candidate learn new skills for future use?
D)Is the candidate going to be able to fulfill his or her personal goals?
E)Will the candidate be able to pass a background check?

Question 24

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

Question 25

Which of the following is the first stage of the interview process and is designed to eliminate those who are not a good fit for the position?

A)Offer
B)Screening
C)Final
D)Selection
E)Open-ended

Question 26

Which of the following is one of the key questions employers attempt to answer during an interview?

A)Can the candidate handle the responsibilities of the position?
B)Can the organization afford the candidate?
C)Does the candidate fully understand the demands of the position?
D)Is the candidate going to be able to fulfill his or her personal goals?
E)Is there a better candidate somewhere?

Question 27

Which of the following should be the candidate's goal during the interview process?

A)Find the right match for his or her goals and capabilities
B)Find a position that offers more salary and benefits than currently receiving
C)Find a position that will allow them to express themselves
D)Find an organization that will train them to be successful
E)Find an organization that will hire them

Question 28

Which of the following is an advantage for the candidate when using email or instant messaging during the screening interview?

A)It is easier to maintain a professional style
B)A more casual,relaxed response is expected
C)There is a greater opportunity to send nonverbal signals
D)Short,direct responses are expected
E)Each response can be reviewed and edited before it is sent

Question 29

Which type of interview includes one or more interviewers and several candidates who all meet at the same time?

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

Question 30

An employment interview is

A)an unplanned dialogue with a representative from a potential employer.
B)a monologue about your knowledge,skills,and abilities.
C)a formal meeting during which you and the interviewer ask questions and exchange information.
D)a one-way communication pipeline in which the interviewer asks questions and you answer them.

Question 31

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

Question 32

Discuss the type of information that should be in each section of an application letter if you were using the AIDA plan.

Question 33

Why is it vital to have a positive,alert tone when being interviewed over the phone?

A)You don't want to sound like you are reading prepared notes
B)Reception is often poor or there is a delay
C)You won't know if the interviewer has a copy of your résumé
D)You won't have nonverbal cues to help create a good impression
E)You don't want to sound overly interested

Question 34

Which type of interview has been found to be the most effective predictor of success on the job?

A)Behavioral
B)Traditional
C)Extemporaneous
D)Long-distance
E)Stress

Question 35

Which type of interview requires the candidate to relate specific incidents and experiences from their past?

A)Unstructured
B)Working
C)Open-ended
D)Situational
E)Behavioral

Question 36

Briefly explain the primary differences between solicited application letters and prospecting application letters.

Question 37

Which type of interview requires an individual candidate to meet with several interviewers at once?

A)Group
B)Panel
C)Open-ended
D)Situational
E)Working

Question 38

Which stage of the interview process helps the organization determine who the top candidates are for the open position?

A)Offer
B)Screening
C)Final
D)Selection
E)Open-ended

Question 39

What is the difference in an application letter when you are prospecting and when a letter is solicited by the organization?

Question 40

Which type of interview requires the interviewer to adapt their line of questioning based on previous responses?

A)Open-ended
B)Stress
C)Group
D)Working
E)Situational

Question 41

During ________,the interviewer will adapt the line of questioning according to the answers you give and the questions you ask.

A)a stress interview
B)a working interview
C)a situational interview
D)an open-ended interview
E)a panel interview

Question 42

Most employers interview an applicant ________ before deciding to make a job offer.

A)once
B)multiple times
C)over the phone
D)in a team interview
E)as a group

Question 43

If you're asked to submit to alcohol testing and drug screening during the hiring process,remember that

A)only government agencies can require those tests.
B)a majority of companies require all applicants to submit to such tests.
C)what you do in your free time will not affect how you'll perform on the job.
D)the Supreme Court has determined that those tests violate workplace privacy laws.

Question 44

Discuss the goals of the employer during the interview process.

Question 45

During a behavioral interview,you'll be asked to

A)answer a specific sequence of questions.
B)deal with questions that are intended to upset you.
C)relate specific incidents or experiences from your past.
D)perform a number of work-related tasks.
E)talk about postings on your social media sites.

Question 46

In a ________,candidates are required to perform job-related activities.

A)hands on interview
B)working interview
C)job-sample interview
D)behavioral interview

Question 47

During the selection stage of the interview process,you should

A)ask the interviewer when you can start the job.
B)differentiate yourself from the other candidates.
C)use short answers to respond to the interviewer's questions.
D)relate your knowledge,skills,and experience to the organizations' needs.
E)ask how you compare to other candidates.

Question 48

Explain the dual purposes of employment interviews.

Question 49

What two essential questions do employers seek to answer about each candidate in interviews?

Question 50

When you're participating in a video interview with a prospective employer

A)focus on your computer screen.
B)read from a prepared script.
C)speak to the camera.
D)multitask via Twitter and Facebook.

Question 51

Explain how you can complete a telephone interview successfully.

Question 52

Describe at least five types of employment interviews.

Question 53

During the question-and-answer phase of an interview,keep your answers short and to the point.

Question 54

Identify the typical sequence of employment interviews and describe what employers tend to look for at each stage.

Question 55

Which type of pre-employment test can be used to verify interest,potential,dependability and commitment to the work and the organization?

A)Job knowledge
B)Substance
C)Personality
D)Cognitive
E)Job skills

Question 56

Pre-employment assessments are always the best predictor of job success.

Question 57

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

Question 58

In a ________,one or more interviewers meet with several candidates at the same time.

A)conversational interview
B)stress interview
C)group interview
D)behavioral interview

Question 59

Which of the following is an advantage of researching an organization's operations,market,and challenges?

A)You might find the company is unstable and you don't want to work there
B)You will learn a brief history of the organization
C)You can demonstrate your interest in the company and be identified as a professional who understands analysis
D)You can learn more about travel and relocation opportunities
E)You can better define potential career paths

Question 60

During the interview,how should you respond when asked to discuss a difficult decision you had to make?

A)Ask for an example of a difficult situation the organization is currently facing and decide how it should be handled
B)Clarify your ethical values and beliefs and how they apply to the decision-making process
C)Have a personal and unique story prepared
D)Explain why the decision was difficult,how you made the decision,and what you learned
E)Mention a skill or attribute that you possess and explain how it helped in the decision-making process

Question 61

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 arrogance-after all,the employer is in charge.
E)an indication you have not done any research on the organization.

Question 62

Which of the following should be communicated through your choice of attire and personal grooming for an interview?

A)Your expressiveness and creativity
B)Your understanding that business attire does not equate to professionalism
C)Your understanding of how business attire is changing
D)Your willingness to try new things,personally and professionally
E)Your understanding of the business world

Question 63

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

Question 64

When you're staging mock interviews to polish your interview style,pay attention to

A)your nonverbal behavior.
B)the quality of your voice.
C)the length and clarity of your answers.
D)all of the above.

Question 65

Which of the following will help boost your confidence when preparing for an interview?

A)Have a list of potential questions prepared
B)Research how this organization is different than its competitors
C)Spend time talking about the typical workday
D)Ask the interviewer to define the steps in the selection process so you know where you fit
E)Focus on how you can use your strengths to help the organization succeed

Question 66

Which of the following is revealed based on a candidate's clothing and grooming during the interview?

A)The candidate's willingness to change their personality based on the job
B)The candidate's maturity level
C)The candidate's promotional potential
D)The candidate's ability to sense unspoken rules of a situation
E)The candidate's ability to be unique and creative

Question 67

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.
E)be fashionable and trendy.

Question 68

When you're responding to questions during an interview,you're more likely to answer them successfully if you

A)begin speaking before the employer finishes asking the question.
B)reply in a terse,matter-of-fact style throughout the interview.
C)pause for a moment before answering each question.
D)treat all questions as an opportunity to clarify your personal preferences.
E)look for ways to steer the conversation back to your strengths and interests.

Question 69

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

Question 70

Which type of question should be asked to get a better understanding of the daily life of the organization?

A)Why is this job vacant?
B)How would you define the organization's managerial philosophy?
C)What are the major responsibilities of the job?
D)What is a typical workday like for you?
E)How do you measure success for someone in this position?

Question 71

In addition to answers to interview questions,which of the following should be paid attention to when practicing with mock interviews?

A)Cultural cues
B)Nonverbal cues
C)The résumé
D)Time
E)Use of technology

Question 72

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.
E)include a personal story that expands each answer.

Question 73

In evaluating your performance in mock interviews,what sorts of things should you (and your interview partner)pay particular attention to?

Question 74

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.
E)not answering a call during an interview is an indication that clients or customers will also be ignored.

Question 75

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

Question 76

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

Question 77

During the interview,how can you show the interviewer you are competent and have confidence in your interview style?

A)Give an impression of poise,good manners,and good judgement
B)Start the interview by asking several questions about the organization
C)End the interview by asking how you can improve your responses before the next step
D)Review a list of potential interview questions and have two-minute responses prepared
E)Avoid shaking hands unless the interviewer offers to do so first

Question 78

Which of the following should be included in your answer when asked where you want to be five years from now?

A)Your desire to contribute to the employer's long-term goals
B)Steps you have taken to correct shortcomings
C)A skill or attribute you haven't been able to develop yet
D)Specific skills the employer will find valuable
E)The story of you

Question 79

Which of the following is an advantage of asking questions of the employer during an interview?

A)The interviewer will know you spent time preparing
B)The interview will last longer
C)You can steer the discussion to topics that allow you to present your qualifications
D)You can impress the interviewer with your range of interests
E)You will appear more confident

Question 80

Which of the following might be asked by an interviewer to see if you have thought about your long-term goals?

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