Deck 14: Applying and Interviewing for Employment

Question 1

You are applying for the position of an H.R. Consultant but are unsure which companies in your city have an opening. You decide to mail your résumé to a few companies. Which of these guidelines would you keep in mind while mailing your application letter?

A) You thoroughly research the requirements of your position.
B) You mail the letter only to those companies where you are acquainted with the managers.
C) You refrain from mailing unsolicited application letters.
D) You email only the application letters.

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Cover letters accompanying the résumés should ________.

A) be detail oriented
B) repeat the information from the résumé
C) be descriptive
D) be given as much care as the résumé

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Towards the end of the middle section of your application letter, refer your reader to your résumé by citing ________.

A) your references
B) a specific fact covered there
C) your volunteer experience
D) a general point

Answer 3

B

Question 4

In the final paragraph of your application letter, make sure you ask the reader for a specific action and ________.

A) facilitate a reply
B) a request for an interview
C) an offer to give further details if required
D) enquire about the organization's needs

Question 5

RIME Technologies is recruiting young, creative, and talented individuals to fill their vacancies. As an applicant for this job, your objective should be to ________.

A) mirror company objectives
B) upgrade your creative skills
C) conduct research on their customer base
D) find out if the job is a good match for your goals and capabilities

Question 6

When sending résumés and application letters, be aware that ________.

A) application letters are mailed earlier and then résumés
B) application letters are mailed after résumés
C) hand delivered letters are better appreciated
D) employers prefer an application message to accompany your résumé

Question 7

When preparing to apply for jobs, it is best to ________.

A) focus your research on only two or three companies for whom you want to work
B) realize that employers rarely expect candidates to have done any research
C) explore a wide range of firms and positions
D) expect fewer job offers

Question 8

Taking the initiative to write to companies even though they haven't announced a job opening that is right for you is ________.

A) being proactive
B) an easier way to get jobs
C) usually looked down on by employers
D) prospecting

Question 9

Which among these is the centrepiece of your job search package?

A) Job-inquiry letter
B) Application letter
C) Résumé
D) Job advertisement

Question 10

Mentioning your strengths in an application letter ________.

A) can be a strong selling point when backed up with relevant experience
B) takes a lesser priority compared to stressing about experience
C) is usually overlooked by applicants
D) can be repetitive as it is already mentioned in the résumé

Question 11

Jenny has applied for the position of an office assistant. What should she do, if her application letter and résumé fail to bring a response within a month?

A) She should call to find out why she hasn't heard from the prospective employer.
B) She should send a follow-up letter or email.
C) She should cross this particular job possibility off her list and apply somewhere else.
D) She should mail them another copy of her application letter and résumé.

Question 12

Ruth is applying for jobs but she doesn't know how to begin an application letter; she comes to you for advice. In the opening paragraph, you would ask her to ________.

A) include questions about the company needs
B) explain her purpose for writing the letter
C) briefly mention qualifications
D) include details of her skills

Question 13

Alicia was told by Mark about a vacancy at his organization and that they are accepting applications for the next two weeks. Alicia applies within a week. What should she do next?

A) She should call as soon as she submits the application.
B) She should email after three days.
C) She should wait for their call.
D) She should call after a week or two.

Question 14

The middle section of a job application letter 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 résumé
C) stress ways in which you do not meet the job qualifications
D) discuss each requirement listed in the job, if it is an unsolicited letter

Question 15

Kelly has scheduled her screening interview for tomorrow and she has requested the interviewer to conduct it over the phone. Since the interview is via telephone, Kelly should ________.

A) dress formally because it is still a formal meeting
B) work on her verbal and non-verbal skills
C) make sure that her answers are elaborate and detailed
D) schedule it for a time when she can be focused and free from interruptions

Question 16

Shopmart has advertised for a store manager position in their Victoria, British Columbia centre. You want to apply for this position since you have assisted your store manager and have thorough knowledge of the skills required for the job. When writing your application letter to Shopmart, you should ________.

A) stress that you have not held any managerial roles
B) include a copy of the advertisement with your letter
C) discuss each of the requirements specified in the job posting
D) restrict your message to just the core job duties

Question 17

One way of getting the reader's attention in an unsolicited application letter is to ________.

A) inquire about the organization's needs
B) ask which skills will benefit the organization
C) identify where you discovered the job opening
D) refer to the company's publicized achievements and new changes

Question 18

Land-Air Global Transport has an immediate opening for a supply chain pricing analyst. You are interested in this job offer and wish to apply for it. In order to impress Land-Air Global Transport with your application letter, you should ________.

A) use an embellished layout
B) show that you understand the company and the position
C) use a personal, "chummy" tone
D) only email your cover letter

Question 19

A job interview is sometimes viewed as a test to guess the right answers, or as an interrogation where you have to defend your background and skills. However, an interview should be thought of as an opportunity to ________.

A) say the right thing
B) share information
C) sell yourself
D) showcase your skills

Question 20

Nicole has cleared seven rounds of interviews in three days and she still hasn't been offered the job. In her previous organization, she cleared two rounds of interviews and she got the job. Nicole should ________.

A) be worried because she may not be offered this job
B) commend herself on getting this far and persevere through the rest of the rounds
C) express her concern to the organization
D) insist that further rounds be conducted on the telephone to save her the trouble of commuting

Question 21

Which of the following should you NOT do during a telephone interview?

A) Refer to notes.
B) Answer with an alert voice.
C) Treat it as seriously as an in-person interview.
D) Use a mobile phone.

Question 22

To encourage candidates to use their own experiences and attributes to craft answers, many employers now rely heavily on ________ interviews in making hiring decisions.

A) video
B) virtual
C) behavioural
D) screening

Question 23

Compatibility with an organization and a position is judged on the basis of attitudes, style, and ________.

A) personal background
B) academic goals
C) work experience
D) employment tests

Question 24

You have been asked to hire 10 consultants for H.Q. Services, but the company insists that you need not conduct preliminary screening interviews because they believe that it may lengthen the hiring process. Which of these arguments could help convince them about the benefits of preliminary screening interviews?

A) Screening interviews help companies to thoroughly investigate their applicants.
B) They can give multiple tests at the screening round.
C) It will help them in restricting the number of applications they would receive.
D) They can narrow the field of applicants.

Question 25

In a(n) ________ interview, the interviewer (or a computer program) asks a series of questions in a predetermined order.

A) open-ended
B) structured
C) unguided
D) unstructured

Question 26

Francois has just cleared the final round of the interview and was told that he will be sent the offer letter by email. Francois should ________.

A) congratulate himself and look forward to his offer letter
B) insist that the offer letter be hand-delivered to him
C) request that they also let him know about it on the phone, as further confirmation
D) call them back frequently

Question 27

Beth and Ruby need to know which of their short-listed candidates are good with problem solving while working as a team. Which of these interview formats would you suggest?

A) Panel interview
B) Group interview
C) Behavioural interview
D) Stress interview

Question 28

If you realize that your future employer has been reviewing your credit record, you should ________.

A) sue them because it is an invasion of your privacy
B) reconsider joining that organization
C) inform the authorities
D) consider it part of the background check process

Question 29

During an interview, if several candidates are asked to discuss a certain topic with each other, it is a(n) ________.

A) forum
B) structured interview
C) open-ended interview
D) group interview

Question 30

In the selection round of an interview, you are asked, "Meeting deadlines is paramount in our industry. If you are unable to meet your deadline and realize this two days earlier, would you ask your colleague to help meet your deadline?" Such an interview which helps assess your behaviour, is called a ________.

A) stress interview
B) closed-ended interview
C) situational interview
D) behavioural interview

Question 31

Which of these tests, when used in a job interview, would involve testing a candidate's reading, comprehension, mathematics, problem solving, and decision-making skills?

A) Key skills test
B) Job skills test
C) Cognitive test
D) Aptitude test

Question 32

In the selection round of interviews, your best approach is to ________.

A) stick to brief, yes or no answers
B) relate your training and experience to the organization's needs
C) inquire about salary and benefits
D) identify top candidates and underplay their skills

Question 33

Realistic job simulation tests ________.

A) cannot mimic actual job skills
B) fail to give applicants an idea of what the job might be like
C) should not be used for testing applicants' skills in decision-making scenarios
D) are good tools for online interviews

Question 34

You have cleared four rounds of grueling interviews at Steadfast Solutions and have been asked to come for one last meeting with Edward Simmons, V.P. of Finance. At this stage of recruitment, Mr. Simmons is most likely to be concerned with ________.

A) your previous job experience
B) selling you the benefits of joining Steadfast Solutions
C) your educational background
D) checking your references

Question 35

Indus Tec is hiring market analysts for the automobile industry. You have applied for this position and have been asked to appear for a screening interview. During the screening interview, you would ________.

A) ask as many questions as possible, interviews are about knowing the organization too
B) keep your answers short while focusing on your strongest attributes
C) give elaborate and descriptive answers so that the interviewer is aware of your attention to detail
D) keep a low profile because the time to differentiate yourself from other candidates is yet to come

Question 36

Aaron has cleared the selection round, and in the next round he will be interviewed by a group of interviewers. This kind of interview is a(n) ________.

A) stress interview
B) structured interview
C) open-ended interview
D) panel interview

Question 37

Most employers are looking for the following appearance traits in a prospective employee during the interview: ________.

A) A nice perfume or cologne because scent says a lot about you
B) A trendy haircut or colour to show you are current
C) Neat fingernails and professional-looking shoes to show attention to detail
D) Neutral colours with no patterns to show you are conservative

Question 38

One of the ways in which a job applicant's managerial potential, commitment, and motivation is evaluated is by conducting a(n) ________.

A) personality test
B) cognitive test
C) integrity test
D) substance test

Question 39

You have been assigned the duty of recruiting candidates for your team by conducting open-ended interviews. During the interview which of these strategies would you apply?

A) The candidates would be asked a series of questions in a predetermined order.
B) The candidates would only be given written tests.
C) You would make sure that the candidates do not ask any questions, so that more applicants can be interviewed.
D) You would initiate questions but base further questions on the candidate's reply.

Question 40

An interview where the job candidate is criticized or provoked is a type of ________.

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

Question 41

When choosing what to wear for an interview, the best policy is to ________.

A) pick something that will make you stand out from the crowd
B) choose conservative business wear
C) buy an expensive suit
D) wear whatever makes you most comfortable

Question 42

Barney has been invited for an interview at McLloyd Brokerage. Before his interview, he wants to try and learn all he can about the organization. The most effective strategy for this would be to ________.

A) download podcasts of any news related to the company
B) contact the employees on LinkedIn and get their opinions about the organization
C) refer to business books and directories
D) go deeper than just basic research by learning everything he can about the organization and the position

Question 43

The best way to counteract stress during job interviews is to ________.

A) remind yourself that you have value to offer
B) use humour to mask these feelings
C) act overly confident to counteract these feelings
D) rely on your appearance alone

Question 44

Aaron has passed the screening interview and the job skills test. Following which, the interviewer asks Aaron if he has any questions. In this case, Aaron should ________.

A) ask questions about neutral topics such as the weather
B) ask questions which would emphasize his qualifications
C) ask questions that elicit simple yes or no answers
D) ask questions which will put the interviewer at ease

Question 45

Leading the conversation yourself and answering a question before the interviewer has finished asking it ________.

A) is being pro active, a quality appreciated by most employers
B) keeps the interview short, which is crucial when there are multiple applicants
C) is a rude interruption
D) helps you alter your response

Question 46

During an interview, the last opportunity to correct any misconceptions the interviewer might have ________.

A) is at the end of the interview
B) is at the warm-up stage
C) is at the question-answer stage
D) should be overlooked

Question 47

Your dream job is to be a Food Analyst at Fast Foods Inc., a company that prides itself as being the "King of Fries." They also promote themselves as a company that respects their employees' right to privacy. When you applied to this job, you were asked to take a few tests. Which of these tests could be perceived as an invasion of your privacy?

A) Integrity tests
B) Personality tests
C) Cognitive tests
D) Drug tests

Question 48

Simone has been invited by Ivy Selections to be interviewed by Mr. Yang. How should Simone conduct herself during the warm-up phase of the interview?

A) She should make sure that she pays maximum attention after the first minute of the interview.
B) She should avoid small talk in order to maintain professionalism.
C) When she meets Mr. Yang, she should greet him by saying, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Yang," and respond with a firm handshake.
D) She should maintain unflinching eye contact and not fidget.

Question 49

You are more likely to succeed in a job interview if you ________.

A) carry a know-it-all attitude
B) maintain eye contact with the interviewer
C) avoid using hand gestures
D) critique yourself

Question 50

You can practise interviewing by ________.

A) writing down and memorizing your answers to expected interview questions
B) applying for many positions, even if you aren't interested in them
C) using an online interview simulator
D) talking with human resources professionals about what they look for in an interview

Question 51

During a job interview, which of the following should you do?

A) Answer right away even for difficult questions.
B) Avoid one-word, yes-or-no answers.
C) Save all your questions until the end of the interview.
D) Ask about salary at the end of the interview.

Question 52

The question-answer stage of the interview usually ________.

A) is about answering and asking questions
B) is about listening to the interviewer
C) is about handling discriminatory questions
D) consumes the greatest part of the interview

Question 53

In order to find out if your applicant has committed a felony, you ________.

A) can ask the candidate if he or she has committed any felony
B) can ask the candidate if he or she has been arrested
C) should rely on EEOC
D) should contact the authorities

Question 54

When employers ask you about what you didn't like about your previous job, you should ________.

A) let them know about the negatives so you could avoid the same situation
B) tell them your previous job had nothing to dislike
C) mention only the likes and avoid dislikes
D) make sure that you don't give the impression that you are a difficult employee

Question 55

When employers ask you to tell them something about yourself, you should ________.

A) email them the link to your blog to show that you are tech-savvy
B) only speak about your relevant qualifications
C) quickly summarize where you have been and where you are headed-in a way that aligns your interests with the company's
D) give them references for a background check

Question 56

While practising for interviews, ________.

A) evaluate the quality of your voice
B) lengthen all answers
C) avoid using hand gestures
D) practise how to present a pleasant demeanour

Question 57

Oliver is in charge of recruiting soup chefs for his restaurant De Lait. The candidates need to have a healthy appetite for creativity and should be at least 18 years of age with a high school diploma. He is aware that the law prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, age, marital status, and religion. Which of these questions asked by Oliver would violate the law?

A) Are you over 18?
B) When did you graduate from high school?
C) Did you graduate from high school?
D) Do you have the legal right to work in Canada?

Question 58

As interviewees, we are generally advised to handle interviews with proper preparation and a "never budge under pressure" attitude. If the applicant is asked a difficult question during an interview, which of these actions is the most appropriate to tackle that question?

A) The applicant acknowledges the difficulty of the question and humbly refrains from answering it.
B) To maintain spontaneity, the applicant starts off with a witty retort and vaguely builds an answer.
C) At the cost of delaying the response, the applicant first considers the implications of the question and only then answers.
D) The applicant skillfully reverts the question back to the employer and asks her opinion on the issue.

Question 59

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

A) a list of questions to ask the interviewer
B) gum or candy to help reduce stress during the interview
C) a palmtop computer to avoid fumbling with papers
D) a branded briefcase to showcase good taste

Question 60

Although the warm-up stage is brief it does ________.

A) take precedence over the other stages
B) not involve substantial questions
C) focus only on body language
D) feel easy because the interview gets tougher after this

Question 61

When the interviewer asks you if you have any more questions and checks the time, you should ________.

A) let her/him know the time
B) conclude gracefully
C) summarize the interview
D) ask for more time

Question 62

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

Question 63

An application letter should follow the AIDA model for persuasive messages.

Question 64

It has been two days since Kurt finished his interview and he hasn't heard from the organization. In this case he should ________.

A) have a friend call to see whether he got the job
B) write a follow-up letter and include another copy of his résumé
C) write a note of thanks and reinforce the reasons why he is a good fit for the position
D) assume that he didn't get the job if he hasn't heard anything

Question 65

When you discuss salary requirements with a job recruiter, you should ________.

A) be proactive and initiate the discussion
B) let the interviewer raise the topic first
C) insist on a signing bonus
D) be certain about the company's compensation policies

Question 66

Which of the following is a blind audition meant to address?

A) Implicit bias
B) Legal issues
C) Interviewee's nervousness
D) Interviewer's lack of time

Question 67

The goal of a screening interview is to gauge a candidate's personality and nonverbal skills.

Question 68

If your application letter and résumé fail to elicit a response, you may contact them a week after the close date.

Question 69

In the final paragraph of your application letter, you should demand to meet the recipient immediately.

Question 70

In a solicited application letter, it is not necessary to discuss each requirement specified in the job ad.

Question 71

If your interview does NOT end with a job offer, you should ________.

A) not 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) tactfully ask when you can expect to know the decision
D) ask whether you did anything wrong during the interview

Question 72

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

Question 73

While writing resignation letters, ________.

A) use the positive messages technique
B) state the reason for resigning the job
C) make sure it is paired with an application letter
D) mention criticisms about your colleagues, but be tactful

Question 74

Any time you hear from a company during the application or interview process, be sure to respond quickly. Companies flooded with résumés may move on to another candidate if they don't hear back from you within how long?

A) 24 hours
B) 2-3 days
C) 4-5 days
D) one week

Question 75

Once you have mailed the letter of acceptance for a job, you can ________.

A) request an extension
B) negotiate the salary
C) apply for other jobs
D) consider it a legally binding contract between you and the employer

Question 76

Panel interviews save time for employers and let them see how candidates perform under pressure.

Question 77

Declining a job offer ________.

A) usually involves persuasive communication
B) should be done tactfully, but the reasons for declining need not be mentioned
C) should always be done in person
D) can be done using the techniques for negative messages

Question 78

An open-ended interview is an informal meeting with a conversational tone.

Question 79

You have received a job offer but because of prior engagements you are unable to join on the suggested date. In this case, you would ________.

A) turn down the offer
B) request for a time extension, describing your engagement in detail
C) suggest another day when you can join the organization
D) request for a time extension and use a strong statement regarding your continued interest in the job

Question 80

You should refer the reader to your résumé by citing a specific fact or general point covered there.