Deck 7: Interviewing Candidates

Question 1

How do situational interviews differ from behavioral interviews?

A) situational interviews are based on an applicant's responses to actual past situations
B) situational interviews are based on how an applicant might behave in a hypothetical situation
C) situational interviews ask applicants job-related questions to assess their knowledge and skills
D) behavioral interviews ask applicants to describe their emotions in different hypothetical situations
E) behavioral interviews probe for an applicant's weaknesses by occasionally asking rude questions

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Which of the following statements is representative of what might be asked in a behavioral interview?

A) "Consider a time when you were faced with an angry client. What did you do to turn the situation around?"
B) "We are concerned with employee pilferage. As a manager here, how would you go about discouraging this behavior?"
C) "Employees in this division are frequently under a great deal of pressure. How do you think you would handle the stress of the position?"
D) "What would you do if a subordinate threatened to sue the company for discrimination?"
E) "What are your occupational and personal goals for the next five years?"

Answer 2

A

Question 3

What type of interview would most likely include the statement,"Tell me about a time when you worked successfully in a team environment"?

A) situational
B) behavioral
C) subjective
D) puzzle
E) stress

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Which of the following is the most commonly used selection tool?

A) telephone reference
B) reference letter
C) interview
D) personality test
E) work sampling technique

Question 5

Which of the following is the primary disadvantage of using structured interviews during the employee selection process?

A) higher potential for bias
B) limited validity and reliability
C) inconsistency across candidates
D) reduced ability to withstand legal challenge
E) reduced opportunities for asking follow-up questions

Question 6

Which of the following refers to a procedure designed to obtain information from a person through oral responses to oral inquiries?

A) work sample simulation
B) writing test
C) interview
D) reference check
E) arbitration

Question 7

Which of the following terms refers to a group of interviewers working together to question and rate one applicant?

A) serial interview
B) board interview
C) sequential interview
D) mass interview
E) one-on-one interview

Question 8

In a stress interview,the interviewer ________.

A) provides an applicant with a task to complete in a set amount of time
B) tries to make the applicant uncomfortable in order to spot sensitivity
C) gives a word problem to see how the candidate thinks under pressure
D) describes a hypothetical situation to assess how the applicant responds
E) tries to assess an applicant's motivation and conscientiousness

Question 9

Which of the following questions would most likely be asked during a stress interview?

A) "I see that you switched colleges four times before finally earning your degree. I think that reflects an inability to make good decisions and remain focused. What do you think?"
B) "Can you tell me about a time in the past when you used leadership skills to handle a difficult situation?"
C) "Mike and Todd have $21 between them. Mike has $20 more than Todd has. How much does Mike have and how much does Todd have?"
D) "Why are you leaving your current position and changing careers?"
E) "Which courses did you find the most challenging in graduate school?"

Question 10

Which of the following terms refers to an interview conducted when an employee quits a firm?

A) situational interview
B) appraisal interview
C) selection interview
D) screening interview
E) exit interview

Question 11

What type of interview would most likely include the following statement? "Imagine that you have just been assigned the task of winning the business of our competition's biggest client.How would you proceed?"

A) job-related
B) behavioral
C) stress
D) puzzle
E) situational

Question 12

Which of the following is an advantage of using a nondirective format when interviewing job candidates?

A) provides benefits information
B) allows candidates to ask questions
C) uses a manager's time more effectively
D) pursues points of interest as they develop
E) scores and compares candidates with consistency

Question 13

Kevin is interviewing for a position as a public relations specialist in a communications firm.He first meets with the HR manager.Afterwards,he meets with the department manager.Finally,he meets with the company president.Kevin is most likely experiencing a ________ interview.

A) board
B) panel
C) serial
D) mass
E) team

Question 14

In a ________ interview,a panel questions several candidates simultaneously.

A) formal
B) reliable
C) topical
D) panel
E) mass

Question 15

Which of the following statements is representative of what might be asked in a situational interview?

A) "Tell me about a time you showed leadership in a difficult situation."
B) "How have you handled ethical dilemmas in the past?"
C) "Suppose you were confronted with an angry customer who threatened to sue the company. What would you do?"
D) "Can you think of a time when you were especially proud of your management skills? Tell me about that."
E) "In this position, you are responsible for hiring and firing subordinates. Have you ever fired anyone before? Describe how you handled the situation."

Question 16

What type of interview would most likely include the following: "It must be difficult to leave a company after such strong accusations of unethical behavior.Tell me about that"?

A) situational
B) behavioral
C) stress
D) puzzle
E) mass

Question 17

Which type of interview follows a performance appraisal and primarily addresses an employee's performance rating?

A) selection
B) appraisal
C) exit
D) directive
E) structured

Question 18

Which of the following is another term for an unstructured interview?

A) directive
B) nondirective
C) unformatted
D) standardized
E) administrative

Question 19

When an interview is used to predict future job performance on the basis of an applicant's oral responses to oral inquiries,it is called a(n)________ interview.

A) verbal
B) group
C) selection
D) benchmark
E) background

Question 20

Dr.Ross is interviewing for a position as Assistant Professor of Biology.His interview is conducted by a team of other faculty members in the department who interview him simultaneously and then combine their ratings into one score.This is an example of a ________ interview.

A) serial
B) panel
C) sequential
D) one-on-one
E) mass

Question 21

Which of the following best explains why an increasing number of firms use the Internet to conduct prescreening interviews?

A) high number of foreign applicants
B) globalization of manufacturing firms
C) lawsuits involving panel interviews
D) improved technical skills of applicants
E) reduced recruitment budgets

Question 22

Which of the following terms refers to individuals asked by the EEOC to apply for employment which they do not intend to accept,for the sole purpose of uncovering unlawful discriminatory hiring practices?

A) spies
B) moles
C) testers
D) insiders
E) graders

Question 23

According to research studies,which of the following characteristics is typically viewed LEAST favorably by interviewers?

A) high-eye-contact
B) physical attractiveness
C) extroverted behavior
D) low voice modulation
E) male gender

Question 24

George Reyes has recently been hired as the vice president of marketing at Great Toys,a mid-size firm that specializes in classic wooden toys.The CEO of Great Toys wants to expand the firm's presence in the toy market,which is highly competitive.As a result,the marketing department's budget has been significantly increased.George plans to use some of the additional funds to hire a new media planner.George is considering the idea of conducting a structured situational interview in the hiring process. Which of the following most likely undermines the argument that George should use a structured situational interview to hire a media planner?

A) The HR department prefers handling job evaluations without the assistance of managers.
B) George and the HR manager lack the time required to participate in a lengthy interview process.
C) George worked as a media planner at another firm and is familiar with the tasks involved in the job.
D) Great Toys has used headhunters in the past to fill executive-level positions at the firm.
E) Previous media planners at Great Toys have been hired through the streamlined interview process.

Question 25

Which of the following refers to an error of judgment on the part of the interviewer due to interviewing one or more very good or very bad candidates just before the interview in question?

A) context error
B) contrast error
C) order error
D) recency error
E) primacy error

Question 26

During an interview,Tanya discusses her numerous accomplishments at previous jobs and praises the interviewer frequently.Tanya is most likely using ________.

A) impression management
B) talent management
C) mixed motives
D) behavior modification
E) job enrichment

Question 27

When interviewing an applicant with a disability who uses assistive technology,which of the following questions should NOT be asked?

A) Have you ever experienced any problems between your technology and an employer's information system?
B) How have you addressed any barriers or obstacles that you may have encountered in previous jobs?
C) What is the severity and exact nature of your disability and how does the technology assist you?
D) What specific technology have you successfully used in previous jobs that facilitated your work?
E) Are there any transportation or scheduling issues you anticipate with the work schedule expected in this position?

Question 28

Which of the following traits is most likely to be assessed accurately during an interview?

A) honesty
B) intelligence
C) agreeableness
D) conscientiousness
E) emotional stability

Question 29

A series of job-relevant questions with predetermined answers that interviewers ask of all applicants for a job is known as a ________.

A) directive behavioral interview
B) nondirective situational interview
C) structured behavioral interview
D) nondirective behavioral interview
E) structured situational interview

Question 30

George Reyes has recently been hired as the vice president of marketing at Great Toys,a mid-size firm that specializes in classic wooden toys.The CEO of Great Toys wants to expand the firm's presence in the toy market,which is highly competitive.As a result,the marketing department's budget has been significantly increased.George plans to use some of the additional funds to hire a new media planner.George is considering the idea of conducting a structured situational interview in the hiring process. Which of the following,if true,supports the argument that George should use a structured situational interview to hire a media planner?

A) Great Toys' HR department has developed a job description for the new media planner position.
B) Great Toys' competitors typically use structured situational interviews to avoid legal issues in the hiring process.
C) Great Toys' employees typically remain with the company for many years because they feel comfortable with the organizational culture.
D) Great Toys has successfully used structured situational interviews in the past for its top-level positions.
E) Great Toys' executives want to ensure that the interview process is fair to all candidates and that the best candidate is hired.

Question 31

What is the best way to avoid most interview errors?

A) conduct panel interviews
B) conduct Web-based interviews
C) use a structured interviewing format
D) utilize computerized interviewing technology
E) ask only situational questions during the interview

Question 32

Which of the following best describes telegraphing during an interview?

A) drawing out the most useful information from an applicant
B) searching for hidden meanings in an applicant's answers
C) smiling at an applicant to suggest a desired answer
D) allowing an applicant to dominate an interview
E) staying alert for an applicant's inconsistencies

Question 33

When developing a structured situational interview,the first step in the process is to ________.

A) rate the job's main duties
B) create interview questions
C) write a job description
D) create benchmark answers
E) appoint the interview panel

Question 34

An employer can most likely increase the reliability of a panel interview by ________.

A) using an unstructured interview format
B) asking all candidates different puzzle questions
C) interviewing multiple candidates simultaneously
D) providing interviewers with scoring sheets and sample answers
E) requiring candidates to participate in work sampling techniques

Question 35

All of the following are common characteristics of computerized selection interviews EXCEPT ________.

A) questions presented rapidly
B) questions formatted as multiple-choice
C) response times measured for any delays
D) questions focused on experience and skills
E) essay questions based on hypothetical situations

Question 36

According to studies,which of the following has the most influence on the outcome of a job interview?

A) thank-you notes sent from the candidate to the interviewer
B) an interviewer's first impression of the candidate
C) a candidate's final comments during the interview
D) favorable information about the candidate
E) a candidate's extroverted personality

Question 37

Which of the following interview formats will most likely result in the highest validity?

A) structured, situational
B) unstructured, situational
C) structured, behavioral
D) unstructured, behavioral
E) structured, job-related

Question 38

Ellen is interviewing along with several other talented candidates for a position as a journalist at a newspaper.A team of interviewers will meet with all the candidates at once.The team will pose problems to the candidates and see which candidate takes the lead in formulating an answer.This is most likely an example of a ________ interview.

A) serial
B) sequential
C) board
D) mass
E) panel

Question 39

What is the second step in the procedure for developing a guide for a structured situational interview?

A) rate the job's main duties
B) create interview questions
C) conduct applicant interviews
D) create benchmark answers
E) appoint the interview panel

Question 40

The primary advantage of computer-aided interviews is the ability to ________.

A) identify personality traits appropriate for the industry
B) reduce time spent with unacceptable candidates
C) ask follow-up questions due to system flexibility
D) form benchmarks for current firm employees
E) assess a candidate's physical and motor skills

Question 41

Which of the following is a true statement regarding structured situational interviews?

A) Portions of the interview are conducted online.
B) Answers are compared to industry standards.
C) Hypothetical questions are typically avoided.
D) Job descriptions are written after the interview.
E) Interviews are usually conducted by a panel.

Question 42

Consider the question: "Can you provide an example of a specific instance where you provided leadership in a difficult situation?" What type of question is this?

A) background question
B) behavioral question
C) situational question
D) job knowledge question
E) descriptive question

Question 43

Which of the following best explains why most firms do not provide rejected applicants with detailed explanations about the employment decision?

A) lack of technical abilities
B) adherence to federal laws
C) concerns about legal disputes
D) time required of line managers
E) associated costs of mailing letters

Question 44

Which of the following is an example of a job knowledge question?

A) "What are the legal restrictions regarding the use of telemarketing for consumers who have a past relationship with a company?"
B) "Suppose you were confronted with an angry customer who threatened to sue the company. What would you do?"
C) "Mike and Todd have $21 between them. Mike has $20 more than Todd has. How much has Mike and how much has Todd?"
D) "Why are you leaving your current position?"
E) "Can you tell me about a time in the past when you used leadership skills to handle a difficult situation?"

Question 45

What is the first step in conducting an effective interview?

A) studying the job description
B) developing relevant questions
C) establishing rapport with candidates
D) asking technical questions
E) developing a rating scale

Question 46

Consider the question: "What work experience do you have in marketing and sales?" What type of question is this?

A) background question
B) behavioral question
C) situational question
D) job knowledge question
E) structured question

Question 47

Which question below is an example of a background question?

A) "Can you provide an example of a time when you developed a highly effective ad campaign?"
B) "Suppose a coworker with more experience was not following standard work procedures. What would you do?"
C) "What steps would you follow to conduct a brainstorming session with a group of employees on safety?"
D) "What is the procedure you would follow when examining a patient complaining of chest pain?"
E) "What experience and training have you had with drafting designs for commercial buildings?"

Question 48

Which question below is an example of a behavioral question?

A) "What would you do if you were asked a question during a sales presentation for which you did not know the answer?"
B) "Can you tell me about a time when you solved a really difficult problem?"
C) "What is your attitude about working with a sales team instead of independently?"
D) "What factors do you consider before underwriting an insurance policy for a new client?"
E) "What are your long-term goals and aspirations as a social worker?"

Question 49

In order to conduct an effective interview,interviewers should NOT ask job candidates about their ________.

A) knowledge
B) job skills
C) lifelong goals
D) willingness
E) motivation

Question 50

Which question below is an example of a situational question?

A) "Suppose you were giving a sales presentation and a difficult technical question arose that you could not answer. What would you do?"
B) "Based on your past work experience, what is the most significant action you have ever taken to help out a co-worker?"
C) "What work experiences, training, or other qualifications do you have for working in a teamwork environment?"
D) "What factors should one consider when developing a television advertising campaign?"
E) "What experience have you had with direct point-of-purchase sales?"

Question 51

In a structured situational interview,interview questions should primarily address ________.

A) emergency situations
B) essential job duties
C) occupational benefits
D) salary requirements
E) personality issues

Question 52

Which of the following is the most likely outcome of using the same questions with all candidates being interviewed?

A) favorable responses
B) weaknesses revealed
C) reduction of bias
D) expression of interest
E) limited reliability

Question 53

After creating questions for a structured situational interview,________ need to be developed for scoring purposes.

A) grade definitions
B) alternative rankings
C) process charts
D) benchmark answers
E) human resource metrics

Question 54

Which of the following is recommended advice for conducting an effective interview?

A) ask questions that can be answered yes or no
B) telegraph the desired answer to the candidate
C) allow the candidate to control the interview
D) ask the candidate for specific examples
E) ask the candidate about work-related injuries

Question 55

How many interviewers usually question applicants during a structured situational interview?

A) 1
B) 2
C) 5
D) 7
E) 9

Question 56

Managers using the streamlined interview process should first ________.

A) ask questions about significant areas in a candidate's life
B) devise a plan for the interview
C) probe specific factors during the interview
D) prepare for the interview
E) match the candidate to the job

Question 57

All of the following are guidelines for conducting an effective interview EXCEPT ________.

A) scheduling a private room for the interview
B) taking brief notes during the interview
C) reviewing the candidate's qualifications before the interview
D) showing courtesy and friendliness towards the candidate
E) asking the candidate questions that require yes or no answers

Question 58

Managers who prepare for an interview using the streamlined interview process should focus on all of the following factors about a candidate EXCEPT ________.

A) personality
B) age and skills
C) motivation
D) intellectual capacity
E) knowledge and experience

Question 59

Consider the question: "What factors should be considered when developing a customer database?" What type of question is this?

A) background question
B) past behavior question
C) situational question
D) job knowledge question
E) structured question

Question 60

All of the following will most likely improve the structure of an interview EXCEPT ________.

A) using the same questions for all candidates
B) rating candidate answers against a scale
C) basing questions on actual job duties
D) asking candidates to describe themselves
E) using a standardized interview form

Question 61

When attempting to understand a candidate's personality,an interviewer using the streamlined interview process will most likely ask questions about a candidate's ________.

A) interactions with others
B) likes and dislikes
C) achievements
D) aspirations
E) knowledge

Question 62

Nondirective interviews can be described as a general conversation.

Question 63

All structured interviews specify acceptable answers for each question.

Question 64

What is the second step of the streamlined interview process?

A) writing a job description
B) conducting the interview
C) conducting a job analysis
D) developing interview questions
E) matching the candidate to the job

Question 65

Interview questions designed to assess the complexity of tasks the candidate has performed are focused on which of the following factors?

A) motivation
B) intellectual
C) personality
D) knowledge
E) experience

Question 66

Exit interviews follow a performance appraisal and focus on a discussion of the employee's rating and possible remedial actions.

Question 67

Nonstructured interviews are preferred to directive interviews because they are more reliable and valid.

Question 68

Interview questions designed to probe such areas as a person's aspirations and energy level seek information regarding a candidate's ________ factor.

A) motivation
B) intellectual
C) personality
D) knowledge
E) experience

Question 69

The majority of selection interviews are one-on-one and sequential.

Question 70

During an interview,a job candidate benefits from all of the following actions EXCEPT ________.

A) using appropriate humor
B) learning about the employer
C) asking the interviewer questions
D) answering questions quickly
E) speaking enthusiastically

Question 71

Situational questions like "How would you organize a promotional event?" seek information regarding a candidate's ________ factor.

A) motivation
B) intellectual
C) personality
D) knowledge
E) leadership

Question 72

Behavioral interviews ask interviewees to describe how they would react to a hypothetical situation at some point in the future.

Question 73

According to the streamlined interview process,a(n)________ is a useful tool for guiding the flow of an interview.

A) organizational chart
B) benchmark metric
C) expectancy chart
D) scatter plot
E) chronological plan

Question 74

Marion Franklin is the CEO of a local real estate company,Action Realty.The community has seen an increase in population over the last two years,and new neighborhoods are being built as a result.Marion's staff of realtors is very busy,and Marion needs to hire a new agent.Although Marion has hired agents in the past,they have not always turned out to be as successful as she had hoped.Marion is considering using the streamlined interview process to hire a new real estate agent. Which of the following questions would be relevant for Marion to ask if personality is an important aspect of the realtor position?

A) What career goals to you have for yourself?
B) How do you handle the stress and pressure associated with real estate?
C) What steps do you go through to determine the best price for a home?
D) What is the difference between assessed value and appraised value?
E) What do you like and dislike about selling real estate?

Question 75

Nondirective interviews follow no set format so the interviewer can ask follow-up questions and pursue points of interest as they develop.

Question 76

The interview is the most widely used personnel selection procedure.

Question 77

Studies suggest that interviewers tend to evaluate applicants less favorably in telephone interviews than in face-to-face interviews.

Question 78

Marion Franklin is the CEO of a local real estate company,Action Realty.The community has seen an increase in population over the last two years,and new neighborhoods are being built as a result.Marion's staff of realtors is very busy,and Marion needs to hire a new agent.Although Marion has hired agents in the past,they have not always turned out to be as successful as she had hoped.Marion is considering using the streamlined interview process to hire a new real estate agent. Which of the following supports the argument that Marion should use the streamlined interview process to hire an agent for her company?

A) Downturns in the housing market have led Action Realty's competitors to downsize their staff rather than hire new employees.
B) Marion likes applicants to evaluate themselves and to describe their goals and aspirations.
C) Marion is viewed as a concerned and fair employer by the real estate agents at Action Realty.
D) Action Realty needs an agent with the personality, motivation, and experience to be successful in a competitive industry.
E) Most real estate agents at Action Realty were hired through a nondirective interview with Marion.

Question 79

Marion Franklin is the CEO of a local real estate company,Action Realty.The community has seen an increase in population over the last two years,and new neighborhoods are being built as a result.Marion's staff of realtors is very busy,and Marion needs to hire a new agent.Although Marion has hired agents in the past,they have not always turned out to be as successful as she had hoped.Marion is considering using the streamlined interview process to hire a new real estate agent. Which of the following questions would be relevant for Marion to ask if she wants an employee with extensive knowledge in real estate?

A) What did you enjoy most about your last job at a commercial real estate firm?
B) How do you handle sellers who believe their home is more valuable than it really is?
C) What are the loan options you would suggest for first-time home buyers?
D) What is the most frustrating aspect of being a realtor?
E) What motivated you to become a real estate agent?

Question 80

In a stress interview,the interviewer seeks to make the applicant uncomfortable with rude questions.