Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

Using a mobile phone can result in poor reception and may lead to a dropped call, which can disrupt the flow of the interview. It is recommended to use a landline or a reliable internet connection for a telephone interview. All the other options are recommended for a successful telephone interview. Referring to notes can help you remember important points, answering with an alert voice shows enthusiasm, and treating the telephone interview seriously displays professionalism.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Behavioural interviews focus on past experiences and behaviors to gauge how a candidate would handle specific job-related situations. This type of interview allows candidates to showcase their skills and abilities by providing examples of how they have handled similar situations in the past, rather than relying on hypothetical responses.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of Compatibility with an organization and a position...

Question 4

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?

Accepted Answer

Preliminary screening interviews can help in narrowing down the pool of applicants by eliminating those who do not meet the minimum requirements or are not a good fit for the company culture. This can save time and resources by not wasting time on interviewing candidates who are not likely to be hired.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

A structured interview follows a predetermined set of questions.

Question 6

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 ________.

Accepted Answer

Francois should congratulate himself for clearing the final round of the interview and simply wait for the email with the offer letter. There is no need to insist on a different method of delivery or to repeatedly follow up with the company.

Question 7

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?

Accepted Answer

A group interview would allow Beth and Ruby to observe how the candidates interact with each other and solve problems together as a team. This format would give them valuable insights into each candidate's ability to work collaboratively and offer solutions.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

It is common practice for employers to conduct background checks on potential employees, which can include reviewing credit records. Therefore, it is best to consider it as part of the background check process rather than taking legal action or reconsidering joining the organization.

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

The scenario described is a group interview, as several candidates are asked to discuss a certain topic with each other. A forum generally involves an open discussion with a larger group, whereas a structured interview has specific questions and a set format. An open-ended interview allows for a free-flowing conversation without set questions or topics.

Question 10

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 ________.

Accepted Answer

The question is presenting a hypothetical situation to assess the candidate's behaviour and problem-solving ability. This is a characteristic of a situational interview. The question is not designed to intentionally stress the candidate (stress interview) or limit their response options (closed-ended interview). The question is also not explicitly asking about the candidate's past behaviour (behavioural interview).

Question 11

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?

Accepted Answer

A cognitive test is designed to evaluate a candidate's thinking abilities, such as reading, comprehension, mathematics, problem solving, and decision-making skills. This type of test assesses general intelligence and helps employers determine if a candidate has the mental agility required to perform job duties effectively. Key skills test and job skills test are more focused on specific skills required for the job, while an aptitude test measures a person's ability to learn new skills.

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

The best approach in the selection round of interviews is to relate your training and experience to the organization's needs. This shows that you understand what the organization is looking for and have the necessary qualifications to help them achieve their goals. Sticking to brief yes or no answers may not provide enough information about your qualifications, inquiring about salary and benefits may come across as presumptuous, and underplaying your skills may lead to being overlooked for the position.

Question 13

Realistic job simulation tests ________.

Accepted Answer

Realistic job simulation tests can provide a good tool for online interviews as they can give applicants a better idea of what the job might be like. Options A, B, and C are not correct because realistic job simulation tests are designed to mimic actual job skills, give applicants an idea of what the job might be like, and test applicants' skills in decision-making scenarios.

Question 14

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 ________.

Accepted Answer

At this final stage of recruitment, especially after several rounds of interviews, the focus often shifts from evaluating the candidate's qualifications and experience to convincing the candidate to accept the offer. This involves selling the benefits of joining the company, as the candidate has likely already been deemed a good fit based on their skills, experience, and background.

Question 15

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 ________.

Accepted Answer

During a screening interview, the interviewer is mainly looking to assess if the candidate meets the basic requirements for the position. Keeping answers short and focused on one's strongest attributes is the best approach as it conveys confidence and clarity of thought. Asking too many questions or giving elaborate answers may come across as being unfocused or trying too hard to impress the interviewer. Keeping a low profile is also not recommended as it may convey lack of interest or initiative.

Question 16

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) ________.

Accepted Answer

A panel interview is a type of interview in which a candidate is interviewed by a group of interviewers who are typically from different departments or levels within the organization. This type of interview is commonly used in the final stages of the hiring process and provides the opportunity for the employer to gather different perspectives on the candidate's skills, experience, and qualifications. It can be an effective way to assess a candidate's fit with the organization's culture and values.

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

Neat fingernails and professional-looking shoes demonstrate attention to detail and professionalism, which are important qualities in a prospective employee. While personal hygiene is important, overly strong scents or trendy hairstyles/colors can be seen as distractions and are not typically high on the list of appearance traits employers look for. Neutral colors with no patterns may be preferred in some industries, but not all, and are not as essential as neatness and professionalism.

Question 18

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

Accepted Answer

Personality tests are often used by employers to evaluate a job applicant's managerial potential, commitment, and motivation, as they can provide insights into an individual's character traits and how they might handle various situations in the workplace.

Question 19

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?

Accepted Answer

Option D is the best choice because it allows for a more flexible and personalized interview approach. Initiating questions but basing further questions on the candidate's reply allows for follow-up questions that can help you gain a more in-depth understanding of the applicant's skills and experiences. This approach also allows for a more natural conversation flow, making it easier to build rapport with the candidate. Options A and B are too rigid and may not provide a complete picture of the applicant's qualifications. Option C is also not recommended as it does not allow the candidate to clarify any misunderstandings or showcase their abilities.

Question 20

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

Accepted Answer

A stress interview is designed to create a stressful and challenging environment for the candidate in order to observe their behavior under pressure. Criticizing or provoking the candidate is a common strategy used in stress interviews. Structured interviews are standardized and ask the same set of questions to all candidates. Screening interviews are used to quickly weed out unqualified candidates, and situational interviews focus on hypothetical scenarios to see how the candidate would react.

Quiz 14: Applying and Interviewing for Employment