COMS CHAPTER 16

31) ________ interviews allow one or more interviewers to meet with several candidates simultaneously and to observe how the candidates interact with potential peers. A) Panel B) Group C) Team D) Collaborative E) Stress

B) Group

39) 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 them of all applicants. C) what you do in your free time will not affect your on-the-job performance. D) the Supreme Court has determined that they violate workplace privacy laws. E) companies with fewer than 500 employees cannot legally perform them.

B) a majority of companies require them of all applicants.

25) The employer's goal in the initial screening interview is to A) find your greatest strengths in depth. B) filter out applicants who are not a good fit for the position. C) make offers to the best candidates. D) learn as much detail as possible about candidates. E) determine how interested candidates really are in the position.

B) filter out applicants who are not a good fit for the position.

93) Staying in contact with a prospective employer after an interview A) can be seen as troublesome by the employer. B) is not necessary for at least 4 weeks. C) should only be done by phone. D) might be construed as nagging. E) shows that you really want the job.

E) shows that you really want the job.

26) The second stage of interviews (following screening) is the ________ stage. A) in-depth B) narrowing C) exploration D) elimination E) selection

elimination

96) If you write a letter to decline the offer of a job, A) use the direct format. B) use an indirect format. C) do not use email. D) follow the AIDA plan. E) explain why, in detail, you are not accepting the position.

B) use an indirect format.

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

A) Stress

81) During the warm-up phase of the interview, ________ is crucial in projecting confidence and professionalism. A) body language B) the initial greeting C) how you respond to the receptionist D) asking questions about the position E) presenting your qualifications

A) body language

67) The foundation of your interview should be A) confidence and competence. B) manners and poise. C) skills and ability. D) dress and professionalism. E) eagerness to learn and flexibility.

A) confidence and competence.

80) When you discuss salary requirements with a prospective employer, you should A) let the interviewer raise the topic first. B) say that your requirements are not negotiable, based on salary surveys. C) try to negotiate a higher salary regardless of the offer because you are in a good bargaining position. D) focus on other issues such as benefits and signing bonuses. E) ask what kind of salary you can expect after three years, and use that as the basis for negotiations.

A) let the interviewer raise the topic first.

36) When you're participating in a video interview with a prospective employer, A) make eye contact with the camera. B) concentrate on your computer screen. C) read from a carefully prepared script. D) dim the lights in the room to minimize glare. E) remember to dress for an interview from the waist up.

A) make eye contact with the camera.

30) In a(n) ________, the candidate meets with several interviewers at once. A) panel interview B) open-ended interview C) team interview D) collaborative interview E) behavioral interview

A) panel interview

11) 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 review your résumé. C) address your shortcomings and stress that you're willing to learn. D) state your minimum salary requirements, even if the employer has not requested them. E) ask for an interview and include your contact information.

A) present your strongest selling points in terms of their potential benefit to the organization.

3) Unsolicited application letters to prospective employers A) require more research than solicited letters. B) allow a clear target to focus on. C) should repeat key pieces of information from the résumé. D) identify what the organization is doing wrong and how you can contribute to its success. E) need to be more gimmicky than solicited application letters.

A) require more research than solicited letters.

97) When terminating the job with a current employer, your letter of resignation A) should include at least two weeks' notice. B) does not have to be in writing. C) should indicate what led you to look for a new position. D) should include ways to help the company do better in the future. E) should indicate where your new job is, what the responsibilities are, and what salary you were offered.

A) should include at least two weeks' notice.

63) When going to a job interview A) take along samples of your work; recruiters are impressed by tangible evidence of job-related accomplishments. B) the interviewer will already have a copy of your résumé. C) being more than 10 minutes late is unacceptable. D) do not engage in conversation with others until the interview is complete. E) use your smartphone or tablet to take notes during the actual interview.

A) take along samples of your work; recruiters are impressed by tangible evidence of job-related accomplishments.

74) 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. E) while checking references.

A) within the first 20 seconds of the interview.

14) If your application letter and résumé fail to bring a response within a week or so after the position close date, A) let the CEO of the company know that you're 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 résumé. E) assume that the employer has offered the job to someone else.

B) follow up by email or telephone.

24) During a screening interview, your best approach is to A) ask as many questions as possible. B) keep your answers short, but offer key points that set you apart 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. E) ask for feedback on how you compare to other candidates.

B) keep your answers short, but offer key points that set you apart from other candidates.

85) During the question-and-answer stage of an interview, A) stick with one-word, yes-or-no answers. B) let the interviewer lead the conversation. C) respond to all questions immediately. D) don't ask any questions of your own. E) be assertive and control the conversation.

B) let the interviewer lead the conversation.

92) Use the model for direct messages when you write a A) letter of resignation. B) letter of acceptance. C) letter declining a job offer. D) letter of application. E) letter to ask for an extension before making a final decision.

B) letter of acceptance.

58) When responding to questions during a job interview, you should A) respond in a way that lets you talk about your strengths only. 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) respond with declarative statements. E) ask the interviewer to clarify what type of response they are really looking for.

B) look for opportunities to frame your answers as brief stories rather than simple declarative answers.

4) Compared to writing a solicited application letter, composing an unsolicited application letter is A) much easier. B) much more difficult. C) equally challenging. D) most effective when you use passive verbs entirely. E) most effective when you use only complex sentences.

B) much more difficult.

22) Most employers interview an applicant ________ before deciding to make a job offer. A) once B) multiple times C) via email D) at job fairs E) via Skype or other online method.

B) multiple times

27) In the selection stage of an interview, 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) press for an immediate decision on whether or not to hire you. E) call the employer to explain what the organization does and how you can help support those goals.

B) relate your training and experience to the organization's needs.

28) 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. E) concerns with whether or not you will truly be a good fit for the organization.

B) selling you on the advantages of joining the organization.

5) You'll impress prospective employers with your application letter if you A) use a flashy, colorful layout. B) show that you know something about the company and its marketplace. C) use a personal, "chummy" tone. D) state up front that no other applicants could possibly compare to you. E) show the employer the value they will get when hiring you at a lower than average salary.

B) show that you know something about the company and its marketplace.

17) When you're preparing an application letter, remember that ________ must clearly state your reason for writing and give the recipient a compelling reason to keep reading. A) the subject line B) the opening paragraph C) the closing paragraph D) the second paragraph E) the salutation

B) the opening paragraph

82) During which phase of the interview process are you most likely to be asked specific questions about how you handled particular situations in previous jobs? A) the warm up B) the question-and-answer stage C) the initial screening D) when references are being checked E) the close

B) the question-and-answer stage

75) The longest phase of a job interview is usually A) the warm-up. B) the question-and-answer stage. C) the close. D) the interchange. E) the reference checks.

B) the question-and-answer stage.

41) Your goal during the interview process should be A) to get an offer. B) to find the right match for your goals and capabilities. C) to find the position that pays the most. D) to fill an available job opening. E) to look first to the largest companies for job openings, then consider smaller companies if those don't work out.

B) to find the right match for your goals and capabilities.

42) An employment interview is A) an unstructured dialogue with a representative from a potential employer. B) an easy way for you to learn about the company's operations and markets. C) a formal meeting during which you and the interviewer ask questions and exchange information. D) a session in which the interviewer talks and you listen. E) a well-rehearsed exchange of information between peers.

C) a formal meeting during which you and the interviewer ask questions and exchange information.

62) A recent survey of hiring professionals revealed that A) most employers understand that candidates may need to answer their smartphones 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) phones should be on silent, but it is acceptable to check who the caller is, in the event of an emergency.

C) answering mobile phone calls or texting in the middle of an interview is the most common mistake candidates make during their interviews.

95) Job offers and the acceptance of the offer A) can be done over the phone. B) should be done via Skype. C) are legally binding contracts. D) can be backed out of if a better candidate or job comes along. E) are legally binding for the employer, but not the candidate.

C) are legally binding contracts.

79) On your second or third visit to an organization, if you haven't been offered the job, you should A) ask whether you did anything wrong during the interview. B) ask how many more interviews will take place. C) ask tactfully when you can expect to learn of the decision. D) ask if repeated interviews are standard policy and try to find out why. E) pretend that you have another job offer and push for an immediate decision.

C) ask tactfully when you can expect to learn of the decision.

15) After sending your application letter and résumé in response to a job posting that lists a close date, you should A) always call the employer prior to that date to see if your materials have been reviewed. B) email the employer on the morning of the close date to reiterate your interest in the job. C) avoid following up with the employer before that date. D) wait until the day after the close date and then call the employer to see where you stand. E) call the employer and do all you can to set up an interview prior to that date.

C) avoid following up with the employer before that date.

33) Questions such as, "What is one job-related achievement that best illustrates your work ethic?" are likely to be asked during a ________ interview.

C) behavioral

38) 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. E) evidence of a long-term commitment.

C) evidence that the person will fit in with the organization.

10) In the opening paragraph of an application letter, it is vital to A) indicate what you are looking for in a dream job, and how the open position matches your goals. B) identify the position you are applying for and your salary range. C) explain how you can help the company meets its needs. D) let the employer know highlights from your résumé. E) make sure the employer understands that you need a response within 24 hours.

C) explain how you can help the company meets its needs.

23) Employers use preliminary screening interviews to A) find out as much as possible about each job candidate. B) administer pre-employment profiles and drug tests. C) filter out applicants who're not a good fit for the job. D) make on-the-spot offers to the best candidates. E) determine what they can expect from potential job candidates.

C) filter out applicants who're not a good fit for the job.

90) 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 résumé. C) follow up with a short note of thanks, using a tone that's positive while reinforcing why you are a good fit. D) assume that you didn't get the job if you haven't heard anything. E) call the employer and say you have received some other job offers (even if you have not).

C) follow up with a short note of thanks, using a tone that's positive while reinforcing why you are a good fit.

59) 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) helpful only when you are interviewing for a job at a large organization.

C) just as important as answering the employer's questions effectively.

87) Which of the following would best support your ability to negotiate a starting salary? A) wearing business attire during the negotiation meeting B) understanding all your strengths and weaknesses C) market demand for your skill set D) dollar amounts of offers you have turned down E) your ability to call in a personal favor with those you know in the organization

C) market demand for your skill set

91) You could send a ________ after an interview if you haven't received the interviewer's decision by the promised date or within two weeks. A) thank you note B) formal complaint C) message of inquiry D) message of intent E) prospecting message

C) message of inquiry

6) 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) "Dear Sir or Madam." E) one that is very informal, such as, "Hi."

C) one that addresses a specific individual by name.

60) 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) have well practiced responses to standard questions.

C) pause for a moment before answering each question.

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

C) persuasive

78) When a job interviewer indicates the interview is coming to a close, you should A) prolong the interview in order to ingratiate yourself with the interviewer. B) say your good-byes and stand up to leave. C) prepare to leave but (if possible) try to pin down what will happen next. D) ask the interviewer to analyze your performance. E) explain that you really need a job offer before you depart.

C) prepare to leave but (if possible) try to pin down what will happen next. D) ask

13) In the final paragraph of your application letter you should A) show the reader that you're a contender and demand an interview. B) close with a quote from your favorite philosopher or poet. C) request an interview and provide contact information. D) include information about extracurricular activities to show how well-rounded you are. E) thank the reader in advance for interviewing you.

C) request an interview and provide contact information.

83) During the interview, a candidate should ask questions about A) salary. B) when they can expect to be given an offer. C) what the company is looking for in a new employee. D) the major competition of the company. E) critical weaknesses of the company and how the company plans to address them.

C) what the company is looking for in a new employee.

64) Researching an organization before an interview A) will save time during the interview, as the employer won't have to ask as many questions. B) is a bad idea, as it will limit the organizations opportunity to sell the organization. C) will show you understand the importance of investigation and analysis. D) allows you to tell the interviewer how much you know that they may not. E) leads to fewer questions about you, and more questions about the goals of the organization.

C) will show you understand the importance of investigation and analysis.

77) 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 have several options, including trying to answer "the question behind the question." D) you should ignore it unless it happens more than once. E) you should explain that the question is illegal and the employer has no right to know.

C) you have several options, including trying to answer "the question behind the question."

9) 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 want a job, and you've got one that I could do." D) "Based on your company's remarkable growth over the past three years, I can appreciate your need for highly qualified and experienced sales personnel." E) "My entire life I have dreamed about working in a job such as this."

D) "Based on your company's remarkable growth over the past three years, I can appreciate your need for highly qualified and experienced sales personnel."

65) One of the best ways to learn about the managers you will be interviewing with is through A) Facebook. B) industry related blogs. C) competitor websites. D) LinkedIn. E) company websites.

D) LinkedIn.

44) During ________, the interviewer will adapt the line of questioning according to the answers you give and the questions you ask. A) a structured interview B) a behavioral interview C) a situational interview D) an open-ended interview E) an informational interview

D) an open-ended interview

7) When it comes to length, an application letter should A) be at least two pages long, since it shows the prospective employer that you write well and are serious. B) be no more than a single paragraph. C) contain one paragraph for every 5 years of full-time employment. D) be short—no more than three paragraphs. E) be long enough to cover everything that appears on your résumé.

D) be short—no more than three paragraphs.

37) Employers use structured questionnaires, tests, and sophisticated job simulations during interviews because these tools A) guarantee that every candidate, regardless of position applying for, has been interviewed in the exact same way as every other candidate. B) can be administered during job fairs and other external recruiting events. C) reduce the risk of favoritism. D) can closely mimic actual job skills. E) are less expensive than other hiring practices

D) can closely mimic actual job skills.

57) Searching LinkedIn to learn about the managers you will meet with in an upcoming interview A) is unethical, since LinkedIn profiles are private. B) is acceptable as long as you never reveal that you have done it. C) requires that you ask their permission beforehand. D) can make it easier for you to build rapport with your interviewers. E) hinders your chances of success by making you seem desperate for employment.

D) can make it easier for you to build rapport with your interviewers.

61) When choosing the clothing you'll wear for a workplace interview, the best policy is to A) dress for a casual dress work environment. B) dress conservatively, showcasing a bold statement piece. C) combine a conservative look with a casual look with dark jeans and a blazer. D) dress conservatively and professionally. E) wear a bold color that shows confidence and leadership.

D) dress conservatively and professionally.

84) During the close of the interview, be sure to A) ask the interviewer if they have any other questions for you. B) try to identify why you were asked illegal questions. C) check your watch and see if the interview lasted at least 45 minutes. D) emphasize your value to the organization. E) ask what you did well, and what should be worked on for the next round of interviews.

D) emphasize your value to the organization.

94) Writing a thank you note shortly after the interview, even an interview that went poorly, A) is an opportunity to tell them of additional research you conducted. B) is an opportunity to outshine other candidates. C) is unnecessary unless you interviewed with the hiring manager. D) provides a chance to modify an answer given during the interview. E) is a chance to press for a higher salary offer.

D) provides a chance to modify an answer given during the interview.

43) During a behavioral interview, you'll be asked to A) answer a specific sequence of questions. B) perform work-related tasks in a simulated workplace environment. C) deal with a number of questions intended to upset you. D) relate specific incidents or experiences from your past. E) observe a focus group and then respond to questions about what you saw.

D) relate specific incidents or experiences from your past.

32) 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) behavioral D) situational E) working

D) situational

16) Accompany your résumé with a ________ when you're responding to an advertised job opening. A) message of inquiry B) follow-up message C) message of intent D) solicited application message E) prospective application message

D) solicited application message

86) One advantage to maintaining interview notes is A) to ensure answers are consistent between the hiring manager and Human Resources. B) to look prepared and professional. C) to have something to do with your hands during the interview, especially when you are nervous. D) to have you decide which company is the right fit for you when you are considering various job offers. E) to track key information, including potentially illegal questions.

D) to have you decide which company is the right fit for you when you are considering various job offers.

2) When you're writing an application letter to accompany your résumé, A) use text-messaging jargon and emoticons to show that you're tech-savvy. B) remember that most employers won't bother to read it. C) use it as a free-form way to convey your career aspirations. D) treat it with same care that you took with your résumé. E) outline the job, benefits and salary range you are seeking.

D) treat it with same care that you took with your résumé.

1) The best approach for an application letter depends on A) how much you need to stand out from other applicants. B) whether or not your résumé is up to date. C) how long you have been on the job market. D) whether you are sending a solicited letter or an unsolicited letter. E) your relationship with the person you are writing to.

D) whether you are sending a solicited letter or an unsolicited letter.

40) Employers use ________ tests to measure a variety of attributes involved in acquiring, processing, analyzing, using, and remembering information. A) integrity B) personality C) job skills D) mental capacity E) cognitive

E) cognitive

12) In the Interest and Desire sections of a solicited application letter, discussing each requirement specified in the job ad A) will reduce your chances of getting an interview. B) is unnecessary as long as you refer to the ad in some specific way. C) is helpful as long as you clearly identify those that you do not meet. D) is harmful if the position requires creativity or innovation. E) helps demonstrate your understanding of the employer's needs.

E) helps demonstrate your understanding of the employer's needs.

29) Interviews in which the interviewer adapts his or her line of questioning based on the answers you give and any questions you ask are known as ________ interviews. A) free-flowing B) creative C) screening D) unhindered E) open-ended

E) open-ended

68) When you're staging mock interviews to polish your interview style, pay attention to A) incorporating humor. B) how to take the lead during the discussion of your skills and abilities. C) keeping your answers short and to the point. D) keeping answers general enough to be sure they can be appropriate to almost any type of question. E) poise, manners and good judgement.

E) poise, manners and good judgement.

66) One way to increase your confidence before the start of the interview is A) to understand that everyone has some negative aspects in their background and you are no different. B) practice public speaking. C) think about irrelevant details that you want to include, or omit. D) dress in comfortable, casual clothing. E) realize you have value to the employer because they think highly enough of you to invite you for an interview.

E) realize you have value to the employer because they think highly enough of you to invite you for an interview.

45) During the selection stage of the interview processes, you should A) ask the interviewer when you can start the job. B) differentiate yourself from the other candidates. C) allow the interviewer to ask all of the questions. D) monopolize the conversation by telling your favorite stories. E) relate your skills and experience to the organization's needs.

E) relate your skills and experience to the organization's needs.

34) In a working interview, A) the candidate meets with an interviewer as the interviewer performs normal duties. B) no questions are asked—the candidate simply shows up and begins working so that those involved with the hiring decision can evaluate him or her. C) interviewers avoid asking about anything other than work: hobbies and other personal matters are not addressed. D) the candidate "shadows" several employees, and is asked to explain which job seems best and why. E) the candidate actually performs a job-related activity during the interview.

E) the candidate actually performs a job-related activity during the interview.

76) The employer can legally ask you questions about A) when you graduated from high school. B) if working on weekends would conflict with your religion. C) if you have ever been arrested. D) your age. E) your legal right to work in the United States.

E) your legal right to work in the United States.