Chapter 7. Successful Interviews

The real life consequences of answering an illegal question may include which of the following? - Answer correctly and you might lose the job - Tell a lie and you might lose in other ways - Choose to litigate and lose the job for sure regardless of the outcome - If you answer an illegal question, the employer can't hold it against you.

- Answer correctly and you might lose the job - Tell a lie and you might lose in other ways - Choose to litigate and lose the job for sure regardless of the outcome

True or false: During lunch or dinner interviews, if the employer orders an alcohol drink, it is fine for the interviewee to do the same. True False

False

Identify any behavior that tends to be helpful during the first impression and interview. - positive attitude - eye contact - avoiding the handshake - avoiding smiling - comfortable presence

- positive attitude - eye contact - comfortable presence

True or false: Prior to the interview, it is not acceptable to contact the employer. True False

False

A question asked by an employer during an interview that results in successful litigation is called a(n) __________ question. An example could be: "Who did you vote for in the last election?"

illegal

Order the steps involved in a successful interview. - give a great first impression - discuss "follow up" details - prepare for the interview (practice) - have a good closing (come prepared for it) - face-to-face conversation

- prepare for the interview (practice) - give a great first impression - face-to-face conversation - have a good closing (come prepared for it) - discuss "follow up" details

"Companies must differentiate themselves in one of thee things - _____, _____, or ____", is a maxim used to describe the marketability of a company but may be applied to an interview because the applicant must be able to differentiate themselves from competing applicants. - products - price - liabilities - profits - service

- products - price - service

At the end of an interview, don't forget to: - negotiate for benefits (vacation, flex time, etc.). - negotiate for salary. - say that you want to do the work. - say thank you.

- say that you want to do the work. - say thank you.

When should questions regarding benefits/salary be asked? A) after the job offer is made B) at the end of the interview C) when it feels "right" sometime during the interview D) up front; first thing

A) after the job offer is made

"So Mr. Purdew, you happen upon two employees arguing in front of some customers. What is your approach to handling this situation?" This sort of question would be found in a ________ interview. A) competency-based B) standard C) nondirective

A) competency-based

True or false: It is customary to send a "thank you" message for an interview, the same day or next day of the interview. True False

True

A panel interview will consist of ______. A) a group of people doing the interview B) lunch and dinner interview options C) several methods of interviewing: situational, behavioral, and competency-based.

A) a group of people doing the interview

"So Ms. Spearman, you receive notice that a shipment was mishandled for the fourth time. What would be your approach to addressing these sort of issues?" This sort of question would be found in a ________ interview. A) competency-based B) standard C) nondirective

A) competency-based

A second interview is sometimes needed for employers to _____. A) decide between a few really good applicants B) negotiate benefits and salary C) check references

A) decide between a few really good applicants

In a structured interview, ______. A) each candidate receives the same questions B) the application pathway is the only set of requirements that the job depends on C) the employer has each candidate waiting outside to be interview one after the other

A) each candidate receives the same questions

The data suggests that a person's first impression is generated _______. A) in the first 15-30 seconds B) after an accumulated 5 minutes worth of information is received by the interviewer C) when you are first seen D) after the first conversation

A) in the first 15-30 seconds

Which of the following steps for the interview seems to be the most important? A) preparing in advance for the interview B) having a great face-to-face interview conversation C) having a great closing to the interview - a feeling of "completeness" D) generating a great first impression during the interview

A) preparing in advance for the interview

When a few really good applicants are just too similar to decide on, sometimes an employer will _______. A) request a second interview B) go by application date, "first come basis" C) seek a secondary reviewer

A) request a second interview

"Ms. Yantz, please show me how to use a micropipetter and convert 0.2 milliliters to microliter", asks the employer. This is an example of a ____ interview. A) technical B) stress C) nondirective

A) technical

Which of the following best satisfies an employer's question concerning a person's skills for a job? A) A person shows they have the skills "right then and now". B) A person quantifies their skills by completed projects and/or grades. C) A person replies briefly, letting the resume/portfolio speak to the skills and allowing more time for other questions.

B) A person quantifies their skills by completed projects and/or grades.

A nondirective interview is best described as ______. A) the same as a mock interview B) a presentation of your portfolio that contains samples/demonstrations of skills C) a collection of "what if's" where the applicant must answer hypothetical questions

B) a presentation of your portfolio that contains samples/demonstrations of skills

Sometimes classes or friends might help a person rehearse his/her answers prior to an actual interview. This is often called a ____ interview. A) competency-based B) mock C) technical D) nondirective

B) mock

It is not uncommon for a group of people to interview a candidates. This is called a ______ interview. A) standard B) panel C) nondirective

B) panel

On the day of the interview, about 100 applicants file into a large room where they each pass through a series of people asking questions. By the end of the day, about 10 people are left. This is called a _____ interview. A) competency-based B) screening C) nondirective D) panel

B) screening

When a person walks into the office to meet with an employer, the candidate should ______. A) take off his/her jacket and hold it B) stand until asked to sit down C) sit down and appear in charge of his/her environment

B) stand until asked to sit down

"Ms. Amygdala, what makes you think you have what it takes for this job?!", asks the aggressive employer. This is an example of a _____ interview. A) nondirective B) stress C) standard D) competency-based

B) stress

If using some form of technology that goes wrong for the interview process, you should _______. A) calmly assert that this interview needs to be rescheduled and a different venue should be used B) take complete responsibility for any failures because it is your responsibility to test it prior to the interview C) place the blame on the technology

B) take complete responsibility for any failures because it is your responsibility to test it prior to the interview

When it comes to phone interviews, you should be most concerned with _______. A) good night sleep B) time zones C) good hygiene

B) time zones

Which of the following is an example of a "screening interview" process? A) A group of people who evaluate an interview. B) A collection of interview styles are used to evaluate the applicant. C) A large number of applicants are "speed interviewed" to narrow down the applicant pool.

C) A large number of applicants are "speed interviewed" to narrow down the applicant pool.

Which of the following answers to the following interview question is best based on using STAR, SAR, and/or PAR? "So, Tate, what made you want to be come a medical doctor?" A) I have a sickly family, so I had to care for grandfather and sister. They both... (~10 minutes) B) I have been in and out of the hospital all of my life, so I really appreciate that level of dedication. (~10+ minutes) C) I enjoyed my biology and math classes and earned high scores in all of them. I also shadowed doctors to make sure I was really committed. (~1 minute) D) I just really want to help people. (~5 seconds)

C) I enjoyed my biology and math classes and earned high scores in all of them. I also shadowed doctors to make sure I was really committed. (~1 minute)

"Jenny describes her research to a group of scientists as she stands next to her poster." This is an example of a ______ interview. A) behavioral-based B) standard C) nondirective

C) nondirective

"So Ms. Cannon, why do you want to work here?", would be a question asked during a _______ interview. A) behavioral B) competency-based C) standard D) nondirective

C) standard

When every candidate is asked the same questions during the interview process, this is called a _____ interview. A) nondirective B) competency-based C) structured D) standard

C) structured

Which of the following is an appropriate voice message for prospective employers to hear? A) Automated voice stating leave a message with your favorite music in the background. B) Your professional voice with your favorite music in the background followed by your current unavailability, please leave a message. C) Automated voice stating leave a message. D) Your professional voice saying your name and your current unavailability, please leave a message.

D) Your professional voice saying your name and your current unavailability, please leave a message.

Franklin enters a prospective employer's office for an interview and gives a solid handshake. Franklin waits to be asked to sit down then maintains eye contact while they talk. Franklin maintains a focused tone and manner about him, showing no signs of pleasure or discomfort. What about this story could negatively impact Franklin's success? A) waits to be asked to sit B) handshake C) eye contact D) no emotions

D) no emotions

"Ms. Amygdala, you see a nurse improperly add 100 units of insulin to a patient's peripheral IV line. You have 5 seconds to answer as to what to do next!", asks the employer. This is an example of a _____ interview. A) competency-based B) nondirective C) standard D) stress

D) stress

True or false: Really, there isn't much a person can prepare for an interview. It isn't like a person will know the questions that will be asked of the candidate. True False

False

A practice interview where maybe friends ask you questions to allow you to practice your responses is called a(n) __________ interview.

mock

Identify the illegal questions. - Have you ever been convicted of a felony? - How old are you? - Have you ever been arrested? - Are you over the minimum age requirements to work in the United States?

- How old are you? - Have you ever been arrested?

"Companies must differentiate themselves in one of thee things - product, price, or service", is a maxim used to describe the marketability of a company but may be applied to an interview because the applicant ______. A) must sell products or perform service at the company B) has to consider their chances at actually getting the job C) must also differentiate themselves during the interview

C) must also differentiate themselves during the interview

Identify some common questions found in a standard interview. - What are some of your strengths and weaknesses? - Why do you want to work here? - Are you married, single, or divorced? - Do you have any children?

- What are some of your strengths and weaknesses? - Why do you want to work here?

Identify any "right" question to ask during an interview. - What is the next step in the process? - How much vacation time is allowed? - How soon will I receive a raise? - What other departments would I work with? - What is the typical day like in the position?

- What is the next step in the process? - What other departments would I work with? - What is the typical day like in the position?

Identify any "right" question to ask during an interview. - What is the typical day like in the position? - How much vacation time is allowed? - How soon will I receive a raise? - What is the next step in the process? - What other departments would I work with?

- What is the typical day like in the position? - What is the next step in the process? - What other departments would I work with?

Identify any "right" question to ask during an interview. - Who do I report to? - What is the salary for the position? - When do you plan on making a decision? - Why is the position open? - How much flex time is allowed?

- Who do I report to? - When do you plan on making a decision? - Why is the position open?

During an interview, identify any of the following that yields "proof" of skills to the employer. - a collection of recommendation letters from professionals - a list of completed tasks - a collection of grades - a person's "word"--assurance that the skills he/she possesses is valid

- a collection of recommendation letters from professionals - a list of completed tasks - a collection of grades

Identify a few tips for having a good interview. - change your posture during and after each question - answer the questions within about 2-3 minute window - it is "okay" to be slow to answer - give specific examples when answering questions

- answer the questions within about 2-3 minute window - give specific examples when answering questions

After the interview is over, it is customary to _______. - check on the job status in about a week - send a thank you message the same day or next day - call the next day concerning your job status - email the next day concerning your job status

- check on the job status in about a week - send a thank you message the same day or next day

Lunch or dinner interviews can be tricky because _______. - how the applicant engages the serving staff are all variables - you don't know which alcohol to serve - a person must show proper manners - meal options could impose challenges

- how the applicant engages the serving staff are all variables - a person must show proper manners - meal options could impose challenges

Identify any of the following that would make good sense to do prior to an interview. - learn about the local area - predict the questions that will be asked - learn personal information about the interviewer, so you can craft "good" answers - research the company's hierarchy - surf the company website/social media

- learn about the local area - predict the questions that will be asked - research the company's hierarchy - surf the company website/social media

Identify a few helpful tips when it comes to phone interviews. - use a stable phone line - have a good voice message and/or music background - have pleasant background noises, like a park - be ready to answer - understand time zones

- use a stable phone line - be ready to answer - understand time zones