Hynes, Managerial Communication 7e
SAGE Publishing, 2019
Chapter 15: Conducting Interviews
Test Bank
Multiple Choice
1. Which of the following is NOT a barrier to effective interviews listed in the chapter?
A. first impressions
B. organizational culture
C. confusing facts with inferences
D. nonverbal communication
2. Skillful questioning is the best way to overcome which of the following barriers to
effective communication?
A. differing intentions
B. bias
C. final impressions
D. organizational size
3. Which form of bias occurs when the latest information disproportionately affects all
the earlier information?
A. recency effect
B. halo effect
C. leniency effect
D. primacy effect
4. When a manager forms an opinion about the interviewee based on a single
nonverbal cue such as eye contact, the effect is called ______.
A. halo effect
Hynes, Managerial Communication 7e
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B. primary effect
C. leniency effect
D. recency effect
5. When an interviewer establishes an opinion early and then seeks information that
supports it, the effect is called ______.
A. scientific method
B. halo effect
C. hypothesis testing
D. recency effect
6. Why is privacy important when choosing a place to conduct an interview?
A. It ensures confidentiality
B. It reduces anxiety
C. It minimizes interruptions
D. All of these
7. The interview format that is suitable for most situations that managers face is the
______ interview.
A. structured
B. semi-structured
C. mini-structured
D. unstructured
8. Which interview format is best employed when the interviewee should help set the
direction?
Hynes, Managerial Communication 7e
SAGE Publishing, 2019
A. structured
B. unstructured
C. mini-structured
D. semistructured
9. Which type of question offers no restrictions on the type of response that is
expected?
A. directed
B. leading
C. open-ended
D. secondary
10. Which type of question solicits commitment?
A. open-ended
B. directed
C. secondary
D. closed-ended
11. “You said that you worked in the AR Department; what is that?” is an example of
which type of question?
A. primary
B. neutral
C. secondary
D. open-ended
12. A special type of question that is effective in employment interviews is ______.
Hynes, Managerial Communication 7e
SAGE Publishing, 2019
A. open-ended
B. behavioral
C. closed-ended
D. primary
13. In the employment interview, who should talk more?
A. manager
B. candidate
C. both manager and candidate should talk equally
D. other interviewers in the room
14. Which of the following is NOT a recommended purpose of performance review
interviews?
A. set goals
B. evaluate past performance
C. identify training needs
D. all of these are recommended purposes
15. Which of the following statements about performance reviews is false?
A. Employees should be given time to prepare psychologically.
B. Statements questioning another’s motives should be avoided.
C. Psychological distance should be lessened.
D. Provisionalism promotes confusion and isn’t specific enough.
16. Which of the following is the most effectively stated performance goal?
A. You have to stop making so much trouble for me.
Hynes, Managerial Communication 7e
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B. You will email me at the end of every workday with your team’s activity report.
C. You need to try harder to get to work on time.
D. You have to improve your motivation.
17. When an applicant says “I worked there for 3 months,” and the manager thinks “she
is a job-jumper,” the manager is guilty of ______.
A. differing intentions
B. interpreting nonverbal
C. confusing facts and inferences
D. seeking evidence
18. At which point of the employment interview does hearing unfavorable information
have the greatest effect on the interviewer’s opinion of the candidate?
A. at the end
B. in the middle
C. at the beginning
D. anytime
19. How can a manager minimize the effect of power differences during an interview?
A. use open, supportive communication
B. tell the interviewee that status will be ignored
C. close the door
D. use first names
20. Why is the opening of an interview so important?
A. It establishes the climate.
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B. It clarifies the purpose.
C. It prevents the interviewee from relaxing too much.
D. Both it establishes the climate and it clarifies the purpose are correct choices.
21. In what sequence are the following questions: “Do you regret your actions? What
will you do differently next time?”
A. funnel
B. inverted funnel
C. structured
D. semistructured
22. “Tell me about yourself” is what type of question?
A. behavioral
B. leading
C. open
D. directed
23. What should the manager consider when planning to conduct a job interview?
A. time
B. applicant’s résumé
C. position requirements
D. all of these are correct
24. The concept of BFOQ is a guide for determining ______.
A. what a manager should ask an applicant
B. on what grounds a manager should judge an applicant
Hynes, Managerial Communication 7e
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C. when a manager can conduct the interview
D. how long the interview should take
25. BFOQ is an acronym for which of the following?
A. Bonus For Other Questions
B. Broken Formats Or Questions
C. Bona Fide Open Qualifications
D. Bona Fide Occupational Qualification
26. Which of the following is a behavioral question?
A. How would you handle a disgruntled customer?
B. Are you a people person?
C. How do your friends describe you?
D. Why are you on the job market?
True/False
1. In most interviews, the interviewer and interviewee agree on the purpose.
2. The halo effect is the most prevalent type of bias.
3. It is not possible to control bias.
Hynes, Managerial Communication 7e
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4. Managers generally focus on facts rather than opinions during an interview in order to
make decisions regarding interviewees.
5. Nonverbal information can be a problem in an interview because interviews are
generally short and intensive.
6. The most pervasive communication barrier during an interview results from
hierarchical rank.
7. Time and place don’t have an impact on the success of an interview.
8. Managers should check to be sure that the interviewee agrees with the interview’s
purpose rather than assuming agreement.
Hynes, Managerial Communication 7e
SAGE Publishing, 2019
9. A compromise between the structured and unstructured interview format is the
semistructured interview.
10. A primary question introduces a topic in an interview, while a secondary question
follows up, probing further into the response to the primary question.
11. Primary questions help gain complete and accurate information, and also establish
a positive communication climate in the interview.
12. Directed questions are effective as persuasion tools.
13. In the close of the interview, the interviewer should end with a summary, statement
of appreciation, and a handshake.
14. According to a Harvard Business School study, about 25% of employee turnover
can be traced back to poor interviewing and hiring practices.
Hynes, Managerial Communication 7e
SAGE Publishing, 2019
15. Online social networks are not helpful for professional networking.
16. When an interviewer is impressed by the candidate, the interviewer usually talks
more than the candidate.
17. Managers who conduct employment interviews should be familiar with the
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Federal Corrupt Practices Act of 1977.
18. Networking works best in a formal setting.
19. Promotion decisions are based on several factors in addition to an employee’s
performance.
20. Behavioral questions are the least useful type to ask during employment interviews.
Hynes, Managerial Communication 7e
SAGE Publishing, 2019
Short Answer
1. What is meant by BFOQ? What is its relevance to employment interviews,
performance appraisals, and disciplinary interviews?
2. According to Jack Gibb, how can a manager create a supportive communication
environment?
3. Describe the funnel sequence and inverted funnel sequence for interview questions.
Give an example of questions in each sequence. When should an interviewer use each
sequence?
Hynes, Managerial Communication 7e
SAGE Publishing, 2019
4. List several opportunities to network outside the workplace that can result in a
professional advantage.