Are You a Job Interviewing Expert? Take Our Quiz to Find Out

Think you’re a job interviewing expert? Take the free Quintessential Careers Job Interviewing Quiz and find out!

Just complete this form, and click “Submit” button when ready to send.

You will receive the answers and a scoring guide via e-mail.

IMPORTANT: To ensure that you receive a response to this quiz, please be sure to (a) enter your full e-mail address in the space provided and (b) re-enter your email address to verify. We cannot provide you with feedback if your e-mail address is incorrect or not supplied. Please read our Privacy Policy if you have any concerns about providing your email address to us. If you don’t want to take this quiz interactively, print out this page and mark your answers. Then go to our Job Interviewing Quiz Scoring Guide to see your results.

Instructions: Read each question and choose the correct answer.

Hint: You can find many of the answers to these and other job interview issues and questions by checking out our comprehensive Job Interview Resources database.

1. Which of the following is not one of the suggested strategies for preparing for your job interview:
   A) Conduct research on the company/industry.
   B) Prepare answers to possible interview questions.
   C) Gather key resources (extra resumes, reference list) to take with you.
   D) Research salaries so you can ask about salary and benefits at the beginning of the interview.
2. True or false: Wearing a formal suit is always the safest “dress for success” attire.
   True
   False
3. True or false: Being the most qualified candidate for the position just about guarantees you will get the job.
   True
   False
4. The STAR (situation, task, action, results) Technique refers to a tool you should consider using for developing answers to what type of interview questions?
   A) Traditional/conventional job interviews
   B) Psychological job interviews
   C) Behavioral job interviews
   D) Panel job interviews
5. True or false: Greeting the receptionist/assistant when you arrive and treating him or her with respect is an important key to your success.
   True
   False
6. Which part of the interview is the most important?
   A) First minutes
   B) Answering the “toughest” questions well
   C) Final minutes
   D) All of the above
7. What are three most important keys to success in interviews?
   A) Good perfume/cologne, nice smile, fresh breath
   B) Making eye contact, showing enthusiasm, speaking clearly
   C) Fresh breath, nice smile, making eye contact
   D) Developing rapport, good posture, fresh breath
8. It’s best to arrive how early before an interview?
   A) 1 hour
   B) 30 minutes
   C) 15 minutes
   D) 1 minute
9. True or false: You should use only examples from your actual work experience to answer questions during a job interview.
   True
   False
10. The best thing to do in an interview when you get a question that stumps you temporarily is:
    A) Sit there and just stare at the interviewer
    B) Keep saying, “good question, good question”
    C) Respond with, “I just really can’t answer that”
    D) Paraphrase the question while giving yourself time to think
11. True or false: Taking detailed notes in an interview is an accepted practice.
    True
    False
12. When an interviewer asks you the question, “tell me about yourself,” which the best response?
    A) A 10-minute detailed story of your life, from birth to present
    B) A concise narrative of your personal and professional background and goals and how they relate to the job at hand
    C) short narrative of your personal life, leaving nothing to the imagination
    D) long-winded account of what you want from the employer
13. How should you respond to the question, “where do you see yourself in five years?”
    A) “I just want to be at a place in my life when I’m happy with who I am — the job I’m doing would have to support that.”
    B) “I could see myself starting my own business.”
    C) “I would hope I am still with this organization in a position of increased responsibility, making a vital contribution to its success.”
    D) “I just want to have a steady income that I am satisfied with and that allows me to be financially independent.”
14. The best way to answer the question, “Why do you want to work for our company,” is by saying:
    A) “You’ve been the market leader for the past five years because of the reputation of your products and quality of customer satisfaction and I would like to contribute my services to continue the organization’s successes.”
    B) “You’ve been the market leaders for the past five years, and I think it would be really great for my career to work for your organization.”
    C) “I love the fact that I can dress in jeans every day and that the office is only a five minute bike ride from the beach.”
    D) “I’m really attracted by the great salary and benefits your company offers.”
15. True or false: If you’re asked to discuss your current boss, whom you dislike, you should tell the truth about him.
    True
    False
16. If you are returning to the workforce or have gaps in your employment history and are asked about what you were doing during that time, you should:
    A) Talk about volunteering or consulting work or training you completed.
    B) Mention that being a parent takes top priority in your life.
    C) Discuss the long mourning period over the loss of a loved one.
    D) State that you tend to need breaks between jobs.
17. True or false: No matter what, you should always ask at least one question when the interviewer asks if you have any questions about the job or the company.
    True
    False
18. Which of the following is not one of the most common mistakes job-seekers make during job interviews:
    A) Limp, clammy handshake
    B) Over-emphasis on money
    C) Lack of interest and enthusiasm
    D) Too much knowledge of the company
19. True or false: At the end of the interview, you should always ask about the next step in the process.
    True
    False
20. As soon as you get back from the job interview, you should:
    A) Put your feet up and relax, knowing you did a great interview.
    B) Spend hours kicking yourself for some poor answers you gave.
    C) Immediately fire off thank you letters/e-mails to each person who interviewed with you.
    D) Suit your current job in anticipation of a new job offer.