Here’s a quiz to see how prepared you are to be successful in your interviewing efforts. Answer True or False to each question. The answer and an explanation are listed below.

1. T or F: If you know that the company you have applied to is a “business casual” environment, then it’s all right to dress in that mode for the interview.

2. T or F: When you are interviewed by a group, team or committee, you should write a thank you letter to each person who participated in the process.

3. T or F: It is advisable to stand up when you are being interviewed on the phone.

4. T or F: If the interviewer asks for personal information you should go ahead and give it even if it makes you uncomfortable.

5. T or F: Companies sometimes interview outside candidates even though they have targeted an internal candidate for the position.

6. T or F: It is all right to ask how much the job pays on the first interview if the ad did not list it and the interviewer did not mention it along the way.

7. T or F: Poor body language can lose you the job even if you are a highly qualified candidate.

8. T or F: Behavioral interviews are utilized as a way to predict how you would respond in a particular situation

9. T or F: You can never be too honest in an interview.

10. T or F: It is best to position yourself in the middle of all the candidates when given a choice of dates and times.

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1. False. Never assume. If you know ahead of time that the company tends toward business casual, then ask the company representative to guide you when (s)he schedules the appointment. Otherwise if you cannot get this information, use conservative judgment and dress traditionally (ie: suit) for the meeting.

2. False. This is not really necessary. You absolutely should write a follow-up letter to the committee chairperson, or the hiring manager. If someone else was particularly helpful, such as the human resources person, then you may write a brief personal note to him or her.

3. True. Standing up when you are speaking on the phone creates a stronger, clearer voice quality than when you are sitting down. If you tend to be a little nervous during the phone interview, standing up will allow you to pace if you need to.

4. False. The interviewer should know better, but all too frequently doesn’t. In some cases, this is not only insensitive, it is illegal. You are not obliged to answer. Simply say that you do not understand the connection between that question and their determining your ability to do the job.

5. True. In wanting to create career opportunities for their employees, some companies will allow them to bid on a promotion, even though in some cases they might not be totally ready or qualified. It is important when you are being interviewed that you inquire:, “May I ask, are there any internal candidates you are considering for this position?”

6. False. Never be the first to mention money! You must focus on the job content, scope and responsibilities. Talking about salary prematurely is distracting to the interview, and as they say in negotiating, “Whoever mentions money first loses.”

7. True. Your body language can confirm and support your words, or it can appear to contradict them. If you have trouble making and keeping eye contact during the interview, for instance, the manager might wonder about the truthfulness of your responses.

8. True. Behavioral interview techniques are frequently used to anticipate your future behavior, based on your previous behavior. This will be accomplished by asking open ended, situational questions such as, “Tell me about a time when you disagreed with your boss and how you dealt with it.”

9. False. You can be too honest, and it can cost you the job.. This is particularly true if you speak your mind about what was wrong with your former company. You might see this as being honest, but the interviewer will see this airing of dirty laundry as unprofessional.

10. False. It is best to try to be either the first candidate or the last. A first candidate can create the benchmark against which the others are measured. The last candidate, if strong, will make an impression, and the earlier candidates will tend to fade from their memory.