Targeted Selection Refresher Skill Inventory

1. What does STAR stand for?

Synergistic, Transparent, Actionable, Results

Situation, Task, Actions, Results

Situation, Transparent, Actions, Results

Situation, Target, Actions, Results

B is correct. When you’re gathering examples of behavior from a candidate, you want the whole story—the situation or task the candidate faced, the actions the candidate took, and the result of the candidate’s actions.

Explanation

B is correct. When you’re gathering examples of behavior from a candidate, you want the whole story—the situation or task the candidate faced, the actions the candidate took, and the result of the candidate’s actions.

2. Why is it important for you to review candidate information before the interview?

To identify what aspects of a candidate’s background to explore during the interview.

To focus your questions on specific past jobs.

To show the candidate that you’re prepared and to create a positive impression of yourself and the organization.

All of the above.

The answer is D-- all options are correct and important.

Explanation

The answer is D-- all options are correct and important.

3. “Our team was invited to present its findings and recommendations to senior management. The computer stopped working in the middle of my presentation. Luckily I had a backup plan.” What kind of STAR is this?

Complete STAR

Partial STAR

False STAR

B (Partial STAR)
The candidate did not provide an Action or a Result. You need to find out the specifics of the backup plan, how the candidate put it in place, and the result of using it.

Explanation

B (Partial STAR)
The candidate did not provide an Action or a Result. You need to find out the specifics of the backup plan, how the candidate put it in place, and the result of using it.

4. Which of the following statements is the correct wording of one of the main principles of Targeted Selection?

Present behavior is future behavior.

Future behavior results from past behavior.

Past behavior predicts future behavior.

Past behavior predicts present behavior.

C (Past behavior predicts future behavior.)

Explanation

C (Past behavior predicts future behavior.)

5. “If I had been managing the group at that time, I would have asked the team to identify lessons learned and best practices before moving forward with the second project.” Which type of statement does this candidate response represent?

Opinion

Theoretical or future-oriented statement

Vague statement

B (Theoretical statement). This is a theoretical statement because it tells what a candidate would have done, not what he or she actually has done in a specific situation.

Explanation

B (Theoretical statement). This is a theoretical statement because it tells what a candidate would have done, not what he or she actually has done in a specific situation.

6. “When you found the error, what did you do? Bring it to your manager’s attention?” What kind of question is this?

Theoretical

Leading

Behavioral

B (Leading) This is not a behavioral question because it leads the person to provide a certain answer that the interviewer is seeking.

Explanation

B (Leading) This is not a behavioral question because it leads the person to provide a certain answer that the interviewer is seeking.

7. “I think team members have the best ideas for process improvement and should be encouraged to implement them.” What kind of STAR is this? Why?

Complete STAR

Partial STAR

False STAR

C (False STAR)
The candidate expressed an opinion about the topic, but gave no information about what he or she has actually done.

Explanation

C (False STAR)
The candidate expressed an opinion about the topic, but gave no information about what he or she has actually done.

8. “The proposal was due within three days, and two team members were on vacation. It was a totally unexpected request by a long-time customer. I beat the deadline by a day!” Which STAR components are included in the candidate’s response?

Situation/Task

Action

Result

A (Situation/Task). Neither the Action nor the Result is clearly identified. Follow-up questions might be: “Tell me what you did to beat the deadline by a day.” “How did the customer respond?”

Explanation

A (Situation/Task). Neither the Action nor the Result is clearly identified. Follow-up questions might be: “Tell me what you did to beat the deadline by a day.” “How did the customer respond?”

9. “Suppose a senior leader requested that you attend the company’s national seminar and conduct a training session for more than 300 sales representatives. How would you respond?” What kind of question is this?

Behavioral

Theoretical

Leading

B (Theoretical). This is a theoretical question because it asks the candidate to share what he or she would do in a given situation.

Explanation

B (Theoretical). This is a theoretical question because it asks the candidate to share what he or she would do in a given situation.

10. ll“You mentioned that you disagreed with the method for processing invoices. How would you change the process?” What kind of question is this?

Leading

Behavioral

Theoretical

C (Theoretical). The question asks what the candidate would do, not what he or she actually did. A behavioral question would be: “You mentioned that you disagreed with the method for processing invoices. What did you do about your differences with the process? What action did you take?”

Explanation

C (Theoretical). The question asks what the candidate would do, not what he or she actually did. A behavioral question would be: “You mentioned that you disagreed with the method for processing invoices. What did you do about your differences with the process? What action did you take?”