Talent Acquisition & Onboarding Flashcards

Behavioral interview questions are grounded in which core assumption about candidate performance?

Answer: Past behavior in similar situations is the best predictor of future behavior

Behavioral interviewing is based on the validated principle that how a person acted in a past relevant situation is the strongest available predictor of how they will act in the future.

In the context of structured interviewing, what does the STAR acronym stand for?

Answer: Situation, Task, Action, Result

STAR is a response framework where candidates describe the Situation they faced, the Task required, the Action they took, and the Result they achieved.

When extending a formal job offer, which elements are most critical to document in writing?

Answer: Compensation, start date, job title, and conditions of employment

A written offer letter documenting compensation, start date, title, and employment conditions creates a mutual record that protects both parties and prevents misunderstandings.

A hiring manager consistently rates candidates who attended the same university higher than equally qualified candidates from other schools. This is an example of which interviewer bias?

Answer: Affinity bias — favoring candidates who share the interviewer's own background or characteristics

Affinity bias occurs when an interviewer unconsciously favors candidates with whom they share common experiences, schools, hobbies, or demographic traits.

What is the primary purpose of a pre-employment background check in the hiring process?

Answer: To verify the accuracy of credentials, employment history, and qualifications provided by the candidate

Background checks verify that candidates have accurately represented their qualifications, employment history, and relevant credentials, reducing the risk of fraudulent misrepresentation.

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), what must an employer do before ordering a background check on a candidate?

Answer: Obtain written consent from the candidate and provide a clear, standalone disclosure document

FCRA requires employers to provide a clear written disclosure and obtain the candidate's written authorization before ordering a consumer background report through a third-party agency.

Among common selection methods, which has consistently demonstrated the highest criterion-related validity for predicting job performance?

Answer: Work sample tests that simulate actual job tasks

Work sample tests have high predictive validity because they directly assess a candidate's ability to perform the specific tasks required in the target role.