Experiential Activities. Use the two activities described here to develop interview skills for selecting new employees. (The answers appear at the end of this chapter.)

a. Focusing on Behavior. You are responsible for interviewing candidates for an entry-level job. Your employer has provided you with very little information about how to proceed. You know that the job does not require a great deal of skill, but it is important to select someone who will fit the company culture. Following is a list of questions you have used in the past during similar interviews. After reading this chapter, you realize that these questions need to be reworded to focus more on behavior. Using Table 6.1, rewrite each question to show an alternative to what is listed. You can rewrite a question to ask the interviewees about their behavior in the past, or rewrite the questions to ask the interviewees how they would likely behave in a specific hypothetical situation. Use situations that would be relevant to the available job, which is assistant animal keeper at the Cleveland Zoo. The job involves cleaning cages in the bird and small animal exhibits and putting out food for the birds and animals. After you have rewritten the interview questions, use Table 6.2 to list the pros and cons associated with the new questions you have developed.

b. Avoiding Illegal Questions. What information may employers request during interviews? Check Low Risk, Legal But Risky, or Illegal in the Table 6.3 to indicate your understanding of which topics are acceptable.