An interview technique, with origins in the field of psychotherapy, that helps assure candidates that the interviewer is listening to them intently. Active listening involves encouraging candidates to talk openly and freely by often reflecting back to them the meaning of their communication, both verbal and nonverbal, in ways that promote further exploration and awareness.

Legally binding instruments between an employer and an employee who is leaving the organization. The agreement purposely limits what can later be disclosed to prospective employers.

Specific items in the resumé of an applicant that clearly demonstrate positive achievement, especially in areas involving identified mandatory success factors.

Situations that are imaginary. Hypothetical interview questions attempt to discover how a candidate would act if a certain situation were to occur; both the question and the response are purely conjecture.

The process by which an organization thoroughly examines a position to be filled. The goal of introspective investigation is to identify essential competencies, skills, and abilities that are required for successful performance.

Being sensitive to what is said and what is not said. It is the message conveyed by a hesitation, a reluctance to discuss a matter, or the obvious desire to change the subject.

Those specific competencies and skills that have been identified to be absolutely essential to successful job performance. Mandatory success factors are determined through a process of introspective investigation and provide a profile of the job as well as the ideal candidate.

The failure to exercise a reasonable amount of care, which results in injury or damage to another.

Questions that cannot be answered with a simple "yes" or "no." They require a candidate to discuss at length a specific incident from the past that required a working knowledge of specific skills.

The stage of the selection process when a conditional offer of employment has been extended to an applicant. Conditional offers are made when present employers have yet to be contacted, or when the offer is subject to the applicant passing a medical examination.

The stage of the selection process before an employer extends a conditional offer of employment to a candidate.

A question or request that seeks specific information, clarification, or confirmation from a candidate being interviewed. Probes may be open or closed, depending on the intended purpose.

The legal requirement that employers find ways to provide equal opportunity to protected classes of employees, including those with disabilities and those who require special accommodations for religious practices. It may even include the possibility of transferring the employee to another job if that becomes necessary to accommodate the religious needs of the employee.

Those factors in a resumé that indicate danger and require further exploration with the applicant, or that support rejection of the resumé from further consideration.

Refers to the consistency of scores and measurement that is free of error.

A list of a few select candidates who have achieved the highest scores in an initial interview and have been chosen for further consideration.

Tests and inventories based mostly on self-reporting beliefs and feelings, or past behavior. There are no right or wrong answers.

Refers to words and phrases that are particularly in vogue within special segments of society but that are not generally understood or recognized by outsiders.

Refers to the extent that a given test actually measures what it is designed to measure.