Which step typically follows the Preliminary Interview in the selection process?

• A. Application Review
• B. Onboarding
• C. Testing
• D. Salary negotiation

Answer: (C)

In this part of the hiring process, testing is used to verify a candidate’s actual abilities with objective, job-related measures. After the initial screening and a preliminary interview, employers want standardized evidence of skills, knowledge, or problem-solving ability to compare candidates fairly and decide who should move forward. Tests—whether skills demonstrations, cognitive assessments, or situational judgments—provide data that interview impressions alone can’t, making the next decision more reliable and efficient before extending an offer.

Application review typically happens earlier in screening, not after the preliminary interview in most processes. Onboarding occurs after a candidate is hired and has accepted an offer, so it’s a later step. Salary negotiation generally happens after an offer is made and is being discussed, not immediately following the preliminary interview.