Final answer:
Short answer questions are most effective for giving a help desk applicant a specific problem to solve, similar to real help desk scenarios. Scenario-based questions also effectively assess problem-solving skills and approach to challenges. Additionally, it's important to avoid illegal interview questions that could be discriminatory.
Step-by-step explanation:
The kind of questions that would give an applicant for a help desk position a specific problem to solve, which is representative of situations that help desk agents actually encounter, is short answer questions. These types of questions require the applicant to draw on their knowledge and experience to provide a solution to a practical problem, mirroring the real-life challenges faced on the job. For example, a short answer question might present a scenario where a user cannot access their email and ask the applicant how they would troubleshoot the problem.
Scenario-based questions can also be a valuable tool in assessing an applicant's suitability for a position. These provide a hypothetical situation and ask the candidate to explain how they would handle it, engaging their problem-solving skills and giving insight into their approach to workplace challenges.
It's important to note that some questions are illegal to ask in a job interview in the United States. For instance, asking about the state where the applicant was born is not permissible, as it can be discriminatory.