Deck 26: Researching Jobs

Question 1

Because of globalization, applicants today may compete against people from other countries for the same jobs.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Researching the job market is more vital today than ever before.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

In general, it's easier to get a job today because the competition for jobs is much less than in years before.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

Companies today have more options for finding employees, including looking beyond the local labor market.

Question 5

The Web has definitely made it easier for employees to get jobs than ever before.

Question 6

Even when there's a strong job market, there's good reason to research jobs.

Question 7

There's little reason to study the job market for a fit for you, especially while the economy is poor and jobs are scarce.

Question 8

Knowing about the company or organization you wish to work for is as important as knowing about the job and yourself.

Question 9

According to Richard Bolles, the most successful job-hunting method has changed dramatically because of the Internet.

Question 10

When researching possible jobs, your primary concern should be salary.

Question 11

Colleges and universities rarely have resources to help students find jobs.

Question 12

Among the tools for researching jobs are information interviews, handbooks, and the Internet.

Question 13

Professional and trade organizations are useless in helping you find a job.

Question 14

You should make clear to anyone you ask for an information interview or referral interview that you are not asking for a job from that person.

Question 15

Increasing the number of contacts and interviews increases the number of job offers.

Question 16

An information interview, but not a referral interview, can give you information about a specific organization that you can use in an application letter.

Question 17

More than 75% of new jobs come not from responding to an ad but from networking with personal contacts.

Question 18

Most good jobs are advertised in the Want Ads.

Question 19

Only 5% of all new jobs come from personal contacts.

Question 20

Compared to people in the job market, people who've been out of the job market for a while may have additional obstacles to overcome before getting employed.

Question 21

If you've been fired from a previous job, you need to deal with the emotional baggage before you job hunt.

Question 22

If you have to take a job to get more experience, avoid fast-food restaurants, as the experience you get from them is unlikely to be an advantage.

Question 23

Freelancing is a way to get more experience while you're job hunting.

Question 24

Joining a volunteer organization is a good way to get experience if you have no work experience.

Question 25

When choosing whether to stay or go, don't think about the raises you've received; your decision should be based solely on intrinsic issues, such as the satisfaction you get from doing the job.

Question 26

If your boss takes you for granted, you might want to consider changing jobs.

Question 27

Because Web sites change so often, using the Internet to research jobs is a poor idea.

Question 28

The Web is useful in a job search only if you are seeking a computer-related job.

Question 29

Arrange an information interview before you know about a job opening in a company.

Question 30

Most people get jobs through people they know, rather than through want ads.

Question 31

To get a better understanding of the jobs available in your area, you should do information interviews rather than referral interviews.

Question 32

If you've been out of the workforce for more than two years, your chances of getting a job are significantly reduced.

Question 33

At an information interview, be sure to discuss what the salaries are for jobs in your field.

Question 34

It's appropriate to end a referral interview, but not an information interview, by asking for a job.

Question 35

The goal of a referral interview is to learn about the field you hope to enter some day.

Question 36

It's OK to name drop in a referral interview.

Question 37

If you've been fired, calling the person who fired you and asking for a reference can work if you show you're looking for a second chance with the new job.

Question 38

Employees who are more than 50 years old have an advantage over younger ones in the job market because employers value their experience over other concerns.

Question 39

Advertised jobs are part of the

A) Invisible job market.
B) Hidden job market.
C) Network job market.
D) Special job market.
E) None of the above.

Question 40

Always follow up information and referral interviews with

A) Phone calls asking for more information.
B) E-mails with additional questions.
C) Personal thank-you letters.
D) All of the above.
E) None of the above.

Question 41

The BEST source for general information about an industry and the names of officers and directors in companies in that industry is

A) The Wall Street Journal.
B) A directory for the industry.
C) The company's annual report.
D) The company's recruiting brochure.
E) None of the above.

Question 42

Which of the following is a trade journal?

A) The Wall Street Journal
B) Automotive News
C) Reader's Digest
D) Forbes
E) None of the above.

Question 43

All of the following are acceptable questions in an information interview EXCEPT

A) Could we schedule a time to discuss how I might help your company?
B) How do you spend your typical day?
C) What courses, activities, or jobs would you recommend for someone who wants to do this kind of work?
D) Tell me about the papers on your desk. What are you working on right now?
E) All of the above are acceptable.

Question 44

You decide to tap into the hidden job market and want to start your information interviews. Your first step would be to

A) Talk to people who may know something about the field.
B) Ask for advice on your résumé.
C) Ask for people you meet to create a position for you.
D) Do a referral interview instead.
E) None of the above.

Question 45

From a referral interview, you are given the name of a branch manager at the local bank. When you call to ask for an interview, you find her demeanor off putting. While she's willing to meet, she seems unenthusiastic about meeting and actually states your time might be better spent doing research on the Web. What should you do?

A) Take her advice and cancel the interview.
B) Go through with the interview but prepare with specific questions about the company.
C) Recognize that not everyone is going to be willing to help you.
D) Ask her instead for the name of someone who would be more enthusiastic about talking with you.
E) None of the above.

Question 46

If you have a major weakness, you should

A) Do your best to keep it from potential employers.
B) Ignore it; focus your attention instead on your strengths.
C) Address potential employers' fears, calmly and positively.
D) Bring up the weakness immediately when you first meet the potential employer.
E) None of the above.

Question 47

Which of these is NOT a useful strategy for people who have been out of the job market for a while?

A) Show how at-home experience relates to the workplace.
B) Create a portfolio of work.
C) Focus on achievements in paid jobs, even if they happened years ago.
D) Be active in professional organizations.
E) All of the above are useful strategies.

Question 48

Which of the following is NOT a useful strategy if you don't have any work experience?

A) Take a fast food job-and keep it.
B) Join a volunteer organization that interests you.
C) Freelance.
D) Write
E) All of the above are good strategies.

Question 49

Of 2,500 college students and new graduates surveyed, what percentage planned to work for their first employers for three years or fewer?

A) 57 percent.
B) 63 percent.
C) 78 percent.
D) 89 percent.
E) 97 percent.

Question 50

Explain the purpose(s) of referral interviews.

Question 51

Explain the strategies for getting a job if you're older than you believe the employer wants.

Question 52

Unadvertised jobs are part of the ________ ________ ________.

Question 53

If you have a major weakness in the job market, address the employer's _______, calmly and _______.