Deck 15: Building Careers and Writing Résumés

Question 1

Customizing your résumé for each job opening is

A) a waste of valuable time, since your qualifications are the same no matter where you apply.
B) necessary only if you are slightly exaggerating some aspect of your qualifications.
C) a good way to get into trouble, since you might forget what you wrote on one of the versions.
D) not necessary unless you are applying for senior executive positions.
E) an important step in showing each employer that you will be a good fit.

Answer 1

E
Explanation: E)By customizing your résumé,you show your ability to research and market yourself.Every position to which you apply,no matter what level it is,merits a customized version of your résumé.This strategy will set you apart from other applicants.

Question 2

The best way to find job opportunities is usually

A) searching online job boards such as Monster.
B) looking in the newspaper.
C) waiting to hear about them from people you know.
D) identifying the companies you want to work for and focusing your efforts on them.
E) to send a form letter to as many companies as possible, asking that they call you when they have openings.

Answer 2

D
Explanation: D)Companies do not always post job openings online or in the newspaper,so contacting companies in which you are interested may be more effective.By researching specific companies instead of casting a net that is too wide,you can tailor your application efforts to appeal to your desired companies.

Question 3

Networking

A) is a simple process of contacting influential people and asking them for a job.
B) is no longer very effective, thanks to the Internet.
C) requires making informal connections with mutually beneficial business contacts.
D) is helpful once you get a job in the field you desire, but generally not before.
E) none of the above

Answer 3

C
Explanation: C)Networking is the process of making informal connections with mutually beneficial business contacts.Networking takes place wherever and whenever people communicate,from in-person gatherings to the Internet.

Question 4

The best approach to preparing a résumé is to

A) spend a lot of time creating it, and then send the same version to all prospective employers.
B) learn as much as you can about who may be reading it, and be sure to meet their needs.
C) keep it general, brief, and nonspecific.
D) use a hard-sell approach.
E) none of the above

Question 5

Regardless of a candidate's work experience,the prime source of jobs in general appears to be

A) recommendations from current employees.
B) online job posting services.
C) college job fairs.
D) postings on company websites.
E) all of the above equally.

Question 6

When it comes to the job search,volunteering

A) has little to no value, since it does not involve working for pay.
B) is helpful only for those seeking employment in the nonprofit sector.
C) should not be mentioned, since many employers view it as a waste of time.
D) can provide valuable networking opportunities.
E) is helpful only if it allows you to do temporary work for a potential employer.

Question 7

Learning which keywords will be most effective on your résumé

A) is easy when you access leading business publications, blogs, and other sources.
B) is impossible unless you already have a job in the industry you wish to work in.
C) can only be accomplished by calling potential employers and asking them.
D) is unnecessary, since most employers no longer pay much attention to them.
E) none of the above

Question 8

When employers find lies on an applicant's résumé,most will

A) ignore it, since almost all applicants exaggerate their qualifications.
B) call the applicant to discuss it.
C) refuse to hire the applicant, even if it means withdrawing a formal job offer.
D) keep the application active, but continue looking for other promising candidates.
E) assume that the applicant simply made a mistake.

Question 9

One of your first steps in preparing to seek employment should be to

A) write the story of you, including the things you are passionate about, your abilities, and so forth.
B) call some potential employers and ask for interviews.
C) visit promising businesses and ask if they have any openings.
D) come to terms with the fact that you will have little to no control over where you end up.
E) forget everything you've been told about how to get a job-the market is tougher than ever.

Question 10

The vast majority of all job openings in the U.S.are

A) advertised the old-fashioned way-in the newspaper.
B) posted on Craigslist or Monster.
C) never advertised to the general public.
D) senior positions that require years of experience.
E) none of the above.

Question 11

Posting a job opening on a major job board such as Monster is often

A) a company's first step in seeking promising candidates.
B) helpful for high-tech companies, but not for others.
C) the most successful way for companies to discourage unqualified candidates from applying.
D) an effective way for companies to limit the number of applications they receive.
E) a company's last resort, after it has exhausted other possibilities for finding desirable candidates.

Question 12

The primary difference between a résumé and a CV is that the CV is likely to be ________ than the résumé.

A) shorter
B) less formal
C) more detailed
D) less detailed
E) easier to read

Question 13

Contacting people in a job candidate's online network for background information

A) is illegal unless the candidate has listed them as references.
B) occurs very rarely, since most employers don't have time to check online networks.
C) is impossible if the candidate does not provide contact information.
D) violates Facebook and LinkedIn user agreements.
E) is becoming more common among employers.

Question 14

Career counseling

A) has been cut at most colleges and universities due to budget constraints.
B) is generally of little value, now that it is so easy to find job postings on the Internet.
C) is helpful only for students who have never had a job.
D) often provides valuable advice, training, and services for job seekers.
E) at most colleges and universities offers little more than mock interviews and help with résumé preparation.

Question 15

Business-related blogs and microblogs

A) are generally not very helpful to job applicants.
B) can help you get comfortable with the jargon and buzzwords in a particular field.
C) can be useful in a job search, but only for those seeking positions in technical fields.
D) are very difficult to find online.
E) are almost always thinly veiled attempts to sell products and services.

Question 16

When conducting a job search,you can use the Internet to

A) look for job openings.
B) respond to job openings.
C) research various companies.
D) learn buzzwords and jargon associated with a particular industry.
E) do all of the above.

Question 17

The purpose of a résumé is to

A) induce the reader to hire you.
B) list all your skills and abilities.
C) get you an interview.
D) take the place of an application letter.
E) exaggerate your qualifications and impress potential employers.

Question 18

Creating a traditional paper résumé is

A) unnecessary in most cases, since so many applicants apply for jobs online.
B) helpful only if you are applying for old-fashioned jobs.
C) still useful, even if most or all of your application efforts take place online.
D) a hindrance for most job seekers, since it suggests they are out of touch with technology.
E) none of the above.

Question 19

The best time for college students to begin developing a job-search strategy is

A) about six months prior to graduation.
B) now-even if they are a year or more away from graduation.
C) no earlier than the second semester of their junior year.
D) immediately after graduation.
E) when they locate a promising job ad.

Question 20

Applicant tracking systems help employers by

A) charting each applicant's progress through the hiring process.
B) mapping out promising career paths for each applicant.
C) sifting through the hundreds or thousands of résumés they receive each year.
D) tracking down promising applicants by searching social media sites.
E) doing all of the above.

Question 21

The best email address to include on a résumé is

A) the one you have through your current employer.
B) a free personal address from one of the many services that offer them.
C) one that creatively includes the name of the company to which you are applying.
D) none-that way employers will be forced to call you.
E) one that includes numbers only, since this will help protect your privacy.

Question 22

When it comes to including keywords on résumés,

A) the best strategy is to put them all into a keyword summary.
B) you should incorporate them into your introductory statement and other sections.
C) it is usually a waste of time, since most employers now personally review each résumé they receive.
D) it is impossible to determine what words might attract the kind of employer you want.
E) it is best to compose a list of complete sentences, incorporating one keyword in each.

Question 23

If you are planning a career change and want to deemphasize lengthy unemployment or lack of career progress,the best organizational plan for your résumé would be

A) chronological.
B) functional.
C) targeted.
D) indirect.
E) fundamental.

Question 24

In describing activities and achievements on your résumé,you should

A) use mild exaggerations-everyone else does, so you'll be at an unfair disadvantage if you don't.
B) include only what makes you a more attractive job candidate.
C) use significant amounts of jargon and technical terms.
D) leave out any awards you've won unless they are specifically relevant to your current career objective.
E) omit any volunteer activities.

Question 25

The most common way to organize a résumé is

A) chronologically.
B) functionally.
C) geographically.
D) alphabetically.
E) none of the above.

Question 26

Which of the following is not a common problem that employers see in résumés?

A) They are too long.
B) They display a weak understanding of the business world.
C) They are filled with misspellings and grammatical errors.
D) They are too straightforward.
E) All of the above are common problems.

Question 27

When you describe your work experience on your résumé,you should

A) start with your most recent job and work back chronologically.
B) describe one or two jobs in detail so that employers get an idea of your work ethic.
C) list only full-time positions.
D) try to come up with fancier titles for the jobs you've held.
E) omit any positions in which you did not get a raise.

Question 28

In composing a résumé,it is best to avoid

A) using the word I.
B) active verbs.
C) prepositions.
D) past-tense.
E) bulleted lists.

Question 29

Military service relevant to the position you're seeking should be listed in the ________ section of your résumé.

A) Education
B) Work Experience
C) Education or Work Experience
D) Personal Information
E) none of the above

Question 30

Do not include on your résumé items that could encourage discrimination,such as

A) home address.
B) hobbies.
C) marital status.
D) military service.
E) management experience.

Question 31

If you choose not to list your GPA in the "Education" section of your résumé,

A) most employers will not interview you.
B) employers will generally respect you for being humble.
C) you should be prepared to answer questions about it during the interview.
D) you should always state it in your application letter.
E) you should simply include a statement that reads, "GPA withheld for privacy reasons."

Question 32

If you are just graduating from college and have limited professional experience,

A) a traditional chronological résumé is your only option.
B) a functional résumé is your only option.
C) your chronological résumé should probably list educational qualifications before listing experience.
D) your résumé can be written in a casual, informal tone.
E) applying for a full-time position is a waste of time.

Question 33

A type of résumé that emphasizes a candidate's skills and accomplishments while also including a complete job history is termed

A) a chronological résumé.
B) a functional résumé.
C) a combination résumé.
D) an indirect résumé.
E) a comprehensive résumé.

Question 34

Putting "References available upon request" at the end of your résumé is

A) not necessary since the availability of references is usually assumed.
B) standard practice, and most employers will expect to see it.
C) less effective than listing the names and contact information for all references, even if the employer has not requested them.
D) necessary only when applying for government positions.
E) none of the above.

Question 35

The best way to handle frequent job changes on a résumé is to

A) avoid any mention of a job you held for less than a year.
B) group similar jobs under a single heading.
C) provide a detailed explanation of each one.
D) do none of the above.
E) omit descriptions of several positions.

Question 36

When it comes to functional résumés,many employers

A) are suspicious of them.
B) strongly prefer them to chronological résumés.
C) view them as a sign of strong communication skills.
D) don't know what they are.
E) require them from applicants for management positions.

Question 37

Which of the following would be the best wording to use on a résumé?

A) "I was in charge of a staff of six employees."
B) "I supervised six employees."
C) "Was in charge of entire departmental staff."
D) "Supervised staff of six employees."
E) "In this job, I was in charge of six employees including an assistant manager."

Question 38

Using your résumé to tell employers you are detail oriented,a team player,and a hard worker

A) is an effective strategy, since all employers appreciate these characteristics.
B) is generally not helpful unless you also include concrete proof and evidence to support your claims.
C) is often effective as long as you repeat the claims in your application letter.
D) often results in a higher starting salary.
E) should be avoided unless you are applying for an executive position.

Question 39

Effective keywords to list on your résumé include

A) business and technical terms.
B) industry-specific jargon.
C) names or types of products or systems.
D) job titles.
E) all of the above.

Question 40

To identify the best keywords to include on your résumé,

A) simply make a list of all the adjectives that describe your unique personality and abilities.
B) study relevant job descriptions and seek to understand your target audience's needs.
C) use a thesaurus to list as many impressive words as possible.
D) stick with time-tested phrases such as problem solver and proven track record.
E) do none of the above.

Question 41

Most employers now prefer functional résumés to chronological ones.

Question 42

Employers generally treat major job boards such as Monster as their last resort when seeking qualified candidates.

Question 43

Including a photo of yourself with your résumé

A) is a great way to personalize your application.
B) helps you stand out among other applicants.
C) will cause some employers to discard your application immediately.
D) is the best way to guard against potential discrimination.
E) is a good idea if it shows you having fun and being yourself.

Question 44

To achieve the best physical appearance for your résumé,you should

A) have it prepared by a professional résumé service.
B) make subheadings easy to find and easy to read.
C) use colored paper.
D) use a variety of typefaces in various colors.
E) submit it in a brightly colored envelope or folder.

Question 45

The most common file format for uploading résumés directly to websites such as Monster.com is

A) WordPerfect.
B) PDF.
C) Microsoft Word.
D) Microsoft Publisher.
E) HTML.

Question 46

When mailing a résumé,it is a good idea to

A) have it delivered via Priority Mail in a cardboard mailer.
B) use a standard white #10 envelope.
C) pay to have it delivered the next day.
D) use a large kraft envelope.
E) use a tube mailer so you do not have to fold it.

Question 47

The best approach to résumé writing is to create a single,solid version and send it to all employers regardless of their differences.

Question 48

For college students,attempting to develop a job-search strategy before the senior year is a waste of time.

Question 49

An online résumé

A) should never include "extras" such as screencasts and online videos.
B) can give employers a more complete picture of who you are and what you have to offer.
C) requires a paid subscription to an online hosting service.
D) is useful only if you are applying for jobs in technology-related fields.
E) is usually not helpful since it is almost impossible to update.

Question 50

All résumés should be organized chronologically.

Question 51

A good résumé is targeted for specific situations and prospective employers.

Question 52

Supplementing a traditional résumé with a PowerPoint presentation

A) makes you appear desperate.
B) enables potential employers to click through to sections of interest.
C) is limited since it does not offer multimedia capabilities.
D) is more convenient for employers than an online résumé.
E) is none of the above.

Question 53

Creating a plain-text file of your résumé

A) is an outdated practice.
B) allows you to include your résumé in the body of an email message, instead of as an attachment.
C) is helpful, but very difficult to do without expensive software.
D) requires that you center all headings instead of left-justifying them.
E) is necessary only if you are not able to use word processing software.

Question 54

Networking is not simply putting yourself in contact with powerful people and asking them for a job: it requires establishing mutually beneficial relationships.

Question 55

A scannable résumé differs from the traditional format in that

A) its formatting is more complex.
B) it is printed in all caps.
C) it is printed in boldface type.
D) it always includes a keyword summary.
E) it is printed in an extra-large font.

Question 56

A résumé is a persuasive message designed to help you get an interview.

Question 57

The main purpose of a résumé is to list all your skills and abilities.

Question 58

The most common problem with résumé design is

A) using excessive and distracting design elements.
B) settling for an old-fashioned look.
C) using the wrong type of paper.
D) failing to include at least one graphic.
E) using too much white space.

Question 59

Because the competition for most jobs is so great,even a seemingly minor mistake (such as a typo on a résumé)can eliminate your chances of success.

Question 60

When emailing your résumé to a prospective employer,you should

A) always send it as a Microsoft Word attachment.
B) make it less formal than you would for other formats.
C) include in the subject line the reference number or job ad number.
D) use lots of colors to make your résumé stand out.
E) use a subject line that will grab attention, such as "This is the one."

Question 61

When listing work experience on a résumé,you should emphasize significant achievements in each job.

Question 62

Although employers expect résumés to be carefully written,most are understanding if candidates fail to correct a few typos.

Question 63

A functional résumé is organized around a list of accomplishments and focuses on the person's areas of competence.

Question 64

A combination résumé combines descriptions of your education and employment background under a single heading.

Question 65

To fit everything on one page,it's okay to sacrifice white space on your résumé.

Question 66

Your résumé should list past jobs in chronological order,with the first job first and the current job last.

Question 67

Some examples of effective descriptors to include in your résumé would be "works hard," "knows foreign languages," and "gets along well with others."

Question 68

If you plan to include a career objective or summary of qualifications in your résumé,you should make it as vague as possible to keep from limiting your prospects.

Question 69

It would be inappropriate to mention community service activities on a résumé.

Question 70

You can create a PDF file of your résumé with free Adobe Reader software.

Question 71

If you're still in school,you should present your educational background in depth since that is probably your strongest selling point.

Question 72

Most employers now conduct online searches to learn more about promising candidates,and many have rejected applicants because of what those searches yield.

Question 73

One example of an effective career objective is,"A fulfilling position that provides ample opportunity for career growth and personal satisfaction."

Question 74

In the work experience section of your résumé,you should leave out any jobs that do not relate directly to your career objective.

Question 75

If you have a personal webpage or e-portfolio,you should list it on your résumé under "Contact Information."

Question 76

You should always include your college GPA on your résumé.

Question 77

If you have a criminal record,you are required by law to disclose it on your résumé.

Question 78

The education section of your résumé should list courses that have directly equipped you for the job you are seeking and indicate any scholarships,awards,or academic honors you have received.

Question 79

With today's technology,preparing a paper résumé is a waste of time.

Question 80

Not all résumés need to be limited to one page in length.