Deck 13: Preparing Résumés and Application Letters

Question 1

La'Shon is hoping to obtain a job in broadcasting and plans to send his résumé to a variety of media organizations. He should make his résumé as convincing as possible but should not send a video to avoid possible discrimination due to gender, ethnicity, or other characteristics.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

Daphne is applying for a job as an interior designer and would like to supplement her standard résumé with illustrations of projects she has completed; she should prepare a professional portfolio.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Friends, relatives, and neighbors make good job references because they know the candidate well and can personalize their recommendations.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

Which of the following is the longest-used method for locating a job?

A) Electronic networks
B) Monster.com
C) Employment agencies and contractors
D) Corporate websites

Question 5

Completing a self-, career-, and job analysis will assist you in the employment process by

A) identifying your qualifications as they relate to an employer's needs.
B) ensuring that you have selected the right career.
C) comparing your qualifications to the duties and responsibilities of the job you are seeking.
D) achieving all of the above.

Question 6

An effective résumé summarizes the career-related strengths and weaknesses of the job applicant.

Question 7

A letter of application should be biographical and trace the accomplishments (education, jobs, etc.) of the applicant in chronological order.

Question 8

When preparing a scannable résumé, it is advisable for the applicant to use creative formats that simulate catalogs or newspaper columns to set the résumé apart visually from many others that will be received.

Question 9

On the initial scan, an employer typically reads each résumé carefully, looking for reasons to pursue the applicant.

Question 10

Electronic job searches are popular with human resource departments because

A) the search costs are lower than traditional methods.
B) job candidates are more anonymous.
C) jobs can be filled more quickly.
D) interviews are unnecessary.

Question 11

Which of the following statements BEST summarizes the role of online job searching?

A) Job seekers in the current job market can give up traditional means of searching for jobs and concentrate solely on online job search techniques.
B) Online employment search capabilities extend the range of possibilities previously available to the job seeker.
C) Online job searching is a trend that can be expected to further lose popularity over time.
D) Online job searching is important for technical job seekers in computer-related fields, but not for mainstream job seekers.

Question 12

Both paper and electronic résumés should be accompanied by an application message or cover letter.

Question 13

Paul is using the Internet to locate job opportunities. Which of the following will be the MOST effective way to access information on available jobs through a Google search?

A) Input the job title sought.
B) Type in "job search."
C) Start with a wider job description term, then narrow down.
D) Avoid using other search engines.

Question 14

Jobs included in the work experience section of a résumé may be listed in chronological order or in order of job relatedness.

Question 15

A scannable résumé can be categorized and ranked by the employer based on the number of key word matches found.

Question 16

Networking both electronically and in person is important to gaining job leads and career counseling.

Question 17

What is the best attitude to have regarding finding a job?

A) Finding a job is a process.
B) Finding a job is a matter of luck.
C) Finding a job is an event.
D) Finding a job is not necessary; one will come to you.

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT one of the steps in the research phase of a job search?

A) Gather relevant information for decision-making.
B) Prepare a company/job profile.
C) Send application letters to prospective employers.
D) Identify key qualifications that enhance your marketability.

Question 19

A job applicant should complete an assessment of the career field and the particular job before preparing a résumé.

Question 20

A career summary section on your résumé has become a standard section in today's information age.

Question 21

By sending unsolicited application letters,

A) you decrease the possibility of finding employers who have employment needs.
B) you save on your copying and postage costs of job searching.
C) you alert employers to needs not previously identified for someone with your abilities.
D) you are able to be more specific in the opening paragraph.

Question 22

Which of the following is the BEST suggestion for preparing an employment video?

A) Avoid segments that reflect you in a variety of activities.
B) Avoid talking about your skills.
C) Do not advertise your employment video to protect your privacy.
D) Make sure the video has a professional appearance that compliments you.

Question 23

While e-portfolios and employment videos are helpful in communicating a person's qualifications and abilities, their use may also

A) enable the potential employer not to stereotype.
B) eliminate potential illegal discrimination.
C) encourage the potential employer to focus on your physical characteristics.
D) result in all of the above.

Question 24

Which of the following descriptions of duties in the work experience section of a résumé is most effective?

A) Responsible for all point-of-sale floor displays.
B) Set up floor displays.
C) Created eye-catching floor displays with minimal financial resources.
D) My merchandising team constructed point-of-sale floor displays.

Question 25

Katina is formatting a scannable version of her resume for her job search. She should

A) italicize business, school, and college names.
B) use bullets rather than headings to differentiate the sections of the resume.
C) stay with a plain design with no special formatting.
D) keep white space to a minimum to make scanning simpler and less time consuming.

Question 26

A résumé summarizes information related to a job's requirements; the application message

A) adds exact details needed for processing payroll and benefits.
B) summarizes how the company can benefit the applicant.
C) should be omitted unless specifically requested.
D) interprets the résumé in terms of employer benefits.

Question 27

Adam is back in the job market after five years of employment at his former company. What should he emphasize most in his résumé?

A) His work experience
B) His education
C) His salary history
D) His professional affiliations

Question 28

To accommodate different employers' preferences for the presentation and delivery of résumés, a person should prepare

A) a paper résumé.
B) an electronic résumé.
C) a computer scannable résumé.
D) all of the above.

Question 29

The organizational plan for an application message is most like that of a

A) routine news message to staff about a company matter.
B) congratulatory message to a colleague or customer.
C) request for colleagues to contribute to a charity.
D) good-news message to customers concerning a price reduction.

Question 30

Chen is searching for a job and has prepared a thorough résumé that includes the customary sections, plus information related to his volunteer work and foreign travel. Including these "extras" has caused his résumé to be two pages in length. What advice would you give him?

A) If including the extra information will likely increase his chances of getting an interview, he should leave it in, regardless of whether it takes two pages.
B) He should cut enough information to keep the résumé length to one page.
C) He should leave the information in the résumé; just change the margin and font so that it all fits on one page.
D) Don't worry about length; it is unimportant in résumé design.

Question 31

You are organizing your résumé for a highly competitive summer internship with an accounting firm. You believe your education is your strongest qualification because your work experience has been seasonal jobs at minimum wage. You also believe that your abilities, interests, and character are qualities that closely parallel the job description supplied by the business. What type of résumé would be LEAST preferred for conveying your strengths?

A) Chronological
B) Functional
C) Chrono-functional
D) All are equally preferred.

Question 32

A letter of application or application email message ideally should be addressed to

A) a specific individual.
B) the human resources department.
C) whom it may concern.
D) the company.

Question 33

Which of the following is FALSE concerning the chronological résumé?

A) It is the traditional organization format for résumés.
B) Reverse chronological order for dates is typical in this type of résumé, although it is not always effective.
C) It is especially effective for applicants who have gaps in employment or who have held various types of jobs.
D) It can emphasize either education or experience.

Question 34

When formatting a scannable version of your résumé,

A) italicize business, school and college names.
B) use shading to differentiate the sections of the résumé.
C) stay with a plain design with no special formatting.
D) keep white space to a minimum and a small font to keep to one page.

Question 35

Evan is preparing a vésumé for posting to YouTube. Which of the following should he avoid in preparing his video?

A) Keep the image steady by using a camera tripod.
B) Avoid light behind him that casts shadows.
C) Turn up the camera microphone for high quality sound.
D) Solicit the help of someone with film experience.

Question 36

Including complete information about your references on a résumé

A) is necessary, since employers check references before scheduling interviews.
B) is optional, since a list of references can typically be provided after a successful interview.
C) is inappropriate, because the list takes up needed space.
D) is illegal since contacting persons for recommendations before an interview is an invasion of privacy.

Question 37

Which one of the following statements is FALSE concerning a job objective?

A) A job objective helps the interviewer determine if what you have to offer matches the job the company has to offer.
B) A job objective should be specific to one job.
C) Some experts say that a job objective may limit your job opportunities.
D) A job objective should reveal your career goal.

Question 38

Which is true concerning the format for electronic résumés?

A) Some employers prefer that you send your résumé as an inline document rather than an attachment.
B) Unless a certain software format is specified, it's best to send the document as a plain text version.
C) You should send yourself and a couple of friends a copy of the résumé to see if it looks correct on different computers.
D) All are true.

Question 39

Alicia has developed a standard resume for her job search for a technical writing position. Which of the following would be the MOST useful additional tool for communicating her qualifications?

A) An e-portfolio
B) A college transcript
C) A video recording
D) A personal brochure

Question 40

An employer is likely to interpret a writing style or punctuation error on your résumé or letter of application as an indication that

A) you pay little attention to detail and do your work hastily.
B) you have shortcomings in basic education.
C) you lack pride or respect.
D) all of the above are true.

Question 41

Developing a Professional Profile
An increasing number of job applicants are developing an electronic portfolio that is posted to the applicant's personal website. Austin McClain is a recent graduate with an M.P.A. degree in accounting. He needs to write a professional profile for his electronic portfolio that highlights his accomplishments that include the following:
Austin wants a job working with a large international accounting firm as part of a first-year audit staff. He actually has auditing experience resulting from a summer internship with a Dallas accounting firm. He knows how to work with ERP systems, ACL, database, and spreadsheet software. Austin has developed a fluency in Spanish which will be advantageous for working with international clients. As a student, he has been active in Beta Alpha Psy, the honorary accounting society, and several other organizations, where he held leadership positions. He has developed strong skills in writing and speaking.
Required:
Write a professional profile for Austin McClain suitable for posting to his electronic portfolio.

Question 42

Describe three steps in the research phase of a job search.

Question 43

List five sources for finding prospective employers; give one advantage and one disadvantage of each source.

Question 44

Franz is sending a résumé to an advertising agency that has advertised in his local newspaper for a copywriter. Which of the following would make the best closing sentence for the application letter?

A) "May I have an appointment with you on March 8?"
B) "I hope you will consider me for the position of copywriter."
C) "I would appreciate an opportunity to discuss how I can benefit Acme Corporation in the copywriter position."
D) "You may call me at your earliest convenience at 616-555-0485."

Question 45

Describe the three versions of your resume that you will need to accommodate various employers' preferences for the presentation and delivery.

Question 46

Which of the following would be the BEST opening sentence for an application letter for a sales trainee job that was advertised on a company website?

A) Your job posting for an entry-level salesperson describes my background and education quite accurately.
B) I believe that my education (I majored in marketing) and work experience (I worked as a sales clerk the last three summers) come fairly close to the qualifications that you listed in your job posting for a sporting goods salesperson.
C) Please consider me a candidate for the sales trainee position you posted on your career opportunities web page.
D) After reading about the exciting opportunity available at KayStar, I am determined to join this exciting team and desire the chance to convince you that my educational background, leadership abilities, and internship experience qualify me for a sales position with your firm.

Question 47

Juanita is a new college graduate involved in the job search process. What advice will you give her concerning the physical appearance of résumés and accompanying application letters she will mail to potential employers?

A) Color and type of paper can vary between the two documents.
B) A one-page format is typically recommended for both documents.
C) Most employers will overlook slight errors in punctuation, but spelling should be perfect.
D) All of the above

Question 48

Marisol wants to know the best way to let the recipient of her application letter know that her résumé is included. Which of the following would you advise?

A) All that is necessary is an enclosure notation after the signature block.
B) Include the following in the second half of the letter: "The enclosed résumé details my responsibilities as office manager at Carson Office Systems, a job that gave me the opportunity to experience some of the situations you described in your ad."
C) Include the following sentence in the opening paragraph: "A résumé is attached that fully details each qualification I have acquired."
D) Include as a final sentence: "See the enclosed résumé for further details."

Question 49

Discuss five guidelines for producing a résumé for posting to YouTube.

Question 50

Which of the following is the BEST way to respond in your application letter to requested information related to salary expectation?

A) I expect to make between $40,000 and $45,000 due to my education and experience.
B) At my interview, we can discuss salary and other benefits.
C) While I am aware that the starting salary for account auditors in the southwest region is $42,000, we can discuss specifics concerning what my qualifications are worth to you at the interview.
D) As I have not yet held a full-time position, I'm not sure what would be a fair salary.

Question 51

List three ways to organize a résumé and describe when each résumé is appropriate.

Question 52

Concise Language Adds Punch to a Resume
Interviewers quickly scan a resume in about 40 seconds to learn about a job candidate's skills, accomplishments, and attributes. Because interviewers spend such a short time reading resumes, the writing must be direct and simple. Victor, a recent college graduate, is applying for a job and has written the following sentences in his résumé to describe his accomplishments.
I was a receptionist at a doctor's family medical practice.
My work included taking appointments, filing charts, answering phones, and running errands.
I was a sales person at a hardware store where I worked with selling windows, doors, tools and other customer service.
I eventually became a manager at the hardware store, ordering products and supplies, as well as supervised five employees.
I spent two summers working at the university's admission office, showing prospective students the campus and answering phones and other clerical duties.
I was a summer camp counselor with kids that have special needs. My responsibilities included handling special activities and providing daily assistance to kids as needed.
Required:
Rewrite Victor's work experience section of his résumé so that it is more effective.