Deck 11: Communicating in the Job Search

Question 1

You should avoid using italics to emphasize information in a scannable résumé because italics often confuse scanners.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

A functional or skills layout approach to organizing information in a résumé is particularly good for those who have progressed in an orderly and timely fashion through school and work.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

The reverse chronological organizational layout for organizing the information in your résumé presents your education and work experience from the oldest to the most recent.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

A résumé looks balanced and has the greatest appeal when the page has more white space than text.

Question 5

A graduate who takes part in an unpaid internship is more likely to get a job offer than a graduate who undertakes a paid internship.

Question 6

If an intern is still in his or her position and wants to apply for a job, he or she should use simple present tense verbs for duties he or she currently performs.

Question 7

In scannable résumés, you should focus on the use of nouns instead of action verbs.

Question 8

The indirect order is usually preferred over the direct order in presenting the information for negative messages like resignations.

Question 9

To plan your résumé, you will need to analyze your goals, purpose, and audience.

Question 10

In a résumé, your name and contact information should be placed at the bottom of the page.

Question 11

For printed résumés, the ideal type size for headings should be at least 6 to 8 points.

Question 12

Education is an internal factor that needs to be considered when identifying appropriate jobs.

Question 13

The projected job market is an internal factor that needs to be considered when identifying an appropriate job.

Question 14

If you are seeking an internship or just beginning your career, one good possibility is the career center at your school.

Question 15

Generally, the résumé contains all the information presented in the cover letter plus supporting and incidental details.

Question 16

Because the résumé is a listing of information, you should write it without the use of personal pronouns.

Question 17

Because a prospecting (uninvited) cover message is not likely to have competition, it has little need to gain attention in its opening.

Question 18

In an interview, it is not legal to ask questions about a candidate's age or marital status.

Question 19

In a résumé, the most conventional logical grouping is the three-part grouping of "Education," "Experience," and "Skills" or "Interests."

Question 20

Once you have acquired a job, you do not need to update your résumé till you start looking for another job.

Question 21

Which of the following is an external factor that you need to consider when identifying an appropriate job?

A) Your education
B) Your personal qualities
C) Your special qualifications
D) Your work experience
E) Your family needs

Question 22

Which of the following is true of employment agencies?

A) Employment agencies offer their services free of charge.
B) Employment agencies are companies that specialize in finding internships for college students.
C) Employment agencies do not help job seekers gain temporary employment.
D) Employers, not job seekers, have to pay for the services of employment agencies.
E) Employers sometimes pay for the services of employment agencies, usually if qualified applicants are scarce.

Question 23

When identifying appropriate jobs, which of the following factors deserves the most emphasis?

A) The projected job market
B) Work experience in your major field
C) Your education
D) Your personal qualities
E) Your special interests

Question 24

_____ involves job seekers directly approaching potential employers by personal visit, mail, or email.

A) Headhunting
B) Job counseling
C) Sourcing
D) Job consulting
E) Prospecting

Question 25

Which of the following statements is true about obtaining an internship?

A) A student or graduate who takes part in an internship always gets paid for his time, expertise, and labor.
B) A student or graduate who takes part in an unpaid internship is more likely to gain real-world, marketable skills.
C) An internship helps a student or graduate decide if he or she wants to pursue a career in his or her current field.
D) Unlike a paid internship, an unpaid internship carries no value.
E) A student or graduate who takes part in a paid internship is more likely to receive a lower starting salary offer than one who undertakes an unpaid internship.

Question 26

Which of the following is a primary reason why references must not be included unless asked for in a résumé?

A) It is extremely difficult for a person to find someone who will refer him or her.
B) It takes up space that a person could use to sell his or her skills.
C) It is unethical for a person to be selected for a job based on someone's reference.
D) It can always be given at a later point in time by putting "references available upon request" at the bottom of a résumé.
E) It is against the law to hire an individual based on his or her references.

Question 27

When presenting your education in your résumé, you should _____.

A) include details such as your age, religion, and political affiliation
B) provide an explanation if your GPA is low (e.g., you worked 40-hours per week)
C) include your GPA no matter how low it is
D) emphasize grades, projects, honors, or special recognition
E) omit study abroad experiences

Question 28

Employment agencies are _____.

A) companies that only specialize in finding internships for college students
B) agencies that provide financial support to unemployed citizens
C) companies that train students seeking employment
D) companies that specialize in finding jobs for employees
E) the regulatory authorities for employment

Question 29

_____ refer to help-wanted notices in newspapers and professional journals, whether online or in print.

A) Classified advertisements
B) Display advertisements
C) Personal advertisements
D) Cover messages
E) Public notices

Question 30

Which of the following is the first step you should take when searching for a job or an internship?

A) You should analyze the job market.
B) You should analyze yourself.
C) You should analyze your potential employers.
D) You should analyze the job counselor.
E) You should analyze the industry.

Question 31

When preparing a résumé, the logical next step after your information is organized is to _____.

A) include contact information
B) include a statement of objective
C) construct the headings
D) include a goodwill ending
E) select the background facts

Question 32

Which of the following is considered appropriate to include in your résumé when listing personal information?

A) Social activities
B) Gender
C) Marital status
D) Race
E) Religion

Question 33

Which of the following is an internal factor that you need to consider when identifying an appropriate job?

A) The projected job market
B) The economic needs
C) Your special qualifications
D) The current job market
E) Your family needs

Question 34

Authorities who favor the inclusion of a statement of objective in a résumé reason that it _____.

A) helps increase the overall length of the résumé and gives it a more professional look
B) provides a concise summary of the skills and qualifications of the candidate
C) includes information that is not suggested by the remainder of the résumé
D) helps a recruiter see quickly where an applicant might fit into a company
E) limits the applicant to a single position and eliminates consideration for other jobs that may be available

Question 35

In the context of finding an employer, which of the following is true of career centers?

A) Career centers tend to charge for their services.
B) Very few schools have career centers.
C) Career centers primarily attract employers who are looking for experienced applicants for executive positions.
D) Career centers do not maintain databases on registrants' school records, résumés, and recommendations.
E) Most career centers have directories listing major companies with contact names and addresses.

Question 36

After completing her internship, Alyssa decides to search for a job. She decides to begin her search by sending physical copies of her résumé to prospective employers. When describing in her résumé the duties she performed as an intern last summer, she should use _____.

A) action-oriented, present tense verbs
B) action-oriented, past tense verbs
C) verbs in progressive future tense
D) verbs in present continuous tense
E) action-oriented, future tense verbs

Question 37

Which of the following is true of how you should pursue employment opportunities and prepare application documents?

A) You should make contact in person when the distance is not great, and the employer has invited such a contact.
B) When you apply in person, you do not need to carry any written material about yourself.
C) When the distance is great and the employer is not expecting your personal visit, you should call the employer and request an appointment.
D) If you apply in person, your application should be completely in writing, typically consisting of a résumé and a cover message.
E) Most people prefer to use a detailed cover message alone, while very few people select the combination of cover message and résumé.

Question 38

Which of the following is the most common strategy for organizing the information in a résumé?

A) The achievements layout
B) The accomplishments layout
C) The functional layout
D) The reverse chronological organizational layout
E) The skills layout

Question 39

A test that helps match a person's interests to those of others successful in their careers is known as _____.

A) a personality test
B) an intelligence quotient test
C) a reference sheet
D) Myers-Briggs test
E) an interest inventory

Question 40

In the context of finding employers, _____ are commonly used to place experienced people in executive positions.

A) job counselors
B) headhunters
C) campus recruiters
D) personal search agents
E) hiring managers

Question 41

Which of these phrases most effectively presents the idea in a cover message for a marketing job?

A) Studied marketing for three years
B) Took several courses in marketing
C) Studied buyer behavior and marketing analysis
D) Enrolled in three marketing courses this semester
E) Completed a course in marketing last fall

Question 42

Which of the following must be avoided when creating a printed résumé?

A) Leaving space for margins on all sides of the résumé
B) Allotting extra space between subdivisions and indented patterns for subparts
C) Using different font styles for every different items on the résumé
D) Formatting the résumé for readability and visual appeal
E) Listing items by rows and columns if the items are short

Question 43

Which of the following is the best way to begin an unsolicited cover letter?

A) At the suggestion of Ms. Deborah James of your staff, I am sending the following summary of my qualifications for work as your financial manager.
B) I've always wanted to work for this company, and so I'm writing to apply for the position of financial manager.
C) I would like to work as your financial manager. I have sufficient experience in the field, and I'm an efficient worker.
D) Since I have the necessary qualifications and experience for the job, I would like to work as the financial manager of your company.
E) Do you require a financial manager? If so, I'm exactly the person you're looking for. My qualifications for work are listed in the following summary.

Question 44

In the context of writing a cover message, which of the following sentences is the best way to present your work experience?

A) I held a position as sales manager for three years.
B) As a sales manager for three years, I supervised the work of 12 representatives covering a four-state area.
C) You will be pleased to know that I held the title of sales manager for three years.
D) I have had three years of experience as a sales manager during which I fulfilled various other duties.
E) From 2003-2006, over a period of three years, I was employed as a sales manager by the same employer.

Question 45

Which of the following strategies should you use to improve your chances of having your scannable résumé retrieved and reviewed?

A) Avoid using white paper and always print your résumé in the landscape mode.
B) Use shading and graphics to highlight important details in your résumé.
C) Represent the information in your résumé using fonts between 6 and 10 points.
D) Consciously work to integrate keywords into your résumé.
E) Use italics rather than using all caps for emphasizing the text in your résumé.

Question 46

Select the best choice for the action sought in a prospecting cover message written to a company 900 miles away.

A) Request for the job.
B) Persuade the reader to contact your references.
C) Invite the reader to engage in further communication.
D) Request for salary details.
E) Request the reader to take a suitable decision.

Question 47

Which section of a general cover letter matches a person's qualifications to the reader's needs?

A) The introduction
B) The conclusion
C) The references
D) The body
E) The salutation

Question 48

Which section of a cover letter requests action such as an interview and provides contact information that makes a response easy?

A) The introduction
B) The body
C) The conclusion
D) The reference sheet
E) The salutation

Question 49

Which of the following is the primary purpose of an email cover message?

A) It requests for an interview.
B) It identifies the exact nature of the job.
C) It invites a reader to review the message.
D) It highlights the personal information of an applicant.
E) It highlights the qualifications for the job one is applying for.

Question 50

Which of the following is recommended for emphasizing text in a scannable résumé?

A) The use of bold letters
B) The use of italics
C) The use of graphics
D) The use of capital letters
E) The use of shading

Question 51

When writing cover messages, you must _____.

A) present your facts in reader-viewpoint whenever practical
B) avoid presenting information about yourself in an order based on the job requirements
C) use I-references as much as possible
D) avoid using the you-viewpoint
E) present your information using the we-viewpoint

Question 52

For printed résumés, the most appropriate type size is _____.

A) 12 to 14 points for headings and 10 to 12 points for body text
B) 18 to 20 points for the heading and 6 to 8 points for body text
C) 10 to 12 points for the heading and 18 to 20 points for body text
D) 10 points for the heading and 10 points for body text
E) 20 to 30 points for the heading and 10 to 20 points for body text

Question 53

In the context of organizing information in a résumé, the functional layout is also known as the _____ and is good for those who have taken nontraditional career paths.

A) reverse chronological organizational layout
B) skills layout
C) accomplishments layout
D) achievements layout
E) combined layout

Question 54

If you are an interviewer, which of the following questions does the law permit you to ask?

A) What religion do you practice?
B) How old are you?
C) Are you married?
D) Do you plan to have children?
E) How much are you expecting to get paid?

Question 55

When organizing the information in a résumé, which of the following is true of a functional or skills layout?

A) It features a "Highlights" or "Summary" section that includes key points from the three conventional information groups: education, experience, and personal qualities.
B) It is particularly good for those who have had many jobs, have taken nontraditional career paths, or who are changing fields.
C) It presents your education and work experience from the oldest to the most recent.
D) It is particularly good for those who have progressed in an orderly and timely fashion through school and work.
E) It is the most common strategy for organizing the information a résumé.

Question 56

The purpose of an introduction in a cover letter is to _____.

A) provide a brief summary of the job seeker's interest and qualifications
B) match the qualifications of the job seeker to the reader's needs
C) request action for an interview
D) provide contact information for further communication
E) display information with the intention of persuading the reader

Question 57

Which of the following is the best opening for an invited or solicited message?

A) My specialized training in social media marketing strategies and experience in the advertising industry qualify me for the social media marketing manager position listed on your company's website.
B) I have attached a résumé along with this letter that extensively covers my education and work experience, and I am sure they will make me eligible for one of the positions in the firm.
C) I would like to apply for an internship at your firm. I have strong academic credentials and references that support my request for an internship. I would like to point out that I am very keen to work for your company to the extent that I am willing to do an unpaid internship in an area of my interest.
D) I have attached a résumé for a possible job offer from your company.
E) I can assure you that I am well suited to work for your company because of my experience, education, and personal qualities.

Question 58

A(n) _____ is written in response to an actual job opening.

A) solicited cover letter
B) thank-you message
C) prospecting cover message
D) follow-up message
E) unsolicited cover message

Question 59

Rather showing that you developed one skill on one job and another skill on another job, you can use the _____, a strategy for organizing information on a résumé that groups related skills and is particularly good for those who have had many jobs.

A) combined layout
B) reverse chronological organizational layout
C) accomplishments layout
D) functional layout
E) targeted layout

Question 60

Which of the following phrases in a résumé is not in the same parallel grammatical form as the others?

A) Developed marketing materials
B) Coordinated employees' schedules
C) Communicated with vendors
D) Was responsible for training employees
E) Organized a charity softball event

Question 61

Before appearing for an interview, you should _____.

A) memorize detailed explanations for the answers to common interview questions
B) dress in clothes that express your personality and style
C) not waste time in preparing answers beforehand
D) let your emotions flow so that the interviewer can see your true colors
E) put yourself at ease and stay calm throughout the interview

Question 62

Briefly explain the plan along which a cover letter is organized.

Question 63

Which of the following questions would be asked as part of a behavioral interview?

A) Why do you think we should hire you for this job?
B) Are you comfortable working night shifts?
C) How will you tackle a project with a deadline that you're sure you can't meet on your own?
D) You have an excellent college record, but how does it translate into you being an efficient employee?
E) Where do you see yourself five years from now?

Question 64

Which of the following is true about a resignation letter?

A) A resignation can be offered only in one form, either written or oral.
B) A resignation letter should point out the company's faults.
C) You should justify your resignation by citing negative past working experiences in your message.
D) A resignation letter should not be written in the direct order.
E) The indirect order is usually the best strategy for writing a resignation letter.

Question 65

Explain how a person can participate effectively in an interview.

Question 66

What are the internal factors to be considered when searching for a job?

Question 67

The following job-search message is an example of a _____. "Dear Mr. Hwang: Thank you for your generous job offer at your firm. However, as I mentioned during the course of my interview, I am keen on pursuing a career in nanotechnology. After much thought, I have decided to accept a job at a firm that offers extensive opportunities in the field. I appreciate the time and the courteous treatment you gave me. Sincerely"

A) thank-you message following an interview
B) follow-up to an application
C) letter of resignation
D) job acceptance message
E) rejection of a job offer

Question 68

Once a job has been secured, which of the following activities should be avoided?

A) Keeping a finger on the pulse of the job market
B) Updating a résumé only when applying for a new job
C) Keeping up on one's professional reading
D) Assessing and acquiring different skills required for the job
E) Staying alert to better job opportunities

Question 69

Explain how the use of the Internet or the Web has affected the job-search process.

Question 70

Explain how career centers can be useful for students seeking an internship or a job.

Question 71

Explain the general layout of a thank-you message following an interview.

Question 72

Describe how to maintain job-search activities once a job has been secured.

Question 73

List the steps involved in constructing a résumé.

Question 74

Describe the importance of taking part in internships during the process of one's job search.

Question 75

Which of the following should be avoided by an applicant when preparing for or attending an interview?

A) Investigating the company
B) Making a good appearance
C) Not asking the interviewer any questions
D) putting himself or herself at ease
E) Anticipating questions

Question 76

Describe the reverse chronological organizational layout for organizing information in a résumé.