Deck 9: Workplace Communication

Question 1

What is emotional labor? Provide an example.

Answer 1

Answers will vary.

Question 2

What are the differences between formal and informal communication?

Answer 2

Answers will vary.

Question 3

Describe strategic ambiguity. Provide an example.

Answer 3

Answers will vary.

Question 4

Define integration orientation and provide an example of an organization with an integration orientation.

Question 5

Discuss at least one strategy mentioned in the textbook for conducting a job search.

Question 6

Explain how organizational communication helps us to create structure, create order, and achieve personal goals.

Question 7

Why should you, as the interviewee, be prepared to ask questions effectively and ethically?

Question 8

Write an essay explaining why self-inventory is an important step in employment interview preparation.

Question 9

Explain the different types of communication that occur in formal communication.

Question 10

Describe the four types of workplace aggression.

Question 11

What can you do to adequately preplan for an interview?

Question 12

Discuss at least three of the suggestions for writing style you should use when preparing your résumé.

Question 13

Explain what immediacy is and why it is important for effective workplace communication.

Question 14

Define pattern-maintenance orientation and provide an example of an organization with that orientation.

Question 15

Why is it important to create a personal network? Give some strategies for developing your network.

Question 16

What are the five approaches to conflict management?
Avoidance, competition, compromise, accommodation, collaboration

Question 17

Define and give an example of formal communication.

Question 18

Explain the difference between quid pro quo harassment and a hostile work environment.

Question 19

Explain why knowledge of a job description is important when preparing for a job interview.

Question 20

Discuss the characteristics of informal communication. How can informal communication affect an organization?

Question 21

Describe the four sections of a well-developed cover letter.

Question 22

Strategic ambiguity in workplace communication is the purposeful use of symbols that allow multiple interpretations.

Question 23

Hostile work environments are detrimental to all who work in them, both male and female.

Question 24

How can employers ensure that interview questions do not violate EEO laws?

Question 25

Legal institutions such as the Supreme Court are organizations with the goal of integration.

Question 26

Telling sexist jokes in workplace is a form of quid pro quo harassment.

Question 27

What are effective steps to take in the post-interview stage?

Question 28

Discuss the three objectives of presenting yourself during a job interview.

Question 29

The president of a company sending a memo to all workers is an example of horizontal communication.

Question 30

If we use immediacy in workplace communication, we intend to create perceptions of psychological closeness with others.

Question 31

Emotional labor can be fiscally rewarding for an organization.

Question 32

Emotional labor can lead to burnout and low job satisfaction for employees.

Question 33

How should you make the decision to use a chronological or functional résumé format?

Question 34

Supportive communicators listen with empathy but usually are poor at acknowledging the feelings of others.

Question 35

Two tellers at a bank sharing tips for effective customer service interactions is an example of horizontal communication.

Question 36

Among the five approaches to managing conflict is the "surrender" approach, whereby you give up the conflict.

Question 37

Managers who want to effectively persuade their employees should not engage in strategic ambiguity because using that tactic tends to upset less experienced employees.

Question 38

Describe the concept of personal brand. Specifically, why is it important to your job search, and how do you establish it?

Question 39

Competition is an approach to managing conflict that views conflict as a "battle" to be won.

Question 40

Describe the general areas of content that should be included in your résumé.

Question 41

Informal communication consists of all of the following EXCEPT

A) the grapevine.
B) emergent networks.
C) natural social interactions.
D) downward communication.

Question 42

Conditions in the workplace that are sexually offensive or intimidating are known as

A) quid pro quo.
B) hostile.
C) unacceptable.
D) normal.

Question 43

Action verbs are a strong means of communicating completed tasks on a résumé.

Question 44

Formal communication consists of all the following EXCEPT

A) the grapevine.
B) horizontal communication.
C) upward communication.
D) downward communication.

Question 45

Your résumé should have a clear articulation of your goals, also known as an objective statement.

Question 46

Acme company has a mission statement that is open to interpretation. Many stakeholders identify with it. Their mission statement is

A) validated.
B) ambiguous.
C) interactive.
D) informational.

Question 47

A thank you note should be sent one week after the interview.

Question 48

A school is what type of organization?

A) political
B) integration
C) pattern-maintenance
D) economic production

Question 49

A conflict management style that involves negotiation is also known as

A) avoidance.
B) competition.
C) compromise.
D) accommodation.

Question 50

In competent workplace communication, frustration and anger are representative examples of relationship maintenance.

Question 51

The ways in which groups of people both maintain structure and order through their symbolic interactions refers to

A) downward communication.
B) group communication.
C) organizational communication.
D) public communication.

Question 52

If an employer asks you "What traits do you possess that you feel will be an asset to this company?" this would be considered a "bona fide occupational qualification question."

Question 53

A personal brand is how you manage the identity of another person.

Question 54

Everything asked during a job interview should relate to BFOQs.

Question 55

Equal employment opportunity laws help ensure that individuals are selected without bias.

Question 56

Messages between organizational members of the same power level are best described as

A) formal.
B) informal.
C) upward.
D) horizontal.

Question 57

The organizing category of competent workplace communication is accomplished through discussion of schedules.

Question 58

Engaging in interaction management helps establish a smooth flow between topics and ideas.

Question 59

Which of the following statements about emotional labor is NOT true?

A) Emotional labor can benefit the organization.
B) Emotional labor can benefit the client.
C) Emotional labor can decrease turnover.
D) Emotional labor can decrease job satisfaction.

Question 60

The army is what type of organization?

A) economic production
B) political
C) pattern maintenance
D) integration

Question 61

EEO legislation states that interview questions must be related to

A) personal characteristics.
B) protected class.
C) bona fide occupational qualifications.
D) reasonable public information.

Question 62

During an interview for a waitress job, Mr. Mitchell (the interviewer) asks Kelly (the interviewee) if she is married or has any children. This is a violation of the requirement to limit questions to those regarding

A) personal characteristics.
B) protected classes.
C) bona fide occupational qualifications.
D) reasonable public accommodations.

Question 63

Which of the following is NOT a general interviewing strategy?

A) Demonstrate competence.
B) Ask and answer questions effectively and ethically.
C) Be prepared to discuss salary at your interview.
D) Preplan for the interview.

Question 64

Which category of workplace communication competence involves the sending and receiving of job-related content with others?

A) immediacy
B) information sharing
C) strategic ambiguity
D) organizing

Question 65

Engaging in small talk is a representative behavior illustrating which type of workplace communication competence?

A) information sharing
B) organizing
C) strategic ambiguity
D) relationship maintenance

Question 66

Your cover letter should have which four main sections?

A) need, integration, support, intent
B) support, balance, desire, achievements
C) interest, balance, participation, application
D) attention, interest, desire, action

Question 67

Which of the following statements about résumé writing style is NOT accurate?

A) You should quantify information.
B) You should use the pronoun "I."
C) You should not mix bullets and other stylistic devices.
D) You should be concise in your wording.

Question 68

Angela tells Richard that he will not receive a raise unless he agrees to give her a massage. This is what type of sexual harassment?

A) submissive
B) quid pro quo
C) hostile environment
D) matriarchal

Question 69

When you organize your experiences by type, which type of résumé are you using?

A) functional
B) chronological
C) spatial
D) problem-based