Deck 15: Searching for Jobs

Question 1

The first step in the job search process is to analyze yourself and your professional qualifications. Discuss what you are required to do during this step of the job search process.

Answer 1

The first step in the job search process is to analyze yourself and your professional qualifications. You need to consider what kind of work interests you and what qualifications you have that would help you perform that particular work.
a) Career goals: To determine your career goals, ask yourself these questions: What professional position, if any, do I have now? What position do I want when I complete my course of study? What position do I want two years from now? What position do I want five years from now? These are the basic questions many people use to create a five-year plan, a fundamental building block in career planning.
b) Education: Think about how education affects your career goals by asking yourself these questions: What courses, degrees, or training have prepared me for my career goals? Can I achieve my career goals with the education I now have? Do I need additional courses to qualify for the position I want? Will I need additional education and training for the position I want in the future?
c) Experience: Analyze your work experience by asking yourself these questions: What work experience do I have that is related to the position I want? How is this experience related to my career goals? If I do not have related experience, how can I acquire such experience? Do I have additional experience that will demonstrate a successful work history? Did I complete an internship?
d) Personal characteristics: Define your personal characteristics by asking yourself these questions: What are my major strengths and weaknesses? Do I enjoy working with figures, computers, or people, or a combination of these? Do I like variety? Do I want responsibility? Do I like challenges and problem solving? Would I accept a position that offers advancement but frequently requires overtime? What do I like to do?
e) Your ideal job: The next step is to become very specific. Begin by describing your ideal potential employer and the position you would want with that firm. It is okay to dream a little when writing this description-your goal is to determine the type of position you want.
Compare your description of your ideal company and position with your analyses of your goals, education, experience, and personal characteristics to see how the two sets of information fit. If almost every category is in harmony with the others, proceed to the next step. If your personal assessment and the description of your ideal position and company do not agree, however, work through both sets of information again to decide where you should make changes.
For example, you may learn that the type of job you want as a computer programmer exists, but the available positions are in southern California, and you were hoping to work in Texas. Should you stick to your original plan or rethink your choices? You must consider your choices and establish your priorities. This leads to the second step in the job search: assessing the job market. Look for connections as you examine your career goals, education, experience, personal characteristics, and your ideal job. Similarities can indicate a potential career path.

Question 2

How do college placement centers help students in their job search process?

Answer 2

Most educational institutions have placement offices whose career counselors are eager to assist students in finding a position. Besides listing employment requests from area businesses, career counselors often coordinate job fairs that bring potential employers to the campus to interview students. Career counselors often arrange for students to attend regional job fairs. Regional job fairs attract a larger number of employers and are open to students from many schools.
A comprehensive placement center would offer workshops on résumé preparation and interviewing techniques. These placement centers can also serve as the disbursement center for employment-related credentials that each student selects to be sent to prospective employers. These credentials would include a résumé, a list of references, and an unofficial transcript. Many career placement centers offer software programs which help you make career decisions, as well as books, pamphlets, and magazines related to current employment trends. These centers can also assist in researching employers.
Often, career counselors can help students get a part-time job while they are in school. Many college placement centers offer to help students long after they graduate.

Question 3

Discuss the ways through which you can establish your own professional contact network of friends and acquaintances in the business world.

Answer 3

Personal and professional contacts often provide leads for job opportunities that are not advertised. You can establish your own professional contact network of friends and acquaintances in the business world using the following tips:
a) Join the College Affiliate of Civic and Professional Organizations: The Rotary Club sponsors Rotaract-its collegiate organization-on many campuses, and International Management Accountants (IMA) encourages student participation in its organization.
b) Use every opportunity to mingle with professionals in your chosen field: When you hear a guest speaker at a conference, be sure to talk with the speaker after the presentation. Introduce yourself, express your appreciation for the speaker's time and expertise, and comment on some specific point that was made during the presentation.
c) Arrange to meet professionals who are affiliated in some way with your college: Find out if the department in your major has an advisory board or a similar group. You might suggest holding a reception that gives students the opportunity to interact with members of this group.
d) Acquire work experience through internships, summer jobs, and part-time employment: In addition to the work experience positions like these provide, you have an opportunity to develop relationships with professionals who can serve as mentors and employment references. You also develop links to other employers who might have positions available that match your qualifications. Internships and temporary employment situations give you a chance to see if a career in a particular field is right for you.
e) Build cordial relationships with the business professionals with whom you work: Through your job performance, impress upon the employer your willingness to accept new assignments and to work as a team member. Many employers use internships and temporary employment situations to determine the potential temporary employees possess for permanent employment.
f)Use a personal business card for networking or for chance meetings with potential employers. Offer someone your business card when it is inappropriate or inconvenient to give someone your résumé. Selecting the appropriate time to offer your card is essential.

Question 4

Differentiate between placement agencies and employment contractors.

Question 5

Discuss the major sections to be included in your résumé.

Question 6

How do chronological résumés differ from functional résumés?

Question 7

How has technology made assessing job applicants easier for companies?

Question 8

There is no one best opening for an application letter. Explain, with examples, how you would adapt the opening of your application letter in three different situations to suit your needs.

Question 9

Define a portfolio and describe the items that may be found in a portfolio.

Question 10

With the help of examples, discuss the ways in which you can introduce your portfolio during a job interview.

Question 11

The _____ refers to job opportunities that are not advertised in the traditional venues, such as newspapers or journals.

Question 12

An _____ is a temporary position that lets one gain experience and lets the employer observe the person as a prospective employee.

Question 13

New college graduates do not use _____ résumés because they are only appropriate when someone has a steady work history and work experience in their field of interest.

Question 14

_____ résumés, which are also called skills résumés, highlight professional skills and related accomplishments and deemphasize work history.

Question 15

Employment _____ supply personnel on a temporary basis for a give company's specific requests and needs.

Question 16

In traditional résumés, the emphasis is on action verbs, whereas with _____ résumés the emphasis is on keywords and nouns.

Question 17

The _____, often called a cover letter, is a companion document to your résumé and list of references.

Question 18

_____ are used by employers to ask for details about a prospective employee's education, work experience, and references.

Question 19

Application forms from employers have a place at the end for your _____.

Question 20

_____ are folders or notebooks that contain your résumé, references, a copy of diplomas and certificates, transcript of grades, perfect attendance award, and document examples from a job or internship.

Question 21

Job openings in the hidden job market are primarily filled through:

A) word-of-mouth contacts.
B) newspaper advertisements.
C) journal announcements.
D) television advertisements.

Question 22

Which of the following best illustrates a job opening being filled in a hidden job market?

A) Naomi found a job as an assistant fashion designer through a friend who works as a fashion photographer for a company.
B) Nathan found a job in a multinational company after he applied for it on the company's Web site.
C) Carla found a sales job in a departmental store through an advertisement in the local newspaper.
D) Walter found a job as a marketing executive in an automobile company through a private employment agency.

Question 23

Which of the following statements is True of placement agencies?

A) They focus solely on filling managerial jobs for companies.
B) They only guarantee temporary jobs to their members.
C) They charge a fee for their services.
D) They are run by colleges to assist their students in finding jobs.

Question 24

Jacob is preparing his portfolio to apply for accounting and finance jobs after graduation. Which of the following items will not be included in Jacob's portfolio?

A) A list of references
B) An application form
C) A résumé
D) A title page

Question 25

Mark is currently employed as a quality analyst at a consumer electronics company. A highly renowned company has advertised that it needs an experienced quality analyst for its new manufacturing unit. Mark has always wanted to be a part of this organization because of its name. Which of the following would be the most appropriate way for Mark to express his position objective in his résumé to the new company?

A) A job position that promises job security and empowerment
B) A career that promises good salary and incentive
C) A quality analyst position at a company
D) A position as a quality analyst in the area of consumer electronics

Question 26

Which of the following statements is True with regard to presenting your portfolio during an interview with a potential employer?

A) Your portfolio should monopolize the interview time.
B) Interviewers will ask if they want to see your portfolio.
C) Do not mention your portfolio until the end of the interview.
D) You may have to narrate the discussion as you present your portfolio items.

Question 27

Which of the following is an effective practice with regard to a résumé?

A) Attaching the name and address of your relative in the résumé if asked for a reference
B) Using the statement "References supplied upon request" if you are taking your résumé with you to an interview
C) Providing only the grade point average of your major course if the overall grade point average is less than ideal
D) Listing your most recent education last in the education section of the résumé if you have attained several degrees

Question 28

Your list of references in your résumé should NOT include:

A) an instructor from your field of interest.
B) a favorite relative who knows you well.
C) a former employer or supervisor.
D) a current colleague who knows you personally.

Question 29

A chronological résumé is used primarily to highlight a job applicant's:

A) professional skills.
B) list of references.
C) educational qualifications.
D) work history.

Question 30

Which of the following is an ineffective practice in formatting a résumé?

A) Stapling the application letter and résumé together
B) Using headings with bold or capital letters
C) Listing your education in reverse chronological order
D) Including a career objective at the beginning

Question 31

Which of the following is an effective practice in formatting a résumé?

A) Providing personal information, such as name and address, at the end
B) Stapling the application letter and résumé together
C) Using a large font, such as 14-point type, for headings
D) Listing your education in chronological order, most recent last

Question 32

When preparing a résumé in a format compatible with computers, fax machines, and scanners, the _____ should be the second line of text in the résumé.

A) applicant's name
B) date of submission
C) salutation
D) career objective

Question 33

When preparing a résumé in a format compatible with computers, photocopiers, and scanners, it is advisable to:

A) use bullets instead of asterisks in the résumé.
B) minimize the use of abbreviations in the résumé.
C) print the résumé on both sides of the paper.
D) use right justification to align the text in the résumé.

Question 34

Which of the following is best avoided when preparing a scannable résumé?

A) Grouping keywords in a separate paragraph at the end
B) Using italics, script, or underlined text
C) Printing the résumé on a laser printer
D) Aligning the text at the left margin

Question 35

The main purpose of a(n) _____ is to highlight your most important qualifications and to persuade an employer to grant you a personal interview for the job position.

A) cover letter
B) adjustment letter
C) collection letter
D) claim letter

Question 36

Which of the following need NOT be stated in the first paragraph of an application letter to a company?

A) Your intent to apply for a position with the company
B) The salary you expect from the company
C) How you learned about the position you are applying for
D) The position for which you are applying

Question 37

Which of the following is an ineffective practice with regard to an application letter?

A) Addressing the letter to a specific recipient by using his or her name
B) Pointing out that your qualifications exceed the employer's needs
C) Getting to the main point slowly by exhibiting your knowledge about the employer's company first
D) Including your telephone number and the best time to reach you in the last paragraph of the letter

Question 38

If an application form asks for a desired salary, it is most appropriate to:

A) state the expected salary in figures.
B) write "Open" or "Negotiable."
C) write "N/A" in the answer blank.
D) leave the answer space blank.

Question 39

Which of the following should you NOT say in an application form if you are asked to state reasons for leaving your previous job?

A) I am looking out for a better job opportunity.
B) I planned to return to school to improve my skills.
C) I am focusing on advancing my career through a new job.
D) I did not like my supervisor in my last job.

Question 40

_____ are folders or notebooks that contain evidence and examples of a job applicant's achievements, skills, and qualifications.

A) Proposals
B) Portfolios
C) Promissory notes
D) Progress reports

Question 41

The first step in the job search process is to analyze yourself and your professional qualifications.

Question 42

Traits such as the ability to work in teams, a positive attitude, and creativity in coming up with new ideas are easy to measure.

Question 43

An increasing number of recruiters are using social media to attract qualified employees to fill position vacancies.

Question 44

Falsifying your credentials or application documents when applying for a job can lead to termination from your job.

Question 45

The template approach to writing a résumé is a negative, because you don't want a potential employer to think that you have taken a shortcut to prepare this vital document.

Question 46

Using action verbs in your résumé to describe your work responsibilities makes you seem less competent.

Question 47

Most new college graduates use the chronological format for résumés.

Question 48

Chronological résumés list work experience in chronological order, with the most recent experience listed last.

Question 49

A functional résumé is ineffective when most of your work experience is part-time and does not relate to the position that you seek.

Question 50

Colored stationery and exotic type fonts make your résumé more electronically readable.

Question 51

It is a good idea to follow up an electronically submitted résumé with a printed résumé, application letter, and list of references for any job you feel is a possible match for you.

Question 52

When preparing a scannable résumé, separate the sections using horizontal lines.

Question 53

It is more appropriate to clearly state the desired salary in the application form than discussing it in the job interview.

Question 54

Document examples from a job or internship can be included in your job application portfolio.

Question 55

The initial stage of the interview is the right time to bring your portfolio forward.