Deck 16: Employment Communication

Question 1

Ahmed has decided to look for a better job.The first thing he should do before creating a résumé is to look at advertisements for open positions.

Answer 1

False
Explanation: The first step in creating résumés or cover letters is to clarify your professional goals for the short term (one to two years)and long term (five to ten years).

Question 2

Most HR professionals say that creating a presence on LinkedIn is a waste of time.

Answer 2

False
Explanation: Approximately 54 percent of HR professionals say it is very important and another 33 percent say it is somewhat important to manage your professional reputation on LinkedIn.

Question 3

If you want to find a job that matches your long-term goals,you should send out a lot of applications as soon as you start the job-search process.

Answer 3

False
Explanation: Looking for jobs takes a lot of time.A thorough search for the best potential positions during the initial stages of the job search process can save you a lot of time and increase the likelihood you will get a position that is in your long-term interests.

Question 4

To demonstrate how interested you are in a position and company,you should use showy language and exaggeration in your cover letter to stand out from other applicants.

Question 5

When you have secured an interview,you have made the initial cut and are likely deemed a good candidate.

Question 6

Preparing for the job application process is completely different from preparing for other forms of business communication.

Question 7

Rita has decided to leave her first job because she has been offered a position with a better chance of promotion.Rita should tell her supervisor that she is resigning as soon as she accepts the offer.

Question 8

The best way to help recruiters grasp your abilities is to put long lists of skills in your résumé.

Question 9

In a résumé,you ought to list any personal details that most people would find admirable.

Question 10

Javier,a recent college graduate,is preparing his first résumé.He decides to list all his previous jobs and all his major college accomplishments,including the awards he won for debate and as a member of sports teams.This decision will make his résumé more persuasive to employees.

Question 11

Inaccuracies in a résumé can cost you the chance at a job interview.

Question 12

Ella always sends a thank-you note after every job interview.This will make her seem like an insincere flatterer.

Question 13

Providing a list of personal references is a part of most job applications.

Question 14

Glyn has just graduated from college,and he has decided to apply for three different types of jobs.He should use the same cover letter and résumé for each application.

Question 15

To help you identify your interests,abilities,and attributes,you might consider completing a self-inventory.

Question 16

Focusing on ease of processing and consistency is important while formatting a résumé.

Question 17

When describing accomplishments and experiences in a résumé,begin statements with descriptive adjectives or adverbs.

Question 18

A young professional who has only a few years of job experience should generally use a chronological résumé.

Question 19

During job interviews,telling stories about your successes can make you seem too arrogant to fit into the hiring organization.

Question 20

When you are creating cover letters and résumés,you are writing persuasive messages.

Question 21

A mistake that many job applicants make while creating résumés is

A) neglecting to include areas they need to improve on.
B) forgetting to include their hobbies and other interests.
C) trying to display everything they do well.
D) highlighting only a few of their abilities and attributes.
E) condensing all their work-related information into one to two pages.

Question 22

Identifying your career goals helps you

A) address those areas where you most need improvement.
B) discover your personal strengths and abilities.
C) prepare a career summary to use on your résumé.
D) understand the needs of your potential employer.
E) recognize your past career accomplishments.

Question 23

Which of the following is the first step of the job application process?

A) developing a reference list
B) developing your ideas
C) analyzing your audience
D) setting up the message structure
E) sending out your résumé

Question 24

Eboni has just graduated with a bachelor's degree in accounting,and she wants to find a job.Which of the following is the first step Eboni should take?

A) She should take the certified public accountant's exam.
B) She should carefully evaluate her career ambitions and qualifications.
C) She should exaggerate her experience in her résumé.
D) She should apply for receptionist jobs just to get a start in a firm.
E) She should start sending out résumés and cover letters.

Question 25

Jorge's job application has a cover letter and résumé.The cover letter has three paragraphs targeted to the job he is applying for.The résumé has a name block,a list of work experience,a list of professional associations and licensure,and a list of personal references.What necessary component has Jorge forgotten to include?

A) family information
B) demographic details
C) educational background
D) information about high-school
E) an objectives statement

Question 26

The career summary section of a résumé should provide the candidate's

A) objective for the job search.
B) memberships,awards,certifications and licensure,and activities.
C) list of personal references.
D) employment history with dates and organizations.
E) major accomplishments,abilities,and attributes.

Question 27

Which of the following additional information adds value to a résumé?

A) licensure
B) age
C) sexual orientation
D) marital status
E) religion

Question 28

Your résumé should tell a story of

A) the value you can provide to a company.
B) how you plan to improve your areas of weakness.
C) everything you have learned and done in your previous job.
D) your educational accomplishments.
E) why you want to leave your current organization.

Question 29

Chris's instructors have always commented that she is good at thinking of creative solutions.Being creative is a(n)

A) ability.
B) goal.
C) weakness.
D) attribute.
E) experience.

Question 30

Which of the following will help you identify your interests,abilities,and attributes?

A) speaking to people who have the position you are interested in
B) working on your weaknesses
C) developing hobbies relevant to the job you are applying for
D) completing a self-inventory
E) researching the needs of your potential employer

Question 31

When Lily does a self-inventory,she lists her knowledge of Excel,her proficiency in bookkeeping,and her training in customer service.These go under the category of

A) goals.
B) abilities.
C) attributes.
D) experiences.
E) areas of improvement.

Question 32

Karl knows that TrueHeart Industries prides itself on using green processes to reduce its impact on the environment.During his interview with the hiring manager at TrueHeart,Karl recounted a story about the recycling program he set up in his dormitory at the university.By doing so,Karl was communicating to his potential employer that he has

A) career goals.
B) character.
C) drive.
D) abilities.
E) areas of improvement.

Question 33

Joyce wants to list an unpaid internship on her résumé.In what section should she list it?

A) education
B) work experience
C) professional associations
D) personal information
E) certifications and licensure

Question 34

Which of the following is an example of an ability?

A) analytical
B) reliable
C) people-oriented
D) good communicator
E) flexible

Question 35

Which of the following sections is considered optional in a résumé?

A) education
B) work experience
C) name block
D) objective statement
E) contact information

Question 36

The purpose of cover letters and résumés is to

A) show how you meet the needs of your prospective employers.
B) provide a detailed insight into your personal interests and hobbies.
C) allow you to communicate informally with your prospective employers.
D) inquire how an organization might meet your career goals.
E) exaggerate your achievements to get an interview.

Question 37

Which of the following is considered additional,helpful information to include in a résumé?

A) contact information
B) marital status
C) language abilities
D) personal hobbies
E) academic degrees

Question 38

One of the best ways to understand a potential employer's needs is to

A) research the company's advertising.
B) go to job fairs on campus.
C) watch television shows and movies about people in that profession.
D) network with friends and relatives.
E) research the strategic goals and unique challenges of the company.

Question 39

Cory knows how to use spreadsheet software to create reports that his managers find useful.This ability indicates Cory's

A) caring.
B) attributes.
C) competence.
D) goals.
E) character.

Question 40

Hannah frequently checks in with her team members to see if they have questions about their assignments.Doing this is an example of

A) competence.
B) caring.
C) aptitude.
D) experience.
E) character.

Question 41

Your friend Elena has written a two-page cover letter for a job application.What reason should you give to convince her to make it much shorter?

A) Shorter letters are better for email because the recipient will not have to scroll.
B) It is easier to send a clean,error-free letter if it is short.
C) She can put all of the extra information in her résumé.
D) Concise writing can focus more clearly on her main qualifications.
E) A short letter will make her stand out because most people submit long ones.

Question 42

Typically,what should a LinkedIn profile accomplish for a job seeker?

A) It should be an extension of social media sites like Facebook and contain mostly personal details.
B) It should be an elaborated version of your résumé and reinforce your professional narrative.
C) It can be the place where you list any provocative opinions that you hold.
D) It should be as low-key as possible so it doesn't hurt employment chances.
E) It usually serves as an electronic replacement for a résumé.

Question 43

Which of the following statements from a résumé most effectively highlights a key skill or attribute?

A) I was the senior waitress at the restaurant.
B) Thought about improving efficiency.
C) I am a good leader.
D) Took inventory of all the stock in the store.
E) Responsible for advertising.

Question 44

Which of the following is a guideline for writing a cover letter?

A) Tailor your cover letter to the job posting and needs of the employer.
B) Do not write cover letters for jobs that have not been advertised by companies.
C) Use a conversational style with flowery language to convey enthusiasm.
D) Be as elaborate as possible in explaining why you are perfect for the job.
E) Do not mention anything that is listed on your résumé because repetition is annoying.

Question 45

The primary goal of a cover letter is to

A) add a strong,emotional tone to the applicant's résumé.
B) leave questions in the employer's mind,so he or she will read the résumé.
C) highlight applicants' strengths and weaknesses.
D) make candidates look impressive through the use of exaggeration and hype.
E) sell key abilities and attributes in a way that matches the needs of the employer.

Question 46

When reviewing your résumés and cover letters,it is important to ensure that you have

A) included a section on any skills that could use improvement.
B) used a friendly,informal,and conversational style.
C) displayed everything that you do well.
D) emphasized your selling points in a compelling manner.
E) included your marital status,age,religion,and sexual orientation.

Question 47

Which of the following people is most likely to use a functional résumé?

A) Rico has had one sales position where he has worked for four years.
B) Stephanie has worked as a chief financial officer for four companies over twenty-six years.
C) Seth has had three jobs in the eight years since he graduated.
D) Elspeth has one year as an unpaid intern and three years at her current job.
E) Ruth has been with her company for five years but has had two promotions.

Question 48

Which of the following statements in a résumé shows quantifiable accomplishments in a previous job?

A) supervised a 10-member telemarketing team
B) in charge of the "Save the Tiger" campaign
C) looked after the foster care program
D) raised funds for the poor
E) assisted with buying medical supplies

Question 49

Which of the following is a guideline for writing an effective résumé?

A) Provide details about your personal life and activities.
B) Demonstrate humility by downplaying your accomplishments.
C) Use buzzwords and jargon to seem like an insider.
D) Position your most important contributions first.
E) Avoid leaving a lot of white space on the page.

Question 50

Which of the following is the best description of LinkedIn?

A) a place to debate common issues in business
B) a site to share visuals that are related to your career
C) a website to build up a network of professional contacts
D) a social media site for old friends
E) a job posting board

Question 51

In her résumé,Evie writes that she "demonstrated an ability to think outside the box and create a win-win scenario for both the company and its customers." What is wrong with this statement?

A) It has grammatical errors that undermine her competence.
B) It has typos that undermine her competence.
C) It does not start with an action verb,so it seems weak.
D) It uses clichés,so it fails to highlight her abilities.
E) It lists an unimportant accomplishment that should be omitted.

Question 52

Adrian is one of several engineers applying for a job recently advertised on the Internet.While writing his email cover letter,Adrian should

A) identify the position being applied for in the subject line.
B) adopt a friendly,informal,and conversational style.
C) use the latest buzzwords to sound up-to-date.
D) elaborate on how the job could benefit his career.
E) explain how his hobbies relate to his professional interests.

Question 53

Which of the following modifications should you make when writing unsolicited cover letters?

A) Use a friendly,informal,and conversational style because there is no formal job opening.
B) Open immediately with a proposition about how you can add value to the company.
C) Be as elaborate as possible in explaining how much you learned from researching the company.
D) Add a section on areas of improvement so the hiring manager can see how serious you are about your career.
E) Do not mention the position you are applying for because no job opening exists.

Question 54

When you are constructing a reference list,you should

A) include the statement,"Call me for contact details," so you do not distribute your references' private information.
B) add a brief statement describing your professional relationship with each of your references.
C) give full demographic information for each of your references.
D) include a positive quotation from each reference below their contact information.
E) create a portfolio of one-page reference letters from each person on the list.

Question 55

Generally,employers prefer to receive résumés

A) in standard format through electronic channels.
B) as a hard copy mailed in a standard-size envelope.
C) in person during an interview.
D) through company referrals.
E) via third-party firms.

Question 56

While describing accomplishments and experiences in a résumé,begin statements with

A) concrete nouns.
B) the pronoun I.
C) present-tense verbs.
D) descriptive adjectives.
E) action verbs.

Question 57

When people reply to formal job announcements,they are writing a(n)______ cover letter since it is for an open position that a company advertises.

A) unsolicited
B) chronological
C) functional
D) informal
E) solicited

Question 58

To construct a reference list for your résumé,you should

A) wait until after you have completed the other,more important parts of your résumé.
B) include your current supervisors even if they are unhappy with your decision to leave the company.
C) include the names of everyone you can,even if you have not contacted them yet.
D) contact your references just before sending your résumé so that you do not disturb them.
E) build relationships with potential references over time.

Question 59

Which of the following people is most likely to use a chronological résumé?

A) David has just graduated and has no work history,but he has leadership and organizational experience from campus activities.
B) Indira has been an editor for twenty-seven years,and she has worked for six companies.
C) Lara was a teacher for sixteen years,then she was a textbook editor for twelve years,and now she has been a freelance writer for seven years.
D) Brock has had three jobs in eight years,and each one was a higher-level position than the last.
E) Ingrid has never held a job,but she has experience recruiting volunteers,coordinating schedules,and doing publicity from her charitable work.

Question 60

Many potential employers immediately discard résumés that

A) do not contain an objective statement.
B) do not include hobbies and interests.
C) contain typos or other careless errors.
D) do not provide details about high school education.
E) include personal information such as age and marital status.

Question 61

In order to succeed in an interview,you should

A) talk only about your abilities and accomplishments.
B) be perceptive about what hiring managers are evaluating.
C) talk about personal success stories in great detail.
D) avoid asking the interviewer questions.
E) speak negatively about your former supervisors.

Question 62

As a job seeker,what are several steps you should take to analyze the needs of your potential employers?

Question 63

Explain the process of reviewing résumés and cover letters.

Question 64

Describe what methods you will use to emphasize your accomplishments in a résumé to increase your chances of getting a job.

Question 65

Discuss the etiquette for leaving an organization with grace and foresight.

Question 66

Which of the following should you do when you resign from an organization?

A) Describe how the job you are leaving did not match your abilities and attributes.
B) Enthusiastically describe the benefits of the new position to your former employers.
C) Show graciousness and appreciation for the professional opportunities that were given to you.
D) Use your new job offer to bargain for a better compensation package from your former employer.
E) Describe your negative experiences with your supervisor and colleagues.

Question 67

What do the tasks of developing a reference list and building a LinkedIn profile have in common,and how do they differ?

Question 68

During an interview,Ramon tells a success story about his fundraising abilities,including the information that he obtained three grants for a total of $140,000 in funds for his organization.Which part of the STAR method does this statement relate to?

A) situation
B) tasks
C) abilities
D) actions
E) results

Question 69

When interviewees do not ask questions,hiring managers often view them as

A) confident about the new position.
B) uninterested or inexperienced.
C) highly motivated and eager to work.
D) already competent in their field.
E) arrogant and rude.

Question 70

If you ask about salary,compensation,and other perks on the first interview,you

A) may send the message that you care more for yourself than the employer.
B) show that you are an experienced interviewee who knows how to negotiate.
C) send the message that you are a "go-getter" and confident.
D) demonstrate your eagerness to start working.
E) convey that you have considered the company's financial situation.

Question 71

Discuss the etiquette for following up after job interviews.

Question 72

Why should you send a note of appreciation following an interview?

A) to demonstrate your grasp of social etiquette
B) to flatter the potential employer in the hope of getting the job
C) to increase your chances of getting your expected salary
D) to show the potential employer that you are desperate to get a job
E) to express goodwill and confirm your interest in the position

Question 73

Describe the first step in creating résumés and cover letters that will serve your long-term career interests.

Question 74

Discuss the need for clearly identifying the position you are applying for in cover letters.

Question 75

Success stories should

A) follow the AIM planning process.
B) be relatively brief-not more than one to two minutes long.
C) reveal both your strengths and weaknesses.
D) contain some fictitious details.
E) provide profound insights into your personality.

Question 76

Amber arrives for her first interview with Overseas Ventures,Inc. ,fifteen minutes early,wearing a dress blouse and a business suit whose skirt hem hits her knees.During the interview,she mentions a successful cost-cutting measure she implemented on her current job.She expresses gratitude for the opportunity her current employer gave her.She mentions what her current salary is and says she hopes the prospective employer can better it.After the interview,she sends a thank-you note to the manager who interviewed her.What did Amber do wrong?

A) She bragged too much.
B) Mentioning her current employer was inappropriate.
C) Sending a thank-you note was inappropriate.
D) She should not have brought up salary.
E) She dressed too provocatively.

Question 77

Which of the following is a guideline for succeeding at interviews?

A) Take credit for your individual accomplishments,but also demonstrate your team orientation.
B) Provide detailed and elaborate responses to questions.
C) Frankly express your displeasure about your previous jobs.
D) Answer questions about your weaknesses by stating a weakness that is really a strength.
E) Say "we" instead of "I" more often when talking about accomplishments at work.

Question 78

As a college student,what steps should you be taking now to improve your efforts to find a good position in the future?

Question 79

List at least three abilities and three attributes that you will bring to your next job search process.

Question 80

The STAR method is an approach to telling success stories during an interview.What does "A" stand for in the STAR method?

A) abilities
B) accomplishments
C) achievements
D) actions
E) acquisitions