Deck 15: Connecting Through Workplace Communication: Preparing for Your Future

Question 1

You are preparing to attend a career fair at your university. In addition to updating your résumé, which strategy is suggested to help improve your experience there?

A) Know which employers are attending, and research them beforehand.
B) Get several friends to attend with you, and make sure you stay together.
C) Dress for comfort, as informality is encouraged.
D) Direct recruiters to your résumé online; don't carry anything with you.

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Onyeka is developing his résumé for a position that he really wants. He is anxious to stand out from all the other applicants, but also wants to appear professional. What advice do you give him?

A) Use an easy-to-read font in 10 or 12 point size.
B) Fill every space on the page with information: don't waste any marginal space.
C) Use two or three ornate fonts to highlight key sections.
D) Avoid the use of bold face, underlining, and italics.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

If firms desire applicants skilled in collaboration, this indicates that they are looking for applicants who __________.

A) are self-motivated
B) work well in teams
C) have strong work ethics
D) are technically proficient

Answer 3

B

Question 4

It is generally advised to omit your __________ from your résumé, in order to avoid this information being used in a discriminatory way.

A) career objective
B) educational background
C) marital status
D) work experience

Question 5

If you are searching for a job, the most productive approach is __________.

A) reading newspaper ads
B) searching online ads
C) using placement services
D) networking

Question 6

A written document that briefly and accurately describes an individual's personal, educational, and professional qualifications and experiences is called a(n) __________.

A) application
B) review
C) proposal
D) résumé

Question 7

Denice is being interviewed for a position in a conservative firm. When she is asked, "You're a new addition to the crayon box, what color would you be and why?" she is taken by surprise but is able to respond confidently. This potential employer is likely interested in assessing __________.

A) self-motivation
B) ambition
C) creativity
D) career management

Question 8

Bullet statements on your résumé describe and show what you have accomplished. Each bullet point should begin with __________.

A) a pronoun, such as "I"
B) a noun
C) an action verb
D) a descriptive adjective

Question 9

What type of information can you access on sites such as Monster.com and Indeed.com?

A) interviewing strategies
B) job postings and career information
C) graduate program information
D) employment research strategies

Question 10

What result did The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) survey of 1,000 employers find regarding competencies in new graduates from four-year universities?

A) almost all were rated poorly on digital technology competencies
B) graduates were rated high in critical thinking skills but low in all other competencies
C) about half were rated not very proficient on most career readiness competencies
D) most were rated as proficient on core career readiness competencies

Question 11

What skill does the text specifically reference as essential to success in almost every career?

A) ability to overcome communication apprehension
B) ability to successfully deliver a public speech
C) ability to utilize technology to its fullest
D) ability to communicate effectively in variety of contexts

Question 12

How can you best access the hidden job market?

A) review online job postings
B) read the newspaper every day
C) apply for every position you can find
D) build relationships within the workforce

Question 13

When employers and higher educators discuss the widening of the skill gap, they are referring to __________.

A) differences between skills new graduates have and skills that employers are demanding
B) a lack of interest in teaching the skills that employers currently desire
C) ethical conflicts over skills learned and skills that employers require
D) confusion over skills employers desire and skills that educators want to teach

Question 14

What aspect of communication is most important to the success of businesses and organizations?

A) speed
B) quality
C) discretion
D) quantity

Question 15

It is common for applicants to connect with potential employers electronically. If you fill out an online application, keep in mind that __________.

A) it is better to be first than to be error-free
B) as a rule, submit one application for multiple positions whenever possible
C) you must use caution when providing personal information such as a Social Security number
D) you should avoid contacting the employer directly after submitting electronically

Question 16

What is an optimal way to utilize LinkedIn as a job search tool?

A) research and connect with employers and key people at organizations of interest
B) post your profile and wait for someone to find you
C) check organizational postings to learn about job openings
D) review other people's profiles and learn from their mistakes

Question 17

One study indicates that those in organizational leadership roles spend about __________ of the average workweek communicating.

A) 25 percent
B) 40 to 50 percent
C) 75 percent
D) 80 to 90 percent

Question 18

What does the text suggest regarding the inclusion of references on a résumé?

A) List them at the bottom of the first page.
B) Avoid listing them on the résumé; provide them in your cover letter.
C) Never provide any references to a potential employer.
D) List them on a separate page; provide only if requested.

Question 19

What is the best-known site to connect jobs with job seekers, with over 500 million users?

A) Instagram
B) LinkedIn
C) Twitter
D) CareerBuilder.com

Question 20

Above all else, when a job applicant is entering the room and participating in an interview, he or she must avoid appearing __________.

A) eager
B) indifferent
C) prepared
D) accomplished

Question 21

Which factor is listed by companies as the one most often leading to the rejection of an applicant?

A) highly enthusiastic
B) salary demands
C) poor communication skills
D) less than top-tier grades

Question 22

What advice is most accurate about dressing for your job interview?

A) Dress for your own comfort.
B) Dress "one step above" what you would wear on the job.
C) Dress in a suit and tie, without exception.
D) Dress down from what you would wear on the job.

Question 23

When you are applying for a job, a good cover letter should __________.

A) provide a clear connection between your résumé and the job description
B) replace your résumé and provide your reference information
C) thoroughly describe what you know about the employer and firm
D) reference detailed information you were unable to include in your résumé

Question 24

Carly is excited about her phone interview scheduled for tomorrow. What should Carly keep in mind as she prepares for this interview?

A) Make sure her phone is fully charged and has a strong signal.
B) Make sure she has her résumé handy so she can read from it.
C) Make sure she is scheduled for the first interview of the day.
D) Make sure a friend is nearby for moral support.

Question 25

The text describes a desirable well-rounded job candidate as an individual with __________, good work ethic, good decision-making skills, superior work habits, and good judgment.

A) enthusiasm and a fresh approach
B) excellent social media skill
C) maturity and ability to be part of a team
D) the desire and ability to work alone

Question 26

To improve your chances of getting a job offer, you must be prepared and be able to __________.

A) describe why you are the best person for the job
B) negotiate for the best salary and benefits
C) explain why you are leaving your previous employer
D) start the new job immediately

Question 27

After every single interview, the interviewee should follow up with __________.

A) a brief thank you note
B) a cover letter
C) a personal visit
D) a phone call

Question 28

Students who wish to gain experience or who are looking for their first job should provide potential employers with __________.

A) a link to a personal blog
B) a "getting involved" résumé
C) a letter of intent
D) a chronological résumé

Question 29

What might be considered a negative personality factor leading to the rejection of a job applicant?

A) exaggerated skills on the résumé
B) showing up late to interview
C) lack of motivation
D) inadequate training

Question 30

According to the text, the ideal job candidate possesses __________.

A) a balance of quantifiable and interpersonal characteristics
B) mostly quantifiable characteristics such as grade point average and education
C) most interpersonal characteristics such as a pleasant personality and communication skills
D) recommendations from the most highly respected professionals in the field

Question 31

__________ is a quantifiable characteristic that recruiters seek in job applicants, according to Jason Meyers of Collegiate Employment Institute Newsletter.

A) Management skills
B) Communication skills
C) Education and work experience
D) Personality

Question 32

Don is applying for a position at a large company. What should Don keep in mind regarding social media as he goes through the job applicant process?

A) Using social media to communicate with the company can be a factor leading to rejection.
B) Failure to clean social media sites can be a factor leading to rejection.
C) Accessing social media can be a factor leading to rejection.
D) Failure to use social media can be a factor leading to rejection.

Question 33

What is a suggested response to the question, "Why should I hire you?" asked by a potential employer?

A) an indication that you need this job
B) a suggestion that you're a fun employee to have around
C) a lengthy recitation of all your experience and education
D) a brief summary of your qualifications for the job

Question 34

What might be the greatest disadvantage for an applicant if a job interview is conducted via Skype?

A) difficult to get the technology to work correctly
B) difficult to schedule at a convenient time
C) difficult to ask questions
D) difficult to interact freely and naturally

Question 35

Maria's professor was giving her advice about writing a good cover letter. After describing how Maria should focus on the skills and experiences that fit the job, she summed up by saying that cover letters should __________.

A) be informal and capture the applicant's personality
B) include many questions about the employer
C) indicate a tone of professionalism and confidence
D) always include a reference list

Question 36

During a job interview, if you are asked a question that violates affirmative action laws, it is advised to __________.

A) answer it anyway to the best of your ability
B) ask the interviewer to explain how the question might be relevant to the position
C) respond that you are reporting the interviewer to the authorities
D) answer it with the response you think the interviewer wishes to hear

Question 37

What significant challenge does an interviewer face in conducting interviews using mediated technology, such as Skype?

A) difficulty in getting technology to work properly
B) difficulty in reading nonverbal behaviors such as facial expressions and eye contact
C) difficulty in getting applicants to participate in mediated interviews
D) difficulty in recording responses during the interview

Question 38

In order to most help you improve your skills, a mock interview should be __________.

A) conducted by your friends
B) as informal as possible
C) conducted by your current employer
D) as realistic as possible

Question 39

Lorenzo is being interviewed for a customer service position at a retail store. The interviewer asks him to provide a specific example of his customer service skills. The interviewer is asking Lorenzo to __________.

A) provide details of his educational and work background
B) list all the customer service traits that he possesses
C) tell a brief descriptive story that demonstrates a time he provided excellent customer service
D) pretend he is serving a customer and act out how he will assist him or her

Question 40

Research indicates that most interviewers develop a strong opinion about an applicant within __________ of meeting, indicating that first impressions are quite important.

A) 3 seconds
B) 30 seconds
C) 3 minutes
D) 30 minutes

Question 41

What are the negative factors leading to job applicant rejection discussed in the text? In a brief paragraph, list any factors you might possess, and explain how you can work to overcome these before your next interview.

Question 42

What qualities do you consider the most critical career readiness competencies? Are they in agreement with those cited in the text? Why or why not?

Question 43

Congratulations! You have just completed an in-person interview for your dream job. Now, create a thank you note to be immediately sent to your interviewer. For purposes of this note, assume that you were interviewed by one person and that she has hiring authority. You may include any detail necessary to complete your sample.

Question 44

A résumé is a written document that briefly and accurately describes an individual's personal, educational, and professional qualifications and experiences. What accomplishments would you include on your résumé? Create four to six bullet statements that describe and show what you have accomplished. Keep in mind that effective bullet statements are those that answer what, how, and why.

Question 45

As a college senior, you decide to attend a career fair being held at your university. Briefly describe your preparations before the job fair and what you can do during the fair to benefit most from the experience.

Question 46

What is networking and why is it beneficial? How can social media be used to enhance networking?

Question 47

Congratulations! You have landed an interview for your dream job, and now you're preparing for the interview. Provide your answer to the question, "What can you tell me about yourself?" Include sufficient detail to make this answer convincing.

Question 48

Your friend is searching for a job, and some openings require applicants to apply online. What strategies can you suggest for connecting with potential employers electronically?

Question 49

How can learning about communication prepare you for your future career? Describe a specific scenario in which you anticipate using your enhanced communication skills in your chosen career.