Deck 16: Employment Communication

Question 1

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

Answer 1

True

Question 2

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

Answer 2

True

Question 3

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

Answer 3

False

Question 4

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

Question 5

To be persuasive, your résumé should highlight everything that you do well.

Question 6

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

Question 7

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

Question 8

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

Question 9

To appear experienced and knowledgeable, a job candidate should refrain from asking questions about the position or the organization during an interview.

Question 10

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

Question 11

Ben has decided to look for a better job. The first thing he should do before creating a résumé is to understand the needs of his potential employers.

Question 12

Sending a note of appreciation following an interview is a good strategy.

Question 13

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

Question 14

When describing accomplishments and experiences in a résumé, avoid beginning statements with action verbs.

Question 15

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

Question 16

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 17

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.

Question 18

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 19

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

Question 20

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

Question 21

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

A) develop new interests that are related to your job.
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 22

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 23

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 24

Sam has just graduated with a degree in management, and he wants to apply for an assistant manager's post at a recruitment firm. Which of the following is the first step Sam should take?

A) He should work on his areas of improvement.
B) He should carefully evaluate his career ambitions and qualifications.
C) He should choose effective clichés and buzzwords for his résumé.
D) He should communicate informally with his prospective employers.
E) He should develop a list of personal references.

Question 25

Ryan is considered to be a reliable employee at his workplace. Being reliable is a(n)

A) ability.
B) goal.
C) area of improvement.
D) attribute.
E) experience.

Question 26

Which of the following is considered work experience rather than additional information in a résumé?

A) volunteer work
B) unpaid internships
C) professional associations
D) community activities
E) certifications and licensure

Question 27

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 28

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 accomplishment, abilities, and attributes.

Question 29

Which of the following is an example of an ability?

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

Question 30

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 31

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 32

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 33

Gloria knows that MegaMart's motto is that the customer is always right. During her interview with the hiring manager at MegaMart, Gloria recounted a story about a time she worked to make sure a customer was satisfied even though part of the problem was the customer's rudeness. By doing so, Gloria is communicating to her potential employer that she has

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

Question 34

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 35

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 36

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 37

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

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

Question 38

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 39

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 career accomplishments.

Question 40

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 41

When reviewing 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 42

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

A) Roberto has had one marketing position where he has worked for five years.
B) Libby has worked as a corporate lawyer for five companies over thirty-two years.
C) Salim has had two jobs in the six years since he graduated.
D) Fran has three years of volunteer experience and four years at her current job.
E) Pete has been with his company for seven years but has had three promotions.

Question 43

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 44

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 45

Your friend Martina 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 on her main qualifications.
E) A short letter will make her stand out because most people submit long ones.

Question 46

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

A) irregular
B) passive-voice
C) present-tense
D) auxiliary
E) action

Question 47

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 48

Alec'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, information about his college education, and a list of professional associations and licensure. What necessary component has Alec forgotten to include?

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

Question 49

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 50

One of the most challenging aspects of writing a cover letter is

A) listing your references briefly.
B) ensuring that it is free of typos.
C) achieving the right tone.
D) referring to the position you are applying for.
E) explaining what you need from the job.

Question 51

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 52

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 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 about 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

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 55

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 56

An unsolicited cover letter is one that a job seeker sends to a

A) company that does not currently have an open position.
B) person who might serve as a personal reference.
C) hiring manager to follow up after an interview.
D) company that has advertised an open position.
E) company that has requested an initial contact but no résumé.

Question 57

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

A) I was the senior waitress at the restaurant.
B) kept track of goods sold.
C) I am a good leader.
D) took inventory of all the stock in the store.
E) responsible for advertising.

Question 58

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 one of the 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 59

To construct a reference list for your résumé, you should

A) focus on people you actually know rather than potential references.
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 60

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 61

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) achievements
C) abilities
D) actions
E) results

Question 62

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

A) Describe how your former job 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 63

Discuss the etiquette for following up after job interviews.

Question 64

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

Question 65

Describe the steps involved in developing a reference list.

Question 66

Define abilities and attributes.

Question 67

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

Question 68

Explain the process of reviewing résumés and cover letters.

Question 69

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 70

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

Question 71

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

Question 72

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) increase your chances of getting the position.

Question 73

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 74

Cilla arrives for her interview twelve minutes early, wearing a dress blouse and business suit that has a skirt that falls several inches above her knees. During the interview, she mentions a successful ad campaign she conducted on her job. She expresses gratitude for the opportunity her current employer gave her. She defers asking about salary or vacation, knowing she can ask about it if she is interviewed again. She sends a thank-you note to the manager who interviewed her. What did Cilla 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 have inquired about salary first thing.
E) She dressed too provocatively.

Question 75

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 76

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 77

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

Question 78

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

Question 79

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 80

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