Deck 22: Finding a Job: What Works, and What Doesnt

Question 1

An LPN/LVN applicant wishes to use knowledge of interpersonal styles to his benefit during a job interview. He assesses the interviewer to be a "results-focused" person. Which behavior should he adopt?

A) Answer the interviewer's questions in detail.
B) Try to interject information about himself as a person (e.g., his hobbies).
C) Look for ways to interject humor into the interview.
D) Keep answers to the point and relatively brief.

Answer 1

Keep answers to the point and relatively brief.

Question 2

Which statement is true with regard to making a follow-up call after submitting a résumé and cover letter for a position?

A) Do not call; the employer will call the applicant if interested.
B) Call on the date and at the time mentioned in the cover letter.
C) Call on a Monday before 8 AM if possible.
D) Call on a Friday between 2 PM and 4 PM if possible.

Answer 2

Call on the date and at the time mentioned in the cover letter.

Question 3

A student nurse is interested in working shortly after graduation. What action would have the greatest potential for achieving the goal of securing employment?

A) Limit job applications to positions listed in the Help Wanted section of the newspaper.
B) Obtain lists of job offerings posted in health care agencies.
C) Research agencies of interest and write brief letters expressing an interest in employment.
D) Depend on the school of nursing and school placement service to find employment.

Answer 3

Research agencies of interest and write brief letters expressing an interest in employment.

Question 4

Which questions should the nurse identify as illegal for the interviewer to ask and therefore the nurse need not feel obligated to answer directly? (Select all that apply.)

A) "Have you been hospitalized within the past year?"
B) "What are two important things about yourself that you would like me to know?"
C) "Do you have a criminal record?"
D) "What would you say is your greatest weakness in the clinical area?"

Question 5

Which statement indicates that a nurse is knowledgeable about good résumé preparation?

A) "My résumé is comprised of nearly three and a half pages."
B) "It was difficult to write a good objective statement, but I finally managed."
C) "I used a bulleted style to call attention to my list of job skills."
D) "To make sure my résumé catches the eye, I used bright pink paper."

Question 6

What action should the nurse take if the employer begins to ask interview questions about work experience on the phone when the nurse calls to set up an interview?

A) Answer all questions asked by the employer pleasantly, accurately, and completely.
B) Express willingness to discuss qualifications in detail during a scheduled interview.
C) Mention being in a hurry now but give permission to receive a call back in an hour.
D) Report the phone call to the civil liberties commission.

Question 7

When an SP/VN or LPN/LVN is seeking a new position, which pre-interview preparatory action would most likely contribute to a successful interview?

A) Practice responding to sample interview questions.
B) Focus on spontaneity as the key to answering questions.
C) Choose casual clothing, because it denotes self-esteem.
D) Remind oneself to address the interviewer by her or his first name.

Question 8

Identify information that should be included in a résumé. (Select all that apply.)

A) State of health
B) Salary requirements
C) Education
D) Marital status
E) Work experience
F) Licenses/professional memberships
G) Military experience

Question 9

As the interview at the long-term care facility is coming to a close, the interviewer asks the applicant, "What questions may I answer for you?" Which question would be most likely to create a favorable impression?

A) "After completing the orientation, when will the first pay raise be given?"
B) "Will it be possible to tour a unit such as the one to which I would be assigned?"
C) "What will happen if I can't meet the outcomes for the competency-based orientation?"
D) "Do you have tuition reimbursement for courses toward my next degree?"

Question 10

What should the nurse do when applying for a position for which he or she is underqualified?

A) Exaggerate qualifications when applying and being interviewed.
B) Emphasize knowing the basics and express willingness to learn via in-services and continuing education.
C) Try to impress the interviewer with strengths and gloss over or avoid the topic of specific qualifications.
D) Mention having connections in high places who believe the applicant would perform well in the position.

Question 11

The nurse asks for advice about sending a cover letter and résumé electronically to a local health care agency. The best advice would be

A) "Send the cover letter with the résumé as an attachment."
B) "Paste the résumé to the end of the cover letter."
C) "It is inappropriate to use electronic transmission in this instance."
D) "Phone first to find out whether the person hiring is computer literate."

Question 12

Which of the following individuals is most likely to provide the most authoritative, positive reference for a student nurse who is beginning to search for postgraduation employment?

A) Instructor A, who has provided positive feedback during clinical labs
B) Program director B, who is familiar with the student nurse's academic record
C) Nurse C, who is the student nurse's acquaintance at the health club
D) Student nurse D, who is a peer enrolled in the same nursing program

Question 13

Assuming all are true, which information about a new graduate should be included in a résumé to highlight abilities that would be valuable to an employer?

A) Prefers annual salary of $50,000 to $52,000
B) President of sky diving club
C) Fluent in American sign language
D) Plans to move to a nearby state after 1 year

Question 14

Which would be most valuable to include on a list of references?

A) People who have worked in the agency to which one is applying
B) Personal friends who can be trusted to provide a positive reference
C) Influential people in the community
D) Health care workers who have supervised one's work and are willing to provide a reference

Question 15

Dressing for success at an interview means an applicant should

A) select clothing that could be worn at a cocktail party and a formal hair style.
B) wear well-fitting, businesslike clothes and a neat hairstyle.
C) wear only new, very conservative dark clothing and have a new haircut and/or style.
D) wear an outfit that reflects one's "off-duty" personality or hobbies and a casual hairstyle.

Question 16

During an employment interview, the interviewee is asked, "What do you believe are your greatest weaknesses?" The best reply would be

A) "I'm not aware of any weaknesses."
B) "My instructors told me I was disorganized."
C) "My biggest problem is lack of clinical experience."
D) "I work hard to do my job and meet expectations for my work."

Question 17

The LPN/LVN interviewee determines from personal appearance that the interviewer is from a different cultural background. What action should the interviewee take to minimize the impact of cultural difference during the interview?

A) Answer questions in a straightforward manner.
B) Use the same gestures the interviewer uses.
C) Avert the eyes when responding to questions.
D) Be prepared to tolerate decreased personal space.

Question 18

Which is a basic rule when writing a letter of resignation?

A) Avoid venting negative feelings.
B) Honesty is the best policy; say how it is.
C) List suggestions for agency improvement.
D) Prior notice is highly overrated; just don't show up any more.

Question 19

What advantage does a nurse have in locating a job he or she likes?

A) Nursing school encourages one to decide on a career area prior to graduation and allows for extra experiences.
B) Clinical assignments include practical nursing experience in a variety of clinical settings.
C) For nursing students in a community college or vocational/technical setting, the school guarantees a job on graduation.
D) Because of the rapid turnover of nurses in health care facilities, locating a choice job is easy.

Question 20

What is the first step that should be taken by a student nurse who wants to use a particular instructor's name as a reference?

A) Look in the catalog to make sure the name is spelled correctly.
B) Pass the course taught by the instructor, which permits listing the name.
C) Ask the instructor whether her or his name may be used as a positive reference.
D) Check with recent graduates to see which instructor writes the best letters of reference.

Question 21

Which phrases would be helpful to remember when filling out a job application? (Select all that apply.)

A) Never provide information regarding having held three or more jobs in the past year.
B) Explain employment gaps by responses such as laid off, job hunting, family responsibilities.
C) Answer questions about wage requirements by inflating current salary by 20%.
D) Respond to questions about age, religion, number of children, even though it is not required by law.
E) Do not leave questions unanswered or blank spaces on the application.

Question 22

What advice should an LPN/LVN use to adequately follow up an employment interview? (Select all that apply.)

A) Write a letter to the editor of the local newspaper praising the facility.
B) Offer a written critique of the interview sent to the interviewer.
C) Call the interviewer to inquire how the process is proceeding.
D) Write a thank you letter for granting the interview.