Chapter 13 - Job Search, Résumés, and Cover Messages PDF

Chapter 13 The Job Search, Résumés, and Cover Messages 1. Which of the following statements about today's job market is correct? a. Today's job market remains stable and remarkably similar to the job market ten years ago. b. Personal networking and referrals continue to be the primar...

Chapter 13 The Job Search, Résumés, and Cover Messages 1. Which of the following statements about today's job market is correct? a. Today's job market remains stable and remarkably similar to the job market ten years ago. b. Personal networking and referrals continue to be the primary route to hiring. c. Despite its popularity, the Internet has not affected the way in which individuals search for jobs. d. Job candidates should avoid using job boards, search engines, and social networks to hunt for jobs. ANSWER: b 2. Which of the following statements about today's job search is correct? a. The emphasis of today's job search is on the needs of the employer. b. Today's job searchers should create a universal résumé that can be used for every job for which they apply. c. Career paths for employees are now linear; that is, employees can expect to remain in the same position throughout their employment years. d. Jobs are long lasting; therefore, today's employees will need little relearning and retraining. ANSWER: a 3. The first step in the job-search process is to _______. a. prepare a résumé b. contact professional and personal references c. analyze individual interests and goals and evaluate personal qualifications d. purchase appropriate interview clothing ANSWER: c 4. Which statement about open and hidden job markets is correct? a. More jobs are secured through the open job market than through the hidden job market. b. The open job market consists of jobs that are advertised or listed. c. Most job seekers start searching for jobs using the hidden job market. d. The hidden job market refers to those jobs that are filled through illegal or unethical tactics. ANSWER: b 5. Which online source is used most for job searching and recruiting? a. Twitter b. Monster c. CollegeGrad d. LinkedIn ANSWER: d 6. Which of the following is an example of a niche website? a. Advance Healthcare Network b. LinkedIn c. Twitter d. CareerBuilder ANSWER: a 7. Many job candidates use LinkedIn to research companies, receive job alerts, and _______. a. get free résumé coaching b. make friends c. expand their personal and professional networks d. find out the number of people who have applied for a job ANSWER: c 8. Which of the following tips will help you protect your privacy and safeguard your personal data when posting to online job boards? a. Respond only to "blind" job postings. b. Post your résumé on any online site to increase your employment opportunities. c. Post your résumé only on sites that charge a fee. d. Consider omitting your home address and home phone number. ANSWER: d 9. The most popular résumé format is the _______. a. chronological format b. direct format c. functional format d. indirect format ANSWER: a 10. You are just graduating from college and have little employment experience. Which résumé style would help you emphasize your skills? a. Chronological résumé b. Video résumé c. Functional résumé d. Infographic résumé ANSWER: c 11. Most recruiters favor a _______. a. video résumé b. functional résumé c. chronological résumé d. plain-text résumé ANSWER: c 12. Which of the following is the best advice about résumé length? a. Because recruiters are busy, keep it to one page. b. Because recruiters and hiring managers want to know your skills, make it as long as needed to sell yourself. c. Because recruiters interview applicants with two-page résumés, make it two pages. d. Because experts are divided between one- or two-page résumé length, make your résumé a page and a half. ANSWER: b 13. Which approach to organizing parts of your résumé will help to strategically profile your skills and experiences? a. Place your most important qualifications last so that they will be remembered. b. Use as many headings as needed to present your experiences and skills. c. Emphasize your skills and achievements aimed at a particular job or company. d. Always place the education section before the work experience section. ANSWER: c 14. The advantages of building a LinkedIn résumé to have in addition to your print résumé are that you can expand the description of your skills and qualifications, add media such as images, hyperlinks, and more, and _______. a. you do not have to worry about proofreading your résumé because errors do not matter in an online format b. you can upload personal photos as you would with Facebook or Instagram c. you can use I to tell your story more personally d. you can save money by not printing your résumé on paper ANSWER: c 15. Opinions on the use of a career objective are mixed. Which of the following is the best reason for candidates to add a career objective to their résumés? a. An objective shows flexibility and indicates that a candidate is adaptable and willing to change to suit the employer's needs. b. The primary goal of an objective is to make the recruiter's life easier by quickly classifying the résumé, which means the applicant is more likely to be hired. c. An objective can rapidly disqualify a candidate if the stated objective does not match a company's job description. d. An objective can tell the prospective employer that this candidate is sure about what he or she wants to do. ANSWER: d 16. Which of the following is an example of a well-written career objective for a résumé? a. An entry-level position in the marketing area with a possibility of promotion b. A challenging job at an organization that raises the bar in data security c. Serving as a team player in a company where independent thinking is a top priority d. An accounting position in which ten years' experience and a license as a CPA will allow me to assist your company with payroll, employee benefits, and governmental tax and records reporting ANSWER: d 17. In the education section of your résumé, you should _______. a. list all college courses that you have taken to give the employer a complete picture b. include relevant seminars attended and workshops completed c. list only colleges where you have completed a degree or certificate program d. specify your high school and college GPAs ANSWER: b 18. Which of these résumé tips is correct? a. Don't list awards and honors on a résumé; if you list them, you will appear to be bragging. b. Omit school and community activities from your résumé because they are unrelated to your work experience. c. Include your personal information (height, weight, and marital status) to give a potential employer a complete picture. d. Improve the visual impact of your résumé by placing your employment achievements and relevant job duties in an easy-to-read bulleted list. ANSWER: d 19. Which of the following statements about personal data on a résumé should you follow? a. Résumés should include an individual's birth date, marital status, height, weight, national origin, health, disabilities, and religious affiliation. b. Smart job seekers do not include hobbies or interests on their résumés because they know that recruiters cannot legally inquire about such information. c. Résumés in the United States should omit personal data. d. Résumés in the United States should include a personal photo to show what you look like. ANSWER: c 20-Which of the following statements regarding the use of references on your résumé should you follow? a. Include a list of references directly on the résumé. b. Do not include personal or character references. c. Remember that companies generally check references before a job interview to learn about a candidate in advance. d. Be sure to add the statement References furnished upon request at the bottom of your résumé. ANSWER: b 21. Which of the following statements is an example of quantifying an achievement on a résumé? a. Directed workflow and scheduling for emergency room personnel b. Performed preventative maintenance on production equipment c. Achieved 125 percent of production goal for three consecutive quarters d. Knowledgeable in a variety of production processes and Just-in-Time theories ANSWER: c 22-. In considering ethical issues regarding résumés, which of the following practices is acceptable? a. Misrepresenting a job title to make it sound more important b. Extending employment dates to avoid showing periods of unemployment c. Making your job duties sound more impressive and responsible than they really were d. Putting the GPA for your major courses only (for example 3.6/4.0 in major) when your actual GPA is not stellar ANSWER: d 23. Because your résumé is probably the most important document you will ever write, you should _______. a. enhance your job titles to make your résumé more impressive b. include ample use of the personal pronoun I to make it more personal c. consider having a knowledgeable friend or relative proofread it d. use a professional résumé service to prepare your résumé ANSWER: c 24. Some of today's employers often use applicant tracking software to sort and evaluate résumés. Which of these steps will maximize the "hits" your résumé receives from this kind of software? a. Describe your experience, education, and qualifications in general terms. b. Avoid abbreviations and acronyms, especially those related to the job title. c. Include a keyword summary that highlights your qualifications and experiences. d. Focus on nouns that describe your skills and qualifications. ANSWER: d 25. An e-portfolio is _______. a. an electronic copy of a résumé recorded on a CD or flash drive b. the addition of work samples and personal information as an attachment to an embedded résumé c. a collection of digital files that can be accessed with the use of menus and hyperlinks d. the name given to résumés posted on job-search websites such as Monster.com ANSWER: c 26. Why do some employers prefer to receive résumé information submitted in a plain-text format? a. The plain text format helps to avoid possible e-mail viruses. b. They want to save money on printing, and plain text résumés use less ink. c. Some employers find the extra formatting on résumés distracting. d. They want all of the résumés to be in the same format so that they are all treated the same. ANSWER: a 27. Which of the following statements about plain-text résumés is correct? a. Plain-text résumés are in high demand for electronic applications because recruiters and employers no longer ask candidates to send application materials by postal mail. b. A plain-text format is widely used for posting to online job boards and for applying by e- mail. c. Plain-text résumés will look exactly like the original and cannot be altered without Adobe Acrobat and other conversion software. d. A plain-text résumé enables a job candidate to present their experiences, qualifications, and interests in video form. ANSWER: b 28. When creating a plain-text résumé, you should _______. a. use white space or a line of hyphens or equal signs to separate sections b. add tabs and tables to emphasize important information c. use bullets to enhance the readability of your résumé d. add lots of images, designs, and colors for visual impact ANSWER: a 29. The purpose of a cover message is to _______. a. showcase an applicant's command of the English language b. secure a job interview c. introduce the résumé d. repeat the information presented on the résumé ANSWER: c 30. The biggest error job seekers make when writing a cover message is _______. a. misspelling the receiver's name or the company's name b. forgetting to enclose their résumé c. making the letter too generic d. not asking for the interview ANSWER: c 31. If you cannot find the name of a person to address your cover message to, which of the following is a recommended alternative? a. The phrase To Whom It May Concern b. A descriptive subject line such as Marketing Specialist Position c. The phrase Hiring Manager d. The name of the CEO ANSWER: b 32. In the opening of an unsolicited cover message, you should aim to be more persuasive by demonstrating knowledge of the reader's business and _______. a. telling them the salary you would like to earn b. showing how your specific skills will benefit the company c. specifying the type of position you're seeking d. explaining why you need a job ANSWER: b 33. In the body of a cover message, you should _______. a. repeat the information presented on your résumé b. explain why you need a job c. emphasize writer benefits because hiring officers want to know what appeals to you about this particular company d. demonstrate your qualifications and show how they fit the targeted job ANSWER: d 34.Which of the following statements presents a job candidate's information in the body of a cover message as a match a. I am a qualified and fully licensed pediatric nurse. b. Your posting description closely matches my experiences assisting dysfunctional families in crisis, and recently I've taken seminars in family dynamics to develop the additional skills that your ad indicates are essential. c. You need a licensed, registered nurse, and I meet those qualifications. d. Having graduated summa cum laude from Southwest College, I am well-prepared and eager to apply my knowledge in nursing. ANSWER: b 35. Which of the following pieces of advice regarding whether or not and how to send a cover message accompanying a résumé sent by e-mail or fax is recommended? a. Take the time to prepare a customized cover message to accompany your résumé sent electronically. b. Send your cover message separately from an e-mailed résumé. c. Shorten your e-mail or cover message to a brief statement such as Please consider the attached résumé for your opening. d. Skip the cover message entirely because the fax or e-mail includes your name. ANSWER: a 36. Which of the following suggestions will contribute to creating a successful cover message? a. Use different paper colors and paper types for your résumé and cover message to create a strong visual impact. b. Make activities and outcomes, not yourself, the subject of sentences to reduce overuse of "I." c. Use a creative letter style to surprise the reader and make a big impact. d. Keep the focus on your skills and traits through frequent use of "I" statements. ANSWER: b 37. A successful job search today should _______. a. use only traditional job search techniques b. use only modern, digital job search techniques, taking advantage of social media and online job boards c. focus only on networking so as to tap into the hidden job market d. use a blend of traditional and modern approaches to job hunting A NSWER: d 38. Which of the following sentences matches the recommended approach for closing a cover message? a. You should schedule my interview on Tuesday, September 7, at 10 a.m. b. Please feel free to call me at your earliest convenience. c. I hope you contact me soon to set up an interview for the systems analyst position. d. To add to your team an experienced systems analyst with proven analytical and troubleshooting skills, call me at (555) 555-4321 to arrange an interview. ANSWER: d 39. In today's competitive job market, the emphasis of the job search is on what the applicant wants and needs. a. True b. False ANSWER: False 40. The job-search process begins long before you are ready to prepare your résumé because you must invest time and effort in self-evaluation. a. True b. False ANSWER: True 41. The first step in a job search is selecting an appropriate résumé format. a. True b. False ANSWER: False 42. You can decide what qualifications you possess and how you can prove them by asking yourself What evidence can I offer that I am a self-starter or a leader? a. True b. False ANSWER: True 43. Students who are serious about the job search should include an internship in their education. a. True b. False ANSWER: True 44. Today, most jobs are filled through the open job market. a. True b. False ANSWER: False 45. CareerBuilder is an example of a niche job searching site. a. True b. False ANSWER: False 46. Many job seekers today use social networking sites like Facebook and LinkedIn to network and to find positions. a. True b. False ANSWER: True 47. To conduct a safe job search online, you should post your information privately and limit your personal information. a. True b. False ANSWER: True 48. More jobs are found through referrals and person-to-person contacts than through any other method. a. True b. False ANSWER: True 49. LinkedIn is the No. 1 social media site to use when looking for a job. a. True b. False ANSWER: True 50. An important step in the job-search process is building a brand for yourself. a. True b. False ANSWER: True 51. Munerah is a recent college graduate and does not have a lot of work experience. Which résumé format should she use? a. Chronological format b. Functional Format c. Video résumé d. plain text résumé ANSWER: b 52. Under what circumstances should a résumé be only one page in length? a. If the candidate has less than ten years of experience and only one or two employers b. If the candidate is a senior-level manager with many major accomplishments c. If the candidate has more than ten years of experience d. If the candidate has extensive and detailed information to show how they fit the position ANSWER: a 53. If you include a career objective on your résumé, it should focus on what you are hoping to gain. a. True b. False ANSWER: False 54. Where should the summary section be placed on a résumé? a. At the top of the résumé b. At the bottom of the résumé c. In the professional section of the résumé d. In the margin next to the professional section ANSWER: a 55. On your résumé, providing the GPA for only the courses in your declared major is considered unethical. a. True b. False ANSWER: False 56. In the work experience section of your résumé, you should include only those jobs that you think will help you win the targeted position. a. True b. False ANSWER: True 57. A résumé should include personal data (birth date, health, height, weight, and sometimes a photograph) to help the recruiter finalize his or her decision. a. True b. False ANSWER: False 58. References should be listed on a résumé. a. True b. False ANSWER: False 59. Because they expect you to showcase your strengths and hide your weaknesses, employers say it is acceptable to self-promote and distort facts on your résumé. a. True b. False ANSWER: False 60. Proofreading a résumé is important because a résumé must be perfect. a. True b. False ANSWER: True 61. Once your résumé is submitted to a company, the first reader of it may be a computer. a. True b. False ANSWER: True 62. You can maximize recognition of your résumé by a tracking system if you focus on incorporating targeted noun phrases. a. True b. False ANSWER: True 63. The advantages of career e-portfolios are that they can be posted online, viewed at the employer’s convenience, are easy to share, and _______. a. can show off your talents and qualifications more thoroughly than a print résumé b. will save paper c. hide gaps in your employment history d. are helpful if you are switching industries ANSWER: a 64. One advantage of creating a résumé on LinkedIn is that you can expand the description of your skills and qualifications. a. True b. False ANSWER: True 65. Résumés should always be submitted as Word documents to ensure that your intended formatting is retained. a. True b. False ANSWER: False 66. The purpose of a cover message is to secure a job interview. a. True b. False ANSWER: False 67. A cover message should always be limited to one page. a. True b. False ANSWER: False 68. The biggest mistake job seekers make when writing cover messages is making them sound too generic. a. True b. False ANSWER: True 69. You can make your cover message more appealing by addressing it specifically to the Human Resources Department or Hiring Manager. a. True b. False ANSWER: False 70. If an employment position has been announced and applicants are being solicited, you can write your cover message using a direct approach. a. True b. False ANSWER: True 71. I hope to hear from you soon is an effective closing for a cover message. a. True b. False ANSWER: False 72. A résumé sent by e-mail should not be accompanied by a cover message. a. True b. False ANSWER: False 73. You should work to minimize the use of I in a cover message. a. True b. False ANSWER: True 74. The job market in which jobs are advertised or listed is known as the _______. a. open job market b. hidden job market c. digital job market d. niche job market ANSWER: a 75-An applicant tracking systems (ATS) is more likely to select your résumé if it focuses on _______. a. verbs b. nouns c. adjectives d. dates ANSWER: b 76. What is personal branding? a. Identifying what your favorite consumer brands are b. Making a personal logo to put on all of your job search documents c. Identifying what makes you special and desirable in the job market d. Identifying what makes you similar to your peers ANSWER: c 77. Which style of résumé lists work history job by job, starting with the most recent position? a. Video résumé b. Career e-portfolio c. Functional d. Chronological ANSWER: d 78. What style of résumé focuses on a candidate's skills rather than on past employment? a. Video résumé b. Career e-portfolio c. Functional d. Chronological ANSWER: C 79. Which part of the résumé identifies your most impressive accomplishments relevant to the position and may appear near the top of your résumé? a. Professional experience b. Summary c. Educational experience d. Resume header ANSWER: b 80. In the closing of a cover message, you should work to motivate _______. a. action b. respect c. admiration d. interest ANSWER: a