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Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Hard Questions
Really Hard Questions
100
Which of the following is true of online job fairs? (A) They are characterized by a wide geographic range. (B) They have a limited accessibility period. (C) They do not have the feature of applying on the spot. (D) They look like real postings but are not trustworthy. (E) They do not allow browsing through virtual booths.
What is (A) They are characterized by a wide geographic range? Explanation: Online job fairs are known for their wide geographic range and 24-hour access. At online fairs, you can browse through virtual booths, leave your résumé at promising ones, and sometimes even apply on the spot, all without leaving your home. From Chapter 12
100
Which of the following is true of job application letters? (A) Their main purpose is to summarize details about an applicant's qualifications. (B) They tell you exactly what a company requires from its applicants. (C) They give you information about career openings in a company. (D) They show your interest in a job, but do not convey any information about your personality. (E) They play an important role in your personal branding.
What is (E) They play an important role in your personal branding? Explanation: Job letters can play an important role in your personal branding. They can show your personality and, through careful reference to well-chosen details about the organization, interest in a particular job. From Chapter 13
100
Joan spends 20 to 25 minutes in a particular segment of an interview where she answers questions about her previous work experiences and also explains a gap in the last year because of a death in the family. In addition, she uses this segment to find out what she needs to know to decide if she wants to accept a site trip. This scenario best describes the _____ of the interview. (A) introduction (B) opening (C) close (D) body (E) conclusion
What is (D) body? Explanation: This scenario best describes the body of the interview. The body of an interview comprises 10 to 25 minutes and is an all-too-brief time for an interviewee to highlight qualifications and expect questions that give him an opportunity to showcase his strong points and questions that probe any weaknesses evident from a résumé. From Chapter 14
100
Which of the following is a characteristic of successful interviewees? (A) They refrain from asking the interviewer questions. (B) They avoid using any technical jargon related to the industry or job. (C) They answer questions very briefly in not more than ten words. (D) They monopolize the interview with lengthy monologues. (E) They maintain eye contact with the interviewers while interacting with them.
What is (E) They maintain eye contact with the interviewers while interacting with them? Explanation: Successful interviewees make eye contact often and smile. They also express approval nonverbally and verbally of information provided by the interviewer. From Chapter 14
100
During a job interview, Dario was unable to answer the interviewer's final question, because it was slightly technical and he did not know the answer. He is worried that this one answer may cost him the job even though the rest of the interview went well. Which of the following should Dario do to possibly salvage his situation? (A) He should trust that the rest of the interview has gone well, and leave the interview as it is. (B) He should be honest and tell the interviewer that he has let himself down. (C) He should ask the interviewer if he could answer the question again. (D) He should restate a positive point that he would like the interviewer to know. (E) He should apologize to the interviewer before he leaves the interview.
What is (D) He should restate a positive point that he would like the interviewer to know? Explanation: Dario should not leave the interview without saying something positive. If you blow a question near the end of the interview, don't leave until you've said something positive—perhaps restating one of the points you want the interviewer to know about you. From Chapter 14
200
Which of the following is true of successful job searches? (A) They rely less on the Internet. (B) They build relationships through networking. (C) They avoid traditional résumés and cover letters as they are no longer relevant. (D) They accept that companies prefer entry-level recruiting to intern recruiting. (E) They use social media and focus your profiles and posts entirely on getting a job.
What is (B) They build relationships through networking? Explanation: To be successful in your job search, you should use the Internet effectively and build relationships through internships and networking. Establish a reputation online through wise use of social media. Be prepared with excellent traditional résumés and cover letters. From Chapter 12
200
The hidden job market includes positions which are: (A) currently held by existing employees who will retire within a few years. (B) advertised on the web, but not in newspapers. (C) unadvertised and, therefore, require networking with personal contacts. (D) the results of having worked at a company as an intern. (E) reserved for management experts in case the company faces severe losses.
What is (C) unadvertised and, therefore, require networking with personal contacts? Explanation: Some jobs are created especially for a specific person and they come from networking with personal contacts. These unadvertised jobs are called the hidden job market. From Chapter 13
200
Jane recently attended an interview at Breaking Paths Inc., a respected media house. Prior to the interview, she prepared well for her position and was able to answer all the questions asked during the interview. However, the interviewers mentioned that she came across as impolite during the interview. Which of the following behaviors did Jane most likely display during the interview? (A) She used lengthy monologues to share her knowledge about the company and herself. (B) She practiced active listening by rephrasing and clarifying what the interviewers said. (C) She used a handshake that was neither limp nor aggressive. (D) She did not criticize her previous employers even though they were not pleasant to her. (E) She asked interviewers if they required further details about her work experience.
What is (A) She used lengthy monologues to share her knowledge about the company and herself? Explanation: It is likely that Jane spoke in lengthy monologues during her interview. It is important not to monopolize the interview time with lengthy monologues. Generally interviewers will have many questions to cover and will not appreciate an undue amount of time wasted on just one. From Chapter 14
200
To distinguish yourself from other job candidates just out of college, in your job application letter, you should: (A) provide specifics about what you've done. (B) stress the responsibilities you were given rather than the accomplishments you had. (C) dedicate several paragraphs of the letter to developing supporting details. (D) inflate some facts and use buzzwords to talk about personal connections to the organization. (E) exaggerate your strengths and capabilities.
What is (A) provide specifics about what you've done? Explanation: In a job application letter, when you discuss your strengths, don't exaggerate. Specifics about what you've done will make your claims about what you can do more believable and ground them in reality. From Chapter 13
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A sentence in a job application letter reads, "You can call my professor to verify whether the recommendation is valid." Which of the following is most likely to be the best revision for this sentence to ensure positive emphasis? (A) My professor is willing to verify the written recommendation over telephone. (B) Professor Jackson can provide more specific information about my coursework and qualifications. (C) Professor Jackson would be happy to confirm your views if you check with him. (D) You can verify the recommendation by calling Professor Jackson. (E) Professor Jackson will help you verify the validity of the recommendation.
What is (B) Professor Jackson can provide more specific information about my coursework and qualifications? Explanation: The best revision for this statement is most likely "Professor Jackson can provide more specific information about my coursework and qualifications." "Verify" suggests that you expect the employer to distrust what you've said. Therefore, the best revision for the sentence would be one in which the word verify is not present. From Chapter 13
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Which of the following functions do verbs and gerunds generally serve in a résumé? (A) They save space and prevent grammatical errors. (B) They create a lack of parallelism in sentence structure. (C) They allow you to present information briefly than nouns do. (D) They create a more dynamic image of you than nouns do. (E) They are vital to catch the eye of the employer.
What is (D) They create a more dynamic image of you than nouns do? Explanation: Verbs or gerunds (the "ing" form of verbs) create a more dynamic image of you than do nouns, so use them on résumés that will be read by people instead of scanning programs. From Chapter 12
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In a referral interview, it is inappropriate to: (A) follow up with a note of appreciation to those who met with you. (B) ask a person to give you advice on your resume after reading it. (C) ask the person who could create a job for you to hire you. (D) go into the interview with the names of people you'd like to talk to. (E) follow up with personal thank-you letters.
What is (C) ask the person who could create a job for you to hire you? Explanation: Even when you talk to the person who could create a job for you, you do not ask for a job. Always follow up information and referral interviews with personal thank-you letters. From Chapter 13
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Alyssa is applying for a job as a technical consultant at a software company. She is preparing for her first round which is a phone interview. If she performs well in this round, she will be eligible for a face-to-face round with the director of the organization. Which of the following will help Alyssa have a good phone interview: (A) Taking ample notes during the interview to help her keep track of the entire conversation (B) Browsing relevant online websites during the interview to ensure that she is answering the questions well (C) Avoiding hand gestures while talking, since no one can see her (D) Putting on soft music in the background to calm her mind and get rid of nervousness (E) Smiling and leaning forward while talking, because it will help add warmth to her words
What is (E) Smiling and leaning forward while talking, because it will help add warmth to her words? Explanation: Smiling and leaning forward while talking because it will help add warmth to her words will help Alyssa have a good phone interview. Even gesturing is recommended by speech experts. From Chapter 14
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In response to a job advertisement, Greg, a graduate student, is preparing his résumé. He is working on the Education section of the résumé. Which of the following shows proper punctuation when he is presenting his degree on his résumé? (A) B S in Marketing (B) B S. in Marketing (C) B.S in Marketing (D) BS. in Marketing (E) BS in Marketing
What is (E) BS in Marketing? Explanation: To punctuate your degrees, do not space between letters and periods. Current usage also permits you to omit the periods (BS, MBA), but be consistent with the usage you choose. From Chapter 12
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Catherine creates a résumé for a law-related position. She has many accomplishments in both her work history and her education. She has worked as a law clerk at a reputed law firm and currently works part-time for a startup firm. Which of the following accomplishments should Catherine omit from her résumé? (A) Law clerk at FA Associates between 2008 and 2010 (B) Crowned Homecoming Queen in junior year (C) Regional winner of a math contest in high school (D) Passed the CPA exam in 2006 (E) National finalist of the North American Debating Championship in 2005
What is (B) Crowned Homecoming Queen in junior year? Explanation: Honors like "Miss Congeniality" or "Muscle Man Star," or in this case—"Homecoming Queen", that work against the professional image you want your résumé to create, should be omitted. From Chapter 12
400
Identify the error in the following list of job duties: "Recruited seventeen volunteers, designing of brochures, and spoke to five community groups." (A) The list lacks proper emphatic order. (B) The list lacks details. (C) The list lacks parallel structure. (D) The list uses a complete sentence. (E) The list uses nouns instead of gerunds.
What is (C) The list lacks parallel structure? Explanation: Items in lists need to have parallel structure. The details you give about your experience are some of the most vital information on your résumé. As you provide these details, use bulleted lists (easy to read) rather than paragraphs which are harder to read and may be skipped over. From Chapter 12
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On which of the following should your job application letter focus? (A) Points that separate you from other applicants (B) Controversial material about job changes or breaks in your career (C) A chronological and detailed display of your qualifications (D) Your personal life and how it motivates you to seek the job (E) Questions about the organization you are applying to
What is (A) Points that separate you from other applicants? Explanation: Job letters help show employers why they should interview you instead of other—sometimes hundreds of others—qualified applicants. It expands your best qualifications to show how you can help the organization meet its needs, how you differ from other applicants, and how much knowledge of the organization you possess. From Chapter 13
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Which of the following should be undertaken while devising an interview strategy? (A) Pick ten main points that represent your strengths for a job and elaborate on them. (B) Listen to each question, to see if you could make one of your key points as part of your answer. (C) Avoid making key points about your strengths for a job at the end of an interview. (D) Let strengths stand by themselves rather than trying to justify them with accomplishments. (E) Try your best to avoid questions about your weaknesses and failures.
What is (B) Listen to each question, to see if you could make one of your key points as part of your answer? Explanation: For an interview, you should pick two to five points that represent your strengths and accomplishments related to the job. You should listen to every question to see if you can make one of the key points as part of your answer. If the questions do not allow you to convey those points, they should be brought up at the end of the interview. From Chapter 14
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Which of the following statements is true of formats for setting up the Experience section of your résumé? (A) Block format shouldn't be used if your work history has gaps. (B) In indented format, carryover lines are not indented. (C) Indented format does not emphasize job titles. (D) Indented format can be used to emphasize when you worked, if you've held only low-level jobs. (E) Block format provides work information in the order of job title, name of organization, city, state, and dates.
What is (A) Block format shouldn't be used if your work history has gaps? Explanation: Don't use two-margin or block format if your work history has gaps. Two-margin or block format frequently can be used to emphasize when you worked, if you've held only low-level jobs. In indented format, items that are logically equivalent begin at the same space, with carryover lines indented. Indented format emphasizes job titles. It provides work information in this order: Job title, name of organization, city, state, dates. From Chapter 12
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Which of the following is recommended when including a career objective on the résumé of a recent college graduate? (A) Career objective statements should be elaborate—six lines at most. (B) Career objective statements should be targeted to a specific job at a specific company. (C) Career objective statements should not sound exactly like the job descriptions an employer uses in a job listing. (D) Career objective statements should be clarified at the top of a résumé rather than in a cover letter. (E) Write the career objective statement by putting the job title or field under your name.
What is (B) Career objective statements should be targeted to a specific job at a specific company? Explanation: The best career objectives are targeted to a specific job at a specific company. Career objective statements should sound like the job descriptions an employer might use in a job listing. Often you can avoid writing a career objective statement by putting the job title or field under your name. More and more experts are advising that objectives be clarified in the cover letter rather than wasting valuable space at the top of the résumé. From Chapter 12
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On her résumé, Sania gives basic details about her degree, field of study, date of completion, and the name of the grad school. Further, she considers listing all her courses. While doing so, which of the following is recommended? (A) She should use course numbers to make them chronological. (B) She should use short descriptive titles while listing them. (C) She should classify them under the heading, "Relevant Courses." (D) She should avoid using subheads completely. (E) She should consider writing them in paragraphs as listing is an obtrusive way of filling a page.
What is (B) She should use short descriptive titles while listing them? Explanation: After giving the basic information of your degree, field of study, date, school, use short descriptive titles rather than course numbers to list courses. Use a subhead like "Courses Related to Major" that will help you in the job for which you're applying. Don't say "Relevant Courses," as that implies your other courses were irrelevant? From Chapter 12
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Amanda has just completed a course in marketing and is searching for a job in the same field. Since she does not have a Master's degree, she is unsure of the kind of jobs she is eligible for. She manages to set up a referral interview with her neighbor's father, the HR head of a company. Which of the following questions would she most likely ask during this referral interview? (A) How much do you get paid as the head of HR? (B) Do you think it would be a good idea for me to talk to the head of marketing in your company? (C) Could you please give me a job at your company as Marketing Manager? (D) What courses or activities would you recommend as preparation for a marketing job? (E) What do you think the future holds for this kind of work?
What is (B) Do you think it would be a good idea for me to talk to the head of marketing in your company? Explanation: Amanda would most likely ask "Do you think it would be a good idea for me to talk to the head of marketing in your company?" She should start by scheduling interviews with people she knows who may know something about that field—professors, co-workers, neighbors, friends, former classmates. In fact, she should go into the interview with the names of people she'd like to talk to. From Chapter 13
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Gordo receives a job offer from Zimble Inc., a telecommunications company that is not his first choice. He is still awaiting a response from Thornton Inc., a company that is his first choice and with whom he has had his final interview. How should Gordo respond to Zimble Inc.? (A) Gordo should accept the offer from Zimble Inc. and let Thornton Inc. know. (B) Gordo should decline the offer from Zimble Inc. and then check the status of his application at Thornton Inc. (C) Gordo should thank Zimble Inc. for the offer and ask for time to respond to the offer. (D) Gordo should decline the offer from Zimble Inc. and wait to hear from the other company. (E) Gordo should thank Zimble Inc. and tell them that he cannot accept their offer until Thornton Inc. gets back to him.
What is (C) Gordo should thank Zimble Inc. for the offer and ask for time to respond to the offer? Explanation: Gordo should thank the person for the offer and express enthusiasm, but he should not accept the offer. If your first offer is not from your first choice, express your pleasure at being offered the job, but do not accept it on the phone. "That's great! I assume I have two weeks to let you know?" Then call the other companies you're interested in and explain "I've just gotten a job offer, but I'd rather work for you. Can you tell me what the status of my application is?" From Chapter 14
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The closing sentence of an application letter reads, "I want an interview with you." Which of the following is most likely to be the best revision for this sentence? (A) I anxiously await a phone call from you so that we can meet to discuss job opportunities. (B) Please do not hesitate to contact me. I can't wait to hear from you. (C) Thank you for your time. I am grateful to you. (D) I look forward to talking to you about how my qualifications could meet the company's corporate needs. (E) I assure you that you will not be disappointed if you hire me.
What is (D) I look forward to talking to you about how my qualifications could meet the company's corporate needs? Explanation: The best revision for this sentence is most likely to be "I look forward to talking to you about how my qualifications could meet the company's corporate needs." End the letter on a positive note that suggests you look forward to the interview and that you see yourself as a person who has something to contribute, not as someone who just needs a job. From Chapter 13
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Patterson Inc., an advertising firm, is conducting interviews for the position of communications manager. The HR department likes the resume of Irene, who has impressive qualifications and work experience. However, during the face-to-face interview, they are disappointed with Irene and do not short-list her for the next round of interviews. Which of the following is most likely responsible for Irene's lack of success at the interview? (A) She stated why she would be right for the position of communications manager. (B) She stated that she was happy to learn more about the company through its website. (C) She referred to the company specifically as Patterson Inc. instead of as "your company." (D) She mentioned that she would love to strengthen networks with Patterson Inc.'s clients. (E) She clarified that she was using the interview to learn about what the company offers.
What is (E) She clarified that she was using the interview to learn about what the company offers? Explanation: Irene most likely clarified that she was using the interview to learn about what the company offers. This is a characteristic of an unsuccessful interviewee. From Chapter 14