Q&A Hero

Q: List two strategies for handling gaps in your employment history when writing a rsum.

Q: Name at least three qualities you need to convey on any rsum.

Q: Describe the most preferred and least preferred ways organizations prefer to look for new employees and explain why one way is preferred more than the other.

Q: What is an e-portfolio, and how do you use it during the job search?

Q: A key advantage of an __________ version of your rsum is that you can provide links to supporting details and other materials.

Q: An electronic rsum should include a list of __________ __________ that will help employers identify your skills.

Q: To change your traditional paper rsum into a scannable one, you must convert it to plain-text or __________ format.

Q: To prepare an electronic rsum, you need to make its format appropriate for __________ into an electronic database.

Q: Relevant hobbies may be listed in the __________ __________ section of your rsum.

Q: __________ is usually given less emphasis in a rsum after you"ve worked in your chosen field for a year or more.

Q: In the __________ ___________ section of your rsum you list jobs you've had and responsibilities you've held on those jobs.

Q: In the __________ section of your rsum you list schools you've attended and degrees you've received.

Q: The __________ __________ section of a rsum may highlight your strongest points in a brief summary of qualifications.

Q: For a rsum, use short, crisp phrases starting with __________ verbs.

Q: A(n) __________ rsum is organized around a list of skills and accomplishments.

Q: The most traditional way to organize a rsum is __________.

Q: A successful __________ __________ includes processes like preparing a rsum and preparing for an interview.

Q: When distributing your rsum __________________________ A) send it via the most expedient mode. B) using email works the best. C) deliver in the method requested. D) let the employer know beforehand which method you will be using.

Q: The preferred way to send a plain-text rsum is ___________ A) through regular mail. B) by fax. C) via email as part of the body of the email message. D) via email as an attached file.

Q: An electronic rsum differs from a standard print rsum in that ___________ A) it includes a list of key words. B) the Work Experience section always gets listed first. C) you leave out the Education section. D) all of the above.

Q: Uploading your rsum into an employer's database has the same goal as creating a scannable rsum, but first you need to __________________ A) rewrite the whole thing. B) convert it to plain text (ASCII) format. C) purchase a special software program. D) create a web version of your rsum.

Q: To achieve the best physical appearance for your rsum, you ___________ A) make sure it is jarring and "jumps out at you." B) leave plenty of white space. C) use coloured paper. D) use a variety of typefaces in various colours.

Q: Which of the following is not a common problem that employers see in rsum? A) They are too slick. B) They are amateurish. C) They are filled with misspellings and grammatical errors. D) They are too simple and concise.

Q: Do not include on your rsum items that could encourage discrimination, such as ___________ A) home address. B) hobbies. C) marital status. D) military service.

Q: In the "Personal Data" section of your rsum, you list ___________ A) hobbies or miscellaneous experiences that may help you get the job. B) any health problems or disabilities you have, whether or not they may affect your job performance. C) your age, marital status, race, colour, religion, and national origin, which are required by law. D) any experience in the military, whether or not it has a bearing on the job.

Q: When listing activities and achievements, you should probably avoid mentioning ___________ A) participation in athletics. B) involvement in fund-raising or community service activities. C) membership in political or religious organizations. D) speaking, writing, or tutoring experience.

Q: When you describe your work experience on your rsum ___________ A) start with your most recent job and work back chronologically. B) describe one or two jobs in detail so that employers get an idea of your work ethic. C) list only full-time positions. D) try to come up with fancier titles for the jobs you've held.

Q: If you are still a student and have little work experience, your rsum should emphasize ___________ A) summer jobs you have held. B) your educational background. C) your hobbies and interests. D) volunteer work you've done and service organizations in which you've been active.

Q: Which of the following would be the most desirable wording to use on a rsum? A) "I was in charge of a staff of six employees." B) "I supervised six employees." C) "Was in charge of entire departmental staff." D) "Supervised staff of six employees."

Q: A type of rsum that emphasizes a candidate's skills and accomplishments while also including a complete job history is termed ___________ A) a chronological rsum. B) a functional rsum. C) a combination rsum. D) an indirect rsum.

Q: If you are planning a career change and want to prepare a rsum emphasizing skills that qualify you for a job in your new field, the best organizational plan for your rsum would be ___________ A) chronological. B) functional. C) targeted. D) indirect.

Q: The best organization for the rsum of someone with a strong employment history along a progressive career path would be ___________ A) chronological. B) functional. C) targeted. D) portfolio.

Q: The most traditional way to organize a rsum is ___________ A) chronologically. B) functionally. C) geographically. D) alphabetically.

Q: Your rsum emphasizes ___________ A) your work experience. B) getting the job. C) what you"ve accomplished. D) your career objective.

Q: Networking is _________________________________ A) walking up to strangers at social events and handing over your rsum. B) meeting prominent business people at business events and asking them about employment opportunities. C) sharing of information between people who might be able to offer mutual help at some point in the future. D) an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to solve problems, plan projects, and so on.

Q: This is the least preferred way many organizations choose to find new employees. A) Through personal recommendations B) Advertising C) Looking for someone inside the organization D) Hiring an employment agency

Q: Before trying to identify employers who are likely to want you and vice versa, you begin by ___________ A) limiting your search to a particular industry or functional specialty. B) talking to friends who have interesting jobs. C) analyzing what you have to offer and what you hope to get from your job. D) reading carefully through company literature from a wide variety of firms.

Q: The type of people who find work in today's changing workplace are ___________ A) versatile. B) life-long learners. C) adaptable. D) All of the above apply.

Q: When posting work that supports your website rsum, be sure you have permission to publish or link to material created for a previous employer. A) True Correct: Correct B) False Incorrect: Incorrect

Q: To make your rsum scannable, you need to convert it to ASCII format. A) True Incorrect: Correct B) False Correct: Incorrect

Q: Some examples of key words to include in your electronic rsum would be "works hard," "knows foreign languages," and "gets along well with others." A) True Incorrect: Correct B) False Correct: Incorrect

Q: To fit everything on one page, it's okay to sacrifice white space on your rsum. A) True Incorrect: Correct B) False Correct: Incorrect

Q: As a general guideline, if you have less than 10 years of professional experience, try to keep your rsum to one page. A) True Correct: Correct B) False Incorrect: Incorrect

Q: Prospective employers do not like rsums that are gimmicky, boastful, or too slick. A) True Correct: Correct B) False Incorrect: Incorrect

Q: It is inappropriate to mention community activities or volunteer work on a rsum. A) True Incorrect: Correct B) False Correct: Incorrect

Q: When listing work experience on a rsum, you emphasize significant accomplishments in each job. A) True Correct: Correct B) False Incorrect: Incorrect

Q: Your rsum lists past jobs in chronological order, with the oldest job first and the current job last. A) True Incorrect: Correct B) False Correct: Incorrect

Q: In the work experience section of your rsum, you leave out any jobs that do not relate directly to your career objective. A) True Incorrect: Correct B) False Correct: Incorrect

Q: If you have worked in your chosen field for a year or more, your rsum de-emphasizes your educational background. A) True Correct: Correct B) False Incorrect: Incorrect

Q: The education section of your rsum includes any relevant seminars or workshops you have attended. A) True Correct: Correct B) False Incorrect: Incorrect

Q: If you plan to include a career objective or summary of qualifications in your rsum, you make it as vague as possible to keep from limiting your prospects. A) True Incorrect: Correct B) False Correct: Incorrect

Q: When giving your background and qualifications on a rsum, you always use complete sentences. A) True Incorrect: Correct B) False Correct: Incorrect

Q: A functional rsum is organized around a list of accomplishments and focuses on the person's areas of competence. A) True Correct: Correct B) False Incorrect: Incorrect

Q: All rsums should be organized chronologically. A) True Incorrect: Correct B) False Correct: Incorrect

Q: A good rsum can be customized for different situations and different employers. A) True Correct: Correct B) False Incorrect: Incorrect

Q: Showing frequent job changes on your rsum is a positive thing because it proves you enjoy change. A) True Incorrect: Correct B) False Correct: Incorrect

Q: The more good information you present about yourself in your rsum, the better. A) True Incorrect: Correct B) False Correct: Incorrect

Q: A successful rsum inspires a prospective employer to invite you to interview with the company. A) True B) False

Q: The purpose of a rsum is to list all your skills and abilities. A) True Incorrect: Correct B) False Correct: Incorrect

Q: Your classmates could turn out to be some of your most important business contacts. A) True B) False

Q: The hidden job market refers to the job openings that are never advertised. A) True B) False

Q: As many as 30 percent of all job openings are never advertised. A) True B) False

Q: Most employers prefer to post job openings through the help-wanted advertisings. A) True B) False

Q: Potential employers will not try to find you online unless you instruct them to view your information. A) True B) False

Q: As part of your job search, it's a good idea to keep abreast of business and financial news. A) True B) False

Q: Your career-building efforts normally stop once you are hired. A) True B) False

Q: When considering your ideal job, you should think about what kind of corporate culture you'd find most desirable. A) True B) False

Q: Few professional societies have student chapters or offer student discounted memberships. A) True B) False

Q: It is not a good idea to take interim assignments because you may not be available when that full-time position comes along. A) True B) False

Q: Employers do not expect recent college and university graduates to have a sound understanding of international affairs. A) True B) False

Q: Lifetime employability means that there will always be a job available during your lifetime. A) True B) False

Q: Employers do not struggle with the ups and downs of the economy, just as employees do. A) True B) False

Q: Your career probably won"t be as stable as careers were in your parents' generation. A) True B) False

Q: Slide transitions in presentation software allow users to move objects around on each slide. A) True B) False

Q: Effective text visuals consist of no more than six lines, with a maximum of six or seven words on each line. A) True B) False

Q: A drawback of using overhead transparencies is that they are limited to static displays. A) True B) False

Q: Using visual aids dramatically increases the audience's ability to absorb and remember information. A) True B) False

Q: A question-and-answer session isn't that important and should be included only if you have not filled the allotted time. A) True B) False

Q: Even if parts of your speech have been downbeat, you always try to close on a positive note. A) True B) False

Q: If the action you advocate in a speech is likely to be difficult, use the final summary to ensure that everyone understands the problems involved. A) True B) False