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

False During job interviews, telling stories about your successes can create a positive connection between you and your potential employers.

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

False One of the most challenging aspects of the cover letter is getting the tone right. You will want to avoid flowery language, which hiring managers may find off-putting and not businesslike.

ypically, what should a LinkedIn profile accomplish for a job seeker? It should be an extension of social media sites like Facebook and contain mostly personal details. It can be the place where you list any provocative opinions that you hold. It usually serves as an electronic replacement for a résumé. It should be as low-key as possible so it doesn't hurt employment chances. It should be an elaborated version of your résumé and reinforce your professional narrative.

It should be an elaborated version of your résumé and reinforce your professional narrative. You should approach your LinkedIn profile in the same way you approach your résumé. By identifying a professional narrative of your key selling points, you're ready to set up a profile that is persuasive to your professional contacts. Typically, your LinkedIn profile is an elaborated version of your résumé.

Amber arrives for her first interview with Overseas Ventures, Inc., fifteen minutes early, wearing a dress blouse and a business suit whose skirt hem hits her knees. During the interview, she mentions a successful cost-cutting measure she implemented on her current job. She expresses gratitude for the opportunity her current employer gave her. She mentions what her current salary is and says she hopes the prospective employer can better it. After the interview, she sends a thank-you note to the manager who interviewed her. What did Amber do wrong? She bragged too much. She should not have brought up salary. Mentioning her current employer was inappropriate. Sending a thank-you note was inappropriate. She dressed too provocatively.

She should not have brought up salary. Typically, if you ask about salary, compensation, and other perks on the first interview, you may inadvertently send the meta message "this is all about me." One survey showed that less than one-third of hiring managers thought it was OK for interviewees to bring up salary on the first interview. Other things that hiring managers consider serious problems in the job application/interview process include dressing provocatively, having typos or grammatical errors in a cover letter and/or résumé, talking negatively about a previous supervisor or boss, and being late for the interview.

Which of the following is a guideline for writing a cover letter? Be as elaborate as possible in explaining why you are perfect for the job. Do not mention anything that is listed on your résumé because repetition is annoying. Use a conversational style with flowery language to convey enthusiasm. Tailor your cover letter to the job posting and needs of the employer. Do not write cover letters for jobs that have not been advertised by companies.

Tailor your cover letter to the job posting and needs of the employer. Tailor your cover letter to the job posting and needs of the employer. By carefully reading the job announcement, you can prioritize your selling points so they are tailored to the position of interest. This approach not only accentuates your ability to do the job, it also shows that you have researched the position and are responsive to the needs of the company.

Which of the following is a guideline for succeeding at interviews? Provide detailed and elaborate responses to questions. Answer questions about your weaknesses by stating a weakness that is really a strength. Frankly express your displeasure about your previous jobs. Take credit for your individual accomplishments, but also demonstrate your team orientation. Say "we" instead of "I" more often when talking about accomplishments at work.

Take credit for your individual accomplishments, but also demonstrate your team orientation. During an interview, claim credit for work you have accomplished. Say "I" instead of "we" during the job interview more often than you would otherwise as you talk about accomplishments at work. Yet, at the same time, maintain a balance between taking credit for your individual accomplishments and demonstrating your team orientation.

Which of the following statements from a résumé most effectively highlights a key skill or attribute? Took inventory of all the stock in the store. Responsible for advertising. I was the senior waitress at the restaurant. Thought about improving efficiency. I am a good leader.

Took inventory of all the stock in the store. Highlight your abilities and attributes in a way that emphasizes action and results. Select your action words strategically. For example, if you want to show that you are a leader, a series of statements beginning with action verbs such as "guided," "initiated," and "led" paint a more vivid picture than the statement "I am a good leader." By the same token, avoid verbs that undersell your abilities and attributes. Phrases such as "answered calls," "entered information in the computer," and "waited tables" do not emphasize transferable abilities and attributes. Of these options, "took inventory of all the stock in the store" does the best job of emphasizing action and results.

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

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

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 experiences. areas of improvement. attributes. abilities. goals

abilities. Abilities are skills and knowledge that can be applied to accomplishing work tasks.

While describing accomplishments and experiences in a résumé, begin statements with the pronoun I. concrete nouns. present-tense verbs. action verbs. descriptive adjectives.

action verbs. As you describe your accomplishments and experiences in a résumé, begin your statements with action verbs. By doing so, you highlight your abilities and attributes in a way that emphasizes action and results.

Hannah frequently checks in with her team members to see if they have questions about their assignments. Doing this is an example of experience. aptitude. character. competence. caring.

caring. Caring is the ability to maintain effective workplace relationships.

Cory knows how to use spreadsheet software to create reports that his managers find useful. This ability indicates Cory's goals. caring. attributes. character. competence.

competence. Competence focuses on the technical skills necessary to achieve work tasks.

The career summary section of a résumé should provide the candidate's memberships, awards, certifications and licensure, and activities. employment history with dates and organizations. objective for the job search. list of personal references. major accomplishments, abilities, and attributes.

major accomplishments, abilities, and attributes. A career summary generally states the candidate's primary accomplishments, abilities, and attributes. This summary should stick to the central selling theme.

If you ask about salary, compensation, and other perks on the first interview, you convey that you have considered the company's financial situation. send the message that you are a "go-getter" and confident. demonstrate your eagerness to start working. show that you are an experienced interviewee who knows how to negotiate. may send the message that you care more for yourself than the employer.

may send the message that you care more for yourself than the employer. Typically, if you ask about salary, compensation, and other perks on the first interview, you may inadvertently send the meta message "this is all about me."

One of the best ways to understand a potential employer's needs is to research the strategic goals and unique challenges of the company. network with friends and relatives. watch television shows and movies about people in that profession. research the company's advertising. go to job fairs on campus.

research the strategic goals and unique challenges of the company. One of the best ways to understand an employer's needs is to carefully read and analyze the job position announcement. In addition to analyzing the job position announcement, consider calling the contact person to gain additional insight. Learn all you can about the company, and spend time researching its strategic goals. Find out about its unique challenges, and think about how you might fit into the company's plan to face these challenges.