Business Communications: Chapter 17

In the job interview process

adequate preparation can help applicants receive job offers

What is an informational interview?

an interview where you seek career advice by talking with a successful professional

How should you view volunteering?

as a way to help your community and as a way to grow your network

How do the most effective networkers view networking?

as relational

What are guidelines you should follow when creating a list of references

ask people for permission before using them as references and seek advice from your references about how to handle the job application process

How can joining clubs help your career

by helping you form relationships with other future professionals and by teaching you marketable skills

What is the last step in the resume process?

choosing a layout

Successfully searching for a job

commonly takes months

Which statement about making connections on LinkedIn is true? A. after making a connection, immediately ask if they will write you a recommendation to display on your profile B. avoid personalizing your invitations to connect so that you do not appear to be using flattery to get ahead C. connect strategically with professionals and peers who share your professional interests D. add all suggested connections, regardless of industry, because quantity is the most important metric

connect strategically with professionals and peers who share your professional interests

When you organize long lists of items on a resume into groups, you

demonstrate understanding of related skill sets, help prevent employers from glossing over your information, help recruiters quickly grasp your abilities

When citing your accomplishments in a resume, you should

describe how your contributions impacted the bottom line

Tips for effectively developing a reference list includes

developing relationships with potential references over time

When using action verbs on a resume, it is important to remember that

different action verbs are better suited to different career fields

The first step in creating a resume is to

evaluate your career ambitions and qualifications

The main purpose of using bold, italics, spacing, and other features in a resume is to

help recruiters understand your abilities and attributes in less than 30 seconds

A good resume should

highlight your relevant abilities and attributes

When drafting a cover letter, you should

identify the skills you have developed, clarify your short-term professional goals, and sort out attributes that define you as a professional

Preparing for the job application process

is similar to preparing for other forms of business communications

Which of the following statements are true of the job interview? (choose all that are correct) A. it is the most consequential part of the job application process B. You can be more successful with some preparation C. It is a formality because you have probably already been selected for the job D. You are competing against the best applicants for the job

it is the most consequential part of the job application process, you can be more successful with some preparation, you are competing against the best applicants for the job

Which of the following are benefits of using LinkedIn in your job research: A. it allows employers to see how you behave in your personal life B. It provides additional background information to job interviewers C. it helps connect you with hiring managers who are looking for people with your abilities and attributes D. It provides further support for your resume

it provides additional background information to job interviewers, it helps connect you with hiring managers who are looking for people with your abilities and attributes, and it provides further support for your resume

An unsolicited cover letter

opens immediately with a proposition about how you can add value to a company, requires several modifications from a standard solicited cover letter, and often summarizes abilities and attributes with a bulleted list

What should you do when conducting an informational interview?

prepare thoughtful questions before the meeting, before the meeting, learn as much as possible about the interviewee, and keep the interview short, ideally between 20 and 30 minutes

What are ways of getting helpful information for a job search?

searching websites that feature job listings, talking to experts at a university career center, and becoming involved with professional organizations in your field

Buzzwords and jargon on resumes

should be avoided because they fail to highlight your abilities and attributes

In a resume, quantifying accomplishments

should be done whenever possible, can show the significance of your work, and clarifies your accomplishments and gives them specificity

Hiring managers typically.......

skim through a resume on the first pass

When including personal details in your resume or cover letter, you should.......

tell a story of how your key abilities and attributes will help the company, include only interest that accentuate your abilities and attributes, and avoid revealing anything that is not strictly relevent to your

Which of the following are true about listing accomplishments and contributions on resumes? A. the order in which accomplishments are listed shows how they are prioritized B. the order in which contributions are listed doesn't matter as long as they are present C. hiring managers often read only the first couple of pieces of supporting evidence D. the most important contributions should be placed first.

the order in which accomplishments are listed shows how they are prioritized, hiring managers often read only the first couple of pieces of supporting evidence, and the most important contributions should be placed first

Which of the following are reasons why cliches should be avoided on resumes A. they may make you appear to be naive or unsophisticated B. they do not focus on your specific accomplishments C. they may show you have unrealistic views about your own abilities D. they convey a sense of enthusiasm about the job.

they may make you appear to be naive or unsophisticated, they do not focus on your specific accomplishments, and they may show you have unrealistic views about your own abilities

What are the best practices for creating your resume

use a layout with white space to avoid a cluttered look, make sure that the content is balanced across the page, plan and fine-tune the message before selecting a layout

What are rules for describing your accomplishments and experiences on a resume?

use strategically selected action verbs and avoid verbs that undersell your attributes and abilities

When compiling a reference list, you should.......

use your current supervisor as a reference if that person encourages you to move on and seek opportunity and not use your current supervisor as a reference if you think your supervisor will be unhappy to find you are looking for work elsewhere

Doing trial runs when preparing for an online job interview is recommended for which of the following reasons? (choose every correct answer) A. you will know whether or not you should decline the interview B. you will learn how to act professionally and feel natural C. you will know if the job is the right fit for you D. you will know if your equipment is working adequately

you will learn how to act professionally and feel natural and you will know if your equipment is working adequately

Which of the following statements are true about following up after a job interview? A. following up without being asked is considered a breach of etiquette for professional positions. B. Most HR professionals recommend following up after the interview in some way C. A thank you note should be brief and genuine D. A thank you note should be sent within a few hours to one day after an interview

Most HR professionals recommend following up after the interview in some way, a thank you note should be brief and genuine, and a thank you know should be sent within a few hours to one day after an interview

You should respond to interview questions

Strategically, concisely, confidently

Which statement about campus speeches and other professional development events is true? A. to benefit from these networking opportunities, you should show interest in the trainers, speakers, and other attendees B. most campus speeches and professional development events offer opportunities for attendees to interview for open job positions C. these events are generally useless if your goal is to build networking contact outside of the other students on your college campus

To benefit from these networking opportunities, you should show interest in the trainers, speakers, and other attendees

True or False: you should identify the position you are applying for in your cover letter?

True

True or False: Like other types of business communication, preparing for the job application process requires you to analyze your audience

True; you should consider how to meet the needs of your potential employer

Which statement about job fairs and career networking events is true? A. you school's career office will have information on job fairs and networking events on campus B. you should only go to a job fair or networking event if you will be looking for employment within the next few months C. Networking events are often related to a specific profession and should not be attended by people outside that area of interest D. Networking events are good for networking, but job fairs are not good for networking

You school's career office will have information on job fairs and networking events on campus

What is one benefit of volunteering for a community organization?

You will join and interact with a whole new network of people

Which statements about building a distinctive personal brand are true? (choose every correct answer): A. your personal brand should include a statement of your strengths that is no more than 5 words long B. a personal brand should be evaluated and revised if needed C. a distinctive brand should include the perfect responses to all questions about yourself D. professionals with distinctive brands are more likely to be promoted

your personal brand should include a statement of your strengths that is no more than 5 words long, a personal brand should be evaluated periodically and revised if needed, and professionals with distinctive personal brands are more likely to be promoted

What should your personal brand include?

your professional value proposition, your professional positioning, and your emotional appeal