Chapter 14: Research Methods as a Career

Test Bank

Multiple Choice

1. The ability to do something well is referred to as a ______.

a. test

b. duty

c. skill

d. rule

2. The three most important documents for job hunting include all of the following EXCEPT ______.

a. cover letter

b. letters of recommendation

c. resume

d. references

3. A formal letter to a hiring official introducing yourself and describing your interest in working for a specific organization is called a ______.

a. cover letter

b. letter of recommendation

c. resume

d. reference

4. Cover letters serve all of the following purposes with the exception of ______.

a. introducing an individual to the organization or hiring official

b. presenting a clear, concise, and compelling case for why you are the best candidate for the job

c. providing a detailed description of past employers, including contact information

d. filling in gaps and elaborating on aspects of a resume

5. What information comes first on a cover letter?

a. current data

b. job applicant contact information

c. hiring officials contact information

d. salutation

6. Which of the following list shows how to order information at the beginning of a cover letter?

a. job applicant contact information, current date, hiring official contact information, salutation

b. current date, hiring official contact information, salutation, job applicant contact information

c. salutation, job applicant contact information, current date, hiring official contact information

d. hiring official contact information, salutation, job applicant contact information, current date

7. The body of a cover letter consists of ______ paragraph(s).

a. one to two

b. two to three

c. three to four

d. four to five

8. The following are examples of how to close a cover letter in a complimentary manner with the exception of ______.

a. warmest regards

b. best wishes

c. goodbye

d. sincerely

9. Which should not be included in a cover letter?

a. a generic salutation such as “To whom it may concern”

b. a complimentary close

c. applicant contact information

d. references to your resume

10. A written summary of an educational record, work history, certifications, memberships, and accomplishments submitted with a job application is called a ______.

a. cover letter

b. resume

c. letter of recommendation

d. reference page

11. ______ should include a short and specific goal statement.

a. Letters of recommendation

b. References

c. Cover letters

d. Resumes

12. The following are included in strong resumes with the exception of ______.

a. an answer to the question, “What do I have to offer the employer?”

b. a clear and concise goal statement

c. presentation of key skills that an employer desire

d. the employer’s contact information

13. The following are examples of common personal information included on resumes with the exception of ______.

a. name

b. phone number

c. email address

d. social media handles

14. Which of the following information is not legally required to be on a resume?

a. complete full name

b. email address

c. phone number

d. gender

15. Include the following information about previous employment experience on your resume with the exception of ______.

a. job position or title

b. employer’s phone number

c. duties and responsibilities

d. employer’s name and location

16. A ______ is a document in which an applicant’s former employer or professional acquaintances assesses the qualities, characteristics, and capabilities of the applicant.

a. reference page

b. cover letter

c. resume

d. letter of recommendation

17. The following sources are appropriate for providing letters of recommendation with the exception of ______.

a. former or current employers

b. former or current professors

c. leaders in the community

d. family and friends

18. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are ______ million people employed by the federal government.

a. 5

b. 10

c. 15

d. 20

19. Federal employees that are classified as career-conditional must complete a ______ probationary period.

a. one-year

b. two-year

c. three-year

d. four-year

20. Temporary federal employees are appointed for no more than ______ years.

a. two

b. three

c. four

d. five

21. In order to achieve permanent status as a federal employee, one must complete ______ years of continuous service.

a. two

b. three

c. four

d. five

22. Federal government job postings contain the following information with the exception of ______.

a. exact salary amount

b. position title

c. location

d. eligibility requirements

23. The federal government pay scale consists of ______ grades.

a. 10

b. 15

c. 20

d. 25

24. The Office of the Inspector General is an example of which of the following components of a federal government posting?

a. position title

b. series

c. location

d. eligibility requirements

25. Most jobs today are found via ______.

a. the Internet

b. newspaper classified ads

c. word of mouth

d. flyers

26. The following internet sites are the most common job search sites with the exception of ______.

a. Indeed.com

b. Careerbuilder.com

c. LinkedIn

d. Monster.com

27. Searching job search sites for “GIS” is an example of a keyword search used for which of the following?

a. desired job title

b. field or industry

c. job type

d. location

28. Searching job search sites for “SPSS” is an example of a keyword search used for which of the following?

a. industry-specific skills, tools, and jargon

b. field or industry

c. job type

d. desired job title

29. Searching job search sites for “crime analysis” is an example of a keyword search used for which of the following?

a. job title

b. company name

c. desired job title

d. field or industry

30. Searching job search sites for “contract” is an example of a keyword search used for which of the following?

a. job type

b. company name

c. desired job title

d. field or industry

31. The following social media platforms can be used to help find jobs with the exception of ______.

a. Facebook

b. Twitter

c. Snapchat

d. LinkedIn

32. The following tips can help you use LinkedIn to land a dream job with the exception of ______.

a. make it easy for recruiters or employers to find you

b. classify friends

c. hand-pick the skills that employers are likely to search for

d. follow your dream companies

33. The following tips can help you use Facebook to land a dream job with the exception of ______.

a. fill out your profile with your professional history

b. classify your friends

c. find networking connections

d. take advantage of hashtags

34. The following were identified as top Twitter hashtags EXCEPT ______.

a. #Hiring

b. #Dreamjob

c. #TweetMyJobs

d. #JobListing

35. Which of the following is considered a traditional interview?

a. one-on-one, face-to-face

b. Skype

c. telephone

d. group interview

36. The following are common, legal interview questions with the exception of ______.

a. Why should we hire you?

b. What is your marital status?

c. Why are you leaving or have you left your job?

d. What is your greatest strength?

37. Which of the following questions is a legal interview question?

a. “Where do you see yourself in five years?”

b. “What is your ethnicity?”

c. “What is your marital status?”

d. “What is your gender?”

38. The following are inappropriate questions to ask at an interview with the exception of ______.

a. “If I get the position, what will my compensation be?”

b. “If I asked someone what three things they like most about working here, what do you think they would they say?

c. “Can I renegotiate an offer if I am offered another position at better pay?”

d. “How many vacation and sick days will I get?”

39. A professional portfolio includes the following with the exception of ______.

a. introductory statements

b. reflections on documents

c. glossaries

d. statements of professional preparation

40. The ______ in a professional portfolio contains the full documents referenced and/or discussed throughout the portfolio.

a. statement of professional preparation

b. professional commitment essay

c. appendix

d. reflections on documents

41. Which of the following parts of a professional portfolio summarizes major accomplishments and outcomes relevant to an applicant’s potential job?

a. statement of professional preparation

b. professional commitment essay

c. appendix

d. reflections on documents

42. Professional portfolio introductory summaries are typically ______ page.

a. one

b. two

c. three

d. four

43. Professional commitment essays about the relevance of your education to a potential job are typically ______ page(s).

a. one to two

b. two to three

c. three to four

d. four to five

44. Santos’ professional interviewing tips included the following with the exception of ______.

a. dress appropriately

b. look people in the eye

c. ask interviewers personal questions

d. bring a portfolio

45. Dodge’s professional interviewing tips included all of the following except for ______.

a. remove any unusual jewelry

b. avoid using the word “like”

c. dress appropriately

d. ask for compensation and vacation information

1. Research methods skills are extremely marketable.

2. Research methods skills can only be applied to academia.

3. An important part of getting a job and building a career is developing networks and relationships.

4. It is not appropriate for students to ask professors for professional help in starting their careers.

5. Internships help students develop methodological and professional skills that are not taught in college courses.

6. How a student dresses for an internship is not a concern for most employers.

7. Attending discussion panels can greatly benefit students because it provides an opportunity for networking.

8. Individuals should interview for all positions, regardless of whether or not they are interested.

9. Students should use interviews as practice situations.

10. Employers should follow a recruitment process that is fair and equitable.

11. Both public and private sector jobs include positions that require research methods skills.

12. A federal government position is an example of a public sector job.

13. Job applicants should avoid using the same words on their resumes that are used to describe required qualifications in job postings.

14. Most private-sector workers are considered to be “at-will” employees.

15. Government agencies are not allowed to discipline, demote, or fire an employee without cause.

16. When job-searching, students should look for jobs that will challenge them to acquire new skills.

17. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, students going on the job market should also follow a set of ethical standards.

18. Applicants should accept all offers to interview for jobs in order to improve their interviewing skills.

19. If you have them, employers are likely to look over your Facebook and other social media accounts.

20. Twitter can be used to build your personal brand.

21. A traditional interview method is Skype.

22. Individuals that are interviewing should always ask a memorable question that shows a genuine interest in the job

23. Verbal acceptance of a job offer should be treated as a contractual agreement.

24. It is wise to continue interviewing after accepting a job offer, in case the first offer falls through.

25. When writing a resume, individuals should embellish their previous education and work experience.

1. What is a professional skill set?

2. Identify the career planning and recruitment principles created by the National Associate of Colleges and Employers.

3. Identify the purposes of a cover letter.

4. Identify the elements that make a resume great. What are the advantages of a great resume?

5. What is a General Schedule?

6. What are some benefits to employers of advertising jobs online?

7. What are six tips for using keywords while searching for positions online?

8. Identify the four ways to use Facebook to maximize your chances of finding a great job.

9. Why do employers conduct interviews with potential job candidates?

10. What is the National Association of Colleges and Employers?

1. What are some of the benefits of participating in an internship? If you have participated in one, what was your experience like and what skills did you learn?

2. Discuss the importance of establishing a positive and professional relationship with professors at your university.

3. After reading Chapter 14, you should have an understanding of what a successful cover letter and resume should contain. Using your newfound knowledge, create a resume and cover letter for the future job that you wish to pursue.

4. Visit the USAJOBS.gov website and look at the current openings. Do you see any positions that you would like to apply to some day? Was the website and application process user friendly?

5. After reading Chapter 14, you should have a better understanding of preparation, research, steps, and types of documents you should create to interview well. Have you participated in an interview before? If so, how was your experience? Did you prepare for it? If you have not interviewed for a position, how will you use the information you learned in the text to prepare for an interview?