Resume Writing Skills Test

1. A curriculum vitae (CV) is different from a resume in that __________________.

Answers:

• a resume is generally one to two pages long; a CV can range from two to thirty pages, depending on the candidate's field

• a resume includes a brief summary of the candidate's relevant work experience; a CV includes the candidate's entire academic and professional history whether it's relevant or not

• a resume is usually targeted at a specific position, so a candidate may have several versions; a CV covers all positions, so a candidate usually needs only one version

• All of the above

2. Sarah left her job as a teacher five years ago to stay home and take care of a sickly parent. During that time, she completed a degree in veterinary science and volunteered at the local animal shelter. Which type of resume would best serve Sarah now that she is returning to the workforce?

Answers:

• Chronological

• Functional

• Combination

3. To make a resume reader-friendly, the content of each section should generally be _______________.

Answers:

• written in paragraph form

• indented or formatted into columns

• presented in bulleted lists

• presented in a combination of paragraphs and bulleted lists

4. When deciding on the best font for a resume, a candidate should ____________.

Answers:

• choose a common, easy-to-read font such as Times New Roman, Arial, or Verdana

• use a fancy, attention-grabbing font like Matisse or Curlz to show creativity

• never use more than two different fonts

• use a font size anywhere from 10 to 12 points

• a, c, and d

• b and d

5. When it comes to choosing the best paper for a resume, the candidate should generally______________.

Answers:

• use light blue paper

• use expensive parchment paper

• use white or off-white paper

• use handmade paper

6. The use of the words "I," "me," and "mine" in a resume is_____________.

Answers:

• discouraged because the resume should be user-centered

• recommended because the resume should stress the accomplishments and personal experiences of the candidate

• a matter of personal choice

7. A resume can best be described as ________________.

Answers:

• a detailed business card for entrepreneurs to receive funding from venture capitalists

• a marketing tool that describes at length one's personal, educational, and professional experiences and qualifications

• a selling tool for job seekers that briefly outlines relevant skills and experiences for potential employers

• a collection of work that demonstrates one's skills to potential employers

8. When preparing the Experience section of a resume, the candidate should ___________.

Answers:

• include every job he or she has ever had

• exclude very brief job assignments, or group several brief jobs together

• describe only his or her most recent job

9. Which of the following statements regarding resumes is FALSE?

Answers:

• Employers read every resume thoroughly.

• When writing a resume, a candidate should be mindful of the limited time prospective employers have to read each resume.

• Resumes should generally highlight only that experience that is relevant to the job in question.

• Employers spend an average of 15 to 30 seconds scanning a resume.

• a and c

10. An effective cover letter should NOT ________________.

Answers:

• convey a sense of enthusiasm, enjoyment, and energy

• be written in a professional but conversational style

• be printed on different paper than the resume

• be tailored to a specific job

• b and c

11. Chronological resumes are a good choice for candidates who ________________.

Answers:

• can demonstrate growth in a single profession

• have long periods of unemployment

• have practical experience and few job changes

• have changed jobs frequently

• a and c

• a and d

12. A resume's content should highlight a candidate's relevant skills associated with the targeted position.

Answers:

• True

• False

• Skills do not need to be highlighted; the employer can discern the candidate's relevant skills just by reading the resume.

13. Angela received an advanced degree from a university in England. She is now applying for a position at a company based in New York. How should she address this matter in the Education section of her resume?

Answers:

• She should not mention the degree because it is not recognized in the U.S.

• She should include the degree received and indicate its U.S. equivalent.

• She should include a paragraph explaining her academic background, number of years studied, and coursework completed.

14. An employer reads a resume that includes an objective that is vague or broad. What impression might he form regarding the candidate?

Answers:

• The candidate obviously has many talents and interests and would therefore be an asset to the organization.

• The candidate has not taken the time to clarify his own goals for his professional life.

• The candidate would not take the job responsibilities seriously.

• The candidate is versatile and could be easily placed in a variety of the company's departments.

15. When it comes to choosing the best font color for a resume, the candidate should generally_______________.

Answers:

• use only black

• use black for the headings and blue for the content

• use a different color for each section of the resume

• use black as the base color and red to highlight important skills and information

16. Between Employment and Experience, which is the better section heading for a resume?

Answers:

• Employment because employers are only interested in the candidate's paying jobs.

• Experience because candidates may have relevant volunteer, life, or other unpaid experience.

• Candidates should include two separate sections to ensure their experience is well documented.

17. An effective cover letter should _______________.

Answers:

• identify the specific position the candidate is applying for

• use formal language

• focus on the employer and what the candidate can do for them

• demonstrate that the candidate has researched the company

• a, c, and d

• a, b, and c

18. A resume should contain a brief list of the candidate's weaknesses so that the employer has a clear and truthful representation of the candidate's suitability for a specific position.

Answers:

• True

• False

19. As a high school student, Josephine worked weekends and summers at a plant nursery. She is now about to graduate from college with a B.S. in Horticulture. During her college years, she played a significant role in two large on-campus projects related to her field of study, and also worked as a paid intern at a local agricultural establishment. How should she format the Experience and Education sections of her resume?

Answers:

• Because she is a new graduate, she must put the Education section first regardless of her work experience.

• Because she has plenty of relevant experience to highlight, she can safely put the Experience section first.

• Since the two on-campus projects and the internship are related to her college career, she should include them in the Education section; the Experience section should only include her high school job at the nursery.

20. Although it is not advisable to include charts and graphs in a traditional printed resume, they are an acceptable and even expected element in an e-resume.

Answers:

• True

• False

21. To turn a print resume into an effective electronic version, a candidate should ______________

Answers:

• Remove all formatting and graphic elements such as lines, bullet points, and bolding

• Change the font to a 10-point serif font like Calisto or Times New Roman

• Add keywords that correspond to the job description and the candidate's experience

• Replace action verbs with searchable nouns, such as "publicity specialist" instead of "generated publicity"

• a, b and c

• a, c and d

22. The primary purpose of a resume is ________________.

Answers:

• to introduce the candidate to the employer in case there is a job opening in the future

• to obtain an immediate interview with the employer for a specific job

• to convince the employer that he doesn't need to look at any other resumes

• to be "on file" with as many companies as possible

23. In 1996 Christopher earned a B.A. in English with a 3.7 GPA. In 2001 he received a second B.A. in English Education with a 3.9 GPA. He then went on to complete his M.Ed. in Curriculum Development with a 3.5 GPA. How should he list this information in the Education section of his resume?

Answers:

• In reverse chronological order, with his highest degree earned listed first

• In chronological order, with his first degree earned listed first

• According to his GPA, from highest to lowest

24. Which of the following statements about the role of keywords in an e-resume is/are TRUE?

Answers:

• Keywords help search engines find a candidate's resume.

• Using keywords in an e-resume is unprofessional and should be avoided.

• The effective use of keywords makes a good impression on prospective employers.

• Keywords help narrow down the employer's search for the right candidate.

• c and d

• a and d

25. In a cover letter, it is an acceptable practice for the candidate to name drop if he or she has a good connection at the company.

Answers:

• True

• False

26. Which of the following can be included in the Experience section of a resume?

Answers:

• Paid employment, internships, volunteer work

• Work experience, professional degrees earned

• Paid employment only

• Work experience, relevant academic coursework

27. One of the major benefits of a combination resume is that __________________.

Answers:

• the candidate can effectively target the specific skills required by an employer or job announcement

• it allows more flexibility and creativity in how the content is presented

• it is more focused on an uninterrupted work history than on particular skills

28. Which of the following best represents an effective, user-centered objective for a resume?

Answers:

• A challenging position with growth potential that allows me to use and expand upon my skills as an ecologist and my love of lizards.

• Ecologist with 10 years of experience in the preservation and development of natural habitats for mammals and reptiles.

• A position as an ecologist with The Gecko Relief Society.

• Help The Gecko Relief Society achieve its mission of preserving the natural habitats of reptiles by joining the field staff as an ecologist and lizard expert.

29. Which of the following is NOT one of the three main types of resumes?

Answers:

• Chronological

• Descriptive

• Combination

• Functional

30. During the past twenty years, Alison has held a variety of positions in a variety of companies. She is now looking for a new job and has several different job targets in mind. Alison should _________________ .

Answers:

• write a generic chronological resume without an objective statement, and do a mass mailing for all of the positions she's interested in

• narrow her objective and job target to focus on just one type of position and save the other job options for another time

• write a different resume and objective for each job target

• write a functional resume in which she lists each of her job objectives

31. Which of the following are examples of "soft skills" that should be addressed in a resume?

Answers:

• Communication and interpersonal skills

• Communication skills and knowledge of business etiquette

• Communication and interpersonal skills and computer languages

• none of the above

32. In general, the Honors and Activities section of a resume is placed _____________.

Answers:

• right before the Education section

• right after the Objective section

• right before the Experience section

• after both the Experience and Education sections

• on a separate page

33. In a cover letter, the candidate should never relate examples of skills and accomplishments in the form of an anecdote or story.

Answers:

• True

• False

34. The Contact Information section of a resume usually contains ________________.

Answers:

• name, phone number at current place of work, and e-mail address

• name, personal phone and cell numbers, and Social Security number

• name and e-mail address only

• name, address, personal phone and cell numbers, and e-mail address

35. The foundation of most effective resumes is generally built around _______________.

Answers:

• the recommendations of previous employers and supervisors

• the duties performed by the candidate at each place of employment

• the candidate's past accomplishments and successes at each place of employment

• a and b

36. The best way to test the formatting of an e-resume is to ______________.

Answers:

• send it to multiple e-mail addresses and check the formatting using different browsers

• have the resume proofread by a friend

• proofread the resume yourself

37. When writing a resume, a candidate should use ____________ to describe his work experience and accomplishments.

Answers:

• complete sentences

• impressive vocabulary words

• field-specific jargon

• action verbs

38. Which of the following is an example of a successful Problem-Action-Result (PAR) statement that a candidate might use in the Experience section of a resume?

Answers:

• Responsibilities included answering phones, typing correspondence, and filing.

• Streamlined obsolete filing system by developing simple yet sophisticated coding system, resulting in a 45% increase in administrative staff productivity.

• Implemented company-wide filing system that saved significant time and money.

39. Which of the following statements about portfolios is TRUE?

Answers:

• Unlike a resume, a portfolio includes a photograph of the candidate.

• A portfolio includes the candidate's resume as well as samples of his or her work, such as illustrations or writing.

• A portfolio and a resume are the same thing.

40. The closing paragraph of a cover letter should include _______________.

Answers:

• a list of skills the candidate will bring to the position

• a direct request for an interview

• an explanation as to why the candidate is applying for the position

41. A functional resume is a good option for job candidates who __________________.

Answers:

• have limited work experience in their field of interest

• have a lot of work experience and have had many different jobs

• are changing careers

• have employment gaps

• All of the above

42. Which of the following should NOT be included in the Education section of a resume for a candidate with a college degree and at least one year of work experience?

Answers:

• Mention of relevant special projects or theses

• Type of degree and date conferred

• High school information

• Minors or areas of concentration

• a and d

43. Roger has worked for a single employer for 25 years. How should he present his work history in the Experience section of his resume?

Answers:

• He should write a brief explanation in the Experience section that highlights his longevity and exemplary service to the company.

• He should exclude that section from his resume.

• He should show his progression at the company by listing the various positions held over the years.

• He should write a CV instead of a resume.

44. Which of the following statements regarding objective statements is FALSE?

Answers:

• An objective statement should be user-centered and focused on the employer's needs.

• An objective statement should be brief and use active, punchy language.

• An objective statement should not be too specific as it could limit the candidate's options.

• An objective statement should be tailored to the specific, targeted position.

45. The candidate should use the middle paragraphs, or the body, of the cover letter to _______________.

Answers:

• show why and how he is a good match for the company

• explain in detail the information contained in his resume

• demonstrate that he has some knowledge about the company

• convince the employer that they will benefit from hiring the candidate

• a, b, and d

• a, c, and d

46. Which of the following should NOT be included on a resume?

Answers:

• Gender and physical attributes

• Home address

• Marital status

• a and c

• None of the above should be included on a resume.

47. Which of the following are "transferable skills" that a candidate should address in a resume?

Answers:

• Skills that the candidate can teach to other employees

• Skills the candidate learned through various life experiences (including sports, homemaking, hobbies, and volunteer work) that can be applied to a particular job

• Skills that the candidate can learn from other employees

• Innate skills like writing or an aptitude for mathematics

48. In what order should the Experience section of a resume list pertinent information?

Answers:

• company, location, job title, dates of employment, responsibilities, specific accomplishments

• company, dates of employment, job title, location, specific accomplishments, responsibilities

• company, dates of employment, job title, responsibilities, location, specific accomplishments

49. Which of the following resume elements helps create a great first impression on a prospective employer?

Answers:

• A powerful, well-written statement of accomplishment that is not just a list of jobs and duties performed.

• A list of the applicant's strongest skills and qualifications placed in the top half of the resume.

• A list of skills and qualifications relevant to the position.

• b and c

• All of the above

50. The main goal of a cover letter is to __________________.

Answers:

• demonstrate the candidate's superiority over other candidates

• help the candidate obtain an interview with the employer

• demonstrate that the candidate is qualified for the position

• summarize the candidate's past work experience

51. Which of the following elements should NOT be included in a resume?

Answers:

• Photographs and illustrations, unless requested by the employer

• Reasons for leaving the previous job

• Names and contact information for references

• The heading "Resume" at the top of the page

• Objective

• a and c

• b, c, and d

• a, b, c, and d

52. Which of the following might be a drawback of a chronological resume?

Answers:

• Employers can easily spot and check gaps in employment history.

• For candidates with long work histories, a chronological resume can become long and cumbersome.

• Relevant experience is listed in the lesser-noticed areas of the resume.

• a and b

53. Employers like chronological resumes because _________________.

Answers:

• they are shorter than functional resumes

• gaps in a candidate's employment history are easily recognizable

• they highlight the skills and accomplishments of the candidate

• a and c

54. Elements that should appear on ALL resumes, regardless of the field or targeted position, include ____________.

Answers:

• objective, work experience, skills, and honors and activities

• contact information, work experience, and education

• work experience, education, and list of references

• contact information, objective, work experience, and salary history

55. In the opening paragraph of a cover letter, the candidate should _______________.

Answers:

• mention how he or she heard about the position

• state relevant work experience and credentials

• request an interview

• include the phrase "Enclosed please find my resume"

• a and d

• a and c

56. Which of the following formatting decisions can cause a resume to lose its impact?

Answers:

• Consistency in use of numbers, italics, bullets, and underlining

• Uneven margins

• Even areas of white space

• Consistency of design elements

57. Which of the following statements about sentence structure and usage for bulleted points in a resume is TRUE?

Answers:

• Each bullet point should be written in the present tense.

• Each bullet point should follow parallel structure.

• Bullet points should be written with a variety of sentence structures and lengths.

• Bullet points should make significant use of passive voice.

58. Which of the following can be included in the Honors and Activities section of a resume?

Answers:

• Academic awards and scholarships

• Membership in national or international organizations

• Leadership positions at campus, national, or international levels

• Community service positions

• All of the above

59. Which of the following statements about references is FALSE?

Answers:

• It is considered unprofessional to list references on a resume.

• Although not necessary, writing "References are available upon request" at the end of the resume is still an acceptable practice.

• Names and contact information of references should always be included on a resume.

60. Frank is applying for a job for which he has no specific, formal training. To address the issue, Frank should ___________.

Answers:

• "rework" the Experience and Education sections of his resume so that it looks like he has the necessary skills and training

• include a list of related experience and skills on a separate page

• include a Summary of Skills list at the top of the resume to highlight relevant job-related skills

• enroll in a related four-year degree program and list that program in the Education section of his resume

• send an exploratory e-mail to the company to see if they will accept a resume from a candidate who does not fit the job description

• c and e

61. The majority of the Experience section of a resume is generally written in the _____________.

Answers:

• past tense

• present tense

• future tense

62. When writing a resume, which of the following phrases should be avoided because it is trite or overused?

Answers:

• Excellent oral and written skills

• Exceptional organizational abilities

• Goal-oriented individual

• Honest and sincere worker

• All of the above should be avoided.

• All of the above are acceptable phrases to use on a resume.