Title: Career Exploration
Course: Question Banks

Q: To be a career-ready person, which of the following must you have?
- a college degree in a major that applies to your desired field
- a glowing recommendation from your teacher
- the necessary knowledge and technical skills needed to be employed in your desired field
A: the necessary knowledge and technical skills needed to be employed in your desired field

Q: You are a college-ready student if you have the necessary knowledge, skills, and professional behaviors to do which of the following?
- write a convincing cover letter and résumé
- win a debate against your professor
- earn a certificate or degree in college
A: earn a certificate or degree in college

Q: Virginia is ready for a career in nursing when she has
- a college degree and a high GPA.
- significant experience and practice in nursing.
- the qualifications needed to obtain an entry-level nursing job.
A: the qualifications needed to obtain an entry-level nursing job.

Q: What is the relationship between college degrees and wage earnings?
- People with a four-year degree are less likely to earn more money than people without any college degree.
- People with a four-year degree make about the same amount of money as people without college degrees.
- People with a four-year degree are more likely to earn more money than people without any college degree.
A: People with a four-year degree are more likely to earn more money than people without any college degree.

Q: Employers have said that when they hire, they place the greatest value on skills that cut across all majors. Which is an example of those types of skills?
- advanced calculus
- knowledge of specific, highly specialized technical terminology
- written and oral communication skills
A: written and oral communication skills

Q: In addition to financial- and employment-related reasons, which of the following is the main purpose of college?
- a way to delay entering the workforce
- attainment of more advanced subjects than were available in high school
- intellectual and personal growth
A: intellectual and personal growth

Q: Which of the following is the best description of a job?
- an occupation a person undertakes for a significant amount of time
- a task that requires a lot of effort
- the work a person performs for a living
A: the work a person performs for a living

Q: Which of the following is the best description of a career?
- the work a person performs for a living
- a task that requires a lot of effort
- an occupation a person undertakes for a significant amount of time
A: an occupation a person undertakes for a significant amount of time

Q: Bert works as a cashier in a bookstore for an hourly wage. He likes his work, but he doesn’t want to be doing the same thing five years from now. On the other hand, Ernie works in a different bookstore. He started as a cashier and was promoted to a manager. Ernie has been learning about marketing, and five years from now he hopes to be working on marketing projects for his current bookstore or perhaps a different bookstore. Which of the following statements best fits this scenario?
- Bert has a career; Ernie has a job.
- Both Bert and Ernie have careers.
- Bert has a job; Ernie has a career.
A: Bert has a job; Ernie has a career.

Q: What are the five steps for choosing a career?
- get to know your coworkers, get to know your field, make a preliminary career decision, achieve your career goal, retire
- get to know your goals, get to know your personality, get to know your feelings, get to know your ambitions, get to know your calling in life
- get to know yourself, get to know your field, prioritize your “deal makers” and rule out your “deal breakers,” make a preliminary career decision and create a plan of action, go out and achieve your career goal
A: get to know yourself, get to know your field, prioritize your “deal makers” and rule out your “deal breakers,” make a preliminary career decision and create a plan of action, go out and achieve your career goal

Q: Daryll has a lot of interests, but is having a hard time narrowing down what he wants to study and what type of career he wants to have. Which of the following can best help him choose a career?
- a friend’s opinion, an online article, a portrayal of career on TV
- a Buzzfeed quiz, a social media poll, a magazine article
- his childhood interests, his personality traits, his pre-existing skills
A: his childhood interests, his personality traits, his pre-existing skills

Q: Victorio moved to Chicago as a young adult and loves the opportunities for socializing and networking that the city provides. Which of the following criteria might he consider as a deal-breaker or deal-maker for his future career?
- Does it pay well enough?
- Does it require continuing education and personal sacrifice?
- Do most people in that particular field work in a city or in a small town?
A: Do most people in that particular field work in a city or in a small town?

Q: Which of the following is good advice for choosing a major?
- You must know what you want to major in by the end of your first semester of college.
- Pick a major and stick to it. Changing your major is a waste of time.
- Choosing the right major is important, but there’s no need to rush. Take some time to think it over.
A: Choosing the right major is important, but there’s no need to rush. Take some time to think it over.

Q: Cheyenne doesn’t know what she wants to major in yet, but she knows that she has never enjoyed English or history classes. Which strategy is Cheyenne using to choose a major?
- exploring careers that interest her
- taking new classes to discover her interests
- narrowing choices by deciding what she doesn’t like
A: narrowing choices by deciding what she doesn’t like

Q: Dimitri was initially interested in pre-med with plans to become a doctor. He job-shadowed a doctor at a hospital, and he was fascinated by the careful combination of drugs the doctor used to treat patients. Dimitri remembers that he has always done well in his chemistry classes. He chooses to major in organic chemistry. Which steps did Dimitri take to help him choose a major?
- seeking inspiration and using his school’s resources
- taking new classes to discover new interests and exploring careers that might interest him
- in-depth career exploration and identifying talents and interests
A: in-depth career exploration and identifying talents and interests

Q: Besides the pay, what other factors do college graduates typically consider critical when making career choices?
- size of office, chance of early retirement, and opportunity for bonus checks
- number of vacation days and likelihood of becoming famous
- personal satisfaction, enjoyment, opportunity to use skills and abilities, and personal development
A: personal satisfaction, enjoyment, opportunity to use skills and abilities, and personal development

Q: Freya isn’t sure exactly what career she wants after she graduates, but she knows she enjoys learning languages and likes helping people. She especially wants to work with people from other countries such as immigrants or refugees. She is considering working as a translator or some kind of aid worker. Which of the following options best lists the majors Freya should consider?
- biology, psychology, political science
- business, physics, criminal justice
- linguistics, sociology, social work
A: linguistics, sociology, social work

Q: Kyle is in the last year of his pre-med major and plans to be a doctor. He interns at a hospital to gain experience and help pay for school. While at the hospital, Kyle sees a lot of nurses who are frustrated with some of the medical equipment and tools, and Kyle has a few ideas for designing better medical tools. Instead of going on to medical school, Kyle decides he wants to start a business designing and selling medical equipment to hospitals. Which of the following statements is true of Kyle?
- Kyle made a huge mistake majoring in pre-med. Now that he’s planning to be an entrepreneur, he would have been better off majoring in business.
- Kyle’s major was pre-med, so the only career option available to him is to be a doctor. Any other career choice would waste his time and talents.
- While Kyle’s career path has changed from what he originally intended, his major still provides him with necessary skills and knowledge he can use in his new career path.
A: While Kyle’s career path has changed from what he originally intended, his major still provides him with necessary skills and knowledge he can use in his new career path.

Q: If you are looking for more information on choosing a major or career path from others who can best relate to your current situation, you should talk to
- professionals in a career center.
- faculty and academic advisors.
- fellow students and graduating seniors.
A: fellow students and graduating seniors.

Q: Most colleges and universities have ________ programs with networking resources to help you make important connections pertaining to your future career.
- internship
- post-graduate
- alumni
A: alumni

Q: Which of the following can career quizzes help you do?
- tell you what you should do with the rest of your life
- identify professions with the highest life satisfaction ratings in your city
- create a list of your skills and match your skills to job types that use those skills
A: create a list of your skills and match your skills to job types that use those skills

Q: Which of the following are examples of “hard skills”?
- being a good listener, applying common sense, having an ability to work under pressure
- changing a tire, being detail-oriented, displaying reliability
- using Adobe Photoshop, operating a buzzsaw, speaking Mandarin Chinese
A: using Adobe Photoshop, operating a buzzsaw, speaking Mandarin Chinese

Q: Which of the following are examples of “hard skills”?
- working well in a group, exuding confidence, treating others with respect
- identifying a type of rock, having a good bedside manner, being able to encourage others
- sewing a dart in a dress, writing Python code, operating an x-ray machine
A: sewing a dart in a dress, writing Python code, operating an x-ray machine

Q: Which of the following are “soft skills”?
- using Adobe Photoshop, operating a buzzsaw, speaking Chinese
- changing a tire, being detail-oriented, piloting an airplane
- being a good listener, demonstrating common sense, having the ability to work under pressure
A: being a good listener, demonstrating common sense, having the ability to work under pressure

Q: Which of the following are transferable skills?
- using a CAD program
- creating a spreadsheet with Microsoft Excel
- customer service skills
A: customer service skills

Q: Which of the following are transferable skills?
- operating a forklift
- identifying specific organisms under a microscope
- accepting constructive criticism
A: accepting constructive criticism

Q: Which of the following are transferable skills?
- batching print PDF files
- identifying bone markings that indicate age
- problem-solving and adaptability
A: problem-solving and adaptability

Q: Which of the following are skills that employers in a wide range of fields are looking for?
- mastery of dozens of computer programs
- fluency in at least two foreign languages
- writing and speaking clearly
A: writing and speaking clearly

Q: Which of the following is an effective way to acquire skills?
- remain inside your established circle of friends
- focus intently on what you already know
- find a project and get involved
A: find a project and get involved

Q: How long should you continue to learn after college?
- until your career takes off
- just until the diploma is in your hand
- your whole life
A: your whole life

Q: Which traits are typical of the exploring stage of career development?
- feeling stagnant and taking stock of where you are and where you want to go
- selecting or entering a field and looking for upward growth
- identifying your interests and aptitudes and trying out jobs
A: identifying your interests and aptitudes and trying out jobs

Q: Nyssa has been working as a freelance graphic designer for 15 years. She has accumulated a stable base of regular clients, and she enjoys the work she does for them. However, lately she hasn’t been feeling as inspired about her work as she did when she first started. Which stage of career development is Nyssa currently in?
- exploring
- reinventing
- maintaining
A: maintaining

Q: Nolan enjoys math, particularly statistics. He investigates what jobs use statistics, and he begins to learn what is required for careers such as market researcher and data analyst. Which stage of career development is Nolan currently in?
- growing
- establishing
- exploring
A: exploring

Q: Which of the following can help support, guide, and empower you in every step of the career development process?
- the campus public safety office
- the campus health center
- the campus career center
A: the campus career center

Q: Which of the following does PDCA, the strategy to carry out change, stand for?
- prepare–decide–collect–act
- pass–deliver–create–accept
- plan–do–check–act
A: plan–do–check–act

Q: Which of the following is the PDCA strategy used for?
- evaluating where you are in your life and identifying what your calling in life is
- evaluating steps you can take to improve your skills and identify how that will benefit you
- evaluating where you are in the career-development process and identifying your next steps
A: evaluating where you are in the career-development process and identifying your next steps

Q: Tricia accepted a job right out of school with a large company in Washington D.C. Initially the work interested her, but now, four years later, she is wondering why she’s still there and if she is actually progressing toward her career goals. According to the PDCA model, what stage is Tricia in of the process of career development?
- plan
- do
- check
A: check

Q: Networking is best defined as which of the following?
- the process by which people add each other into their Internet and social media contacts
- the process by which people communicate with each other about interpersonal problems
- the process by which people build relationships with one another for the purpose of helping one another achieve professional goals
A: the process by which people build relationships with one another for the purpose of helping one another achieve professional goals

Q: While you can network anywhere, which of the following are the best places for professional networking?
- frat parties, sitting on the bus with strangers, Instagram
- online dating websites, shopping malls, nightclubs
- professional conferences, fundraising events, LinkedIn
A: professional conferences, fundraising events, LinkedIn

Q: Which of the following will be most beneficial to help you grow your professional network?
- consider getting business cards
- update your LinkedIn profile picture every day
- connect with your parents’ friends as network contacts
A: connect with your parents’ friends as network contacts

Q: Which of the following social networking tools is most recommended for developing your professional network?
- Snapchat
- Tumblr
- LinkedIn
A: LinkedIn

Q: Amin works as an advertising art director. He got his current position when a headhunter spotted the artwork he posted on his popular art blog and Instagram account. Which method did Amin use to develop his professional network?
- He joined professional organizations.
- He asked family members and friends, coworkers, and acquaintances for referrals.
- He participated in online social media.
A: He participated in online social media.

Q: Ray works as an accountant for a non-profit organization. Ray got his current position after volunteering at a few of the non-profit’s events and becoming friends with some of its employees. Which method did Ray use to develop his professional network?
- conducting informational interviews
- making use of business cards or networking cards
- volunteering
A: volunteering

Q: Which best describes a résumé?
- a professional letter you write to introduce yourself and tell a prospective employer why you qualify for a position
- a lengthy essay detailing everything you have ever done that would make someone want to hire you
- a professional autobiography in outline form that shows your education, work experience, job-related skills, accomplishments, and more
A: a professional autobiography in outline form that shows your education, work experience, job-related skills, accomplishments, and more

Q: Which of the following should NOT be included on a résumé?
- volunteer experience
- job-related skills
- childhood hobbies
A: childhood hobbies

Q: Which of the following is a professional accomplishment that could go on a résumé?
- winning a pie-eating contest
- being elected prom king or queen
- an award earned in your field
A: an award earned in your field

Q: Which of the following should you include on a résumé?
- social security number, date of birth, medical conditions
- wage/salary expectations, what you expect from the position
- education, work experience, relevant skills, contact information
A: education, work experience, relevant skills, contact information

Q: Katie is nervous about her upcoming job opportunities and wants to make sure that her résumé is perfect. What is the best advice for her?
- Let typos remain to show that you’re not too picky or uptight.
- Put in as many details as possible.
- Use action verbs and phrases.
A: Use action verbs and phrases.

Q: Which of the following entries is the most effectively worded for including on a résumé?
- “I organized biannual volunteer projects for my favorite charity.”
- “I was instrumental in organizing volunteer projects involving over 100 people.”
- “I organized biannual volunteer projects with upwards of 100 volunteers per event.
A: “I organized biannual volunteer projects with upwards of 100 volunteers per event.

Q: Which of the following best defines a cover letter?
- a professional autobiography in outline form that shows your education, work experience, job-related skills, accomplishments, and more
- a lengthy essay detailing everything you have ever done that would make someone want to hire you
- a professional letter you write to introduce yourself and tell a prospective employer why you qualify for a position
A: a professional letter you write to introduce yourself and tell a prospective employer why you qualify for a position

Q: Which of the following should a cover letter accomplish?
- explain what you did wrong in your last position that you would like to fix if you get this position
- give prospective employers an autobiography, listing every accomplishment from childhood to the present
- get the reader’s attention, reflect genuine interest in the position, and explain why you are the best person for the position
A: get the reader’s attention, reflect genuine interest in the position, and explain why you are the best person for the position

Q: Which of the following should you AVOID in your cover letter?
- information about how you learned about the position or company
- highlights of your skills or accomplishments
- reasons why you left your last position
A: reasons why you left your last position

Q: Which of the following is the first step to preparing for an interview?
- send a thank-you note
- look up average pay for the position
- reread the job posting or description
A: reread the job posting or description

Q: Which of the following is NOT something you should do to prepare for an interview?
- practice answering common questions
- research the company
- prepare a speech about what your last position was like
A: prepare a speech about what your last position was like

Q: What is the difference between a panel interview and a group interview?
- In a panel interview, one interviewer presents to several interviewees. In a group interview, several interviewers meet with one interviewee.
- In a panel interview, the interview takes place over the phone. In a group interview, the interview takes place in person.
- In a panel interview, several interviewers meet with one interviewee. In a group interview, one interviewer presents to several interviewees.
A: In a panel interview, several interviewers meet with one interviewee. In a group interview, one interviewer presents to several interviewees.

Q: Which of the following is an ineffective strategy for a phone or web conference interview?
- ensuring your equipment is fully charged and operational
- eliminating as much background noise as possible
- playing a game on your phone or computer during the interview
A: playing a game on your phone or computer during the interview

Q: Which of the following is the best technique to win a face-to-face interview from a screening interview?
- compliment the interviewer
- suggest unfavorable things about the other interviewees
- try to stand out from the competition
A: try to stand out from the competition

Q: “Why should we hire you?” “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” “What attracted you to this company?” These are all examples of
- behavioral interview questions.
- brainteaser interview questions.
- basic interview questions.
A: basic interview questions.

Q: “What is your greatest failure, and what did you learn from it?” “What assignment was too difficult for you, and how did you resolve the issue?” “How do you handle working with people who annoy you?” These are all examples of
- career development questions.
- salary questions.
- behavioral interview questions.
A: behavioral interview questions.

Q: Which of the following is the most effective response to the interview question “What is your greatest weakness?”
- “Well, my last boss said I had a problem showing up on time to work.”
- “My biggest flaw is that I am a workaholic. I just get really involved in a task and can’t stop until it is done. I just work, work, work.”
- “In the past I haven’t been great at planning and prioritizing tasks. However, I am taking steps to fix that by using a planning app and marking deadlines on my calendar.”
A: “In the past I haven’t been great at planning and prioritizing tasks. However, I am taking steps to fix that by using a planning app and marking deadlines on my calendar.”