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CHAPTER 15
Zooming In Critical Thinking Answers
You are still in college, and the world of work may be way off in the
future. Why, then, is it important to research the job market and even
prepare a résumé if you are not in the market at this time?
Learning about the job market can help you take stock of your skills in the
field in which you are interested. Do you have those skills? If not, knowing what
What do you know about the hidden job market, and how does networking help a new grad
find a job in this elusive market?
Most students know that not all available jobs are advertised or posted on websites. Many jobs are
filled in house, through employee referrals, or from an existing talent pool. Some jobs are even
created when employers discover a promising candidate. The hidden job market is fueled by
How many résumés should a recent grad prepare? What format is preferable?
This chapter presents many kinds of résumés, but students should begin with one basic résumé that
can be customized to fit each targeted position. This means changing the career objective (if
Ethics Check Answer
Millennials Accused of Job Hopping
From the employee’s view, changing jobs can bring a higher salary, increased responsibilities, new skills,
and greater job fulfillment. From the employer’s view, job hoppers are considered damaged goods and
shunned because they may have been fired from previous positions for slacking off or failing to fit in. Job
Critical Thinking Answers
1. The way candidates search for jobs and the way they are hired has changed dramatically in
the digital age. Name some of the changes that have taken place. In your opinion, have the
changes had a positive or a negative effect? Why?
Job searching and hiring for candidates and hiring managers have changed dramatically in the digital
age. In the distant past, candidates checked classified ads primarily in newspapers in their local
areas. They prepared beautiful print copies of their résumés and sent them out after seeing jobs
2. Why do you think some businesses avoid advertising job openings? If jobs are unlisted, how
can candidates locate them?
Companies avoid advertising because doing so brings a flood of applications, many of which are
from people who do not meet the qualifications. In addition, companies would prefer to bring on
3. Some employment authors claim that the paper résumé is dead or dying. What's behind this
assertion, and how should current job candidates respond?
In this digital age, the résumé is evolving, but the paper résumé is not disappearing. Although the
death of the paper résumé is a favorite topic of bloggers, in the real world, paper résumés still have a
purpose. Most job candidates begin by preparing a basic print résumé, which can be saved as a
4. Why might it be more effective to apply for unsolicited jobs than for advertised jobs?
Discuss
the advantages and disadvantages of letters that prospect for jobs.
The advantage of unsolicited prospect letters is that the competition is reduced. Many people apply
5. Ethical Issue: Do you believe it is ethical to advertise jobs that are not really available?
From a job candidate's view, it seems reasonable and fair that all jobs be advertised. From a
company's view, such a requirement seems unnecessary, restrictive, and unproductive. Human
resources specialists point out that advertising jobs results in a broader, richer pool of applicants and
may produce superior candidates. Hiring managers, however, often prefer to hire recommended
Zooming In
Your Turn: Applying Your Skills With Heather Huhman
To: Heather Huhman <hhuhman@xxx.xxx>
From: Student Name
Subject: Ideas for Article Aimed at First-Time Job Seekers
As you requested, I have consulted friends, fellow students, and contacts in my social networking groups,
asking them questions about their attitudes toward the job search. Below are some responses to
questions you have raised about how they view the job search.
Job Search Prior to Graduation
In general, most soon-to-graduate students realize the importance of thinking about the job search and
Benefits of Networking
Students also understand the importance of networking. They agree that knowing someone in an
organization helps them gain access. I spoke to recent graduates who have learned that if someone
Professional Networking Sites
Some students seem to be unaware of the benefits of professional networking sites such as LinkedIn.
I hope this feedback provides you with information that will help with your article. Please let me know
whether I can do further research to assist you.
Student Name
Activities Solutions
15.1 Document for Analysis: Poorly Written Résumé
Weaknesses
a. Fails to present the name so that it can be easily read by a scanner.
b. Omits the area code for the telephone number.
c. Fails to provide a professional e-mail address.
Revision
Camille E. Montano
1340 East Phillips Avenue, Apartment D
Littleton, CO 80126
Phone: (303) 455-5182 E-mail: camille.montano@gmail.com LinkedIn
OBJECTIVE
Accounting associate position in which my recent accounting education and financial consulting
experience can help the organization achieve its goals.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Expect BA degree with accounting major and finance minor in June 2018
AA degree/certificate of completion in accounting
Two years of experience as part-time financial consultant in the mortgage industry
Developed people, team, and leadership skills as line manager for Target
Experienced in MS Word, MS Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, and QuickBooks
Able to work well in stressful situations
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
EDUCATION
Colorado State University, Pueblo, CO BA to be conferred June 2018
Major: Accounting; Minor: Finance GPA: 3.5 (A = 4.0)
Completed 64 upper-level units including courses in Analysis and Application of Accounting
Data and Financial Reporting
Dean’s Honor List, Fall 2017
Arapahoe Community College, Littleton, CO AA degree, Accounting, December 2015
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
EXPERIENCE
Primerica Financial Services, Pueblo, CO January 2016–present
Part-Time Financial Consultant
Applied communication skills in assisting clients in obtaining mortgages, consolidating
mortgage loans, and assessing life insurance needs
Praised by supervisor for reliability and painstaking work
Target, Littleton, CO September 2014–August 2015
Line Manager
Developed team and leadership skills in supervising 12 cashiers and front-end associates
Honed organizational skills by preparing weekly work schedules
Expanded people and communication skills by conducting annual performance reviews and
issuing disciplinary action notices as needed
Exercised attention to detail by maintaining change drawer and monetary exchanges with 100
percent accuracy
Substituted for manager as necessary, overseeing entire store
Named Line Manager of the Month, August 2014 and March 2015
Mr. K's Floral Design of Denver August, 2013–September 2014
Teacher
Developed leadership skills by teaching courses in flower design to classes averaging 25 students
Maintained flower inventory; exercised supervisory skills in overseeing five florists
Made and delivered floral arrangements for weddings and other big events
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
ACTIVITIES
American Accounting Association (AAA), Chair, Spring and Fall, 2016
Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán (M.E.Ch.A), Webmaster, January–May 2018
15.2 Document for Analysis: Poor Cover Letter
Weaknesses
a. Fails to use the receiver’s name in the salutation.
b. Neglects to identify the position title and specifically where the announcement appeared.
c. Fails to back up assertions with evidence of qualifications.
Revision
1340 East Phillips Avenue, Apt. D
Littleton, CO 80126
May 4, 2018
Ms. Kara Robinson
Director, Human Resources
Felder & Associates, P.C.
835 South Prairie Avenue
Pueblo, CO 81005
Dear Ms. Robinson:
Please accept my application for the accounting associate position listed May 3 on the Felder &
Associates website.
My work experience and university business courses have permitted me to develop the skills and
qualifications listed for this position. Over 64 units of upper-level college work at Colorado State
University, including eight courses in accounting, have helped me build a firm foundation for a career in
this field.
Working as a financial consultant with Primerica Financial Services, where I assist clients in obtaining
mortgages, consolidating current mortgages, and assessing life insurance needs, has taught me to be
painstaking and detail oriented. As a line manager with Target, I honed my managerial and teamwork
skills by effectively supervising 12 cashiers and front-end associates. My position as a floral design
teacher with Mr. K's Floral Design of Denver helped me develop interpersonal and leadership skills. As
you can see, I am able to juggle multiple responsibilities including school and work.
To learn how I might contribute to the Felder & Associates workforce, please review the enclosed résumé.
Because I recognize this as a genuine opportunity to contribute to an industry-leading accounting firm, I
am eager to talk with you. Please call me at (303) 455-5182.
Sincerely,
Camille Montano
Enclosure
15.3 Beginning Your Job Search With Self-Analysis
Although this assignment takes time, it is invaluable because it encourages the kind of introspection
15.4 Evaluating Your Qualifications
Be sure to have students prepare these worksheets. They may resist, but with your encouragement
15.5 Choosing a Career Path
Unless they are actively in the job market, students may appear uninterested in this activity.
However, most students know little about the kind of work done in various occupations. Encourage
15.6 Locating Salary Information
Students should print wage information for their chosen occupations in their selected geographic
locations. Discuss with them what the percentages mean: 10 percent of the people in this occupation
15.7 Searching the Job Market
Students are to clip or print a job advertisement or announcement from (a) the classified section of a
15.8 Posting a Résumé on the Web
Many websites encourage the posting of résumés. In a class discussion or in team meetings,
students might discuss sites that seemed most promising. The primary advantage for posting a
15.9 Writing Your Résumé
Have students submit drafts until their résumés and lists of references are perfect. You might have
them bring their completed résumés to class. In small groups have students exchange their
15.10 Preparing Your Cover Message
Discuss with students whether a cover letter or e-mail is appropriate for the job of their choice. It
might be wise to start with a cover letter that they can convert to an e-mail if necessary. Have
15.11 Using LinkedIn in Your Job Search
Encouraging students to join LinkedIn is among the most important advice you can give them. It’s
never too soon for them to start building a digital presence. LinkedIn extends networking in a way
15.12 Tweeting to Find a Job
This task is designed to acquaint students with the latest trends in job-search technology and to learn how
15.13 Analyzing and Building Student E-Portfolios
The goal of this activity is to introduce students to e-portfolios by showing them samples. Then, if you
