Job Search Strategies & Employability Skills Flashcards

A client with a 4-year employment gap from caregiving wants a resume format that de-emphasizes chronology. Which format best fits?

Answer: Functional

A functional resume groups experience by skill area, which reduces attention to gaps in dates.

What is the main purpose of tailoring a resume with keywords from a job posting?

Answer: To pass applicant tracking system (ATS) screening and show fit

ATS software ranks resumes by matching posting keywords, and tailoring also shows the employer you fit the role.

An informational interview is best described as:

Answer: A meeting to gather career information from someone in a field of interest

Informational interviews are exploratory talks to learn about an occupation and build contacts, not to ask for a job.

Which interview response method structures answers as Situation, Task, Action, Result?

Answer: STAR

The STAR method helps candidates answer behavioral interview questions with concrete examples.

The 'hidden job market' refers to:

Answer: Positions filled through networking and referrals before or without public posting

Many openings are filled through personal contacts and referrals without ever being advertised.

Which of the following is considered a transferable skill?

Answer: Written communication

Transferable skills such as communication apply across many jobs and industries.

A counselor reviewing a client's cover letter should advise that it primarily:

Answer: Connects the applicant's qualifications to the specific employer's needs

An effective cover letter explains why the applicant is a strong match for that particular role and organization.