Career Development Study Guide

All of the following are options you might pursue directly after high school, EXCEPT...

• A master’s degree

• A bachelor’s degree from a four-year college

• An apprenticeship

• A two-year associate degree from a community college

Answer explanation

A master’s degree is not typically pursued directly after high school; it usually follows a bachelor’s degree.

Which of the following statements explains what gross and net pay are on a paystub from your employer?

• Gross pay is the total wages you've earned for the pay period, and net pay is smaller because taxes have been removed

• Gross pay is the total wages for just this pay period, and net pay is total wages for the entire year to date

• Gross pay is the total wages you've earned with any taxes and contributions removed, and net pay is larger to include all your benefits

• Gross pay is the total wages you've earned, and net pay is the total amount in taxes you've paid

Answer explanation

Gross pay is the total wages you've earned for the pay period, and net pay is smaller because taxes have been removed

All of the following are hard skills EXCEPT...

• Coding

• Accounting

• Carpentry

• Adaptability

Answer explanation

Adaptability is not a hard skill as it refers to a soft skill related to one's ability to adjust to new conditions or changes.

Your friend, Nabila, has a virtual interview tomorrow and is extremely nervous. Nabila should do all of the following things to prepare for her virtual interview EXCEPT...

• test all of her technology including internet connection and audio

• dress as comfortably as possible; since this is a virtual interview, professional dress is not necessary.

• ensure she has a clutter-free background

• review common interview questions and practice her responses

Answer explanation

Nabila should dress professionally for the virtual interview, as comfort is not the priority. Therefore, dressing comfortably is the incorrect choice.

If a college degree is expensive, why is it often considered a good financial decision to go to college?

• College graduates always hold higher-paying jobs than high school graduates

• College graduates have higher average lifetime earnings than high school graduates

• Most people don't graduate with student debt

• After paying tuition, students will have a partial ownership stake in a valuable university

Answer explanation

College graduates have higher average lifetime earnings than high school graduates

Which statement is TRUE about the job board posting shown here?

• The job is for an account specialist to work at Indeed

• Whoever is hired can expect to make $10,000 per year

• This job has a lot of flexibility on work hours and the ability to work from anywhere

• AutoNation will provide this employee with multiple types of insurance in their benefits package

Answer explanation

AutoNation will provide this employee with multiple types of insurance in their benefits package

In which scenario would you be MOST likely to use an elevator pitch?

• Uploading a recording of yourself to a job board

• Introducing yourself to a hiring manager at a community center's career fair

• Sending a follow-up email to someone you've formally interviewed with

Answer explanation

You would be MOST likely to use an elevator pitch when introducing yourself to a hiring manager at a community center's career fair.

A best practice when networking on LinkedIn is:

• Joining as many groups as possible even if they're outside of your interests

• Asking for a big favor from a recent connection

• Repeatedly private messaging hiring managers to check on the status of your job application

• Including a personalized note when sending an invitation to connect

Answer explanation

Including a personalized note when sending an invitation to connect is a best practice on LinkedIn as it shows genuine interest and helps in building a meaningful connection.

What is the best strategy when using online job boards to find a new career?

• Attach your resume to every job posting, even when you're not really interested in the job

• Set up a profile, set filters on which types of jobs you're looking for, and sign up for alerts

• Only check the job boards once or twice a month so you don't get overwhelmed

• Either search for specific job titles you desire or specific companies you'd like to work for, but not both

Answer explanation

Set up a profile, set filters on which types of jobs you're looking for, and sign up for alerts

What can Lilly do to boost her resume despite having no previous work experience?

• Emphasize her education and highlight her strong GPA

• Create fictional positions she held in the past

• Leave out volunteer experience since it's not paid work

• Include a lengthy paragraph at the top of her resume explaining why she has no previous work experience

Answer explanation

Emphasize her education and highlight her strong GPA