Succeeding in the World of Work

Chapter 24: Adapting to Change

Adapting to Change


1.	Which of the following is characteristic of the typical American worker today?
		A)	works for the same company for about 40 years
		B)	has more than eight different jobs by age 32
		C)	works for three different companies during a career
		D)	is able to retire at age 55


2.	What is downsizing?
		A)	firing workers who are not productive
		B)	eliminating jobs and streamlining business operations to cut costs
		C)	the normal shrinking of the economy
		D)	a normal portion of the business cycle


3.	Which of the following occupations is projected to grow fastest from 2000-2010?
		A)	computer engineer
		B)	medical assistant
		C)	paralegal and legal assistant
		D)	physician's assistant


4.	What would you call a person who uses all opportunities to keep skills and knowledge up-to-date?
		A)	overachiever
		B)	promoter
		C)	lifelong learner
		D)	eternal student


5.	What is a quality that employers look for when promoting employees?
		A)	seniority
		B)	knowledge and competence
		C)	initiative
		D)	all of the above


6.	When is a good time to talk with your supervisor about your career goals?
		A)	any time is a good time
		B)	during your performance evaluation
		C)	when you have completed a major project
		D)	when you have been passed over for a promotion


7.	What are you demonstrating when you face setbacks but don't give up?
		A)	initiative
		B)	thinking skills
		C)	perseverance
		D)	adaptability


8.	What quality do you have if you are able to get along with many different kinds of people?
		A)	perseverance
		B)	cooperativeness
		C)	thinking skills
		D)	all of the above


9.	What should you do if you are offered a promotion?
		A)	accept it
		B)	assume that no one else wanted the job
		C)	consider whether it is right for you then make the decision whether or not to accept it
		D)	assume it means that your job will become much more stressful


10.	What should you do before changing jobs?
		A)	analyze what is missing from your current job
		B)	analyze what you want from your new job
		C)	think through the change carefully
		D)	all of the above


11.	Which of the following is not a sign of job trouble?
		A)	you feel like you could work for this company forever
		B)	you feel that you are wasting your time
		C)	you always seem to be making someone else angry at work
		D)	you often daydream about what your life would be like without this job


12.	What is one way to prepare for an unexpected job loss?
		A)	read articles about your industry to detect industry trends that might mean trouble for your company
		B)	be extra nice to your boss so you won't be laid off
		C)	gossip about other workers to make sure they get fired before you
		D)	change to a different job within the company


13.	What does it mean when people say you shouldn't “burn your bridges”?
		A)	you shouldn't give up your current job until you have a new job
		B)	you should give proper notice
		C)	you should be sure your new job uses skills you've developed in your current job
		D)	you shouldn't say bad things about your employer, even if you plan to leave


14.	What is the proper way to give “notice”?
		A)	offer a letter of resignation
		B)	leave a phone message to your supervisor saying that you will be quitting your job in two weeks
		C)	post your resignation in a visible location
		D)	all of the above


15.	What should you expect when you are looking for a new job?
		A)	you will use different strategies because you already have a job
		B)	you will use many of the same strategies you used to find your first job
		C)	you will be at a handicap because you have not looked for a job in a while
		D)	you should tell your current employer that you are looking for a new job