ESP2 - Chap11

How do recruiters and employers view the importance of professional behavior in the workplace? 

• Although recruiters are impressed with applicants who speak and write well, a candidate's technical expertise is all that matters.
• Good manners and a businesslike, professional demeanor are among the top skills recruiters seek in applicants
• Professionalism and soft skills are important only in service-oriented fields.
• Team, communication, and people skills are low priorities for most recruiters and employers.

Answer explanation

Good manners and a businesslike, professional demeanor are among the top skills recruiters seek in applicants because employers prefer courteous and professional job candidates over those who lack these skills and traits.

In today's digital age, professionalism requires all employees to maintain a positive _______ presence. 

• sales
• nonverbal
• online
• managerial

Answer explanation

In our digital age, professionalism also means maintaining a positive online presence, including e-mails and posts on social media.

A synonym for professionalism is _______. 

• hard skills
• social acceptance
• business etiquette
• diversity

Answer explanation

"Business etiquette" or "protocol," "soft skills," "social intelligence," "polish," and "civility" are other terms for "professionalism." Regardless of the term used, all have one meaning: desirable workplace behavior.

Which of the following statements about professionalism in the workplace accurately describes a current trend? 

• Companies are not addressing issues of professionalism in the workplace because unprofessional behavior affects only the individual who displays it.
• More organizations are establishing procedures or policies to encourage
• Companies are only concerned about employees exhibiting professional behavior when working at their desks.
• Companies limit their policies regarding professional behavior to only nonverbal actions such as dressing appropriately or maintaining eye contact with others.

Answer explanation

Businesses want employees to behave professionally at all times, whether they are working at their desks, participating in teams, or attending social functions. Therefore, organizations have established procedures or policies to encourage professionalism and civility, because unprofessional behavior costs businesses money and time each year.

Jue understands that soft skills and professional polish will ensure her long-term success on the job. Which of the following is a soft skill?

• Fast typing speed
• Accountancy procedures
• The ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Proficiency in using a variety of computer software packages

Answer explanation

Soft skills are commonly defined as interpersonal or social skills, professional skills, or emotional intelligence, as opposed to hard skills, which refer to technical knowledge in one’s field. The ability to work effectively as part of a team is a soft skill while the other choices all represent hard skills

Professional behavior is comprised of six dimensions, including courtesy and respect, appearance and appeal, tolerance and tact, honesty and ethics, reliability and diligence, and _______. 

• soft and hard skills
• self-actualization and self-control
• sharing and collegiality
• education and training

Answer explanation

The six dimensions of professional behavior include courtesy and respect, appearance and appeal, tolerance and tact, honesty and ethics, reliability and diligence, and sharing and collegiality.

Richard wants to prove that he has high emotional intelligence. Which of the following pieces of advice will help to show that he has strong emotional intelligence? 

• Richard should focus on his job and avoid volunteering his services to a worthy community or charity group.
• Richard should avoid apologizing for any errors.
• Richard should listen actively to customers and colleagues.
• Richard should avoid any interaction with coworkers so that he stays focused on his job.

Answer explanation

Employers want managers and employees with high emotional intelligence––people who are comfortable with diverse coworkers, listen actively to customers and colleagues, and display good workplace manners.

To demonstrate tolerance and tact in the workplace, which of the following should you do? 

• Avoid apologizing for errors or misunderstandings because doing so calls attention to them.
• Choose writing over face-to-face interactions whenever possible.
• Work to improve your vocal quality.
• Keep your personal opinions of people private.

Answer explanation

Exercising self-control and keeping personal opinions to yourself demonstrates tolerance and tact.

Which type of the following intelligences describe the ability to get along well with others and to get them to cooperate with you?

• Academic
• Emotional
• Social
• Executive

Answer explanation

Social intelligence can be much harder to acquire than simple etiquette and requires us to interact well, be perceptive, show sensitivity toward others, and grasp a situation quickly and accurately.

Personal attacks, rudeness, and disrespectful comments run totally counter to which of the following traits required for positive workplace relations? 

• Polish
• Civility
• Etiquette
• Soft skills

Answer explanation

Civility relates to behavior that is respectful and considerate of others and is critical to positive workplace relations.