Introduction to Cover Letters and other ones

A cover letter is difficult to write because you must write about yourself without sounding self-centered or selfish.

T

A(n) ______close to a cover letter leads to more interviews because you are contacting the employer.

a.
passive
b.
lengthy
c.
active
d.
creative

C

How many qualifications should you highlight in the argument section of your cover letter?

a.
1-2
b.
2-4
c.
4-6
d.
6-10

B

What can a cover letter explain that a résumé cannot?

a.
Gaps in employment history
b.
Reentry into the job market
c.
Changes in career focus
d.
All of the above

D

Which of the following is the best way to write a salutation in a cover letter addressed to Mr. Ravi Patel, Human Resources Manager, ABC Company?

a.
Dear Sir:
b.
To Whom It May Concern:
c.
Dear Mr. Patel:
d.
Gentlemen:

C

What part of the cover letter explains how the applicant’s qualifications meet the needs of the company?

a.
Header
b.
Introduction
c.
Argument
d.
Closing

C

The main purpose of a cover letter is to:

a.
Get hired for a position
b.
Be called in for an interview
c.
Let your friends know how your job search is going
d.
Obtain references from your network

B

Job seekers often spend a large amount of time writing their résumés and neglect to write quality cover letters.

T

Which type of closing letter requests the employer to call you for an interview?
a.
active close
b.
passive close
c.
empty close
d.
interactive

B

Having just one error on a cover letter may eliminate an applicant from being considered for employment.

T

Electronic cover letters should still follow a business letter format, even though e-mail is a less formal type of communication

T

What change does NOT need to be made to the above cover letter excerpt before sending it to an employer?
a.
Remove background color
b.
Change text to a basic font
c.
Remove business letter format
d.
Change font color to black

C

Remy is applying for a job where the employer asks that a cover letter and résumé be submitted. Remy should:

a.
Attach letters of recommendation also
b.
Send the cover letter first, and the résumé later
c.
Submit only the cover letter and résumé
d.
Send the cover letter as an attachment

C

Ron is interested at working at Gas’N’Go, but whenever he looks on their company Web site he doesn’t see any openings listed. What should Ron do?

a.
Ron should wait for six months before checking the company site again.
b.
Ron should check the company Web site once a week to look for openings.
c.
Ron should send a prospecting letter to see if there are any unadvertised openings
d.
Ron should give up and look at different companies

C

When writing a networking letter, respect your recipient by _____.

a.
being dishonest
b.
being ungrateful
c.
being concise
d.
being informal

C

Which of the following subject lines would be best to use when applying for a position as a high school teacher?

a.
Teacher job
b.
Blank subject line
c.
Re: Job Number 943
d.
Educator with 8 years of classroom experience

D

Which type of cover letter would the above excerpt come from?

a.
Prospecting cover letter
b.
Networking cover letter
c.
Application cover letter
d.
Follow up cover letter

A

The type of cover letter written to inquire about possible job openings:

a.
Networking letter
b.
Prospecting letter
c.
Application letter
d.
Follow up letter

B

The only types of cover letters that do not need to be tailored to the recipient are networking letters.

F

An electronic cover letter should be _____.

a.
colorful and flashy
b.
simple and basic
c.
long and boring
d.
messy and brief

B

Simone is writing a cover letter to Casey Jones, and is unsure of the employer’s gender. How should she address her letter?
a.
Dear Casey Jones:
b.
To Whom It May Concern:
c.
Dear Hiring Manager:
d.
Dear Mr./Ms. Jones:

A

The type of cover letter written in response to a posted job opening:

a.
Networking letter
b.
Prospecting letter
c.
Application letter
d.
Follow up letter

C

The type of cover letter written to request assistance and support from the author’s job network:

a.
Networking letter
b.
Prospecting letter
c.
Application letter
d.
Follow up letter

A

What is the correct order that the four parts of a cover letter should appear in?

a.
Introduction, Heading, Argument, Closing
b.
Heading, Introduction, Argument, Closing
c.
Introduction, Argument, Heading, Closing
d.
Heading, Introduction, Closing, Argument

B

Most cover letters are two pages in length.

F

Which of the following types of cover letters would assist an applicant in landing a job interview?

a.
Prospecting
b.
Application
c.
Networking
d.
All of the above

D

This type of cover letter style does a side by side comparison of an employer’s requirements and an applicant’s experience:

a.
Paragraph letter
b.
T-letter
c.
Bullet letter
d.
S-letter

B