Deck 6: Professional Cover Letters and Applications

Question 1

Which should grab the hiring person's attention in your cover letter?

A) the second paragraph, where you list all your skills as bullet points
B) the closing sentence
C) the first sentence
D) the second paragraph in which you sell your attributes to the reader

Answer 1

the first sentence

Question 2

What is one concern you should have about the salary question?

A) that if you posted salary requirements to a job board, an employer might hold you to that number
B) that you won't know the recommended pay grade
C) that you won't want to negotiate
D) that the employer won't ask it right away

Answer 2

that if you posted salary requirements to a job board, an employer might hold you to that number

Question 3

There are sometimes legitimate reasons for "job hopping."

Answer 3

True

Question 4

All of the following are good ways to add value to your applicationexcept

A) indicate any additional coursework you have completed.
B) indicate if you achieved a strong GPA in school.
C) exaggerate your credentials.
D) indicate if you were a supervisor.

Question 5

When you are requested to include your Social Security Number on an online employment application, you should comply even if it is a blind ad.

Question 6

When completing an application, it is acceptable to respond, "See Resume" when asked a question that is already answered on your resume.

Question 7

There is no need to quantify skills in a cover letter. That can be done during the interview.

Question 8

Which could be used to help write a meaningful cover letter?

A) a short two-column checklist of skills desired accompanied by those you possess
B) numerous bullet points, highlighted in bold print
C) a handwritten effort
D) long lists of your soft skills

Question 9

When you are required to complete an application in person rather than online, you should dress for a possible interview even though you do not have an appointment and it is unlikely that an opportunity for an interview will occur.

Question 10

If you are not able to get to a computer, it is acceptable to handwrite your resume.

Question 11

Which of the following shouldnot be a consideration of the cover letter?

A) Include your contact information.
B) Use the same fonts, paper, and headings that are used in the resume.
C) Use an action paragraph to close the cover letter.
D) End your letter with either: Sincerely, Your Friend, or Respectfully.

Question 12

When asked a question regarding your criminal history on an employment application, answer "yes" to a misdemeanor and "no" to a felony.

Question 13

Which is a characteristic of a good cover letter?

A) most sentences start with "I"
B) it has short, action-oriented concise paragraphs
C) there are creative colors and fonts, especially if you are moving into the arts fields
D) it explains how the job will benefit your development

Question 14

Acceptable closures to the cover letter include the followingexcept

A) Thanks.
B) Yours sincerely.
C) Respectfully.
D) Sincerely.

Question 15

The function of paragraph one of the cover letter is to market your skills.

Question 16

The following skills should be considered in the construction of your cover letterexcept

A) study skills.
B) skills included in your resume.
C) adaptive skills.
D) transferable skills.

Question 17

All of the following are suitable ways to sign a cover letterexcept

A) leave the space blank.
B) type in your name in a script-style font, and color it blue.
C) a digital signature.
D) type in your name.

Question 18

Quantifiable skills accompanied by numbers belong in the resume, not the cover letter.

Question 19

The final paragraph in a cover letter that asks for the interview and states when you will follow-up with the employer is called the action paragraph.

Question 20

All of the following make a big impact on the cover letterexcept

A) your value-added attributes, such as years of experience.
B) a list of your soft skills.
C) quantifiable outcomes.
D) technical and adaptive skills.

Question 21

All of the following are parts of a great cover letterexcept

A) the ways in which you can add value to their company.
B) highlighting useful personal attributes that make you a great fit or asset for them.
C) indicating you have special skills.
D) how they can help you.

Question 22

When completing an employment application, there are some times when there are legitimate gaps in a work history.

Question 23

It is possible to be eliminated from the candidate pool by stating a salary that is out of the employer's acceptable salary range.

Question 24

All are important examples of peripheral data you may need with you to complete an applicationexcept

A) any license numbers.
B) your mother's maiden name.
C) past and current employers with their contact information.
D) your Social Security Number.

Question 25

Salary questions on an application can be answered by stating a precise figure.

Question 26

Since employers will take the time to match your qualifications with a position within their company, you don't need to tell them which position you are applying for.

Question 27

In order to stand out against all of the competitive job applications, you should use colored pen when filling it out.

Question 28

The Master Application is a completed application that you will use as a reference. It contains all of the information that you will need to complete the application that will be turned into the employer.

Question 29

If you cannot obtain the name of the specific manager to whom you are submitting your resume and cover letter, it is acceptable to address it to "Dear Sir/Madam."

Question 30

What isnot a good technical feature of a cover letter?

A) There is double spacing between paragraphs.
B) It is left-justified with no indents for paragraphs.
C) Individual paragraphs are double spaced.
D) It is nice and easy to read.

Question 31

When highlighting a soft skill, you should emphasize it in your cover letter by giving a specific example of how that soft skill was previously used.

Question 32

The cover letter is another marketing tool and should also be used, as the resume is, to sell your skills and experience.

Question 33

Which information isnot relayed by your cover letter?

A) your capacity to get along with others.
B) whether you know how to make strong statements.
C) whether you know how to organize your thoughts.
D) whether you can construct intelligent paragraphs.

Question 34

Which is a useful tip for filling out an application?

A) just get it filled out; details are less critical in the application
B) bring a pocket dictionary with you
C) write in pencil
D) leave lines blank if you cannot remember details

Question 35

What is recommended if you have a criminal history?

A) Do not elaborate on the situation.
B) Fill in additional information, such as traffic violations.
C) Downgrade any penalties you may have received.
D) Give them the number of your parole officer.

Question 36

It is customary to have four paragraphs in the body of a cover letter.

Question 37

Which is a mistake when completing an application?

A) Be ambiguous about your qualifications, keeping your options open if more than one position is available.
B) Be thoughtful in your word choice, such as "downsized" versus "fired."
C) Be concise.
D) Use abbreviations where possible.

Question 38

Which is true about job applications?

A) They do not matter very much.
B) They do not ask very specific questions.
C) They do not help an employer determine your ability to be professional or follow directions.
D) They are designed to weed out the applicant pool.

Question 39

When you sign an employment application, it is binding that the information you have entered is correct. If you are hired by a company but you lied on the application, and it was discovered, you can expect to be terminated.

Question 40

When asked what your salary requirements are, use the terms "Negotiable" or "Open" when responding to an employment ad or job board.

Question 41

Your stated qualifications should be targeted to the position to which you are applying.

Question 42

Employment applications, like resumes, are looked at very briefly by the person in charge of hiring.

Question 43

All of the following are good resources when writing a cover letterexcept

A) an inexperienced or routinely unemployed individual.
B) checklists of what to include and guidelines to follow.
C) websites.
D) a Career Services professional.