Cover Letters Tailoring Your Cover Letter 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What should you do with the 'required skills' section of a job posting when writing your cover letter?
- Address the most relevant required skills with specific examples (Correct answer)
- Copy the list verbatim into your letter
- Ignore it and focus only on your preferred duties
- Move those skills to the resume only
Correct answer: Address the most relevant required skills with specific examples
Using specific examples to address required skills proves you possess them rather than just claiming you do.
Question 2: When should you mention the company's recent news or achievements in a cover letter?
- In the opening or second paragraph to show genuine interest (Correct answer)
- Only in the subject line of an email
- Never — it looks like flattery
- Only in the final sentence
Correct answer: In the opening or second paragraph to show genuine interest
Referencing recent news early shows you did research and connects your goals to the company's current direction.
Question 3: How can you tailor the 'why this company' section for a nonprofit organization?
- Connect your personal values to their mission and impact (Correct answer)
- Focus entirely on the salary range
- Mention you need a stable job
- Emphasize that you have never worked for a nonprofit before
Correct answer: Connect your personal values to their mission and impact
Nonprofits prioritize mission alignment, so showing shared values makes you a compelling candidate.
Question 4: What is the risk of sending a generic cover letter to multiple employers?
- It signals low interest and effort, reducing your chances (Correct answer)
- It saves time and usually works just as well
- It makes your application look more professional
- It demonstrates versatility
Correct answer: It signals low interest and effort, reducing your chances
A generic letter fails to address the specific role and company, making you easy to overlook.
Question 5: If a job posting lists 'strong communication skills' as required, how should you respond in your cover letter?
- Provide a brief example of a time your communication produced a measurable result (Correct answer)
- Simply write 'I have strong communication skills'
- List every communication course you ever took
- Skip this requirement since it is too vague
Correct answer: Provide a brief example of a time your communication produced a measurable result
A concrete example proves communication ability far more effectively than a self-assessment.
Question 6: When tailoring for a remote position, what should you emphasize in your cover letter?
- Your ability to self-manage, communicate asynchronously, and meet deadlines independently (Correct answer)
- Your preference for working in an office
- Your commute time to the nearest office
- Your need for constant supervision
Correct answer: Your ability to self-manage, communicate asynchronously, and meet deadlines independently
Remote roles require autonomy and digital communication skills, so demonstrating these is critical.
Cover Letters Tailoring Your Cover Letter 2
What should you do with the 'required skills' section of a job posting when writing your cover letter?