Cover Letters Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield Cover Letters facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. When switching careers, what should your cover letter emphasize? → Transferable skills relevant to the new field
2. Should you provide much information about the employer and their company in your cover letter? → No
3. How can beginning with a question benefit a cover letter opening? → It engages the reader and frames your value proposition as the answer
4. Which file format best preserves a cover letter's formatting when emailed to employers? → PDF
5. Which font choice is a DO for a professional cover letter? → A clean, readable font like Calibri or Arial
6. What are transferable skills in the context of a career change cover letter? → Skills gained in one role that can be applied effectively in a different field
7. When sending a cover letter via email, where should the letter body typically go? → Directly in the email body
8. How should a career changer address their reason for switching industries in a cover letter? → Briefly explain the motivation and connect it to genuine interest in the new field
9. What is the risk of using clichés like "team player" without proof? → They sound empty without supporting evidence
10. Which of the following is the most professional sign-off for a cover letter? → Sincerely,
11. Which closing line is most appropriate for a professional cover letter? → "Sincerely,"
12. Why should you avoid starting your cover letter with 'My name is…'? → Your name is already on the resume and in the email — restating it wastes the opening
13. Which font size is most appropriate for the body text of a cover letter? → 10–12 point
14. If you don't know the hiring manager's name, how should you handle the closing sign-off? → Use a standard professional closing like 'Sincerely,' followed by your full name
15. What is the ideal length for a standard professional cover letter? → One page or less
16. Once you've written your Cover Letter, you can use it for any future job applications. → False
17. Which is a DON'T when expressing interest in the role? → Sounding desperate or pleading for the job
18. Which section of a cover letter is typically placed immediately after the salutation? → The opening paragraph
19. What tone should a career changer adopt when explaining a shift from a high-paying role to a lower-paying one? → Positive and purpose-driven, focusing on growth and passion for the new field
20. What should immediately follow a strong opening hook in the first paragraph? → A concise connection to the specific role and what you bring to it
21. What is the value of including a portfolio link in a career changer's cover letter? → It provides tangible proof of skills in the new field that the resume cannot fully show
22. What tone is most effective for an entry-level cover letter? → Enthusiastic, eager to learn, and confident about the skills you do have
23. For a career-change application, what should the cover letter emphasize? → Transferable skills relevant to the new field
24. What is the role of white space in a well-formatted cover letter? → It improves readability and makes the letter look professional
25. Which salutation should you use in a cover letter for a job/internship position when you DO NOT KNOW the person's name? → Dear Hiring Manager,
26. Where should your contact information appear in a traditionally formatted cover letter? → At the top of the letter
27. What tone is generally best for most professional cover letters? → Confident yet professional
28. Which is a sign of a weak cover letter? → Generic content reusable for any position
29. How can you make your cover letter stand out professionally? → Open with a compelling, specific hook
30. What is an effective use of a postscript (P.S.) in a cover letter? → To highlight a notable achievement and draw the eye