Cover Letters Writing Cover Letter 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Why should you avoid simply restating your resume in a cover letter?
- Resumes are confidential
- It wastes the chance to add context and personality (Correct answer)
- Employers never read resumes
- It is illegal to repeat content
Correct answer: It wastes the chance to add context and personality
The cover letter should add narrative and context that the resume's bullet points cannot.
Question 2: What tone is generally best for most professional cover letters?
- Overly casual and slangy
- Confident yet professional (Correct answer)
- Apologetic and uncertain
- Aggressive and demanding
Correct answer: Confident yet professional
A confident, professional tone conveys competence without arrogance.
Question 3: How can you show genuine interest in a specific company?
- Reference its mission, projects, or recent news (Correct answer)
- Mention you applied everywhere
- Say you need any job
- Criticize its competitors
Correct answer: Reference its mission, projects, or recent news
Referencing specific company details proves you researched and care about the role.
Question 4: What should you do about an employment gap in a cover letter?
- Lie about the dates
- Briefly and positively address it if relevant (Correct answer)
- Write three paragraphs explaining it
- Ignore the job's requirements
Correct answer: Briefly and positively address it if relevant
A short, positive explanation reframes a gap without dwelling on it.
Question 5: Which is the best practice for proofreading a cover letter?
- Trust spellcheck alone
- Read it aloud and have someone review it (Correct answer)
- Submit immediately without review
- Only check the first line
Correct answer: Read it aloud and have someone review it
Reading aloud and getting a second opinion catches errors software misses.
Question 6: What is the risk of using clichés like "team player" without proof?
- They guarantee an interview
- They sound empty without supporting evidence (Correct answer)
- They are required by law
- They shorten the letter too much
Correct answer: They sound empty without supporting evidence
Generic claims need concrete examples or they read as hollow filler.
Question 7: How should salary expectations typically be handled in a cover letter?
- Always state a high number first
- Only include if the posting specifically requests it (Correct answer)
- Demand a raise upfront
- List your current pay in detail
Correct answer: Only include if the posting specifically requests it
Discuss salary only when the employer asks for it in the application.
Cover Letters Writing Cover Letter 3
Why should you avoid simply restating your resume in a cover letter?