Resume and Cover Letter Fundamentals Course: Writing a cover letter

1. Question 1 of 18

   What is the main purpose of a cover letter?

   • ATo list your references and their phone numbers
   • BTo repeat everything that your resume says, word for word, in full
   • CTo introduce you and make the employer want to read your resume
   • DTo ask for a higher salary before an interview
   Show answer

   Answer: C. To introduce you and make the employer want to read your resume

   A cover letter introduces you and shows how your skills fit, so the employer wants to read your resume.

2. Question 2 of 18

   How long should a cover letter be?

   • AAs long as your resume
   • BOne page or less
   • CTwo to three pages
   • DOne sentence
   Show answer

   Answer: B. One page or less

   WorkBC and Alberta's career site both say a cover letter should be no more than one page.

3. Question 3 of 18

   You cannot find the hiring manager's name. Which greeting is best?

   • AHey there
   • BDear Hiring Manager
   • CDear Sir or Madam
   • DTo whom it may concern, gentlemen
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Dear Hiring Manager

   Alberta's career site suggests "Dear Hiring Manager" or "Dear [Company] Team" and advises against gender-specific greetings.

4. Question 4 of 18

   Where should you first look for the name of the person to address your letter to?

   • AThe job posting or the company's website
   • BA random social media account
   • CThe government phone book
   • DYour own past cover letters
   Show answer

   Answer: A. The job posting or the company's website

   WorkBC says to find the hiring manager's name in the job posting or on the company website rather than using a generic greeting.

5. Question 5 of 18

   Should your cover letter repeat your resume?

   • AYes, it should copy the whole resume so that nothing is missed
   • BNo; it should highlight a few key experiences with examples
   • CYes, but in a smaller font
   • DNo; it should talk only about hobbies
   Show answer

   Answer: B. No; it should highlight a few key experiences with examples

   WorkBC says not to repeat your resume. Pick a few experiences that relate to the job and give concrete examples.

6. Question 6 of 18

   In a simple three-paragraph cover letter, what goes in the opening paragraph?

   • AYour salary history
   • BWho you are, which job you want and why it interests you
   • CA list of your references
   • DThe reasons you left your last job and how you felt about it
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Who you are, which job you want and why it interests you

   WorkBC's outline starts by introducing yourself and explaining your interest in the position.

7. Question 7 of 18

   In a simple three-paragraph cover letter, what goes in the middle paragraph?

   • AHow you meet the job's main requirements, with examples
   • BYour date of birth, marital status and other family details
   • CA copy of the job ad
   • DJokes to make the reader smile
   Show answer

   Answer: A. How you meet the job's main requirements, with examples

   WorkBC's outline uses the second paragraph to explain how you meet the specific experience or education requirements.

8. Question 8 of 18

   Which line belongs in the closing paragraph of a cover letter?

   • APlease do not call me before noon.
   • BMy hobbies include gaming and fishing.
   • CI left my last job because my boss there was unfair to me.
   • DI am available for an interview at your convenience.
   Show answer

   Answer: D. I am available for an interview at your convenience.

   Close by saying you are available for an interview or to discuss the job, and give a number where you can be reached.

9. Question 9 of 18

   Should you send the same cover letter to every employer?

   • ANo, tailor each letter to the job and the company
   • BYes, because it saves time and most employers expect that
   • CYes, but change the date each time
   • DNo, send no letter at all instead
   Show answer

   Answer: A. No, tailor each letter to the job and the company

   Job Bank says a cover letter should be tailored to the company and job, and you may need a different letter for each job.

10. Question 10 of 18

    A job posting does not mention a cover letter. What does WorkBC suggest if you are unsure?

    • ANever send one
    • BInclude one
    • CSend one only after the interview
    • DSend two different letters
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Include one

    Not every job needs a cover letter, but WorkBC says to include one if you are unsure.

11. Question 11 of 18

    Which sentence uses the active voice, as WorkBC recommends?

    • AThe team of 8 volunteers was being led.
    • BI led a team of 8 volunteers.
    • CA team of 8 volunteers was led by me.
    • DLeading of a team of 8 volunteers was done.
    Show answer

    Answer: B. I led a team of 8 volunteers.

    In the active voice, the person doing the action comes first. It is shorter and clearer.

12. Question 12 of 18

    Which writing style suits a cover letter?

    • AVery formal words from a dictionary
    • BText-message style with emojis
    • CLong paragraphs full of jokes
    • DSimple, direct sentences in short paragraphs
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Simple, direct sentences in short paragraphs

    Alberta's career site advises simple, direct language, short paragraphs and a professional tone; humour is usually not the right approach.

13. Question 13 of 18

    You put your cover letter in the body of an email. How should you format it?

    • AWith coloured backgrounds and images
    • BIn all capital letters
    • CAs plain text
    • DAs a photo of a printed letter
    Show answer

    Answer: C. As plain text

    Alberta's career site says to write an email cover letter as plain text, because formatted email may not display in every program.

14. Question 14 of 18

    On a printed cover letter, what does the word "Enclosure" below your name show?

    • AThat your resume is included with the letter
    • BThat you have a reference letter
    • CThat you would like the letter returned to you later
    • DThat the letter is confidential
    Show answer

    Answer: A. That your resume is included with the letter

    "Enclosure" on its own line after your name shows the reader that your resume is attached.

15. Question 15 of 18

    Read Rosa's cover letter. What is the best change to her greeting?

    Dear Sir or Madam,

    My name is Rosa Diaz and I am applying for a job at your company. I saw your ad online.

    I am a hard-working team player with excellent communication skills. I need this job because my rent went up and my old job did not give me enough hours.

    Please see my resume, which lists every job I have had since high school.

    Thanks,
    Rosa

    • AKeep "Dear Sir or Madam" because it sounds formal and polite
    • BUse the hiring manager's name, or "Dear Hiring Manager"
    • CWrite "Hi guys" to sound friendly
    • DRemove the greeting and start with her name
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Use the hiring manager's name, or "Dear Hiring Manager"

    Alberta's career site advises against gender-specific greetings like Sir or Madam and suggests a name or "Dear Hiring Manager."

16. Question 16 of 18

    Read Rosa's cover letter. What important detail is missing from her first paragraph?

    Dear Sir or Madam,

    My name is Rosa Diaz and I am applying for a job at your company. I saw your ad online.

    I am a hard-working team player with excellent communication skills. I need this job because my rent went up and my old job did not give me enough hours.

    Please see my resume, which lists every job I have had since high school.

    Thanks,
    Rosa

    • AThe job title and posting number
    • BThe name of her high school
    • CHer date of birth
    • DHer home phone and cell phone
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The job title and posting number

    The letter should name the position and any reference number so the employer knows which job she wants.

17. Question 17 of 18

    Read Rosa's cover letter. What is the main problem with the sentence about her rent?

    Dear Sir or Madam,

    My name is Rosa Diaz and I am applying for a job at your company. I saw your ad online.

    I am a hard-working team player with excellent communication skills. I need this job because my rent went up and my old job did not give me enough hours.

    Please see my resume, which lists every job I have had since high school.

    Thanks,
    Rosa

    • AIt uses the active voice
    • BIt mentions the job she is applying for
    • CIt is about her needs, not what she offers the employer
    • DIt is too short to count as a complete and formal sentence
    Show answer

    Answer: C. It is about her needs, not what she offers the employer

    Alberta's career site says to show the company why they need to hire you, not why you need to be hired. Personal money problems do not help your case.

18. Question 18 of 18

    Read Rosa's cover letter. What is the best fix for "hard-working team player with excellent communication skills"?

    Dear Sir or Madam,

    My name is Rosa Diaz and I am applying for a job at your company. I saw your ad online.

    I am a hard-working team player with excellent communication skills. I need this job because my rent went up and my old job did not give me enough hours.

    Please see my resume, which lists every job I have had since high school.

    Thanks,
    Rosa

    • AMove it into the subject line
    • BGive one specific example that shows these skills
    • CWrite it in bold capital letters
    • DRepeat it in every paragraph
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Give one specific example that shows these skills

    General claims are weak. A short, real example of teamwork or communication proves the skill.

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