Topic Test Answers

Cover letters are important because they introduce the applicant personally, explain how the applicant’s skills and experience match the employer’s needs, show interest and enthusiasm for the specific position, highlight qualifications that may not be obvious from the résumé, and demonstrate professional writing and communication skills.

Use a professional 10- to 12-point font; keep the letter to one page; use standard margins of about one inch; left-align the text and use consistent formatting; include clear paragraph breaks and adequate white space; and proofread carefully for spelling, grammar, and typing errors.

Students should include the following four changes: The background to the cover letter should be white. The font color of the cover letter should be black. The font should be a basic font that is easy to read. The line length should be limited to 65 characters/line.

Cover letters should not be sent as attachments, because the employer may block e-mails with attachments. This may be part of their e-mail filtering system to block junk mail or spam. The only time a cover letter should be submitted as an attachment is when it is specifically requested to be sent that way by the employer.

The three types of cover letters include application, prospecting, and networking. An application letter is written when you are applying for a listed job opening. A prospecting letter is written to ask a company about any possible job openings or future opportunities, because there are not any openings posted. Networking cover letters are written to members of a job seekers’ network, asking them for assistance and support in the job search process.

Use the job advertisement, the employer’s website, company reports or publications, professional networking contacts, and reliable industry or news sources. Gather the correct contact person’s name and title, the position’s duties and required qualifications, the organization’s products or services and goals, its workplace culture, and information that can help connect the applicant’s experience to the employer’s needs.

If the line length of your electronic cover letter exceeds 65 characters, the message may appear uneven and difficult to read on the receiver’s screen.

The three formats are: a paragraph letter, which explains qualifications in paragraphs; a T-letter, which compares the employer’s requirements with the applicant’s matching experience; and a bullet letter, which uses bullets to emphasize specific skills and accomplishments.