Job Application Letter MCQ Quiz With Answers

1. Which of the following should NOT be included in an application letter?

Reason for the position

Qualifications

Your problems with previous employers

Hobbies

Do not include any negative information in an application letter, and never criticize previous employers.

Explanation

Do not include any negative information in an application letter, and never criticize previous employers.

2. If you begin a letter with 'Dear Mrs. Hope,’ you should end it with 'Yours sincerely.”

Yours sincerely

From

Yours faithfully

Yours

The correct answer is "Yours sincerely" because when you start a letter with a specific salutation like "Dear Mrs. Hope," it indicates a formal and professional tone. "Yours sincerely" is the appropriate closing for a formal letter, expressing respect and sincerity towards the recipient. The other options, such as "From," "Yours faithfully," and "Yours," are not suitable closings for a letter that begins with a formal salutation.

Explanation

The correct answer is "Yours sincerely" because when you start a letter with a specific salutation like "Dear Mrs. Hope," it indicates a formal and professional tone. "Yours sincerely" is the appropriate closing for a formal letter, expressing respect and sincerity towards the recipient. The other options, such as "From," "Yours faithfully," and "Yours," are not suitable closings for a letter that begins with a formal salutation.

3. When should you send a covering letter?

Every time you are sending your CV to an employer.

When it is specifically requested

When you want to disclose your salary expectations

None of these

A covering letter should be sent every time you are sending your CV to an employer because it serves as an introduction and provides additional information about your qualifications and experience. It allows you to highlight specific skills and achievements that are relevant to the job you are applying for. Sending a covering letter shows professionalism and demonstrates your interest in the position. It also gives you an opportunity to explain any gaps in your employment history or address any concerns the employer may have. Overall, including a covering letter increases your chances of getting noticed and considered for the job.

Explanation

A covering letter should be sent every time you are sending your CV to an employer because it serves as an introduction and provides additional information about your qualifications and experience. It allows you to highlight specific skills and achievements that are relevant to the job you are applying for. Sending a covering letter shows professionalism and demonstrates your interest in the position. It also gives you an opportunity to explain any gaps in your employment history or address any concerns the employer may have. Overall, including a covering letter increases your chances of getting noticed and considered for the job.

4. What length should an application letter normally be?

Two pages long.

However, many pages are required for what you want to say

No more than one page of A4.

Three pages long.

An application letter should normally be no more than one page of A4. This is because employers or recruiters often receive a large number of applications and may not have the time or patience to read through lengthy letters. A concise and well-structured one-page letter allows the applicant to effectively communicate their qualifications, skills, and interest in the position without overwhelming the reader. It also demonstrates the applicant's ability to prioritize information and communicate succinctly, which are valuable skills in the professional world.

Explanation

An application letter should normally be no more than one page of A4. This is because employers or recruiters often receive a large number of applications and may not have the time or patience to read through lengthy letters. A concise and well-structured one-page letter allows the applicant to effectively communicate their qualifications, skills, and interest in the position without overwhelming the reader. It also demonstrates the applicant's ability to prioritize information and communicate succinctly, which are valuable skills in the professional world.

5. You do not need to write a cover letter if you are emailing your CV to an employer.

True

False

You should include your cover letter in the body of the email, remembering not to use formatting, as it might look very different in another email package. Keep it simple

Explanation

You should include your cover letter in the body of the email, remembering not to use formatting, as it might look very different in another email package. Keep it simple

6. It is okay to write a standard application letter for sending to all companies.

True

False

Writing a standard application letter to send to all companies is not recommended. Each company has unique requirements and preferences, and tailoring the application letter to match those specific needs increases the chances of getting noticed and considered for the position. A generic letter may come across as impersonal and demonstrate a lack of effort and interest in the specific company and role. Therefore, it is important to customize the application letter for each company to showcase genuine interest and suitability for the position.

Explanation

Writing a standard application letter to send to all companies is not recommended. Each company has unique requirements and preferences, and tailoring the application letter to match those specific needs increases the chances of getting noticed and considered for the position. A generic letter may come across as impersonal and demonstrate a lack of effort and interest in the specific company and role. Therefore, it is important to customize the application letter for each company to showcase genuine interest and suitability for the position.

7. Which of the following should NOT feature in the final paragraph of an application letter?

A statement thanking the reader for their time/consideration.

Your availability/interest in attending an interview.

A statement; saying you look forward to hearing from the reader.

Why you are applying for the position

This should have been dealt with long before the final paragraph.

Explanation

This should have been dealt with long before the final paragraph.

8. How should you start a letter if you do not have a named person to write to?

Dear Personnel Department

To Whom It May Concern

Dear Sir

Dear Manager

When starting a letter without a named person to write to, it is appropriate to begin with "Dear Sir." This is a formal and respectful way to address the recipient when you are unsure of their specific identity or gender. It is a commonly used salutation in business correspondence when the intended recipient is a man, but their name is unknown. Using "Dear Sir" maintains a professional tone and shows that you are addressing the letter to someone of authority or importance within the organization.

Explanation

When starting a letter without a named person to write to, it is appropriate to begin with "Dear Sir." This is a formal and respectful way to address the recipient when you are unsure of their specific identity or gender. It is a commonly used salutation in business correspondence when the intended recipient is a man, but their name is unknown. Using "Dear Sir" maintains a professional tone and shows that you are addressing the letter to someone of authority or importance within the organization.

9. Long paragraphs are expected in application letters, so job-seekers can discuss their skills and qualifications in great detail.

True

False

Long paragraphs are not expected in application letters. Job-seekers should aim to be concise and to the point in their letters, highlighting their skills and qualifications in a clear and organized manner. Employers often receive numerous applications and may not have the time or patience to read lengthy paragraphs. Therefore, it is important for job-seekers to make their letters easy to read and understand by using short paragraphs and bullet points to convey their relevant information effectively.

Explanation

Long paragraphs are not expected in application letters. Job-seekers should aim to be concise and to the point in their letters, highlighting their skills and qualifications in a clear and organized manner. Employers often receive numerous applications and may not have the time or patience to read lengthy paragraphs. Therefore, it is important for job-seekers to make their letters easy to read and understand by using short paragraphs and bullet points to convey their relevant information effectively.

10. If you begin a letter with "Dear Sir," you should end it with:

Yours sincerely

From

Yours faithfully

Yours

When starting a letter with "Dear Sir," it indicates a formal and professional tone. In such cases, it is appropriate to end the letter with "Yours faithfully." This closing phrase conveys respect and indicates that the writer is faithfully and sincerely addressing the recipient. "Yours sincerely" is typically used when the letter is addressed to a specific person by name, while "Yours" is too informal for a formal letter. Therefore, "Yours faithfully" is the most suitable ending for a letter that begins with "Dear Sir."

Explanation

When starting a letter with "Dear Sir," it indicates a formal and professional tone. In such cases, it is appropriate to end the letter with "Yours faithfully." This closing phrase conveys respect and indicates that the writer is faithfully and sincerely addressing the recipient. "Yours sincerely" is typically used when the letter is addressed to a specific person by name, while "Yours" is too informal for a formal letter. Therefore, "Yours faithfully" is the most suitable ending for a letter that begins with "Dear Sir."