Typing Requirement in a Tech Writing Ad - How to respond?

[Rose -dot- Wilcox -at- pinnaclewest -dot- com]

Hi, tech writing amigos,
I have joined the ranks of the recently laid off as of yesterday.
Somewhat of a shock, but I am bearing up well.

Today I saw an ad for technical writing that requested 50 wpm.  It is
advertised as a mid- to senior-level job and sounds rather interesting,
so I decided they must have some good reason to require that.

Now, I haven't been tested for typing speed in some time; I think about
12 years or so ago.  In the last recession, I used to go to temp
agencies and take typing tests to keep busy while looking for a
Technical writing job.  I have a vague recollection that I could match
that rate, but with a lot of errors.  I wrote a cover letter and amidst
a lot of other things, I mentioned, "I am sure my typing is  more than
adequate for the job", and one of my staff of volunteer cover letter
editors pointed out that I sound cocky.

But it's mainly because I am not sure how to cover that requirement.  I
am assuming they are asking for speed because the writer is going to be
doing a lot of interviewing and maybe having a good speed will help with
note taking during interviews.  However, the ad doesn't really make it
clear *why* they want the speed.  I also am not sure I want to confess
how long it has been since I have been tested, and truly, my numbers may
be the vague misremembering of the middle aged.

What would you put in your cover letter if you were me?  Would you
mention a wpm claim that you are unsure of?  Would you mention how many
years it has been since you've tested your skill?  Would you just ignore
that requirement and hope you got an interview based on your other
sterling qualities?  Etc., etc.

Rose A. Wilcox
CHQ, 17th Floor
Tranz1 QA/Documentation
602-250-2435
Rose -dot- Wilcox -at- PinnacleWest -dot- com
Do your work; not just your work and no more, but a little more for the
lavishing's sake -- that little more which is worth all the rest. ~ Dean
Briggs