• Units
    • Unit 1
      • U - 1 Writting
      • U - 1 Practice
      • U - 1 Answers
    • Unit 2
      • Unit 2 - 1
      • Unit 2 - 2
      • Unit 2 - 3
      • U - 2 Practice
      • U - 2 Writing
      • U - 2 Answers
    • Unit 3
      • Unit 3 - 1
      • Unit 3 - 2
      • U - 3 Writing
      • U - 3 Practice
      • U - 3 Answers
    • Unit 4
      • Unit 4 - 1
      • Unit 4 - 2
      • Unit 4 - 3
      • U - 4 Making complaints
      • U - 4 Practice
      • U - 4 Answers
    • Unit 5
      • U - 5 Reports
      • U - 5 Practice
      • U - 5 Answers
  • Glossary
  • Units
    • Unit 1
      • U - 1 Writting
      • U - 1 Practice
      • U - 1 Answers
    • Unit 2
      • Unit 2 - 1
      • Unit 2 - 2
      • Unit 2 - 3
      • U - 2 Practice
      • U - 2 Writing
      • U - 2 Answers
    • Unit 3
      • Unit 3 - 1
      • Unit 3 - 2
      • U - 3 Writing
      • U - 3 Practice
      • U - 3 Answers
    • Unit 4
      • Unit 4 - 1
      • Unit 4 - 2
      • Unit 4 - 3
      • U - 4 Making complaints
      • U - 4 Practice
      • U - 4 Answers
    • Unit 5
      • U - 5 Reports
      • U - 5 Practice
      • U - 5 Answers
  • Glossary

Unit 2. ​Сorrespondence for job hunting

2.1 Applying for a position

1. ​​Opening

If replying to an advertisement it is better to simply state what you are doing, and remember to give a date or reference.

I would like to apply for the position of Programmer advertised in this month's edition of Computer Technics.

I am writing to you concerning your advertisement on 12 May in The Guardian, for a bilingual secretary to work in your export department.

If applying for a position which has not been advertised, you can open like this:

I am writing to ask if you might have a vacancy in the (your) general office/ sales/ export/ accounts department for a(n) clerical assistant/ salesperson/ export manager/ accounts clerk.

If someone associated with the company suggested you write to them, you can open thus:

I was recommended by...... who is currently working in/who has had a long association with your firm/who is one of your suppliers/customers, to write to you/ contact you concerning a possible post in your/ the...... department.

2. ​Application form requests

If your enquiry is only for an application form, you can give some brief details about yourself, then ask for the form. It is worth remembering, at this point, that your letters, in these cases, are not for the positions themselves, but are for interviews.

These examples can also be used for unsolicited applications, i.e. when applying for a post that has not been advertised.

I am 23 years old, was educated at (secondary school) which I left in (date) having taken (leaving certificate). I graduated from (college/university) in (date) with a (diploma/degree) in (subject and class, mentioning any special topics that would be relevant to the position).

At present I am employed by (name of firm) where I deal with/am employed as (title)/am employed in (department)/ concerned with (description of work), and I have been there for (number of years), since (date).

There is no need to give any more information at this stage, so the letter can be closed:

Would it be possible for you to send me an application form and further details?

I would be grateful if you could send me an application form, and if in the meantime you need any further details about me, I would be happy to supply them.

3. ​​Curriculum vitae

Some companies do not send application forms, but prefer applicants to supply a curriculum vitae (c.v.) which is your personal and working history, see 1.2.5 for an example.

There should be a covering letter with application forms and c.v.s, either explaining points that might not be clear, or giving further information to emphasize your suitability for the post.

Remember to quote any reference numbers or job titles that have to be mentioned, and if an application form has been sent, thank the company.

4. ​​Opening

Your c.v. should be mentioned in the second paragraph to a letter answering an advertisement.

Thank you for your letter of (date) and the application form for the post of (title). I have now completed the details and am enclosing the form.

I am enclosing my curriculum vitae for the position of…

5. ​​Summary of details

You will see that I graduated from (college)/left (name of school) in (date) where I got (degree; diploma; certificate). I then began work with (name of firm) as (job title), where I was trained as (title), and was involved with (brief description of duties).

If you have had more than one job, you could explain why you left each position. This is often left for an interview. But you should never use explanations such as leaving for more money, better fringe benefits, advantages besides salary, e.g. better pension, health scheme, social facilities, car, or conditions. Whether it is justified or not, employers do not like to feel staff leave companies for these reasons.

You should also not state you were bored with the work you were doing, after all, you accepted the job; and never criticize the firm you worked for, the products or services they offered, or staff you worked with.

Explanations for leaving a company could include the following:

I left (name of firm) in (date) as (new employer) offered me a chance to use my (skills or specialized knowledge, e.g. languages, knowledge of computers, etc)…

In 19- I was offered a chance to join (name of company) where there was an opportunity for me to gain more experience in…

I was offered promotion (a chance to advance) by (name of company) in (date) and therefore left (company) as this meant I could (explanation)…

I joined (name of company) in (date) as they offered an opportunity for advancement, being a much larger concern.

6. ​Explanation of previous experience

Most application forms give limited space to expand on previous duties in a company; what you did, how many people were involved, what your detailed responsibilities were. Without elaborating too much or boasting, you should stress your responsibilities and authority in the company(ies), projects you undertook, changes you effected, or schemes you introduced.

While I was at (name of company) I took responsibility for (title) and this meant I (description); within (period of time) the firm/department was able to (description of improvements)…

At (name of company) my duties included (description). This gave me more experience in (description) which was very valuable when I moved to (name of next company).

7. Reasons you are applying

All companies will want to know why you are applying for a particular position. This not only means explaining why you want the job but why you think your particular skills and experience would be valuable to the firm.

I am particularly interested in the position you offer as I know my previous experience and academic background would be valuable in this area of (engineering; teaching; accountancy, etc.).

I am sure I would be successful in this post as I have now gained the experience and skills that are required.

This position would require someone who has had extensive experience of (area of work) which I gained both academically and commercially at (college and companies).

8. Close

At the end of the letter, look forward to the interview and offer to supply more information if necessary.

I look forward to hearing from you. However, if there is any further information you require in the meantime, please contact me.

Please let me know if there are any other details you need. Meanwhile, I look forward to hearing from you.

I will be able to give you more detailed information at an interview, and I look forward to seeing you.

Employment Correspondence

  This section presents many different ways to design and write application letters. Nothing here is trying to force you into one design. You design your own letter using whatever you find here that is useful and any other sources you know of. 
  In many job applications, you attach an application letter to your resume. Actually, the letter comes before the resume. The role of the application letter is to draw a clear connection between the job you are seeking and your qualifications listed in the resume. To put it another way, the letter matches the requirements of the job with your qualifications, emphasizing how you are right for that job. The application letter is not a lengthy summary of the resume--not at all. It selectively mentions information in the resume, as appropriate. 
  To begin planning your letter, decide which type of application letter you need. This decision is in part based on requirements that employers may have, and in part based on what your background and employment needs are. In many ways, types of application letters are like the types of resumes. The types of application letters can be defined according to amount and kind of information: 

  Objective letters - One type of letter says very little: it identifies the position being sought, indicates an interest in having an interview, and calls attention to the fact that the resume is attached. It also mentions any other special matters that are not included on the resume, such as dates and times when you are available to come in for an interview. This letter does no salesmanship and is very brief. (It may represent the true meaning of "cover" letter.)

  Highlight letters - Another type of application letter, the type you'll be doing in TCM1603, tries to summarize the key information from the resume, the key information that will emphasize that you are a good candidate for the job. In other words, it selects the best information from the resume and summarizes it in the letter--this type of letter is specially designed to make the connection with the specific job.