2.2 Specimen letters
Notice in this letter how the applicant first mentions how he knows of the company, then gives brief details of his age, education, and experience, then refers to his Director who approves of staff spending time abroad. Finally, he tells the bank why he wants to join them for a temporary stay in the UK, and asks for an application form. Of course, he could also include a c.v. with the letter, but knows the practice of this firm is to send application forms.
Questions:
1. How did Mr Bauer hear about the bank he is applying to?
2. What does he do in the bank where he now works?
3. What are his qualifications?
4. Why does his bank encourage people to go on overseas courses?
5. What does he want the UK bank to send him?
6. Which words in the letter correspond to the following: suggestion, getting a qualification, various methods of doing things, particular?
In this example, notice the applicant immediately explains what the letter is about. She then goes on to expand on her present duties and emphasizes these and any other information that she feels is relevant to the advertised position, ignoring the duties in her previous employment which have no relevance to this particular post. Most importantly, she explains why she is applying for this particular vacancy and the qualities she can offer the company. Note that if she offered her current employers as referees, she could mention that she would prefer the company she is applying to not to approach her employers until after an interview.
Questions:
1. What position is Ms Brice applying for?
2. What does the abbreviation P.A. mean?
3. How did she learn about IT?
4. What reason does she give for wanting to join ICS?
5. Which words in the letter correspond to the following: ask for, everyday duties, continued with, materials used with a computer, e.g. discs, managing, real?
