WRITING AND FORMATTING THE LETTER OF APPLICATION/COVERING LETTER

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 467.

II. Read and analyze the following text.

IV. Have a discussion on the topic «THE EMPLOYMENT PROCESS». Use the following questions as a plan. Retell the text.

1. What is the content of the main rule that never changes between the employer and the employee?

2. What methods of finding a job do you know?

3. What does a company do first when it needs to recruit new people?

4. What are the main sources of vacancies?

5. What does an application package consist of?

6. One of the main important steps of the employment process is the interview,isn't it?

7. What documents contain details of employee's education and experience?

8. What is the purpose of written tests in the frame of the employment process?

9. What principal qualities must the candidates have to satisfy employers?

10. Why should one divide the employment process into small stages?

SECTION B

I. Read and learn the following word combinations:

1. to have a vacancy for – мати вакансію

2. to be recommended by – бути рекомендованим

3. to work with – працювати на

4. to be involved with duties – виконувати обов'язки

5. to gain experience in – здобути досвід у

6. to join a company – отримати робоче місце у компанії

7. to take responsibility for – бути відповідальним за

8. to look forward to hearing (seeing, etc.) – сподіватися почути (побачитися і т. ін.)

The letter of application/covering letter is the first direct contact between a candidate for a position and an employer. Read the following advices concerning this step.

The letter of application must be well written and presented to make a good impression. This letter normally contains some parts, in which you should confirm that you wish to get the job and say where you learned about the vacancy, say why you are interested in this position and your interests are the same as those of the company, show that you can contribute to the job by high-lighting your skills and experience, indicate your willingness to attend an interview (and possibly say when you would be free to attend).

1. If replying to an advertisement, as with most correspondence, 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 Programmer advertised in this month's edition of Computer Techniques.

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

I am answering your advertisement for the post of Bank Trainee which appeared in yesterday's Times.

I am replying to the advertisement of 18 June for a Sales Manager which you place in The export Journal.

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 (export / accounts department) for a clerical assistant (an 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 (to contact you) concerning a possible post in your department.

2. In the second paragraph to a letter answering an advertisement you should mention your CV (résumé):

I am enclosing my curriculum vitae for the position of …

The enclosed C.V. is for the above post.

3. Next there is a summary of details.

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

If you have more than one job, you could explain why you left each position. But you should never use explanations such as leaving for more money, better health scheme, social facilities, car, or conditions. 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. And never criticize the firm you worked for, 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 computer, etc)…

In 20___ I was offered a chance to join (name of company) where there was an opportunity for me to gain more experience in…

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

4. In the next section of the letter you have to explain your previous experience. Without elaborating too much you should stress your responsibilities and authority in the company/companies, 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).

During my time at (name of company) I worked on several (description) schemes which were very successful as they meant (description)…

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).

After two more years of management experience I joined (name of company).

5. All companies will want to know why you are applying for a particular position. Reasons you are applying mean explaining 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; designing, 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/university and companies).

6. 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 hope to hear from you in due course. Please let me know if you would like further information about me.

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

Below you will find Gunter Adams's letter of application for the position of a textile designer (Example 3.1).