Unit 3. Applying For a Job

There are two types of applications: 1) an unsolicited letter (самостоятельная просьба о приеме на работу) is a letter sent even if a company didn’t announce a vacancy; 2) a reply to an advertisement (an ad) for employment appearing in the media. Both types of letters are also called covering letters for c.v. (сопроводительные письма).

Generally, the terms vacancy, post, position, or opening are used instead of the word job in applications.

The aim of a covering letter is to inform an employer what position you would like to get and why you are applying for this particular vacancy. It is also supposed to give information on qualification, experiences and your present duties relevant to the advertised position.

1. Opening

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

- I am answering (replying to) your advertisement for the post of Marketing Director which appeared in yesterday’s Times.

- I am writing to ask you if you might have a vacancy in the (your) general office for a clerical assistant.

- I was recommended by … who is currently working with your firm, to contact you concerning a possible post in the (your) … department.

2. Personal Details

If your enquiry is only for an application form, you can give some brief details about yourself, and then ask for the form.

3. Previous experience.

You should give some details about your previous jobs; what you did, what your responsibilities were.

4. Reasons you are applying.

All companies will want to know why you are applying for a particular position. This is 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.

- As (title of post)I know my background in (area of work) would prove valuable to you, especially as I have been dealing with…

5. Close.

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

- Please can you send me an application form and any other relevant 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.

- I look forward to hearing from you. If there’s any further information you require, please contact me.

- I hope to hear from you in due course. Please let me know if you need other details.

Practice:

Exercise 1. Study the specimen of an unsolicited letter:

I. Notice how the applicant first mentions how he knows of the company, then gives brief details of his age, education, and his experience, then refers to his Director. Finally, he tells the bank why he wants to join them, and asks for an application form.

II. Answer the following 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) Why does his bank encourage people to go on overseas courses?

4) What does he want the UK bank to send him?

5) Which words in the letter correspond to the following: suggestion; various methods of doing things; particular; getting a qualification?

110,Virstenweg D-3000 Hannover The Manager Mitchell Hill PLC Merchant Bank 11-15 Montague Street 21 June 1999 London EC1 5DN   Dear Mr Russel,   I’m writing to you on the recommendation of David McCarran, Assistant Manager in your securities department.   Six months ago Mr McCarran was on a banking course here with me in Hannover, and he suggested that I should contact your company. He told me that you often employ people from other countries on a one-year basis, if they have had banking experience.   I am a 28 year-old employee of the International Bank in Hannover, working in the Overseas securities Department, and have been with this organization for the past two years, since graduating from the University of Munich in 1997 with a degree in Economics.   In my present position as Assistant to the Director of the International Securities Department, I deal with a wide range of investments from companies throughout Europe.   My bank encourages all its staff to spend a year abroad for the experience of working with different systems, and my Director would be willing to give you a reference.   I would like to spend a year or so in the UK to gain experience in securities investment with a British bank, and in exchange, I think my experience in securities and languages would prove useful to your organization. As well as speaking fluent English, I also have a very good working knowledge of French.   If you think it would be possible to offer me a position, please send me an application form where I will be able to give you more specific details about myself.   I look forward to hearing from you in due course.   Yours sincerely, Marcus Bauer Marcus Bauer    

Exercise 2. Put the following parts of the covering letter in order:

1) Carol Brice (Ms)

2) I would like to apply for the position advertised in The Guardian on 16 June for an Associate Project Manager.

3) Yours sincerely,

4) I have four years of experience with Michaels & Wade in Redmond, where I specialized in Management Information Systems. As you update your computer network, you will need expertise in every department of your import business. You will find key information on my experience and education below.

5) Dear Mr Carver,

6) Education: Associate’s Degree in Computer Science, 2003

7) Computer skills: DOS, Lotus, Harvard Graphics, etc.

8) 18 January 2007

9) Please let me know if there is any further information you require. I look forward to hearing from you.

10) Carol Brice

11) 25 Westbound Road, Borehamwood, Herts, WD6 1DX

12) Communication skills: excellent grammar and usage in writing; good oral presentation and training skill, wrote and delivered annual department report for board of directors.

13) Supervisory experience: Assistant to the associate warehouse supervisor at Michaels & Wade for four years.

14) Mr J. Carver, Personnel Officer, Bill & Watson Inc., City Road, London EC3 4HJ.

15) Encl. c.v.

16) May I arrange a time to meet with you? My daytime phone number is 555-7889. I assure you I will be available immediately.

a. … d. … g. … j. … m. … p. …

b. … e. … h. … k. … n. …

c. … f. … i. … l. … o. …

Exercise 3. Write the covering letter of your own.

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