C1 How to write a cover letter

http://jobsearch.about.com/od/jobsearchglossary/g/letterofapplication.htm
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/morejobletters/a/jobappletter.htm

USEFUL LANGUAGE TO WRITE A COVERING LETTER

LETTER OF APPLICATION  When you write a letter applying for a job or a course, you should include the following information: A) in the opening remarks/reason(s) for writing  ■ the name of the job/course  ■ where and when you saw it advertised  (e.g. “… the position of manager advised in yesterday’s Herald.”)  B) in the main body paragraphs  ■ age, present job and/or studies (e.g. “I am a nineteen-year-old university student.”)  ■ qualifications (e.g. “I have a BA in French.”)  ■ experience (e.g. “I have been working as a waiter for the last two years.”)  ■ skills and personal qualities that are suitable for the job/course (e.g. “I am a good and careful  driver. I consider myself to be mature and responsible.”)  C) in the closing remarks  ■ any other important information (i.e., when you are available for interview, where and when you can be contacted, references you can send, a remark that you hope your application will be  considered, etc.)  (e.g. “I will be available for interview in September. / I enclose references from my last two employers. / I look forward to hearing from you.”)  You usually use:  the present simple to describe skills/personal qualities   I am a patient and reliable person.  the past simple to talk about past experiences   I left school in 1994. I worked for General Motors for four years.  the present perfect to talk about recent work/studies   I have been working for LTYU for two years.   I have recently finished secondary school. Suggested structure for your covering letter:

First Paragraph State the job you’re applying for. Where you found out about it (advert in The Guardian newspaper etc. - organisations like to know which of their advertising sources are being successful) When you're available to start work (and end if it's a placement)

Second Paragraph Why you're interested in that type of work Why the company attracts you (if it's a small company say you prefer to work for a small friendly organisation!)

Third Paragraph Summarise your strengths and how they might be an advantage to the organisation. Relate your skills to the competencies required in the job.

Last Paragraph Mention any dates that you won't be available for interview Thank the employer and say you look forward to hearing from them soon.

If you start with a name (e.g. "Dear Mr Bloggs") you should end with "Yours sincerely". If you start with "Dear Sir or Madam" you should end with "Yours faithfully".

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👉 Page 77 , 2  READING  Do the exercise and check below:

a) Key answer: Requirements of the job: In touch with arts and music in the area; a strong interest in what is going on locally.

b) What kind of person would be ideal for this job?

Read Helen´s application letter and think about how suitable she is.

Suggested answer:  She seems very suitable for the job. She has the right academic background, is doing a degree in History of Art and wrote a dissertation on art and music in the community, takes a keen interest in local arts, has written about local artists and includes a sample article of her work. She isn´t unsuitable in any way.


👉Exercise 3: Writing skills: Formal letters; Giving a positive impression.
Do the exercise and check in the link below. This exercise is beneficial to learn some language to give a positive impression to the person reading your application letter.

Key answers; Useful language to give a positive impression

That´s all for this lesson. Tomorrow we´ll continue working on How to write a covering letter and you´ll write one.