LI SS

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PROJECT

www.emlt.eu

JANUARY, 2017
 PROJECT
www.emlt.eu

B U S I N ES S ENG LIS H

Project Manager
NİLGÜN ÇAĞLARIRMAK USLU

e-Book Designer
İLKER KAYABAŞ

Writer
JEAN MEAKIN
PREFACE

Dear Students,

Welcome to this Business English module. The module will provide useful training to students of Social
Sciences, Humanities, Business-related subjects, and many other subjects. All of the activities in this
module cover areas which are vital to your job applications. In a highly competitive world, it is essential
for graduates to devote the time and effort into making their applications impressive, so that they get the
jobs they deserve. Potential employers are busy people and they receive many job applications, so your
application needs to stand out with its clarity and excellence.

This module offers you training in applying for jobs. Graduating from university is a huge achievement,
and this first unit is about describing all your relevant successes to potential employers. The focus is on
describing your skills and experiences, and the unit encourages you to analyse the skills and qualifica-
tions you have. It helps you describe them positively and in good English. The second unit gives you train-
ing in completing an application form and in answering the questions you could be asked. The third unit
shows you exactly how to create a good Curriculum Vitae, giving you useful tips and helping you practise
the relevant language for this. The fourth and final unit shows you how to write an effective covering
letter, to capture a potential employer’s attention and get your name to the top of the list.

All of the four units contain a balance of advice, examples, practice and tasks. The units also contain dis-
cussion board activities so that you can learn with, and from, your peers.

This module takes you as far as getting that all important interview. In a separate module, you will be
taught how to present yourself well at an interview.

We sincerely hope you enjoy working through this module and that it will help you to get the job you
want.

JEAN MEAKIN &

The UK EMLT Team
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Click the titles to navigate.

Describing Skills and

1 Experiences
pages 5 - 26

Completing a Job Application

2 Form
pages 27 - 49

Writing a Curriculum Vitae

3 pages 50 - 67

Writing a Covering Letter

4 pages 68 - 91
DESCRIBING SKILLS
AND EXPERIENCES

1
WRITER SECTIONS
JEAN MEAKIN Click the titles to navigate.

01. Introduction
02. Discovering your strengths and talents
03. Describing your degree course
04. Making your achievements sound good
05. Grammar: using correct tenses
06. Taking ownership of your successes
07. Analysing your skills for a particular job
08. Matching your skills with the skills required
in a job advertisement
09. Considering what your degree qualifies you
to do
10. Using the star model to evidence your skills

11. Review

5
INTRODUCTION
At every stage of your application process, it will be important that you can describe your skills and expe-
riences in the best possible way. Throughout the process, remember that you are marketing a product,
and that product is yourself. You need to present yourself positively and effectively for each job you
apply for. This unit will show you how to describe your skills and experiences in a way that will attract
potential employers to your application.

The information and activities in this unit are relevant to the three following units, and will help you when
you complete an application form, write a CV, and compose a covering letter.

DISCOVERING YOUR STRENGTHS AND

TALENTS
Watch a video clip about finding your strengths and
talents
As an introduction to this unit, and to start you thinking about what you are good at, watch the YouTube
clip (3:53 minutes) via the link below. As you watch, fill in the gaps in the following sentences which are
taken from the clip.

VIDEO

How to find your Talent and Strengths by Coach Ahalya

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppU0WbgCSyE

Remember that if you want to, you can use the Subtitles to make sure you
catch everything that is said. If you want the people to speak more slowly
or quickly, use the Settings > Speed, and adjust it.

6
 EXERCISE #1

Please fill in the blanks.

1. Everyone has a unique set of talents and strengths, yes _______________________.

2. Your _______________________ are the things that you could offer an employer.
3. Reflect on things you do that take a little effort and have a _______________________ impact.
4. Sometimes it’s the smallest thing, like you’re a natural _______________________.
5. Things that you generally _______________________ in are usually your talents.
6. What do others _______________________ you for? That’s something else to consider.

CHECK YOUR ANSWERS

Consider your own strengths and talents

Ask yourself and ask people who know you what they consider to be your strengths and talents. Jot down
some ideas in the lines below.

You may find the sentence beginnings help you.

»» I think I’m good at _______________________
»» People sometimes ask me to help them by _______________________
»» I really enjoy _______________________
»» When I have spare time, I like to _______________________
»» My friends and family say I’m good at _______________________

When you apply for a job, think carefully about the strengths and talents you have which are relevant to
the particular position you want. Read the job description carefully, and consider what the position re-
quires. It is a good idea to refer to your skills and talents in order of importance, placing the key ones first.

Discussing your degree and the benefits you have

gained
The knowledge, skills and experiences you gained from your degree course are enormous. Those years you
spent studying were highly formative and you learnt many things, from all aspects of life. These include the
information you acquired, the teamwork activities you did, the confidence you gained, the places you visit-
ed, the life skills you learned, and so much more. Make sure your potential employers know what you have
gained, and how these things can benefit their organisation. Try to think back to the sort of person you were

7
before you started your course, and look at how far you have developed, and in what ways. Link this to the
sort of job you are looking for, and aim to show how your degree has prepared you for it.

DISCUSSION

Write a paragraph to show what you gained from your degree course. Explain why the degree
subject is important for the job you want and give examples. Make sure that any employer
values the knowledge you bring.

Begin with the sentence, ’My degree in _____________ is an excellent foundation for this job
because _____________’. Then, post your paragraph onto the discussion board.

Read other students’ posts on the discussion board and note the terms they use to describe
their course. Share your ideas and learn from each other.

DESCRIBING YOUR DEGREE COURSE

It is likely that at some stage of the job application process, you will be required to describe your degree
course in detail. It is worth preparing carefully for this question. Your answer will include some or all of
the following.

»» The title of the degree course

»» The modules you chose
»» The title of a dissertation or of some long essays you wrote
»» Study methods, including attending lectures, using media technology, online research, visits to rele-
vant places, group and collaborative work, seminar participation
»» What particularly interested you, and why
»» What you are currently doing to further your knowledge of the subject
»» Areas you would like to research further
»» How your studies will benefit the potential employer

DISCUSSION

Write your responses to the 8 points above. Aim to use rather formal language and make the
points as impressively as you can. Share your responses on the discussion board and see what
you can learn from your peers’ responses.

8
MAKING YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS
SOUND GOOD
The language you use to describe your achievements can make an enormous difference. Think carefully
about how you can present yourself in the best possible way. Do not undersell yourself because you are
feeling shy. If you have done something impressive, make sure everyone knows and values what you did!
Here are some things that you can do to make sure your achievements sound as good as they really are.

»» Use ‘action’ verbs.

»» Use positive adjectives to describe yourself.
»» Give numbers and statistics where applicable.

Each of these will be practised in this unit.

Action Verbs are words which show powerfully what you have achieved. They do not just re-
fer to what the job required. They show what YOU actually DID. In a job application, they
are most often used in the past tense, to stress that the action has been completed.

Use ‘action’ verbs

In the box below, there are some examples of ‘action’ verbs. These
are suitable for you to use when you apply for a job.

To see the difference between rather ordinary verbs and

action verbs, do the following exercise.

Read the bullet points from a CV below, and

notice that the verbs are rather ordinary
and might not impress a potential
employer. Look up the ones you
don’t know and make sure you un-
derstand them all. Then practise us-
ing the action verbs by replacing the
highlighted words in the bullet points with
action verbs. Remember that you will need to
use the correct form of the action verb. The first
letter of the appropriate action verb has been given
to help you.

9
addressed analysed arranged assessed
classified collaborated communicated completed
composed co-ordinated created customised
demonstrated designed diagnosed doubled
encouraged established exceeded formulated
generated guaranteed guided identified
illustrated implemented improved increased
installed introduced investigated led
launched lectured managed motivated
negotiated organised persuaded pioneered
presented proved published purchased
rehabilitated reorganised reduced researched
resolved secured selected scheduled
supervised trained transformed tripled
upgraded verified

EXERCISE #2

Replace the underlined words in the following sentences with action verbs from the box above.
Use the same past tense forms as they are in the box. The first letter of each answer has been
given to help you.

1. Managed to get 12 new computers for the Department, with the result that efficiency was
restored.
S________________________
2. Helped new gym members to cycle safely on the new machines.
T________________________
3. Looked into ways that social media can assist our organisation, with regard to publicity
for fundraising events.
I________________________
4. Started the use of a state-of-the-art diagnostic programme for analysing departmental
data.
P________________________
5. Increased by a factor of three the number of visitors attending open day briefings.
T________________________
6. Worked jointly with other academic teams to ensure that all Law students felt well

10
 equipped for their next stage.
C________________________
7. For three consecutive terms, got better results than the target set by the junior management
team.
E________________________
8. Completely changed the décor of the consultation rooms, with the result that customer satisfac-
tion increased by 15%.
T________________________

CHECK YOUR ANSWERS

YOUR TURN

You can find a useful list of action verbs, arranged according to skill sets, by clicking the following
link.

http://career.opcd.wfu.edu/files/2011/05/Action-Verbs-for-Resumes.pdf

Read the list carefully, and choose verbs you could use in your application. Write down your 6
action verbs in the following spaces.

Use positive adjectives to describe yourself

Remember that employers normally know the key characteristics of the people they are seeking. Be sure
to include some positive adjectives about yourself in your job application, your CV and your covering let-
ter. When you see a job advertisement, read it carefully and make sure you mention the characteristics
that they are looking for.

11
 EXERCISE #3

Consider the adjectives below. Mark those that are usually positive with a P and the negative
ones with an N. In your CV and covering letter, be sure to include only positive adjectives about
yourself.

1. Dynamic ____ 7. Inspirational ____

2. Passionate ____
3. Obsessive ____
4. Enthusiastic ____
5. Quick-tempered ____
6. Meticulous ____
8. Diligent ____
9. Energetic ____
10. Apathetic ____
11. Discourteous ____
12. Knowledgeable ____

CHECK YOUR ANSWERS

Give numbers and statistics

Giving numbers and statistics will help to create an accurate picture. Without these, hiring man-
agers could underestimate the size of your achievements, and this would be unfortunate.

Compare the following sentence, written by an applicant for a position as a Visitor

Experience Manager at a London museum.

‘As a Museum Assistant, I patrolled the exhibits to make sure they were
in good order, and helped visitors with their enquiries.’

Then compare it with the following improved version.

‘As a Museum Assistant, I patrolled the 57 exhib-

its displayed in 3 large halls, to make sure they
were in good order. The museum welcomed
over 400 visitors daily, and on average I
helped over 20 people each day with
their enquiries.’

You can see that the second sen-

tence carries far more meaning
and highlights the size of the accom-
plishment.

12
 EXERCISE #4

Now, consider the sentences below and see how you can improve them by adding some num-
bers and statistics. Fill the gaps with suitable information from the box.

1-mile threefold 7am to 9am double

£10,000 2-week 12 19th

1. I have researched ________________________ century Chinese vases.

2. During my employment as a housing officer, I visited all the council-owned properties
within a ________________________ radius of our offices.
3. Under my leadership, the number of placements increased ________________________.
4. I was able to ________________________ the number of successful applications during my first
term.
5. Working in the Human Resources Department, I have been responsible for the welfare for
all of the ________________________ employees in our organisation.
6. As a young and ambitious actor, I dedicate the hours from ________________________ daily to
learning my lines.
7. I enjoyed organising the ________________________ induction course for new recruits, and I
was awarded a staff bonus for my part in its success.

CHECK YOUR ANSWERS

GRAMMAR: USING CORRECT TENSES

When you are applying for a job, you are in effect considering your past, present and future. This can
make it difficult to use the tenses appropriately.

Try the following exercise, to find out how well you can use the tenses. When you have finished, check
your answers and read the explanations given. Make sure you are able to use these structures cor-
rectly, as you will need them when you are applying for jobs. If, after doing this exercise, you still feel
unsure of how to use the tenses correctly, consult a good grammar book.

13
 EXERCISE #5

Study the following sentences and underline the appropriate verb forms. An example has been
given.

Example:

Having successfully (completion / complete / completed) my probationary year, I am now a

fully qualified French teacher.

The correct answer is completed.

1. If this application (were / is / was) successful, I shall see this as a major step forward in
my chosen career as a Social Anthropologist.
2. After (had graduated / graduated / graduating) with a Lower Second Degree in Social
History, I decided to embark on a gap year.
3. In order to motivate my team, last year I (introduced / have introduced / was
introducing) a highly successful weekly snooker competition on Friday lunchtimes.
4. Although the changes (would be made / were made / have been made) at the height
of the economic downturn, they were widely acclaimed by the management team.
5. Before (to commence / commenced / commencing) my current employment, I
researched the industry in depth.
6. Since (working / worked / have been working) for the company, my interest in
translation work has increased.

CHECK YOUR ANSWERS

TAKING OWNERSHIP OF YOUR

SUCCESSES
Use the first person pronoun ‘I’ whenever applicable. Sometimes, job applicants lack the confidence to
claim ownership of their achievements. Some applicants might feel reticent to talk about their own role.
For example, an applicant may state:
We telephoned the retailer to obtain a refund.
OR
The team telephoned the retailer to obtain a refund.
OR
It was our responsibility to telephone the retailer to obtain a refund.

14
However, if the applicant took the action, he or she should state this clearly.
I telephoned the retailer to obtain a refund.

Hiding behind the group in this way can be a big mistake for job applicants. If you have achieved some-
thing, you should use the word ‘I’, or find some way to make it absolutely clear that you did it. Hiring
managers want evidence that candidates are proactive and get things done. If you say ‘we’ did something
or ‘the team’ did something, this could suggest that you played no part in the achievement.

EXERCISE #6

Read part of the job description for a Youth Club Manager. Consider the paragraph in the box
which follows. It is part of an application for the position. You can see that the applicant has
actually been the leader of a youth club but has failed to make the full level of their leadership
clear in the application. (Such underplaying of one’s achievements is far from rare!) Underline
all the parts which should say ‘I’ or ‘my’, to ensure that the applicant’s contribution is fully rec-
ognised. You should able to find eight occasions of this. The first answer has been underlined
as an example.

Youth Club Manager – Job Description

A vacancy has arisen for a Youth Club Manager at the busy Community Centre in New-
town. Membership of the club is in excess of 150 young people, and meetings are held
in the afternoons and evenings, from Tuesdays to Saturdays.

Essential
At least 2 years’ experience of working with young people
Ability to organise and lead stimulating and entertaining programmes of events for 11-
16 year-olds
Qualified to secure a safe environment for young people and all those attending the
premises
Utmost reliability
Highly developed communication skills
You will be required to undergo a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check.

Desirable
Ability to offer sports coaching
Willingness to cook snacks for young people and helpers on an occasional basis

15
 Youth Club Manager – Job Application
For the past three years, I have worked as the lead volunteer at the local youth club on Monday
nights. Every week, we organise games and activities for 50 or more children, who are aged 11-
13. Halfway through the evening, we offer the children snacks such as chips and soft drinks. It
is our responsibility to make sure that all the children are safe, and for this, we have completed
all the mandatory safeguarding training. We register children’s attendance on arrival, and when
they leave, it is our job to make sure they go home with their parents or carers. The team organ-
ises meetings at the beginning of each evening session, and we check that all the volunteers are
wearing their name badges and sweat shirts for easy identification. The lead volunteer makes
sure that the premises are clear, clean and safely locked up at the end of the evening.

CHECK YOUR ANSWERS

ANALYSING YOUR SKILLS FOR A

PARTICULAR JOB
The number of skills needed in the world of work is enormous. Most of us do not even realise all the dif-
ferent skills we possess. Sometimes, when we see a job advertisement, we might not believe we have the
skills needed. However, with some thought, we can often think of some experiences which demonstrate
that we do indeed have the required skills.

Remember that writing about yourself only gives potential employers a brief snapshot about you. They
do not see all the great things you may be doing in your daily life. They do not meet your friends or col-
leagues. In the early stages of your job application, your writing is the only thing they can use to judge
your suitability for a job.

Sometimes, we may expect employers to infer our skills and qualifications. We may assume, for example,
that because we work with children all day long, employers will know that we have good communication
skills. However, we should not expect people to infer things from what we write. In reality, it is more likely
that if we do NOT explicitly mention a certain skill, our readers will assume we do NOT have that skill. As
a general rule, job applicants should list their relevant skills clearly, and give evidence for these.

Without evidence, an applicant’s claims will be less convincing. Do not wait until the interview stage to
demonstrate your abilities. This must be done in writing, clearly and directly in the job application.

Sometimes, it is necessary to think for some time before finding a really good example to evidence a
particular skill you have.

16
MATCHING YOUR SKILLS WITH
THE SKILLS REQUIRED IN A JOB
ADVERTISEMENT
EXERCISE #7

Consider the list of skills in the Job Requirements section of the box below. They are from a
variety of advertisements for different jobs, but it is likely that some of the requirements will
be relevant for you. Read some of the possible responses on the right. The order on the right
is mixed up. Match the Job Requirements on the left with the Possible Responses on the right.
Write your answers below. The first has been given as an example.

Job Requirements Possible Responses

A. I joined a team of volunteers formed to

Example
0. Able to communicate in a
calm and reassuring manner.
protect wild bears in Eastern Europe. My
task was to set up a Facebook page and to
post updates to publicise the venture. After 2
months, I had 600 followers. I then started a
blog and attracted 170 users.

1. A graduate with an ambition to
move into sales.
B. For the past six months, I have been working
at the Halifax Building Society. The work
is sometimes complicated and needs to
be accurately completed, according to
meticulously regulated systems.

2. Social media skills C. As a student, I visited a blind people’s home

every week, and read to the patients to:
entertain them. I learnt to read slowly and
calmly so they could follow the stories.
When they needed help, I assisted them
gently and reassuringly, and quickly gained
their confidence in me.

3. Give presentations to up to 500 D. I am ambitious to pursue a career in sales.

young people at a time.
Having completed a degree in Marketing, I
have just set up my own part-time business
selling make-up to women in my local area. I
enjoy the work and have achieved a profit of
£3,107 in the first three months.

17
 Job Requirements Possible Responses

4. Physical fitness E. Last year, after four months of training,

I completed the London Marathon. I am
anticipating running two half marathons next
month.

5. The ability to follow detailed F. When I began working as a trainee teacher, I

instructions had to lead school assemblies once a week.
This involved creating PowerPoint shows and
delivering a talk to up to 650 school students
each time.

6. Creativity and style G. I was recently awarded First Prize for Costume
Design by my local Amateur Dramatics
Society.

CHECK YOUR ANSWERS

CONSIDERING WHAT YOUR DEGREE

QUALIFIES YOU TO DO
It is a good idea to consider your skills well before you see an advertisement for a job. If you follow the
link below, for the UK’s National Careers Service, you will find a list of almost 800 jobs. Read through the
profiles of some of the jobs that your degree qualifies you for. Here is the link:
https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/planning/jobfamily/Pages/default.aspx

USING THE STAR MODEL TO

EVIDENCE YOUR COMPETENCIES
The STAR model is a framework for answering questions so as to give evidence of one’s competencies.
The model is widely trusted by employers and is considered to be a reliable indicator of a candidate’s
future behaviour. According to the model, you can divide your answer to a competency based question
into four clearly defined sections, namely Situation, Target, Action and Result, and these are described
as follows.

SITUATION
What was the situation at the beginning? Was there a problem of some sort? What was the context and

18
why was the issue important?

TARGET
What needed to be achieved in order to sort out the problem? What was your target for solving it?

ACTION
What did you do to solve the problem? Describe the steps you took and the stages involved. Which of
your skills did you use, and how?

RESULT
What was the outcome? What have been the positive effects for your organisation, for individuals, and
for yourself? What has all of this taught you and how has it assisted your professional development?

Identifying the sections of the STAR Model

EXERCISE #8

Read part of the job description for a Marketing Manager for a firm of translators. Then read a
candidate’s answer to the question on the application form. The question was, ‘Can you describe
a time when you empowered other people at work?’ The paragraphs of the answer are jumbled
up. They describe what was going wrong at work, and everything as far as the result. Read
and identify the purpose of each paragraph, using the headings Situation, Target, Action or
Result. The first has been done for you.

Job Description
Marketing Manager for A-Z Translations Ltd
The Marketing Manager will be responsible for marketing the services of A-Z Translations
Limited across a wide range of specialist and non-specialist organisations. Although the
successful applicant will be in overall charge of the company’s marketing strategy, he or
she will be required to ensure ALL members of the team take responsibility for building
up contacts and gaining widespread recognition of our brand.

Essential Skills
A degree in Marketing
Training staff
Strong IT skills
Excellent knowledge of one modern foreign language
Public speaking
Negotiating

19
 Result
_______________________ The effect has been that now, all of my team are able to use the touch
screens with confidence. In the feedback, all the staff said they had learnt something useful
from the technicians’ presentation. Ninety per cent of those attending the workshop said it
was helpful. Eight team members have joined the ongoing mentoring scheme and say that in
addition to helping them master the IT, the mentoring scheme has given them a positive feeling
of belonging to the team. Now, all of my team can give presentations using the new technology,
which is good for building professional contacts, and this eases the pressure on the people who
had been feeling overworked.

_______________________ I invited two technicians from our IT department to give a one-hour

presentation to demonstrate the touch screens and show how good they can be. Next, I organised
a 2-hour hands-on workshop for all of the team to have a go. For some, this was an opportunity
to hone their already strong IT skills, whilst for others, it represented a massive learning event,
offered in a non-threatening way. Finally, I set up a one-to-one ongoing mentoring scheme for
any team members who still needed further support.

_______________________ I decided that all the staff should receive IT training to resolve this
problem. This needed to be done in a sensitive way, so as not to create feelings of resistance
or even alarm amongst my team. As some team members were very behind with IT, a number
of different approaches might be needed: some initial training for everyone, and then some
follow-up training to be offered one-to-one to the weaker members, for the longer term.

_______________________ In my organisation, we have to give presentations to our clients. Our work

force is quite mixed and several members of my team, as many as half of the 20 employees,
were not comfortable using the new touch screens. This was creating divisions in the team as
some people felt vulnerable and were afraid to ask for help, whilst those who were comfortable
with the IT were resenting having to give extra presentations to cover for the team members
who were unable to present.

CHECK YOUR ANSWERS

DISCUSSION

Practise using the STAR model to evidence one of the other skills required for the above Marketing
Manager position. Choose either public speaking or negotiating. As this is just practice, you
can use some imagination for your answer! Write a sentence or two for each of the four sections
as you practise following this model. Then post it on the discussion board and ask for peer
feedback.

20
Situation _______________________________________________________________________________________

Target __________________________________________________________________________________________

Action __________________________________________________________________________________________

Result __________________________________________________________________________________________

DISCUSSION

Use the STAR model to demonstrate YOUR competencies

First, say what job you would like. In the 5 lines below, type a list of 5 skills you need for that
job. Post the list on the discussion board. Then, fill in the box below, and use the STAR model
to demonstrate that you already have ONE of these skills. Post these on the discussion board,
asking for feedback.

The job I want: ___________________________________________________________________________________

Skill 1. ___________________________________________________________________________________________
Skill 2. ___________________________________________________________________________________________
Skill 3. ___________________________________________________________________________________________
Skill 4. ___________________________________________________________________________________________
Skill 5. ___________________________________________________________________________________________

Skill 1 required for the job I want: _________________________________

Evidence of my skill

Situation _______________________________________________________________________________

Target __________________________________________________________________________________

Action __________________________________________________________________________________

Result __________________________________________________________________________________

21
REVIEW
In this unit, you have considered in detail how to describe your skills and experiences. You have learnt
to identify your own individual skill set, and to describe all the benefits that you can bring to a potential
employer. You have considered which jobs you should consider applying for, and have identified the
steps you need to take to supplement your current skill set. You have analysed the STAR model and can
now use this to describe your own skills.

Make a note of three things that you have learnt from this unit and be sure to use them when you apply
for a job.

Your learning in this unit will be useful and relevant to all of the following units.

22
CHECK YOUR ANSWERS

ANSWERS #1

everyone
1. Everyone has a unique set of talents and strengths, yes _____________________.
strengths
2. Your _____________________ are the things that you could offer an employer.
positive
3. Reflect on things you do that take a little effort and have a _____________________ impact.
smiler
4. Sometimes it’s the smallest thing, like you’re a natural _____________________.
excel
5. Things that you generally _____________________ in are usually your talents.
thank
6. What do others _____________________ you for? That’s something else to consider.

GO BACK

ANSWERS #2

1. Managed to get 12 new computers for the Department, with the result that efficiency was
restored.
S________________________
ecured
2. Helped new gym members to cycle safely on the new machines.
rained
T________________________
3. Looked into ways that social media can assist our organisation, with regard to publicity
for fundraising events.
I________________________
nvestigated
4. Started the use of a state-of-the-art diagnostic programme for analysing departmental
data.
P________________________
ioneered
5. Increased by a factor of three the number of visitors attending open day briefings.
ripled
T________________________
6. Worked jointly with other academic teams to ensure that all Law students felt well
equipped for their next stage.
C________________________
ollaborated
7. For three consecutive terms, got better results than the target set by the junior
management team.
xceeded
E________________________
8. Completely changed the décor of the consultation rooms, with the result that customer
satisfaction increased by 15%.
T________________________
ransformed

GO BACK

23
ANSWERS #3

1. Dynamic P
____ 7. Inspirational P
____
2. Passionate P
____ 8. Diligent P
____
3. Obsessive N
____ 9. Energetic P
____
4. Enthusiastic P
____ 10. Apathetic N
____
N
5. Quick-tempered ____ 11. Discourteous N
____
6. Meticulous P
____ 12. Knowledgeable P
____

GO BACK

ANSWERS #4

1. I have researched ________________________

19th century Chinese vases.
2. During my employment as a housing officer, I visited all the council-owned properties
within a ________________________
1-mile radius of our offices.
£10,000
3. As an independent jewellery designer, I am able to earn ________________________ a year,
designing, producing and marketing my necklaces.
4. Under my leadership, the number of placements increased ________________________.
threefold
5. I was able to ________________________
double the number of successful applications during my
first term.
6. Working in the Human Resources Department, I have been responsible for the welfare of
12
all of the ________________________ employees in our organisation.
7am to 9am
7. As a young and ambitious actor, I dedicate the hours from ________________________ daily to
learning my lines.
2-week
8. I enjoyed organising the ________________________ induction course for new recruits, and I
was awarded a staff bonus for my part in its success.

GO BACK

ANSWERS #5

1. If this application (were / is / was) successful, I shall see this as a major step forward in
my chosen career as a Social Anthropologist.
2. After (had graduated / graduated / graduating) with a Lower Second Degree in Social
History, I decided to embark on a gap year. Explanation: When the verb follows immediately
after the words before, after or since, the verb ends in –ing. Example: After running for ten
miles, we felt very tired.
3. In order to motivate my team, last year I (introduced / have introduced / was

24
 introducing) a highly successful weekly snooker competition on Friday lunchtimes.
Explanation: The verb introduced is in the simple past tense. This is the tense most commonly
used to narrate one’s past achievements.
4. Although the changes (would be made / were made / have been made) at the height
of the economic downturn, they were widely acclaimed by the management team.
Explanation: This is the past tense in the passive. The first option, would be made, is not
possible because it is a conditional form, and clearly the changes have already been made.
The third option, have been made, is in the present perfect tense (in the passive form), but
the present perfect is not usually used in relation definite past time. (There is no link with the
present and we know this because the management team’s reaction also happened in the
past.)
5. Before (to commence / commenced / commencing) my current employment, I
researched the industry in depth. Explanation: When the verb follows immediately after the
words before, after or since, the verb ends in –ing. Example: Before starting work, I enjoy a
cup of coffee.
6. Since (working / worked / have been working) for the company, my interest in
translation work has increased. Explanation: When the verb follows immediately after the
words before, after or since, the verb ends in –ing. This applies when the word ‘since’ means
‘after’. Example: Since reading that book, my view has changed.

GO BACK

ANSWERS #6

Youth Club Manager – Job Application

For the past three years, I have worked as the lead volunteer at the local youth club on Monday
nights. Every week, we organise games and activities for 50 or more children, who are aged 11-13.
Halfway through the evening, we offer the children snacks such as chips and soft drinks. It is our
responsibility to make sure that all the children are safe, and for this, we have completed all the
mandatory safeguarding training. We register children’s attendance on arrival, and when they
leave, it is our job to make sure they go home with their parents or carers. The team organises
meetings at the beginning of each evening session, and we check that all the volunteers are
wearing their name badges and sweat shirts for easy identification. The lead volunteer makes
sure that the premises are clear, clean and safely locked up at the end of the evening.

GO BACK

25
ANSWER #7

0
1 2 3 4 5 6
Example

C D A F E B G

GO BACK

ANSWERS #8

Result
_______________________ The effect has been that now, all of my team are able to use the touch
screens with confidence. In the feedback, all the staff said they had learnt something useful
from the technicians’ presentation. Ninety per cent of those attending the workshop said it
was helpful. Eight team members have joined the ongoing mentoring scheme and say that in
addition to helping them master the IT, the mentoring scheme has given them a positive feeling
of belonging to the team. Now, all of my team can give presentations using the new technology,
which is good for building professional contacts, and this eases the pressure on the people who
had been feeling overworked.

Action
_______________________ I invited two technicians from our IT department to give a one-hour
presentation to demonstrate the touch screens and show how good they can be. Next, I organised
a 2-hour hands-on workshop for all of the team to have a go. For some, this was an opportunity
to hone their already strong IT skills, whilst for others, it represented a massive learning event,
offered in a non-threatening way. Finally, I set up a one-to-one ongoing mentoring scheme for
any team members who still needed further support.

Target
_______________________ I decided that all the staff should receive IT training to resolve this
problem. This needed to be done in a sensitive way, so as not to create feelings of resistance
or even alarm amongst my team. As some team members were very behind with IT, a number
of different approaches might be needed: some initial training for everyone, and then some
follow-up training to be offered one-to-one to the weaker members, for the longer term.

Situation
_______________________ In my organisation, we have to give presentations to our clients. Our work
force is quite mixed and several members of my team, as many as half of the 20 employees,
were not comfortable using the new touch screens. This was creating divisions in the team as
some people felt vulnerable and were afraid to ask for help, whilst those who were comfortable
with the IT were resenting having to give extra presentations to cover for the team members
who were unable to present.

GO BACK

26
 COMPLETING
A JOB APPLICATION
FORM

2
WRITER SECTIONS
JEAN MEAKIN Click the titles to navigate.

01. Introduction
02. Tips for completing your application form
03. Good and bad advice
04. How long to spend on your application form
05. Correct spelling
06. Formal language for application forms
07. Writing concisely
08. Checking your word count
09. Competency based questions
10. Review

27
INTRODUCTION
Most hiring managers will require you to complete a job application form. This is usually completed
online, although some employers still ask for a paper copy. Your application form will be a reflection of
YOU and all the various relevant experiences you have had in your life. Recruiters are likely to select you
or reject you on the basis of your application form and so it is worth making an effort to make your form
as good as possible.

This unit covers the most important part of the application process until you get an interview. It will help
you by giving you the information you need, and by offering you the chance to practise presenting your-
self well in writing.

TIPS FOR COMPLETING YOUR

APPLICATION FORM
There are many different ways to complete an application form, and people hold different opin-
ions about which way is the best. However, it is possible to identify some universally accepted
guidelines for success.

DISCUSSION

Share the 2 most important tips you learnt in the previous unit which
you can use to complete an application form well.

28
GOOD AND BAD ADVICE
EXERCISE #1

Most of the advice below is good. Just two of the suggestions are poor advice. Mark the good
advice with a tick , and the poor advice with a cross .

Before you start your application, study the job description carefully. Find out all you can
about the organisation. Look online, and even ring them up for a chat, if you think that
might help. Consider the relevant skills, experience and qualifications you can offer.

Get all the information you need ready before you start. Details you may be asked include
dates, details of your qualifications, addresses of places you have worked, contact details
of referees and so on.

Find a good time to fill in your form. Do not apply in a hurry. If possible, find a place to
work where you will not be disturbed.

If you did not have a job for a year or two, just don’t mention those years. It is better to
leave space for other important information you have.

Spend sufficient time on the application. One careful application is likely to be more suc-
cessful than a handful of rushed applications.

If the form has to be completed as a hard copy, write with a good quality black biro. The
employer is likely to make photocopies of your form, so write as clearly as you can.

It is a good idea to type your longer answers onto a Microsoft Word document before you
add the information to your application form. You may find this easier visually, and you
will have the advantage of being able to use the spelling checker. When you are ready, cut
and paste the information onto the application form.

If something is important, mention it two or three times on the application form. Make
sure they do not miss your key points.

Proofread everything, and if you can, ask a critical friend to check it for you as well.

Keep a copy of everything you say in your application form. At the interview, you could be
asked about anything you have written in your application. If you cannot remember what
you wrote, this will not come across well at the interview.

CHECK YOUR ANSWERS

29
HOW LONG TO SPEND ON YOUR
APPLICATION FORM
It will take you some time to complete the form, probably a lot longer than you expect. There are no firm
guidelines, but spend as long as it takes for you to produce something you can be proud of. For some
people and for some jobs, an hour or so might be enough. However, if you are serious about wanting the
job, it would be quite reasonable to set aside a day or two to produce a really excellent application, giving
you enough time to draft and review it.

CORRECT SPELLING
It is hard to overstate the importance of accurate spelling. If you make mistakes, it can suggest to an
employer that either you are careless or lazy, or that you have not been taught to spell properly. It could
imply that you completed your application in a hurry because you do not care enough about the job. You
do not want to the employer to think any of these things, so it is worth trying to achieve 100% correct
spelling.

There are various things you can do. Firstly, use the spelling checker on your computer.

A spelling and grammar checking tool is available on most computers. In Microsoft Word, this
is accessed by clicking Review, followed by Spelling and Grammar.

A Thesaurus can also be useful, and will help you find synonyms for overused words.

A Thesaurus is a tool which finds you synonyms of words. You can use a Thesauraus on a
computer, or you might have a hard copy of a Thesaurus. In Microsoft Word, you can access the
Thesaurus by clicking Review and then Thesaurus. Type the word for which you are seeking a
synonym into the Search box of the Thesaurus window. The alternative words are given in a list
below that.

A Synonym is a word that means the same as another word. For example, large is a synonym of
big. Other synonyms of big are vast, immense, giant, huge and enormous.

30
Tips for checking spelling
Even with a spelling checker, it is easy to miss your own spelling mistakes. You may find that you can spot
some of your own mistakes if you leave your application for an hour or two and return to it later. Also,
if you print off a hard copy, you are likely to find errors more easily than if you just look at a computer
screen. After you have checked everything carefully, show your application to someone you know who is
a good speller and has the time to proofread your work carefully for you. If you keep spelling the same
words wrongly, make a list of them and try to learn them, in good time before you next apply for a job.

Spelling: commonly misspelled words

EXERCISE #2

Look at the words below. They are all words which are commonly used in job applications.
Underline the correct spellings and then check your answers. Try to learn how to spell any that
you get wrong.

1. Business buisiness

2. University univercity

3. Application aplication

4. Curiculum vitae curriculum vitae

5. Disertation dissertation

6. Necesary necessary

7. Interpersonal interpersonnel

8. Privilege privilige

9. Redundant redundent

10. Oportunity opportunity

11. Challenge challange

12. Intrested interested

13. Recomendation recommendation

14. Achevement achievement

15. Responsible responsable

16. Liaise liase

CHECK YOUR ANSWERS

31
Times when the spelling checker may not help
Your spelling checker can help you to avoid a number of errors. For example, it may be useful in helping
you to type the correct number of double letters in words such as necessary and accommodation.
However, there are some occasions when the spelling checker may not be able to help you. These could
include the following.

»» homonyms
»» words which are severely misspelled
»» proper names

A homonym is a word which is said in the same way as another word, but has a different meaning.
For example, the words sea and see are homonyms. They both sound the same but are spelled
differently, according to the meaning.

A proper name is the actual name of a person or a place, for example John, Turkey, Liverpool.
Some proper names may have alternative spellings, for example, White and Wight are two
names which are pronounced in the same way but spelled differently.

The following exercise will help you to avoid spelling errors in the case of homonyms.

32
Spelling: homonyms

EXERCISE #3

Read the following statements in which applicants describe their work. In each one, find the
word which is misspelled. Type the correct spelling in the space at the end of the sentence. An
example is given to help you.

Example

Played and sang in a band four two years. __________________

for

1. Checked letters and parcels at a male distribution centre. __________________

2. Working with the Principle Lecturer, designed teaching materials for students with special
needs. __________________

3. Devised a programme to ascertain weather the learning strategies were effective.

__________________

4. Interviewed testers to see witch of the products they preferred. __________________

5. As a volunteer, I helped children to read allowed fluently and confidently. __________________

6. As their careers were at steak, it was important that I read the reports very carefully.
__________________

7. I checked the newly packaged items and to ensure there safe arrival. __________________

8. After I past my driving test, I was able to visit the clients in their own premises. __________________

9. As a conscientious employee, I never mist any of the firm’s deadlines. __________________

10. Having worked in waist management with the local authority for three months, I decided to
gain a professional qualification. __________________

11. I prefer to where the official uniform as it helps potential customers to identify me with the
firm. __________________

12. During the hole time I served there, I worked to the highest standards. __________________

13. I reassured the customers while they had to weight to have their queries answered.
__________________

14. I wish to serve overseas and make my contribution to world piece. __________________

15. The company, who’s CEO had just resigned, was going through a period of turmoil.
__________________

CHECK YOUR ANSWERS

33
Websites, references and tips for learning to spell
correctly
As correct spelling is always likely to be important for you at work, it is worth thinking about techniques
for ongoing learning. Here are some tips for spelling correctly.

1. Learn from free websites online

WEB

BBC Skillswise
http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/topic-group/spelling

The section on spelling includes information about common letter patterns, ways of memoris-
ing the spellings of tricky words, words to watch out for, prefixes and suffixes, plurals and more.
There are video clips to watch and exercises for practice. The level is fairly easy.

Lyrics Training
http://lyricstraining.com/play/adele/hello/HaJ3ymUsra#b7w

If you like music, try this fun website. You select the song you want to hear, and you choose
your level, from beginner to advanced level. The song video starts, and the lyrics flash across
the screen, with gaps. You have to type in the words you hear. The word and the spelling have
to be 100% correct, or the video stops until you have keyed in the correct spelling. This is a good
website to practise listening to English and can learn to spell some words as you listen to the
songs, read the lyrics and type the words in the gaps. As an example, follow the link above to
watch and listen to Adele singing ‘Hello’.

2. Use your computer’s spelling checker. If you did not know how to spell some words correctly, make a
list of them, correctly spelled, in a notebook or on a document. Test yourself regularly to make sure
you remember them.
3. Read widely and often. Frequent readers seem to be good spellers. Reading is a good way to revise
spellings in an enjoyable and productive way. Especially, read things which are related to your work.
That way, you will meet and regularly review the vocabulary you need the most.
4. Get into the habit of paying attention to the spellings of words. When you read, ask yourself whether
you would have spelled them in the same way. If you would not have spelled them correctly, make
a note of them and learn them.

34
5. Set yourself a daily target. For example, try to learn five new correct spellings every day. Keep a re-
cord of them and review them regularly. You could even write them on sticky notes and post them
around your home! That way, you would be sure to review them frequently. You could also write
some words on small pieces of card and carry them in your pocket and test yourself when you have
a spare moment.

Whichever method you choose, do all you can to learn to spell correctly. It will give you many advantages.

FORMAL LANGUAGE FOR

APPLICATION FORMS
Your writing should be formal, and it needs to demonstrate the range of vocabulary an educated speaker
would employ. The next part of this unit shows you how to write in formal language which is appropriate
for job applications.

Formal language is the sort of language that people use with people they do not know well, or
when they are trying to make a good impression. In contrast, informal language is what we use
with our friends and family, when we are more relaxed.

When you apply for a job, use formal language to create the right impression. Avoid using informal
words such as nice, really and great. Instead, you would be wise to replace these with more
formal, less common words, such as pleasant, exceptionally, and excellent.

A verb is most often a word which tells you what someone does. Verbs may have a number of
different endings but they tend to focus on an action. Examples are see, improve, studied.

A phrase is a group of words which work together to form one unit of meaning. Examples are
clever student, successful applicant, far-reaching consequence.

35
Using formal verbs

EXERCISE #4

The following are sentences you might use in an application form. Replace the underlined words
with more formal verbs which are equivalent in meaning. The first letter of each answer has
been given to help you. An example has been given at the beginning.

Example
I got together with all the team members and devised a solution.
__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

1. I looked into medieval antiquity to find out the reasons for the movement.
R __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

2. After two years, I became self-employed and set up my own limited company.
E __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

3. I got a degree in Anthropology (2:2) from London University.

G __ __ __ __ __

4. The CV which I put in the envelope with my letter seems to have been photocopied.
E __ __ __ __ __ __ __

5. I carried out daily checks to ensure financial integrity.

E __ __ __ __ __ __ __

6. I got used to and even enjoyed multitasking in a busy and pressured environment.
A __ __ __ __ __ __

CHECK YOUR ANSWERS

In addition, when you need to sound formal, avoid using everyday conversational verbs such as get, give
and take. These might be replaced with e.g. procure, donate and withdraw. Generally speaking, two-
word verbs, such as take in, put off, get across and so on may be seen as rather informal, and perhaps
rather vague. They may be replaced by alternatives such as understand, postpone and communicate.

36
Using formal phrases

EXERCISE #5

Match the informal phrases on the left with more formal equivalents on the right.

Informal expressions Formal expressions

1. The person I work for at the A. My current employer

moment B. A temporary position
2. I did the job for a short time, for C. I received a generous package.
my employer to see if I could D. My career objectives
actually do the job. E. I completed a probationary
3. The amount of money I am period of employment
earning at the moment F. My present salary
4. A job just for a short time
5. The pay and benefits I got were
good.
6. The things I want to achieve in
my working life

CHECK YOUR ANSWERS

37
Describing skills formally
EXERCISE #6
You will need to describe your skills in a suitably formal way.
Match the informal words on the right with the more appropriate, formal expressions on the
left.
Formal expressions
1. I have excellent
organisational skills.
2. I possess strong numeracy
skills.
3. I am skilled at networking.
4. I am able to work to tight
deadlines.
5. I am a confident public
speaker.
6. I am a skilled negotiator.
7. I have critical thinking skills.
8. I am a competent linguist.
9. I have the ability to work
well in a team.
38
Informal expressions
A. I always manage to complete my work
well before the date when my boss says
she wants it.
B. I’m really good at working in a group of
people. We all have fun and produce
good work together.
C. I find numbers very easy. I’m accurate
and careful. I enjoy maths and statistics.
D. I think carefully about what I am doing.
Sometimes I am able to suggest better
ways of achieving our goals.
E. My work space is always tidy and I can
quickly find the documents I need.
F. At first my clients may have different
ideas, but I can usually find a solution
we are all happy with.
G. I feel confident standing up and giving
presentations to people I don’t know
well.
H. If we have a problem and we can’t sort it
ourselves, I always know someone who
can help us.
I. I’m very good at French and Swedish.
CHECK YOUR ANSWERS
WRITING CONCISELY
People who read job applications are generally busy people. They will not have much time to read yours.
Therefore, your writing needs to be concise and direct.

There are various ways to achieve this. These will be described next.

Omitting the definite and indefinite articles

The Definite Article is the word the. The Indefinite Article is the word a. The use of these two
little words, the and a, seems easy to most native speakers. To learners of English, however, it
can be very problematic!

You can often omit the words the and a from your written application and thereby reduce your word
count. This will give you more space to write other, more important things.

If decide to omit the definite and indefinite articles, make sure you are consistent within each section of
your application, so that it does not look as if you simply forgot to include the words a or the!

As a general rule, you can often omit the words a and the if you are writing bullet points or a summary
of your profile. However, if you are writing in full sentences, you should include the words a and the
according to the normal rules. Check in any good grammar book for those rules.

You will notice that in bullet points and summaries, the pronouns (I, we etc.) also tend to be omitted.

Pronouns are words which replace nouns. If you want to avoid repeating some words, you can
replace them with pronouns. For example, instead of saying the word Manager too often, you
can say either he or she. This will make your writing seem more natural.

Examples

Firstly, read three examples of bullet points or summary statements. In these, the words a and the can
be left out.

a. ‘Creative and talented IT specialist interested in career in journalism.’ (The word a is omitted before
creative and career.)

39
 b. ‘Ensured regular supplies of stationery for staff.’ (The word the is omitted before staff.)
c. ‘Translated short story from Arabic into English.’ (The word a is omitted before short story.)

Secondly, study three examples of full sentences, in which the words a and the need to be included,
according to the normal grammar rules of English.

a. ‘After graduation, I attended a two-month course in Photography.’ (The word a is included.)

b. ‘I was particularly interested in the module on Crime and Justice in a Global Context.’ (The words the
and a are included.)
c. ‘I have won the ‘Best Player’ award three times during the current season.’ (The word the is used
twice.)

Using nouns and noun phrases

Nouns are the names of objects, abstract things, places and people. Examples are: team,
progress, and ability. A Noun Phrase is a noun which is joined to other words to make a small
group of words. Examples are: well-managed team, impressive progress and outstanding
ability.

Examples of noun phrases for a job application

A carefully composed noun phrase can create a good impression, even though it may use only a small
number of words.

‘Award-winning team’ is a noun phrase that sounds better than ‘team that has won an award’.

‘Unprecedented technological progress’ is a noun phrase which sounds better than ‘progress in
technology which had never been achieved before’.

40
Writing concisely

EXERCISE #7

Read the two sets of information below. Set A is rather informal and needs to be more concise.
Set B is more formal and concise. Set B contains some excellent noun phrases which you might
be able to use or adapt for your own applications. Read the following information from a Job De-
scription for the position of Events Manager and then consider the two sets of sentences written
in response to it. Match the sentences in Set A with the more appropriate sentences in Set B.

Events Organiser - Job Description

The Events Organiser will produce original ideas for events, and will lead a team of 3.
He/she will agree budgets and timescales with clients, demonstrating an awareness of
the importance of staying within budget. He/she will book venues and ensure maximum
attendance. Ability to use Social Media is essential, particularly for publicising upcoming
events. Excellent organisational skills are required, particularly with respect to record
keeping and managing several events concurrently.

SET A
1. I managed all the money that the section had available. _____
2. Achieved a saving of £500 pounds by improving the way we used our resources. _____
3. Researched the different ways of running conferences, music festivals and other activities.
_____
4. I got far more people to attend than had ever attended before. _____
5. I know a great deal about Social Media. _____
6. I put all the old information which was no longer relevant into a special folder. _____

SET B
A. Achieved a £500 saving by improving the management of resources.
B. Archived out-of-date documentation.
C. Achieved unprecedented high attendance
D. Extensive knowledge of Social Media.
E. Managed section’s financial resources.
F. Researched events management.

CHECK YOUR ANSWERS

41
CHECKING YOUR WORD COUNT
As you complete your application form, keep checking the number of words you have typed. You can do
this in Microsoft Word by clicking Review and then Word Count.

COMPETENCY BASED QUESTIONS

Application forms, as well as interviewers, may ask what are known as ‘competency’ based questions.
It is much less common these days for an applicant to be asked, ‘What would you do if ……?’, as such
questions can be rather theoretical. Nowadays, an employer is far more likely to ask a ‘competency
based question’, such as, ‘Can you give me an example of when you have demonstrated your leadership
skills?’ This type of question reveals far more about what a candidate has actually done and is therefore
considered to be a more reliable indicator of future performance.

Here are some other examples of competency based questions you could be asked. Remember that the
questions might focus on some of your failures in the past. Do not be alarmed by such questions. They
are an opportunity for you to show how you recognised your mistake, rectified it and learnt a useful
lesson.
»» Give an example to show how you demonstrated your networking skills.
»» What is the best example you can give to show your problem solving skills?
»» How have your presentation skills been of benefit to your organisation?
»» Have you been in any situations where you have needed to show particular resilience?
»» Tell me about a communication breakdown that happened at work and how you dealt with it.
»» Can you tell me of a time when you did not communicate well? What happened exactly?

Sometimes, questions like the final two may seem difficult to answer. For example, if there has not been
a communication breakdown, what can you do? This is not easy, but you have to produce a convincing
answer or you will lose points. Most important of all, you must try to turn everything into a positive. Aim
to prove that you have learnt from the experience, and show what the benefits of this learning have
been.

DISCUSSION

Choose a job you feel qualified to apply for. List the skills and qualifications you will need for
this job and give evidence to show you have acquired these. List one or two skills you do not yet
have and outline the steps you will take to achieve them. Ask for peer feedback.

42
REVIEW
In this unit, you have learnt how to complete a good application form. Not only have you learnt how to
write concisely, accurately and appropriately, but you are now also prepared to answer competency
based questions based on the STAR model.

43
CHECK YOUR ANSWERS

ANSWERS #1

 Before you start your application, study the job description carefully. Find out all you can
about the organisation. Look online, and even ring them up for a chat, if you think that
might help. Consider the relevant skills, experience and qualifications you can offer.

 Get all the information you need ready before you start. Details you may be asked include
dates, details of your qualifications, addresses of places you have worked, contact details
of referees and so on.

 Find a good time to fill in your form. Do not apply in a hurry. If possible, find a place to
work where you will not be disturbed.

 If you did not have a job for a year or two, just don’t mention those years. It is better to
leave space for other important information you have. Answer is false. You must account
for all the times in your life. If there is a gap, employers may be worried that you are
hiding something bad. Even if you were only doing voluntary work, or looking after a sick
relative and were unpaid, put that on the form.

 Spend sufficient time on the application. One careful application is likely to be more suc-
cessful than a handful of rushed applications.

 If the form has to be completed as a hard copy, write with a good quality black biro. The
employer is likely to make photocopies of your form, so write as clearly as you can.

 It is a good idea to type your longer answers onto a Microsoft Word document before you
add the information to your application form. You may find this easier visually, and you
will have the advantage of being able to use the spelling checker. When you are ready, cut
and paste the information onto the application form.

 If something is important, mention it two or three times on the application form. Make
sure they do not miss your key points. Answer is false. Application forms have strict word
limits. Don’t waste words by repeating your points. Say different things. Consider every
space as an opportunity to show all the various ways in which you are suitable for the
position.

 Proofread everything, and if you can, ask a critical friend to check it for you as well.

 Keep a copy of everything you say in your application form. At the interview, you could be
asked about anything you have written in your application. If you cannot remember what
you wrote, this will not come across well at the interview.

GO BACK

44
ANSWERS #2

1. Business
2. University
3. Application
4. Curriculum Vitae
5. Dissertation
6. Necessary
7. Interpersonal
8. Privilege
9. Redundant
10. Opportunity
11. Challenge
12. Interested
13. Recommendation
14. Achievement
15. Responsible
16. Liaise

GO BACK

ANSWERS #3

1. Checked letters and parcels at a male distribution centre. mail

__________________

2. Working with the Principle Lecturer, designed teaching materials for students with special
needs. principal
__________________

3. Devised a programme to ascertain weather the learning strategies were effective.

whether
__________________

4. Interviewed testers to see witch of the products they preferred. which

__________________

aloud
5. As a volunteer, I helped children to read allowed fluently and confidently. __________________

6. As their careers were at steak, it was important that I read the reports very carefully.
stake
__________________

7. I checked the newly packaged items and to ensure there safe arrival. their
__________________

8. After I past my driving test, I was able to visit the clients in their own premises.
passed
__________________

9. As a conscientious employee, I never mist any of the firm’s deadlines. missed

__________________

45
10. Having worked in waist management with the local authority for three months, I decided to
gain a professional qualification. waste
__________________

11. I prefer to where the official uniform as it helps potential customers to identify me with the
firm. wear
__________________

12. During the hole time I served there, I worked to the highest standards. whole
__________________

13. I reassured the customers while they had to weight to have their queries answered.
wait
__________________

14. I wish to serve overseas and make my contribution to world piece. peace
__________________

15. The company, who’s CEO had just resigned, was going through a period of turmoil.
whose
__________________

GO BACK

ANSWERS #4

1. I looked into medieval antiquity to find out the reasons for the movement.
R __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

2. After two years, I became self-employed and set up my own limited company.
E __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

3. I got a degree in Anthropology (2:2) from London University.

G __ __ __ __ __

4. The CV which I put in the envelope with my letter seems to have been photocopied.
E __ __ __ __ __ __ __

5. I carried out daily checks to ensure financial integrity.

E __ __ __ __ __ __ __

6. I got used to and even enjoyed multitasking in a busy and pressured environment.
A __ __ __ __ __ __

GO BACK

46
ANSWERS #5

Track the colours to match the items.

Informal expressions Formal expressions

1. The person I work for at the A. My current employer

moment
2. I did the job for a short time, to
see if I could actually do the job.
3. The amount of money I am
earning at the moment
4. A job just for a short time
5. The pay and benefits I got were
good.
6. The things I want to achieve in
my working life
B. A temporary position
C. I received a generous package.
D. My career objectives
E. I completed a probationary
period of employment
F. My present salary

GO BACK

47
ANSWER #6
Track the colours to match the items.
Formal expressions
1. I have excellent
organisational skills.
2. I possess strong numeracy
skills.
3. I am skilled at networking.
4. I am able to work to tight
deadlines.
5. I am a confident public
speaker.
6. I am a skilled negotiator.
7. I have critical thinking skills.
8. I am a competent linguist.
9. I have the ability to work
well in a team.
48
Informal expressions
A. I always manage to complete my work
well before the date when my boss says
she wants it.
B. I’m really good at working in a group of
people. We all have fun and produce
good work together.
C. I’ve find numbers very easy. I’m accurate
and careful. I enjoy maths and statistics.
D. I think carefully about what I am doing.
Sometimes I am able to suggest better
ways of achieving our goals.good.
E. My work space is always tidy and I can
quickly find the documents I need.
F. At first my clients may have different
ideas, but I can usually find a solution
we are all happy with.
G. I feel confident standing up and giving
presentation to people I don’t know
well.
H. If we have a problem and we can’t sort it
ourselves, I always know someone who
can help us.
I. I’m very good at French and Swedish.
GO BACK
ANSWER #7

SET A
1. I managed all the money that the section had available. E
_____
2. Achieved a saving of £500 pounds by improving the way we used our resources. A
_____
3. Researched the different ways of running conferences, music festivals and other activities.
F
_____
4. I got far more people to attend than had ever attended before. C
_____
5. I know a great deal about Social Media. D
_____
6. I put all the old information which was no longer relevant into a special folder. B
_____

SET B
A. Achieved a £500 saving by improving the management of resources.
B. Archived out-of-date documentation.
C. Achieved unprecedented high attendance
D. Extensive knowledge of Social Media.
E. Managed section’s financial resources.
F. Researched events management.

GO BACK

49
 WRITING A
CURRICULUM VITAE

3
WRITER SECTIONS
JEAN MEAKIN Click the titles to navigate.

01. Introduction
02. How recruiters read cvs
03. Strong and weak cvs
04. Sections of a cv
05. General tips for writing a cv
06. Where to put your information on a cv
07. Writing your profile
08. Grammar for writing your profile
09. Proofreading your cv
10. Review

50
INTRODUCTION
A Curriculum Vitae is also known as a CV or a résumé. A CV is the story of your life, including your
qualifications, skills, interests, contact details and so on. For some job applications, and for speculative
enquiries, a CV and a covering letter may be all you need. However, many employers have their own
specific job application forms for you to fill in, and your CV may be needed as a supplement to that. Pay
great attention to the job advertisement, and be sure to send what is required. (If the job requires you to
complete an application form, and you send in only a CV, your application is unlikely to be considered.)

This unit will show you how to write an impressive CV. It shows you the different sections of a CV and
helps you to know what information should go into each section. There also is a focus on using the cor-
rect grammar and on proofreading your CV.

In some ways, a CV is quite easy to produce. Once you have created a CV, you may only need to update
it and adapt it for the particular job for which you are applying. A CV does not ask difficult questions, and
generally speaking, it is up to you to decide what you include and in how much detail. It is a chance to talk
about the relevant activities you are really proud about.

There are many different possible formats for your CV, and it is up to you to choose which is most suit-
able. Normally, applicants aim to give the information which the employer most wants to see at the be-
ginning. The information which is less relevant to your ability to do the job should come later.

Recruiters read a great number of CVs, so yours should immediately catch the attention of the reader.

As we have already seen, there should be no spelling or typographical errors, and of course all the infor-
mation must be accurate.

HOW RECRUITERS READ CVs

EXERCISE #1

Watch a video clip.

As an introduction to this unit on writing CVs, watch the video (9:44 minutes) via the link below.
The speaker explains how recruiters read CVs, and she gives some useful starting advice. As you
watch, complete the vocabulary in the following summary points. The first has been given as an
example.

51
 VIDEO

How recruiters read résumés by Margaret Buj.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2goT-xR8toI

Example

Be easily C ONTACTABLE
______________.

1. Be C __________________ , in terms of formatting and design, unless you are in a creative indus-
try.
2. Grab the reader’s A __________________ immediately.
3. C __________________ each and every CV that you send out.
4. Identify your employer’s N __________________ and convince them that they need you.
5. Mention your accomplishments. This is extremely important as many CVs are just too
D __________________ oriented.

CHECK YOUR ANSWERS

STRONG AND WEAK CVs

This unit will show you how to produce a strong CV. First, it may be helpful if you see a weak CV and
analyse what NOT to do.

EXERCISE #2

Consider the following CV sent in application for a position as a children’s TV presenter. Although
the CV is written by a potentially strong candidate for the position, it is weak. Read part of the job
advertisement and the CV below, and say what is wrong with the CV. Write your answers in the
spaces after the CV. The first answer is given as an example.

52
 Job Advertisement
Children’s TV Presenter

A vacancy has arisen for a Children’s TV presenter working in the Woodlands Studios
in Northwich. The successful candidate will host the weekly television show, ‘Children’s
Hour’.

The job involves working closely with the production team, organising games and ac-
tivities to entertain viewers, conducting interviews, presenting arts, crafts and cooking
activities, and reporting on places of interest to children.

Promising applicants will be invited to a training centre in the Woodlands Studio, and the
successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate:

»» Excellent communication, team working and public speaking skills

»» Strong ability to entertain children
»» Good memory for facts, and ability to deal calmly with unexpected situations
»» Basic knowledge of Media Law
»» Ability to present arts and crafts activities and organise children’s games and activ-
ities
»» Good working knowledge of media technology

Curriculum Vitae

Greta Jones BA

Contact Details
Room 16,
Top Floor,
Westfield House
University Hall of Residence
15, Highgate Street,
London
NW1 3ZL
Tel (Home): 0123 456 7890
Tel (Mobile): 0234 567 8901
Tel (Work): 0345 678 9012
Email: gretaisthegreatest@digital4.com

53
 Profile
Hard-working, honest, enthusiastic and able individual. Highly qualified and experi-
enced for the position advertised. Passionate about improvement, confident, and keen
to develop professionally. Willing to take on the different challenges of the position and
achieve success.

Employment History
Radio Presenter North Hospital Radio Station, Sep 2015 – present
Children’s Party Organiser and Entertainer London Top Clown Associates, Sep 2014
– Aug 2015
Assistant Camera Operator Northolt Television Studios Jul 2011 – Aug 2012

Education and Training

BA Honours Degree class 2:2 in Digital Media Studies, North Wold University 2011.
Advanced Levels in Art and Technology, both at Grade A, Nottingham Academy
Unfortunately I did not do so well in my Law Advanced level examination, but I was at
least awarded a Grade E.

Outside Interests
If I had time, I would embroider, play hockey and join my local Drama Society, but at the
moment I am too busy applying for jobs. Winner of Best Cake Maker at university 2010.
Member of Debating Society for two years whilst at university.

Referees
Anyone will tell you how great I am, but if you require any further information, please do
not hesitate to contact me.

Example
They are too detailed and take up too much space.
Contact details: ________________________________________________________

1. Email address: ___________________________________________________________

2. Profile: ___________________________________________________________
3. Employment History: ___________________________________________________________
4. Education and Training: ___________________________________________________________
5. Outside Interests: ___________________________________________________________
6. Referees: ___________________________________________________________

CHECK YOUR ANSWERS

54
SECTIONS OF A CV
Here is a list of the sections you will probably wish to include in your CV.
»» Name and Contact Details
»» Profile
»» Employment History
»» Education and Training
»» Interests, Achievements and Hobbies
»» Referees

In addition, you may choose to add some of the following sections.

»» Additional Information
»» Honours and Awards
»» Publications
»» Research
»» Thesis/Dissertation Details

Make sure you put your information in the appropriate sections of the CV. Here is some information
about how to write the different sections.

Write your Name and Contact Details concisely. Although you need your name to stand out, it is not a
good idea to use double spacing. Fit as much information as you can into a small number of lines. As the
employer may only read the first few lines of a CV, you may wish to put your contact details at the end.
Some people give only their name at the beginning of a CV, and they add the rest of their contact details
at the end. This is advisable if you intend to give several phone numbers or your address is a long one.

Your Profile is a concise summary of you, your skills and your experience, why you want the position and
why you are suitable. It is usually a maximum of about 50-70 words. If you do not want to write a person-
al profile, you could instead insert a brief section called Key Achievements at the beginning.

In the Employment History section, give your most recent employment and educational details first.
Do not go too far back in history, unless is it relevant. Your recent achievements carry more weight than
your successes when you were at high school. Give your job title first, then say who your employer was,
and then give the dates. If you are still working there, state when you started and then write ‘– present’.

For example:
Administrative Assistant, Sociology Department, University of Leeds Jan 2014 – present

In the Education and Training section, list your qualifications with the most recent coming first. If you
have a lot of qualifications, list only the most relevant. State the results you achieved and give the date.

55
In the Interests, Achievements and Hobbies section, present a balance of activities. This will suggest
you are a well-rounded person. You could perhaps include a sport, a social activity, a creative activity and
a knowledge of a language or culture. Be precise and think about how the activity reflects on you as a
potential employee. If you actually play a sport rather than just watching it on TV, make this clear. This
will suggest you are physically fit and that you participate well in teams.

In the Referees section, give the name and title of each referee. Add any letters after their names, such
as MA or PhD. State their position, and give the name of the place where they work. Include their tele-
phone number and an email address, preferably their work one.

For example:
Dr J Kingston, Senior Lecturer, Department of Law, University of Castleford 15, Montague Square,
Castleford CA1 7HQ. Tel. 0192 111 2222. Email kingstonj@castleford.ac.uk

Make sure all the details are accurate and, most importantly, contact your referees before you make the
application to make sure they are happy to act as your referees. If you can brief them about the job you
are applying for, and tell them why you think you are suitable, your referees are more likely to give rele-
vant information to support your application.

GENERAL TIPS FOR WRITING A CV

Be aware that if you are applying for a job in a big organisation, the recruiters may use a computer pro-
gramme to filter the applicants who match the job description most closely. Therefore, it will sometimes
be advisable for you to copy some of the key words from their job description and use them in your
application. This may be better than writing your application entirely in your own words. (This is very dif-
ferent from writing university essays when you always had to ‘write in your own words’. In a CV or a job
application you may need to do the very opposite.)

You must not leave any time gaps in your CV. For example, if you were unemployed or you did a job you
hated, you must still say what you did during this time. Try to present whatever you did in a positive light.

To make your CV easy to read, use the same font throughout. Arial and Calibri are commonly used. The
font size should normally be 12 or 11, no smaller than that. Design your CV for A4 size paper and try not
to split paragraphs between two sides of the paper.

To make things stand out, use bold letters or write in capital letters. Be consistent with your system
throughout the whole of your CV.

If you can fit all your information onto just one side of a page, that is preferable. If you are in your twen-
ties, it is not recommended that you produce more than two sides.

56
Use all the space on the page so your CV does not appear too crowded. If you present long blocks of
information, many people will subconsciously believe it is too much effort to read it. Insert some spaces,
use bullet points and choose headings carefully to make the CV less challenging for the eye. Sometimes,
‘less is more’. You might say less, but the potential employer takes in more of the information.

WHERE TO PUT YOUR INFORMATION

ON A CV
The following is a list of sections in the order they are commonly found in a CV. Although all CVs are dif-
ferent, these are the sections most likely to be used.

»» Name and Contact Details

»» Profile
»» Employment History
»» Education and Training
»» Interests, Achievements and Hobbies
»» Referees

EXERCISE #3

Read part of a job description for a job as a translator. Then read the following information from
the CV of an applicant for the position. Using the above list of the sections of a CV, match each
of the applicant’s points with the appropriate CV section. The first has been given as an example.

Job Description
Translator Required Immediately
Full-time position available for a Spanish and Italian translator. One year’s experience
of translating required. Preference given to applicants with experience of translating
medical documents. Must be available to start immediately.

Example
12, Hamilton Road, Leicester LE1 2AH

Email: jane_douglas@findmeajob.co.uk
_____________________________________ Tel: 0200 456 789

CV Section: _____________________________________
Contact Details

57
 1. BA Honours Degree, Lower Second, Italian Language and Literature, with Spanish
Subsidiary University of Leicester, 2014
CV Section: ___________________________________________________________
2. Italian and Spanish Translator of medical, legal and general documents RWB Transla-
tions, Leicester, January 2015 – present
CV Section: ___________________________________________________________
3. Prof K. Digby, Personal Tutor, Department of Modern Languages, University of Leicester
Email: Profkdigby@universityofleicester.ac.uk
________________________________________________ Tel: 012 345 6789
CV Section: ________________________________________________
4. An experienced translator of Italian and Spanish, able to work confidently under pressure
and to meet tight deadlines. English native speaker.
CV Section: ________________________________________________
5. Elected Treasurer of local Nature Conservation Society
CV Section: ________________________________________________
6. Teaching Assistant, teaching Spanish Hillfield Secondary School, Sep 2014 – Dec 2014
CV Section: ________________________________________________
7. Winner of Best Dissertation Award, Leicester University 2014
CV Section: ________________________________________________

CHECK YOUR ANSWERS

WRITING YOUR PROFILE

After your contact details, your Profile is the next (and possibly only) thing that the hiring manager will
read. It is your opportunity to showcase your most valuable qualities and to describe what you want.
Good profiles are just two or three sentences long. They are succinct and every word matters.
Avoid using the word ‘I’ at the beginning of your profile sentences. This will save you words and will keep
the focus on the key words. You may also omit the words a and the in most cases.
Here are some examples of sentence patterns and phrases which you may find useful.

Enthusiastic recent Sociology graduate with 2:2 Honours Degree from University of Sussex seeking employment
in field of Human Resources.

Self-motivated intern at European Parliament wishing to work in UK Parliamentary office.

58
Consider the sentence pattern of the above descriptions of candidates. In both cases, it is as follows:
(Adjective) (current role/ position with details) (wants) (kind of job required).

Based on what you know about the potential employer’s organisation, choose some key adjectives for
your profile. Possible adjectives to describe yourself might include:

Dynamic, creative, experienced, innovative, skilled, flexible, active, passionate, qualified, decisive, outgoing, de-
pendable, motivated, self-motivated, resilient, determined, excellent, reliable, confident, conscientious, hands-
on, proactive, versatile.

Do not hesitate to use these adjectives to describe yourself, even if you feel as if you are boasting. Other
applicants will be using them and you must tell the recruiter clearly how good you are!

Think carefully before using any adjectives which employers might expect to take for granted. If you say
in your profile that you are honest, loyal or punctual, this might not create a positive impression. Employ-
ers hope that every candidate will have these qualities! Aim to show that you have much more than these
fundamental qualities.

Next, find a noun or noun phrase to describe yourself. This will probably be based on your current occu-
pation or situation. Here are some examples:

Final year student, recent graduate, intern, apprentice, teaching assistant, administrative assistant, volunteer
librarian, youth worker, events co-ordinator, author, psychologist, recruitment consultant, sales adviser, re-
searcher, manager, winner of Best Student award at X University.

Next, consider ways to introduce your goal and say what you want. You may be able to adapt one of the
following phrases in italics to introduce your purpose.

Seeking career in journalism

Wishing to move to professionally more challenging environment
With ambition to transfer into the Civil Service
Aiming towards career in local government
Intending to pursue career as interpreter
With desire to conduct further research into tribal behaviour
Aspiring to move into middle management within the next two years

You can add some information about your skills. This information can be written as a sentence or just a
phrase. Here are some examples.

Well-developed team leadership skills

Excellent time management skills

59
Having a good sense of humour
With proven ability at negotiating with junior management
Highly competent, even when working under pressure to tight deadlines
Flexible and able to adapt to new and challenging situations
Able to adhere to strict deadlines
Keen to take on substantial workloads and thereby to develop professionally
Demonstrating strong organisational skills

Whatever you write in your Profile, remember that your employer is likely to ask you to evidence what
you have claimed, so be ready with some convincing answers.

GRAMMAR FOR WRITING YOUR

PROFILE
It is not always easy to use the grammar correctly when you write a profile. Before you do the next exer-
cise, you may need to know the following definitions.

The simple past tense is the tense used to narrate things which happened and are completed.
Examples are I looked, he ate, and the students studied.

The past participle is the word we use for the simple past tense of the verb. In the examples
above, the past participles are looked, ate and studied.

The present continuous tense is the tense used to describe things happening right now, around
now, and maybe happening for a short time. Examples are I am looking, he is eating and the
students are studying.

The present participle is the part of the main verb used to form the present continuous tense.
In the examples above, the present participles are looking, eating and studying.

A preposition is usually a little word which goes with a verb or noun to tell you the location or the
time of something. Examples are in, on, at, under, and after.

The infinitive form of the verb is known as the to- form of the verb. Examples are to look, to eat
and to study. The infinitive is sometimes called the dictionary form since this is the form of the
verb that can be found in a dictionary.

60
 EXERCISE #4

Now read the following profile and try to spot five small but important errors. Write your four
answers in the spaces after the Profile. Highlight each error and then type the correction after
it. The first has been given as an example.

Profile

Enthusiastic Youth Worker demonstrated the tact, sensitivity, diligence and good hu-
mour to succeed with the most challenging young people. Recently qualify with a Youth
Work Practice Diploma, and now specialising for safeguarding and child protection. Able
to managing budgets of up to £5,000 and maintain meticulous records of all financial
transactions. Aiming towards career in social works within the community.

Example
Highlight demonstrated

Answer is demonstrating

(Immediately after the noun worker, the present participle is needed.)

1. ______________________________________________________________

2. ______________________________________________________________

3. ______________________________________________________________

4. ______________________________________________________________

CHECK YOUR ANSWERS

If you are unsure about any of the grammar points above, check in a good grammar book.

61
PROOFREADING YOUR CV
The hiring manager is likely to spend only a few moments reading your CV. Your aim is to make a good
impression and to get noticed within that short time. If your CV contains spelling errors or typographical
errors, this could mean the end of your hopes. Proofread carefully all you produce, and ideally ask a
friend to check it for you as well.

EXERCISE #5

Read part of the job description for an internship with a firm of solicitors. Then read the CV
which has been written in application for the position. The candidate is potentially a good one.
However, the job applied for requires a high degree of accuracy and the errors in this CV could
concern an employer. Read it carefully and highlight the 10 errors. These may include errors in
spelling, punctuation, capital letters, fonts, font size, and other things.

Legal Interns - Job Description

Our annual summer internships programme will commence on May 15th and our prac-
tice seeks to appoint 5 legal interns again this year. This programme provides an excel-
lent basis to a legal career and is an unrivalled professional opportunity. It is open to
university graduates of Law.
Interns will receive two hours of discipline-specific training each week and their duties
will include any of all of the following.

»» Legal research especially in the area of Human Rights

»» Proofreading of documentation
»» Drafting routine contracts and memos
»» Working with the team to find solutions
»» Correspondence with clients
»» Effective file keeping
»» Attendance at court hearings and meetings
»» Routine clerical work
»» Other duties as required

62
 Janet Longman LLB
Address: 15, Larkhill avenue, Shrewsbury SY3 5NR
Mobile: 0150 456 3931 Email; Jbateman399@nomail.co.uk

Profil
An enthusiastic and ambitious student of Law, seeking internship to develop experience in
Human Rights Law. Hardworking, meticulous, and able to work well under pressure.
Strong IT skills. Keen to take on new challenges.

Employment History,
Office Assistant Brown and Johnson Solicitors, Shrewsbury, Aug 2014 – present (part-
time)
I file all hard copies of the firm’s legal documents, I research case histories, as requested
by the legal team, and I attend legal meetings with a view to familiarising myself with the
legal profession. In addition, I proofread legal documents, answer telephone enquiries,
and ensure that all working spaces are kept in good order.
Pizza Delivery Driver Marco’s Pizzas, Shrewsbury, Sep 2013 – Jul 2014 (vacation work)
Delivered pizzas to homes within a 5-mile radius of the restaurant. Used satellite navi-
gation in my own car and ensured that all pizzas were delivered in a timely fashion and
to customers’ satisfaction

Education
Law LLB Honours Degree Upper Second, University of Manchester 2014
Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language International House, London
2010

Outside Interests
Elected Social Secretary of local tennis club since 2014. Currently attending photography
evening classes. I enjoy travelling and I have a working knowledge of japanese, gained
during my gap year teaching English at a language school in Japan.

Referee
Dr T. R. Plunkett, Personal Tutor, Department of Law, Manchester University M13 9PL
Email: trplunkett@lawdepartmentuom.ac.uk Tel: 0185 381 0987

CHECK YOUR ANSWERS

63
 DISCUSSION

a. Write down three things you will now do differently to improve your CV, as a result of study-
ing this unit. Ask for peer feedback.
b. Describe a job you would like to do. Post brief details of the job on the discussion board.
Write and post a CV that you could use as part of your application. Give details of your rel-
evant skills and qualifications, write an appropriate profile of yourself, and include all the
relevant information in the CV. Ask for peer feedback and share your ideas with others.

REVIEW
This unit has taught you the techniques for writing a good CV. Try to put them into practice and remem-
ber to update your CV regularly. As you go through your life, be aware of the skills, talents and knowledge
you are acquiring, and be sure to add the details to this vital document.

64
CHECK YOUR ANSWERS
ANSWERS #1

1. Be C __________________
conventional , in terms of formatting and design, unless you are in a creative in-
dustry.
attention immediately.
2. Grab the reader’s A __________________
customise
3. C __________________ each and every CV that you send out.
needs
4. Identify your employer’s N __________________ and convince them that they need you.
5. Mention your accomplishments. This is extremely important as many CVs are just too D
__________________
duty oriented.

GO BACK

ANSWERS #2

1. Email address: _______________________________________________________________________________

The email address needs to appear more professional and less personal.
2. Profile: _______________________________________________________________________________________
The profile should be more precise. It should state the applicant’s current occupa-
________________________________________________________________________________________________
tion, their relevant skills, the reason why they want the position, and why they are suitable.
3. Employment History: There must not be any time gaps. The time from August 2012 to Sep-
________________________________________________________________________
tember 2014 must be accounted for.
_______________________________________
4. Education and Training: _____________________________________
Never write about failures in a CV.
Say what you do. Do not say what you WOULD do if circumstances were
5. Outside Interests: ____________________________________________________________________________
different.
___________
6. Referees: _____________________________________________________________________________________
Give EITHER full details of referees OR do not mention them on your CV. You could
_____________________________________________________________
just refer to them on your application form, if required to.

GO BACK

65
ANSWERS #3

1. BA Honours Degree, Lower Second, Italian Language and Literature, with Spanish Sub-
sidiary University of Leicester, 2014
Education and Training
CV Section: ______________________________
2. Italian and Spanish Translator of medical, legal and general documents RWB Transla-
tions, Leicester, January 2015 – present
Employment History
CV Section: ______________________________
3. Prof K. Digby, Personal Tutor, Department of Modern Languages, University of Leicester
Email: Profkdigby@universityofleicester.ac.uk Tel: 012 345 6789
References
CV Section: _______________________
4. An experienced translator of Italian and Spanish, able to work confidently under pressure and
to meet tight deadlines. English native speaker.
Profile
CV Section: ______________________
5. Elected Treasurer of local Nature Conservation Society
Interests, Achievements and Hobbies
CV Section: ________________________________________________
6. Teaching Assistant, teaching Spanish Hillfield Secondary School, Sep 2014 – Dec 2014
Employment History
CV Section: __________________________________
7. Winner of Best Dissertation Award, Leicester University 2014
Interests, Achievements and Hobbies
CV Section: ________________________________________________

GO BACK

ANSWERS #4

1. Highlight qualify
Answer is qualified
(‘Recently qualified’ is a short way of saying ‘She recently qualified’, in the past simple tense,
and is the past participle form of the verb.)

2. Highlight for
Answer is in
(After the verb specialise, the correct preposition is in.
Example: During my degree course, I specialised in Italian politics.)

66
3. Highlight managing
Answer is manage
(After able to, the infinitive form of the verb is needed.
Example: I am able to attend the meeting.)

4. Highlight works
Answer is work
(When the word work is a noun, it is usually in the singular form.
Example: I am enjoying all the work I am doing.)

Read the box below to see the corrected version.

Enthusiastic Youth Worker demonstrating the tact, sensitivity, diligence and good hu-
mour to work with the most challenging young people. Recently qualified with a Youth
Work Practice Diploma, and now specialising in safeguarding and child protection. Able
to manage budgets of up to £5,000 and maintain meticulous records of all financial
transactions. Aiming towards a career in social work within the community.

GO BACK

ANSWERS #5

The following errors were made.

1. Punctuation: The word Avenue needs a capital letter.

2. Punctuation: After email, there should be a colon and not a semi-colon.
3. Spelling: Profile
4. Font: The font in the first line of the profile should be in Calibri and not in Times New Ro-
man, to be consistent.
5. Punctuation: There should be no comma after the title Employment History.
6. Punctuation: Add full stop after satisfaction.
7. Underlining: Remove the line under Education, to be consistent.
8. Bold Type: The word Foreign should be in bold.
9. Capital Letters: The word Japanese needs a capital letter.
10. Font size: Make the font size of the word Referee the same as in the rest of the text.

GO BACK

67
 WRITING A
COVERING LETTER

4
WRITER SECTIONS
JEAN MEAKIN Click the titles to navigate.

01. Introduction
02. Qualities and features of a good covering letter
03. The basics
04. Paragraph order
05. Layout of a covering letter
06. Information to include in a covering letter
07. Grammar: Prepositions
08. What to write and what NOT to write in a
covering letter
09. Other tips
10. Useful expressions for covering letters
11. Story of a successful letter
12. Steps to writing a covering letter
13. Review

68
INTRODUCTION

A covering letter (also referred to as a cover letter) is a letter (or email) you send to the recruiter
with your application.

A covering letter is likely to be the first contact your potential employer has with you. The employer will
need to be satisfied that:
»» You have the necessary qualifications and skills for the job
»» You can write in good English
»» You match the person they are looking for

For a brief introduction about covering letters, watch the following short clips from YouTube.

QUALITIES AND FEATURES OF A

GOOD COVERING LETTER
Watch four video clips and answer the questions.

First clip
The first clip (1:04 minutes) shows some senior managers describing the qualities of a good covering
letter and saying what it should contain.

EXERCISE #1
Watch the clip and fill in the gaps in the following sentences from the clip.

Tips for job seekers: How to create a great cover letter Part 1 by CareerBuilder

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHqkAEdXEpg

1. First of all, it should be __________________.

2. Being succinct and __________________ about what you’re looking for.

3. Explain __________________ you’re interested in a particular job. That’s incredibly important.

4. Show some __________________ or __________________ around why the position is right for you.

CHECK YOUR ANSWERS

69
Second clip
The second clip (1:09 minutes) shows senior executives talking about the importance of your covering
letter being individually created, and different from all the other covering letters their companies receive.

EXERCISE #2
Watch the clip and complete the sentences below.

Tips for job seekers: How to create a great cover letter Part 2 by CareerBuilder

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nELZzO4bvdY

1. What are some of their qualifications and their goals that are not necessarily on their résumé
that makes them __________________ above the others? So it’s a real __________________.

2. Make sure that it’s __________________.

3. Be __________________ and ask for what you want.

CHECK YOUR ANSWERS

Third clip
In the third clip (1:49 minutes), the speaker describes a cover letter as an invitation to a potential employ-
er to read your CV.

EXERCISE #3
Watch the clip and then fill in the gaps in the sentences below.

Job search tips: What is the purpose of a cover letter? by eHow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8OVAFS7wYk

1. A cover letter essentially is an invitation for a hiring manager ……………………. to read your
__________________.

2. A cover letter is a __________________ of the résumé and you don’t want to __________________
everything.

3. Mention that you have also __________________ a résumé.

4. You want to solicit a __________________ .

CHECK YOURS ANSWERS

70
Fourth clip
In the fourth and final clip (1:06 minutes), the differences between a CV (résumé) and a covering letter
are highlighted.

EXERCISE #4

Watch the clip and fill in the gaps.

Tips for job seekers: Your cover letter by CareerBuilder

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTzMXewoi9s

1. I think a candidate should always submit a __________________.

2. You never know, it may actually push you to the __________________.

3. A cover letter may want to answer some of the questions a __________________ doesn’t
answer.

CHECK YOUR ANSWERS

THE BASICS: POSITIVE POINTS

Normally, a covering letter is quite short. It is usually just one side of a page. This means that you have a
maximum of approximately 400 words to make a good impression, to encourage your potential employ-
er to read your CV, and to secure yourself an interview.

Bear in mind that some hiring managers receive hundreds of covering letters for each job that they ad-
vertise, and indeed, for many for jobs which they haven’t even advertised! The covering letter could be
the only thing they read, and they might never even look at an accompanying CV. Some employers may
only spend a few seconds skimming a covering letter. It is therefore well worth making an effort to pres-
ent yourself in the best possible light, as succinctly as possible.

In your covering letter, you should mention the main things which are relevant to the position. Research
the company and the position and say clearly why you would like the job. Align your application closely to
the job requirements. Relate your experiences to what the employer is looking for. Give them evidence
that you can deliver what they want. Do not give too much detail, but just highlight the main points relat-
ed to the job, and try to catch the employer’s attention with their relevance. You do not want to simply
repeat what is on your CV.

71
Positive points
Here are some of the features of a good covering letter.
»» It is just one side long.
»» It states clearly the job applied for.
»» It highlights relevant education, skills and experiences.
»» It gives the reasons why the writer wants the job.
»» It gives full contact details.
»» It is written in a polite and professional manner.
»» There are no spelling or typing errors.

Here is an example of an appropriate covering letter in response to an advertisement for a Historic Build-
ings Conservation Officer. Read the job advertisement and the covering letter that follows.

Job Vacancy
Historic Buildings Conservation Officer – County of Oxfordshire

The Local Authority of the County of Oxfordshire is seeking to appoint a full-time Historic Build-
ings Conservation Officer. The successful applicant will be required to:

»» Visit and report on historic buildings in the county, including houses, places of worship,
public buildings and more
»» Give advice regarding planning applications and developments
»» Work with conservation groups to develop strategies to protect historic buildings
»» Source supplies of historic building materials and craftspeople able to carry out conserva-
tion work to the required standards
»» Ensure that all historic buildings in the county comply with current health, fire, safety, acces-
sibility and energy conservation standards.

Essential Skills and Qualifications

»» Degree or Higher National Diploma in Architectural History, History, Building Conservation,
Surveying or similar
»» Passion to protect heritage buildings in the county
»» Ability to work in a team
»» Ability to communicate with non-technical personnel about technical issues

Also desirable
»» Problem solving in a historic buildings context
»» Own transport

72
 32, Long Avenue
Oxford
OX2 3PE
17 May 2016
Mr. George Green MA, CIPD
Senior Conservation Officer
Oxfordshire Local Authority
Oxford OX1 2VB

Dear Mr Green
Vacancy for Historic Buildings Conservation Officer

I am writing in response to your advertisement for a Historic Buildings Conservation Officer,

which I saw in The Times on 16 May and wish to apply for the position. Please find attached a
copy of my Curriculum Vitae.

I gained a Lower Second Honours Degree in History from Birmingham University last year and
I am now taking a one-year part-time online Diploma in Building Conservation and Traditional
Skills. Since last September, I have been employed as a Junior Buildings Control Officer with my
local authority. I ensure that all buildings in our area meet the required health, fire, safety, ac-
cessibility and energy conservation standards. In addition to acquiring an in-depth knowledge of
current building regulations, I have learnt a great deal about the construction and ongoing main-
tenance requirements of older, historical buildings, and my interest in these areas has grown as
a result.

In my current job, I have developed excellent communication skills, through explaining technical
considerations to members of the public, and liaising with architects and engineers on a daily ba-
sis. I am a strong team player and enjoy working closely with all members of the team to achieve
the best outcomes. I have developed excellent problem solving skills, and manage to find creative
solutions to the many and varied problems which arise, especially in relation to historic buildings.
In my recent annual work appraisal, I was rated as ‘outstanding’.

During three of my student vacations, I worked as a Conservation Volunteer in a historic home in

Oxfordshire, and for two years, I was a member of the University History Society. In both of these
activities, I developed a passion for history and a deep appreciation of our national heritage
buildings. I see that the position involves close co-operation with the English Heritage organisa-
tion and in the longer-term future, I would like to join the management team of that organisation,
striving to make history accessible to everyone.

73
I can be available for interview at any time and would be grateful for a chance to speak to you
about the position in more depth.

Thank you for considering this application and if you have any further questions, please do not
hesitate to contact me via the email address or phone number below. I look forward to hearing
from you.

Yours sincerely
Steven Harris
Steven Harris BA
Tel: 012 345 6789
Email: steven_harris0637@brum.com

EXERCISE #5
Having read the letter, consider which of the following positive points apply to the letter, and
mark a tick next to them. The first has been done for you, as an example.

»» It is just one side long. _____

»» It states clearly the job applied for. _____
»» It highlights relevant education, skills and experiences. _____
»» It gives the reasons why the writer wants the job. _____
»» It gives full contact details. _____
»» It is written in a polite and professional manner. _____
»» There are no spelling or typing errors. _____

CHECK YOUR ANSWERS

74
Stating your skills and experiences

EXERCISE #6
Now, let us study the letter in more detail. List the skills, experiences and jobs mentioned in the
letter above.

Skills
1. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
2. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ _
3. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

Experiences / Jobs
1. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
2. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
3. __ __ __ __ __ __ of the __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

CHECK YOUR ANSWERS

PARAGRAPH ORDER
People may write their covering letters in different ways, but generally, the order tends to be fairly similar.

EXERCISE #7

Decide in what order the pieces of information listed are given. Write a number below each one,
to show the order.

Qualifications / Job title / Reason for writing / Contact details / Availability for interview / Skills
_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

CHECK YOUR ANSWERS

75
LAYOUT OF A COVERING LETTER
First, go back and look at the previous letter, in application for the position of Historic Buildings Conser-
vation Officer. That letter broadly follows the layout recommended in the following paragraphs.

The layout you use may vary, depending on whether you are sending an online application or a hard
copy. Here are some suggestions as to how it may be done.

If you are sending a hard copy, you will need to include your geographical address and the address of
the employer.

Put your address on the top right hand side and remember to ‘right justify it’, so that the right-hand ver-
tical margin is straight.

There is no need to type your name at the top. You can type that at the end of the letter.

Type the date at the bottom of your address. This can be written as e.g.

14th December 2018

OR
14 December 2018
OR
14/12/18

(If you prefer, you can write the address on the top of the left hand side of the page instead.)

Below your address and the date, on the left, type the name of the person you are writing to, together
with any title and professional abbreviations they may use after their name. It is important to type your
potential employer’s details correctly. If this information is not in the advertisement, you may need to
search online or even ring the company to find out.

Below that, write their job title, starting each word with capital letters. Then write the department they
work for (if applicable) and the name of their organisation. Below that, write their address. It is not usual-
ly necessary to write their full address in the letter; just write the essential location information.

If you do not know the name of the person you are writing to, the correct salutation is either:

Dear Sir
OR
Dear Madam

76
In this case, an appropriate ending (valediction) is:
Yours faithfully
(Your name)

If you do know the person’s name, this is much better. You should use the name. For example:

Dear Professor Wales

OR
Dear Mr Sanchez
OR
Dear Mrs Banks

When addressing women, try to use the title they normally use. They may prefer Miss, Mrs or Ms. If you
do not know, or if you know they prefer it, use the title Ms.

An appropriate (valediction) ending is:

Yours sincerely
(Your name)

Note: In these valedictions, the words ‘faithfully’ and ‘sincerely’ are lower case letters.

It is up to you whether you use commas at the end of each line of the address and after the salutation
and the valediction. Commas are less widely used nowadays, to save time.

Next, you write the heading.

Make the heading as concise as possible and if possible, use noun phrases. For conciseness, you may be
able to leave out the definite article (the word the). Bold type can help to make the subject stand out. For
example:

Application for Position of Historic Buildings Conservation Officer

OR
Historic Buildings Conservation Officer Vacancy

If there is a reference number, add that to your heading. For example:

Historic Buildings Conservation Officer Vacancy Ref 0112

Next, type the main body of your letter. This part is about you, why you are suitable, and why you want
the job.

77
Finally, you write the valediction, your name, and any further contact details you may wish to supply,
such as your phone number or your email address. In a hard copy, you should sign your name just above
where you type your name. Leave about three blank lines so you have enough space for your signature.

An email would be similar to the above, but would not need to state the date, and perhaps not the geo-
graphical addresses.

It is necessary to include a subject title in the box below the To and CC and BCC details. This can be the
same as the heading which you type at the beginning of the main body of the message.

INFORMATION TO INCLUDE IN A
COVERING LETTER

EXERCISE #8
How much do you know about what a good covering letter normally includes? Answer yes, no or
maybe next to the suggestions below. The first answer has been given as an example.

Example
Your work experience Yes
_____

1. Relevant skills you have _____

2. Reasons for leaving your previous job _____
3. Details of any disabilities you may have _____
4. Information about your family _____
5. Your age _____
6. Reasons why you are suitable for the job _____
7. Your phone number _____
8. Your grade in your most recent work appraisal _____
9. Professional abbreviations after your name _____
10. Your hobbies _____
11. Something that interests you about the job _____
12. Your gender _____
13. Dates when you could attend for interview _____
14. Things you dislike _____
15. The attachments or enclosures with your letter _____

CHECK YOUR ANSWERS

78
GRAMMAR: PREPOSITIONS
In a covering letter, it is likely that every word will be noticed. Although you may check the main words in
the dictionary, you might not always check which prepositions should be used.

Try the following exercise to see how good you are with prepositions.

EXERCISE #9
Choose the appropriate preposition from the box to complete each sentence. The prepositions
may be used once, more than once, or not at all.

for in from on
with at as as

1. My final dissertation was _______________ gender equality in South Sudan.

2. I am planning a career _________________ education management and this position would
offer me invaluable experience in the field.
3. I could attend ________________ interview any time next month.
4. As you will see ___________ my CV, I graduated with an Upper Second Class Honours degree
in Anthropology, with History of Art as a subsidiary subject.
5. My year in industry has equipped me _____________ an in-depth knowledge of current de-
velopments.
6. I have a degree _______________ Human Resources Management.
7. I would welcome the opportunity to become involved _______________ your research.
8. I am fluent _______________ French and Spanish and have a good working knowledge of
Italian.
9. Your organisation is recognised worldwide _______________ a market leader.
10. I have experience of working _______________ an academic environment.
11. In my current job, I am responsible _______________ invoicing clients.
12. My proofreading work has taught me the skill of paying great attention _______________
detail.

CHECK YOUR ANSWERS

79
If you found the prepositions quiz difficult, try
one or more of the following.
English Grammar Online… the fun way to learn English!
This site gives you a long list to help you understand which prepositions to use. It also has
more than 16 exercises on the use of prepositions. In addition, the site offers practice in writing
Business English, writing General English, and in vocabulary, grammar and more. There are also
games, quizzes, riddles and other curiosities to explore.
https://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/prepositions

Dave’s ESL Café

This site offers a wealth of information about prepositions and it has exercises to test your use
of prepositions. In addition, the site covers many other aspects of English, such as grammar,
vocabulary, pronunciation and a lot more.
http://www.eslcafe.com/grammar/prepositions01.html

British Council Learn English

There are some good grammar and vocabulary activities available on this site. To find prepositions,
look under A (for Adjectives and Prepositions), and under V (for Verbs and Prepositions).
There are explanations and some exercises.
http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/quick-grammar/adjectives-prepositions

OR

Consult a reliable grammar book. For example, English Grammar in Use by Raymond Murphy
and published by Cambridge University Press is excellent.

80
WHAT TO WRITE AND WHAT NOT TO
WRITE IN A COVERING LETTER
Not only should one pay attention to what should one write in a covering letter, but also, one should be
careful about what NOT to write.

EXERCISE #10

The email below, from Nigel Notachance, is most unlikely to be successful as a covering letter.
Although he makes some good points, he also makes some significant mistakes in his approach.
Read the body of his letter and match the highlighted mistakes with the 12 pieces of advice that
follow it. (The mistakes have been numbered to make this task clearer for you.) The first has
been done for you as an example.

(1) Dear Madam or Sir,

VACANCY FOR TRAINEE LIBRARIAN, Reference 0318

(2) My name is Nigel Notachance and I am writing in response to your advertisement for
a Trainee Librarian. I saw your advertisement in the London University Careers Depart-
ment last week and wish to apply for the position.

(3) I’ve got a really great First Class Honours Degree in English Literature from London
University. (4) If I had more time, I would enjoy reading poetry. Since graduating last
year, I have been working as a Sales Assistant in a large book shop. (5) My job description
says I must check the book orders, organise the displays and work at the till. I am a highly
reliable employee with excellent time management, and I work well in a team. In this job,
I talk to customers and recommend books they might enjoy reading, and through this, I
have developed my skills in motivating others. My job is usually interesting but from time
to time (6) it seems boring and I feel overqualified for it.

(7) Although the salary you are offering is average, I am particularly attracted by the long
holidays. I enjoy travelling and these would give me plenty of opportunities to go over-
seas. Although (8) I do not yet know a great deal about your organisation, I am certain it
is an excellent one.

With sufficient notice, I am certain I can arrange suitable (9) childcare for my six children
and will be happy to cover the early mornings and late evenings, as needed.

81
 I can be available for interview at any time. (10) I can just tell my boss I am sick on that
day.

Thank you for considering my application. (11) You must be very busy at the moment, as
it is the week before Christmas.

I look forward to hearing from you.

(12) With my very highest regards

Nigel Notachance

Tel: (13) (I apologise but my phone is not working at the moment.)

Example

Write in formal English throughout the letter.

3
Mistake number ________

1. Do all you can to offer appropriate contact details.

Mistake number ________
2. Find out the name of the person you are writing to, and use it.
Mistake number ________
3. Ensure that all your points are relevant to your application.
Mistake number ________
4. Research the organisation before you apply, and refer to what you know about it.
Mistake number ________
5. Be positive about your current job.
Mistake number ________
6. There is no need to tell the employer your name at the beginning. Your name comes at the
end.
Mistake number ________
7. Avoid talking about the benefits the organisation is offering. Focus on what you can offer
them.
Mistake number ________
8. Use standard greetings and endings.
Mistake number ________
9. Describe what you actually do, not just what your responsibilities are.
Mistake number ________

82
 10. Keep your personal life out of the letter, especially if it might highlight potential prob-
lems.
Mistake number ________
11. Tell the employer what you do, not what you are unable to do.
Mistake number ________
12. Remember that honesty is vital.
Mistake number ________

CHECK YOUR ANSWERS

OTHER TIPS
»» Use standard fonts and avoid dramatic effects.
»» Use black ink and avoid using colours, unless you want to look especially creative. Never write in
yellow or light colours on white paper, as they are so hard to see.
»» Vary the beginnings of your sentences. Make sure that they do not all begin with the pronoun ‘I’.
»» Use bullet points if you have several points to make, for example to describe your achievements.
»» Remember that you need to market yourself. Maximise your achievements and do not be shy.
»» Write in a way which reflects your own style. You want potential employers to feel that they ‘recog-
nise’ you when they meet you at an interview. If you write in a style very different from your own,
they may suspect that someone else has written your letter for you.
»» Try to establish a connection that you already have with the organisation. Maybe you have visited
it already, or you know someone who works there. If so, mention it. If not, consider contacting the
company to speak to someone there about the job. Ideally, visit the company, even before you ap-
ply. The employer is likely to notice someone who already has some contact with the organisation.
In addition, you will be surprised how such prior contact with an organisation helps you to tailor
your application appropriately.

USEFUL EXPRESSIONS FOR COVERING

LETTERS

EXERCISE #11

All of the following sentences could be useful for your covering letter. The following exercise will
help you to be accurate with your grammar, vocabulary and usage. Underline the correct option
in each sentence. The first has been given as an example.

83
 Example

I recently graduate / graduated / graduating from London University with a degree in French.

1. I have seen your advertisement for a legal executive and desire / want / wish to apply for
the position.
2. Having work / Have worked / Having worked in a bank for 18 months, I have developed an
attention to detail.
3. Although I have ever/ I have not / I was never worked abroad before, I have travelled abroad
on several holidays.
4. As a result of studying with people from diverse backgrounds, I have developed strong
communicate / communicating / communication skills.
5. Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate / hesitate / do not hes-
itating to contact me.
6. I am currently working four days a week in the office, and I spend one day visit / visiting /
for visiting clients.
7. My section has consistently made a profit, although / despite / in spite considerable eco-
nomic challenges.

CHECK YOUR ANSWERS

DISCUSSION

Here is your chance to write a covering letter.

Read the job advertisement in the box below. It is gives details of a vacancy for a History Teacher.
The job is to teach History to Advanced Level at a college for pupils aged 11-18. Imagine you have
researched the school online and found out that it prides itself on being friendly, offering variety,
and serving the local community. Imagine that you have completed your application form and
a CV for the job. Now, write an appropriate covering letter to accompany your application, and
post the letter on the discussion board. Ask your peers for feedback.

History Teacher Vacancy

Castletown Community College

This high achieving College wishes to appoint an enthusiastic, full-time, permanent Teacher of
History to Advanced Level immediately.

Essential
»» Experience of teaching History at all levels up to Advanced Level

84
 »» A good Honours Degree (2:1 or above)
»» Qualified Teacher Status
»» Excellent interpersonal and behaviour management skills
»» Ability to plan and deliver effective and engaging lessons

Desirable
»» Ability to teach additional subjects at lower levels
»» Ability to work independently and as part of a team
»» Willingness to run one of the College’s clubs or societies
»» Willingness to participate in extra-curricular activities and trips

STORY OF A SUCCESSFUL LETTER

Watch a video clip.
As you reach the end of this unit and this module, watch the following inspirational clip (5: 06 minutes) in
which a young Google employee describes how to write an excellent covering letter, and shows the letter
that won him his job at Google.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrK_nWJYeVU

DISCUSSION

On the discussion board, share what you have learnt from the video clip that is particularly
relevant to you in your job search. Ask for peer feedback.

STEPS TO WRITING A COVERING

LETTER
Here are the steps to complete a successful cover letter.

1. Read the job advertisement carefully, several times over.

2. Check the application deadline.
3. Consider in what ways you match what they want.

85
 4. Make a list of your relevant skills, qualifications and experiences.
5. Think about why you want the job and how it will progress your career plans.
6. Research the company and refer to your findings in your letter.
7. Find out what you can about the person you will be writing to. Especially, check their name and their
position in the company.
8. Write your letter according to the style and format suggested in this unit.
9. Check that your letter creates enough interest, and offers what they are looking for.
10. Proofread your letter and ask a trusted friend to do the same for you.
11. Email the letter to yourself first, to check that it arrives still in the same format, and that it looks
good.
12. Save and print off a copy for yourself, so you can refresh your memory before an interview.
13. Send off your application in good time.
14. In some cases, if you do not receive an acknowledgement of your application, it may be a good idea
to ring the organisation a few days later, and to ask whether they have received your application.

DISCUSSION

Now, as you reach the end of this Module, write a covering letter that you could send with
an application for your dream job. Post your letter on the discussion board and ask for peer
feedback.

REVIEW
This unit has given you the information and practice you need in order to be able to write an excellent
covering letter to send with your job application.

Final Words from the Business English module

Throughout this Business English module, you have learnt a great deal about making a successful appli-
cation for the job you want. In one sense, your graduation was just the beginning. That was perhaps your
first important success of your career, and so throughout your life, you need to build on that. Do all you
can every day to improve your skills, experiences and qualifications so that you are in a strong position
to apply for the job you want. Getting a job takes time, patience and perseverance, but it is worth all the
effort. You may need to build up to a graduate job, so have an open mind regarding which jobs you apply
for. Try to be positive about each stage and learn all you can during your journey. We wish you success
in your search.

86
CHECK YOUR ANSWERS
ANSWERS #1

1. First of all, it should be __________________

brief
direct
2. Being succinct and __________________ about what you’re looking for.
why
3. Explain __________________ you’re interested in a particular job. That’s incredibly important.
enthusiasm
4. Show some __________________ passion
or __________________ around why the position is right for you.

GO BACK

ANSWERS #2

1. What are some of their qualifications and their goals that are not necessarily on their résumé
stand out
that makes them __________________ eye catcher
above the others? So it’s a real __________________.

customised
2. Make sure that it’s __________________.

positive
3. Be __________________ and ask for what you want.

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ANSWERS #3

1. A cover letter essentially is an invitation for a hiring manager ……………………. to read your
__________________.
résumé

2. A cover letter is a __________________

snapshot of the résumé and you don’t want to __________________
detail
everything.

3. Mention that you have also __________________

included a résumé.

response
4. You want to solicit a __________________ .

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ANSWERS #4

1. I think a candidate should always submit a __________________.

cover letter
top of the pile
2. You never know, it may actually push you to the __________________.

3. A cover letter may want to answer some of the questions a __________________

résumé doesn’t
answer.

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ANSWERS #5

»» It is just one side long. 

_____
»» It states clearly the job applied for. 
_____
»» It highlights relevant education, skills and experiences. 
_____
»» It gives the reasons why the writer wants the job. 
_____
»» It gives full contact details. 
_____
»» It is written in a polite and professional manner. 
_____
»» There are no spelling or typing errors. 
_____

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ANSWERS #6

Skills
1. C
__ O
__ __
M __
M __
U __
N __
I C
__ __
A __
T __I __
O __
N
2. T
__ __
E __
A __
M __
P __
L __
A __
Y __ __
E R
PR
3. __ __ O B __
__ __ L E
__ M
__ S __
__ O __
L __
V __
I __
N __
G

Experiences / Jobs

J __
1. __ U __
N __
I __
O __
R B __
__ U __
I __
L __
D __
I __
N __
G __
S C __
__ O __
N __
T __
R __
O __
L O __
__ F __
F __
I __
C __
E __
R
CO
2. __ N __
__ __ S __
E __
R __
V A T __
__ __ I __
O __
N VO
__ L U
__ __ N __
__ __ T __
E __
E R
__
3. M E __
__ __ M __
B __
E __
R of the U N __
__ __ I __
V __
E R S __I __
__ __ T __
Y H __
__ I __
S T O __
__ __ R __
Y S __
__ O __
C __
I __
E __
T __
Y

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88
ANSWERS #7

First - Job title

Second – Reason for writing
Third – Qualifications
Fourth – Skills
Fifth – Availability for interview
Sixth – Contact details

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ANSWERS #8

1. Relevant skills you have _____

Yes
2. Reasons for leaving your previous job No
_____
3. Details of any disabilities you may have No
_____
4. Information about your family No
_____
5. Your age No
_____
6. Reasons why you are suitable for the job Yes
_____
7. Your phone number Yes
_____
8. Your grade in your most recent work appraisal Maybe
_________
9. Professional abbreviations after your name Yes
_____
10. Your hobbies Maybe
_________
11. Something that interests you about the job Yes
_____
12. Your gender No
_____
13. Dates when you could attend for interview Yes
_____
14. Things you dislike No
_____
15. The attachments or enclosures with your letter _____
Yes

Remember, you may choose to give these pieces of information at a later stage, but where the
answer is no, you are not required to give this information in the covering letter, unless you
want to.

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89
ANSWER #9

1. My final dissertation was _______________

on gender equality in South Sudan.
2. I am planning a career _________________
in education management and this position would
offer me invaluable experience in the field.
3. I could attend ________________
for interview any time next month.
4. As you will see ___________
from my CV, I graduated with an Upper Second Class Honours degree
in Anthropology, with History of Art as a subsidiary subject.
5. My year in industry has equipped me _____________
with an in-depth knowledge of current de-
velopments.
6. I have a degree _______________
in Human Resources Management.
in / with
7. I would welcome the opportunity to become involved _______________ your research.
8. I am fluent _______________
in French and Spanish and have a good working knowledge of
Italian.
as
9. Your organisation is recognised worldwide _______________ a market leader.
in
10. I have experience of working _______________ an academic environment.
for
11. In my current job, I am responsible _______________ invoicing clients.
12. My proofreading work has taught me the skill of paying great attention to
_______________
detail.

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ANSWER #10

1. Do all you can to offer appropriate

oncontact details.
Mistake number ________
13
2. Find out the name of the person you are writing to, and use it.
Mistake number ________
1
3. Ensure that all your points are relevant to your application.
11
Mistake number ________
4. Research the organisation before you apply, and refer to what you know about it.
8
Mistake number ________
5. Be positive about your current job.
Mistake number ________
6
6. There is no need to tell the employer your name at the beginning. Your name comes at the
end.
2
Mistake number ________

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7. Avoid talking about the benefits the organisation is offering. Focus on what you can offer
them.
7
Mistake number ________
8. Use standard greetings and endings.
12
Mistake number ________
9. Describe what you actually do, not just what your responsibilities are.
5
Mistake number ________
10. Keep your personal life out of the letter, especially if it might highlight potential prob
lems.
9
Mistake number ________
11. Tell the employer what you do, not what you are unable to do.
4
Mistake number ________
12. Remember that honesty is vital.
10
Mistake number ______

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ANSWER #11

1. I have seen your advertisement for a legal executive and wish to apply for the position.
2. Having worked in a bank for 18 months, I have developed an attention to detail.
3. Although I have not worked abroad before, I have travelled abroad on several holidays.
4. As a result of studying with people from diverse backgrounds, I have developed strong
communication skills.
5. Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
6. I am currently working four days a week in the office, and I spend one day visiting clients.
7. y section has consistently made a profit, despite considerable economic challenges.

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