Mitchell Hill PLC
Merchant Bank 21 June 200-
11-15 Montague Street
London EC 15DN
Dear Mr Curtis,
I am writing to you on the recommendation of David McLean, Assistant Manager in your securities department.
A year ago Mr McLean was on a banking course here with me in Hannover, and he suggested that I should contact your company and mention his name. He told me that you often employ people from other countries on a one-year basis, if they have had banking experience.
I am a 28 year-old employee of the International Bank in Hannover, working in the Overseas Securities Department, and have been with this organization for the past two years, since graduating from the University of Munich in 19- with a degree in Economics.
As well as speaking fluent English, I also have a very good working knowledge of French.
In my present position as Assistant to the Director of the International Securities Department, I deal with a wide range of investments from companies throughout Europe, buying shares and bonds for them on a worldwide basis.
My bank encourages all its staff to spend a year abroad for the experience of working with different systems, and my Director would be willing to give you a reference.
I would like to spend a year or so in the UK to gain experience in securities investment with a British bank, and in exchange, I think my experience and languages would prove useful to your organization.
If you think it would be possible to offer me a position, please send me an application form where I will be able to give you more specific details about myself.
I look forward to hearing from you in due course.
Yours sincerely,
Marcus Bauer
Marcus Bauer
Questions:
1. How did Mr Bauer hear about the bank he is applying to?
2. What does he do in the bank where he now works?
3. What are his qualifications?
4. Why does his bank encourage people to go on overseas courses?
5. What does he want the UK bank to send him?
6. Which words in the letter correspond to the following: suggestion, getting a qualification, various methods of doing things, particular?
11-15 Montague Street London Eel 5DN
Telephone: 071625 3311/2/3
Telex: 971135 Fax: 071 625 4019
Cable: mithil (London)
Fiilstenweg 110 29 June 200-
D-3000 Hannover 71
Dear Mr Bauer,
Thank you for your letter of 21 June 19-, in which you enquired about a one-year traineeship in our Securities Department in the UK.
I have spoken to Mr McLean, who recommended you to contact us, and he remembers you from the course you did together.
We do employ staff from overseas banks, with experience, and could probably find an opening for you in the Securities Department around the end of this year as one of our current overseas trainees is leaving in September.
I am enclosing an application form and booklet giving you details of Mitchell Hill, salary structure, and conditions of employment. Would you please complete the application form and sent it to Mrs Helen Griffiths, Personnel Department, at the above address. Meanwhile, could you ask your Director, Mr Strauss, to send me a reference for you, and we would appreciate another reference, possibly from one of your Professors at Munich University.
Once I have received these details we can consider your application. I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Sheila Burrows
Sheila Burrows (Miss)
pp David McLean
Securities Manager
Application form Ref: Mitohell Hill Plc Merchant Bank
Post: 11-I5 Montague Street London EC1 5DN
| Surname (Mr Mrs Miss Ms) Bauer Forename(s) Marcus |
| Maiden name ---- Age 28 Date of birth 12 Nov l9- |
| Marital status Single No of children ---- Ages ---- |
| Address Furstenweg 110, D-3000, Hannover 71 |
| Tel daytime (49)312-885533 Tel evening (49)312-251068 |
| Next of kin Mr Kurt Bauer, father (see above address) |
| Education | School/univ/college | From | To | Address |
| Secondary | Friednch-Ebert Gymnasium | 19- | 19- | Herrenhauser Str. D-3000 Hannover 21 |
| Higher | Universitat Munchen | 19- | 19- | Hittorfstr. D-8000Munchen |
| Examinations Title | Grade | Subject(s) | Date | Have you any of the following skills? Tick appropriate box: |
| Diplom | 1 | Business studies/ Economics | 19- | |
| Abitur | 1 | 19- | - Typing…35... wpm - Shorthand …….wpm - Word processing - Keyboard skills - Bookkeeping - Accounts - Telex - Customer contact - Driving licence - Filling | |
| LCCI Higher | Business English | 19- | ||
| Cambridge Proficiency | B | English | 20- | |
| Languages | Fluent | Good | Fair | |
| French | ۷ | |||
| English | ۷ |
| Employers Name and address | From | To | Position and duties | Salary |
| International Bank Georgenplatz 108 D-3000 Hannover 1 | 19- | 20- | Assistant to Director of International Securities Dept. Buying and selling securities | £16,000 |
| Names of two referees besides employers | Can we approach your employer for a reference? | |
| Herr Prof. K. Well, Universitat Munchen, Hittorfstr., D-8000 Munchen | ||
| Herr Dr G. Grass, as above | - Yes | - No |
| Hobbies/activities Reading, chess, skiing, swimming, and tennis | When will you not be available for an interview? | |
| Date 17 July 200- Signature | Date(s) before Sept | |
In this example, notice the applicant immediately explains what the letter is about. She then goes on to expand on her present duties and emphasizes these and any other information that she feels is relevant to the advertised position, ignoring the duties in her previous employment which have no relevance to this particular post. Most importantly, she explains why she is applying for this particular vacancy and the qualities she can offer the company. Note that if she offered her current employers as referees, she could mention that she would prefer the company she is applying to not to approach her employers until after an interview.
Your Ref: KH 305/9 25 Westbound Road
Borehamwood
Mrs J. Hastings Herts
Personnel Officer WD6 IDX
International Computing Services PLC
City Road London EC3 4HJ 18 June 200-
Dear Mrs Hastings,
I would like to apply for the position advertised in The Guardian on 16 June for a Personal Assistant to the Sales Director.
As you will see from my c.v., much of the work I do in my present position is that of a PA. I deal not only with the routine work of a secretary, but also represent the Assistant Director at small meetings and functions, and am delegated to take a number of policy decisions in his absence.
Your advertisement asked for a knowledge of languages. I have kept up my French, and learnt Italian for the past two years at evening classes, and have regularly visited Belgium and Italy with the Assistant Director, acting as an interpreter and translator for him.
I am also familiar with the latest developments in Information Technology, having just completed a one-month course at The City College, in addition to previous day release courses I attended when I was with Johnson Bros.
I am particularly interested in the situation you are offering, as I would like to become more involved with an IT organization. I am quite familiar with many of the software products that ICS manufacture for office technology.
As well as my secretarial skills and experience of running a busy office, I am used to working with technicians and other specialized personnel in the field of computers. I have a genuine interest in computer development and the people involved in the profession.
Please let me know if there is any further information you require. I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Carol Brice
Carol Brice (Ms)
Encl. c.v.
Questions:
1. What position is Ms Brice applying for?
2. What does the abbreviation P.A. mean?
3. How did she learn about IT?
4. What reason does she give for wanting to join ICS?
5. Which words in the letter correspond to the following: ask for, everyday duties, continued with, materials used with a computer, e.g. discs, managing, real?
There are various layouts for a c.v. and this is just one example. Some c.v.s may have a section for supplementary information, where reasons for applying for the position and leaving previous and present employment are included, as well as personal qualities and skills which the candidate feels are relevant to the job. In this example, however, this material is included in the covering letter, see 1.2.4.
| Date of Birth: | 25 February 19- |
| Name: Present address: | Carol Brice 25, Westbound Road, Borehamwood, Herts, WD6 ID |
| Telephone number: Marital status: | 0819539914 Single |
| Education and qualifications: | |
| 1980-1985 | Mayfield School, Henley Road, Borehamwood, Herts, WD6 IDX GCE in English Language; French; History: Geography; and Art. |
| 1985 - 1987 | Hilltop Further Education College, Kenwood Road, London NW7 3TM. Diploma in Business Studies. |
| Work experience: Oct’87-Dec’88 | Johnson Bros. Plc, 51-55 Baker Street, London WIA Type of Company: Retail Chain Stores Post: Junior Secretary Responsibilities: Secretarial work including typing; shorthand; correspondence; copying reports and minutes from shorthand notes; tabulating data; filing; answering customers' calls; mail distribution; and general office duties. |
| Jan’89 - present | National Auto Importers Ltd., Auto House, Sidmouth Street, London WCIH4GJ Type of Company: Car importers Post: Secretary to Assistant Director Responsibilities: Dealing with all correspondence; taking minutes at meetings and writing up Assistant Director's reports; receiving customers and suppliers: dealing with home and overseas enquiries; making decisions on behalf of A.D. in his absence: and representing the company at various business functions. |
| Other information: | While working I have attended various evening courses for Italian and French, and have also been on a special Information Technology course at The City College. My interests include tennis, badminton, swimming, and reading. |
| References: | Mr B. Norman, Assistant Director, National Auto Importers Ltd., Auto House, Sidmouth Street, London WCIH 4GJ. Mrs T. R. Bradley, Senior Lecturer, Business Studies Dept., Hilltop Further Education College, Kenwood Road, London NW7 3TM. |
| Current salary: | £14,000 per annum |
Questions:
1. What was Ms Brice's position at Johnson Bros?
2. Name three of her duties at National Auto.
3. Which words in the c.v. correspond to the following: unmarried, stenography, cataloguing and keeping data, acting for, wages?
City Road Telephone: (071)625 4443 (10 lines) London EC3 4HU Fax: (071) 625 3012/3108
Telex 95386
Your ref: Date: 29th June 200-
Our ref: KH 305/59
Ms Carol Brice
25 Westbound Road
Borehamwood
Herts
WD6 IDX
Dear Ms Brice,
Thank you for your application of June 18 for the post of Personal Assistant to Ms Frances Newman, our Sales Director.
Ms Newman has asked me to write to you inviting you for an interview at 15.00, on Thursday 12 July 200-.
Please come to the reception on the ground floor at the above address and ask for me, and I will meet you.
Please bring with you any certificates, diplomas, or references that you have. Meanwhile, would you phone me on Ext. 217 to confirm that you will be able to attend the interview.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Anne Levin
Anne Levin (Mrs)
pp Frances Newman
Sales Director
There are various reasons why a company may not offer a candidate a job, and these include lack of qualifications, competence, i.e. they do not think the applicant has the ability or experience to handle the post, or there are too many applicants of similar qualifications and ability, so the company makes a choice based on nothing more than the personality of the interviewee at the time of selection. Therefore, how you present yourself at an interview is as important as how you present yourself in your application. It is worth noting that it is rare for a candidate to be told why he or she has been refused.
Thank you for attending our selection board on (date), but we regret to tell you that you were not successful in your application. We hope you will be able to secure a position in the near future.
We regret to tell you that we are not able to offer you the post of (title) which you applied for on (date). We hope you will soon find the position you are looking for / hope you will be more successful in the future.
Letters to successful applicants can vary in length and detail depending on the type of post, whether the company has a standard printed contract, or if the position is so specialized that they need to give details of the terms of employment, see example at 1.3.4.
We are pleased to inform you that you were successful in your interview for (title) which you attended on (date).
Thank you for seeing us on (date). We are prepared to offer you the position of (title) which you applied for.
As we discussed in your interview, your duties will include. . . Working hours are from 09.00 to 17.00, Monday to Friday, and overtime will be paid at time-and-a-half rates. You are entitled to all Bank Holidays, plus three weeks' vacation after one year's service. There is a Staff Contributory Pension Scheme, which you will be eligible to join after your first year of employment.
Enclosed with this letter you will find full details of your conditions and terms of employment. Please read these carefully and if you have any questions, contact me as soon as possible.
Would you please check the following which was agreed at your interview:
Title: Maintenance Engineer. Commence: 8.30, Monday 9th March 200-
Duties: Servicing all company products. Hours: 8.30 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. Days: Monday to Friday. Holidays: Three weeks annual leave, time at discretion Supervisor, plus all Public Holidays. Sick leave: Ten days per annum. Annual Pay: £12,000. Overtime: Time-and-a-half. Double time for Public Holidays. Pension: Non-Contributory Pension Scheme at 7% of annual pay.