Benefits: Subsidized staff canteen. Social Club. Full use of company vehicle.
Notice: One month's notice either side.
Generally, a company will welcome the new employee, possibly inviting questions about the terms and conditions of employment (if anything is not clear), and ask for written confirmation of acceptance. In the UK, the law demands that firms offer contracts of employment, and these are often sent with letters offering a job, asking the applicant to sign one copy and return it with their confirmation.
I look forward to seeing you in my office at 09.00 a.m. on Monday 10 January 200-. If there are any questions concerning the enclosed conditions, please contact me immediately. Otherwise, return the enclosed Contract of Employment, signed, with your letter of acceptance.
Your Contract of Employment is attached to this letter. Please will you sign one copy and return it to the Personnel Officer, Mr T. Wright, with a note confirming you have accepted the position. I will see you at 08.00 on Monday 9th March, when I can welcome you to the organization and give you details of your duties.
Telephone: (071) 625 4443
City Road Fax: (071)16253012/3108
London EC3 4HJ Telex: 295386
Your ref: Our ref: KH 305/9 Date: 25 July 200-
Ms Carol Brice
25 Westbound Road
Borehamwood
Herts
WD6 IDX
Dear Ms Brice,
I am writing on behalf of Ms Frances Newman to tell you that you were successful in your interview on 12 July for the post of Personal Assistant.
Your duties will commence at 09.00 on 10 October 200-, but we would appreciate it if you could arrive at 08.30, so that we can introduce you to the staff, and acquaint you with office procedures.
Full details of your terms of employment are on pp 9-14 of our employees' handbook, ICS 661, but, as we discussed at the interview, your hours will be subject to requirement, and no overtime will be paid. This is compensated for by an annual bonus paid to administrative staff, based on annual profits.
Your starting salary will be £16,000, with annual increments of 9 per cent in the first three years, and subject to negotiation thereafter. During this period you will be allowed three weeks' vacation a year, and four weeks after three years, rising to a maximum of six weeks. In addition to the listed fringe benefits, which include a Non-Contributory Pension Scheme at 8% of your gross salary; free medical insurance; staff discounts on our products, etc.
Please look at the relevant sections of the handbook carefully, and if you have any queries, contact me.
I look forward to welcoming you to the company, meanwhile, would you sign one of the two copies of the Contract of Employment enclosed and return it to Mrs J. Hastings, Personnel Officer, at the above address, with your confirmation accepting the post.
Yours sincerely,
Anne Levin
Anne Levin (Mrs)
pp Frances Newman
Sales Director
Questions:
1. Which job has Ms Brice been selected for?
2. Why does she need to come to the office early?
3. Where will she find information about her conditions of employment?
4. When does this firm offer pay rises?
5. What must she do when she confirms she will take the job?
6. Does the firm offer anything else besides a salary?
7. Which words in the letter correspond to the following: become familiar, to work when needed, increases, benefits besides salary, money taken off purchases by employees, questions?
Your Ref: KH 305/9 25 Westbound Road
Borehamwood
Herts
WD6 IDX
27 July 200-
Mrs J. Hastings
Personnel Officer
International Computing Service PLC
City Road
London EC3 4HJ
Dear Mrs Hastings,
Please thank Mrs Levin for her letter of 25 July in which she offered me the post of PA to Frances Newman, your Sales Director.
Please inform her that I am very pleased to have been offered the position, and confirm that I will begin at 08.30 on Monday 10 October 200-.
I accept all the terms in Mrs Levin's letter and conditions in the employees' handbook, ICS 661, and I am enclosing a signed copy of my Contract of Employment.
I look forward to starting on the above-mentioned date.
Yours sincerely,
Carol Brice
Carol Brice
Enc. Contract of Employment
1. The word job should not be used either in advertisements or applications. The terms vacancy, post, position, or opening are more appropriate.
2. If requesting an application form, keep the letter brief, but provide essential details about yourself. When returning the form, you should include a covering letter, expanding on details that might not be clear, or pointing out areas of your responsibility or your achievements. But keep this as brief as possible, as most application forms or your own c.v. should have a section where this information can appear.
3. When writing to a prospective employer, remember to explain why you left your previous post, but do not complain about the salary or conditions. Concentrate rather on the positive aspects of the post you are applying for, such as the greater potential for promotion, or your particular suitability for the type of work offered. Explain what you can offer your new employer in terms of experience or expertise, and why you particularly want the post.
1.1 The curriculum vitae. Fiona Scott is one of the applicants for the job at Patagonia. Study her CV carefully to see how the information is presented and decide where each of the following headings should be placed.
REFERENCES INTERESTS PERSONAL DETAILS PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE EDUCATION ADDITIONAL SKILLS
CURRICULUM VITAE
1._________________________________
Name: Fiona Scott
Date of Birth: 7 August 1969
Nationality: British
Address: 58 Hanover Street
Edinburgh BHg 8LM
Scotland
Telephone: 051449 0237
2._________________________________
1991-1998: London Chamber of Commerce and Industry Diploma in Public Relations
1988-1991: University of London
BA (Honours) In Journalism and Media Studies (Class H)
1981-1988: Fettes College, Edinburgh
A-levels in German (A), English (B), History (B) and Geography (C)
3._________________________________
1992 to present: Scottish Wildlife Trust
Department of Public Relations Responsible for writing articles on all aspects of the Trust's activities and ensuring their distribution to the press. Editor of the Trust's monthly journal. In charge of relations with European environmental agencies.
Summers of
1990 and 1991: Three-month training period with the Glasgow Herald. Assistant to the sports editor.
Summer of 1989: Sales assistant in the record department of Harris Stores Ltd., Edinburgh.
4._________________________________
Sports: Cross-country skiing, rock-climbing and swimming.
Secretary of the local branch of 'Action', an association organising summer camps for disabled children.
5._________________________________
Camp counselling certificate
Grade 5 ski instructor
Driver's licence (car and motorcycle)
IBM PC user
Fluent German and good working knowledge of French
6._________________________________
Geoffrey Williams, Bill Denholm,
Professor of Journalism, Sports Editor,
University of London Glasgow Herald
1.2 In the box are headings from a typical CV. Look at the extracts from the CV of Tomoko Horiguchi, a Japanese woman working in England. Under which of the CV headings should each extract be placed?
Personal details Education Qualifications Referees Work experience Special skills Interests and achievements
1. Fluent in Japanese and English __________________________________
2. Born 14 October, 1970 ________________________________________
3. Married, no children __________________________________________
4. MBA degree from London Business School, 2001 ___________________
5. Full range of computer skills ____________________________________
6. Aerobics, basketball, films and theatre ____________________________
7. Organised a music concert while at university _______________________
8. 1986-1989: Sapporo High School, Japan ___________________________
9. 1990-1992: Sogo Design College - studied graphic design _____________
10. Aug-Sept 1991: Work placement at IMP (graphic design firm) Seattle, USA. _________________________________________________________
11. 1993-1996: ICB (construction company) Assistant in Design Department. ______________________________________________________________
12. 64 Rose Park Crescent, London SW21 8CT _______________________
13. Clean driving licence _________________________________________
14. Certificate of Proficiency in English (1995) _______________________
15. Diploma in Computing (1996) __________________________________
16. Mr F. Luneau, Marketing Consultant, IMP, 120 Davis Avenue, Seattle, USA _________________________________________________________
1.3 When you apply for a job you usually send a CV and covering letter. Which of the following do you usually do in a covering letter?
1. Say that you wish to apply and indicate where you heard about the position.
2. Say why you are interested in the job and direct the reader to special qualities, skills or experience you have.
3. Give information about your hobbies and sporting interests.
4. Provide details of your examination results.
5. Enclose the names and addresses of two referees.
6. Mention when you are available for interview.
7. Ask if there are any other vacant positions in the company.
1.4 A letter of application. Put the paragraphs in the correct order:
| a) 10 March 1999; | 1… 2… 3… 4… I enclose and application form for the 5… of 6…. As you can see, I do not have any experience, but my examination results were good and I am very interested in fashion. I am available for an interview at your convenience. I look forward 7… 8… (signature) 9… |
| b) position; | |
| c) to hearing from you; | |
| d) Tracey Davis (Miss); | |
| e) Personal Assistant; | |
| f) Dear Sir or Madam; | |
| g) Personnel manager Whitehouse & Co Ltd 69 Puritan Street London WC2B 3XP; | |
| h) Yours faithfully; | |
| i) 62 Longford Lane London EC4 & 7EL |
1.5 Complete Fiona Scott's letter of application using the following verbs:
contact discuss employed welcome involved apply enjoy notice advertised matches
Fiona Scott
52 Hanover Street
Nathalie Baudoin Edinburgh EH2 5LM
Patagonia GMBH Scotland
Reltmorstrasse 50 UK
8000 Munich SS 8th January
Germany
Dear Ms Baudoin,
I am writing to 1................................ for the position of Public Affairs
Associate which was 2................................ last week in the International Herald Tribune.
Although I am presently 3................................ by a non-profit making organisation, it has always been my intention to work in a commercial
environment. I would particularly 4................................ the chance to work
for your company and as you will 5................................ on my enclosed curriculum vitae, the job you are offering 6................................ both my
personal and professional interests.
My work experience has familiarised me with many of the challenges
7................................ in public relations today. I am sure that this, together with my understanding of the needs and expectations of sport and
nature enthusiasts, would be extremely relevant to the position.
Moreover, as my mother is German, I am fluent in this language and would definitely 8................................ working in a German-speaking
environment.
I would be pleased to 9................................ my curriculum vitae with you in
more detail at an interview. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to
10................................ me if you require further information. I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Fiona Scott
Fiona Scott
The letter of application (also called the covering letter) can be as important as the CV in that it often provides the first direct contact between a candidate and an employer. The letter of application normally contains three or more paragraphs in which you should:
· say why you are interested in the position and relate your interests to those of the company;
· show what you can contribute to the job by highlighting your most relevant skills and experience;
· indicate your willingness to attend an interview (and possibly state when you would be free to attend).
1.6 Giving news to job applicants. Read this letter making an offer of employment. Then decide whether the statements below are true or false:
1. Mr Wills will start work immediately.
2. He will receive one month's salary on his first day at work.
3. His salary will be reviewed after six months.
4. His deputy will be Robert Stephens Jr.
5. He is allowed to join the company pension plan.
6. His working hours will be decided after discussion with Slim Gym's
management.
7. He has to work a minimum of three months before leaving the company.
8. Lyn Ashley expects him to telephone her to accept the job.
Mr. Bob Wills
5 York St.
Greenwich Village
New York
NY 10011 August 26
RE: General Manager vacancy
Dear Mr. Wills,
Following your interview for the above position on August 24, I am delighted to confirm our offer of the job, starting on January 1.
Your salary will be paid monthly in arrears. It will be reviewed annually in July. You will report to Robert Stephens, Jr., Managing Director. Our normal terms of employment are enclosed with this letter. We have a company pension plan which you will be eligible to join.
Your working hours each week will include some evenings and weekends, to be determined by mutual agreement. You will be entitled to ten days' annual vacation in addition to public holidays.
One month's notice is required on either side to terminate the contract. There will be a probationary period of three months. Should you decide to accept the offer, please sign the enclosed copy of the contract and return it to me as soon as possible.
I look forward to hearing from you in the near future. Yours sincerely,
Lyn Ashley
Lyn Ashley
Personnel Director, Slim Gyms
1.7 The draft letter below is addressed to an unsuccessful candidate for the vacancy at Slim Gyms. Put a circle around any language that you think is too informal for the situation:
Dear Michael,
After our chat about the job, it's a pity but you didn't get it this time. On the day, the other people were better. The guys thought your resume and interview were fantastic but you hadn't done enough for this job.
Anyway, now is a good time to say thanks for coming to Slim Gyms and we hope you find a job soon and have a good life.
Best wishes
1.8 Complete this corrected version of the draft letter using items from below:
candidates experience high impressed inform Mr. Bolen position sincerely success take thank unsuccessful wish would