Writing a covering letter

Skills building 1: understanding a job advertisement 1. When reading an advertisement, we should pay more attention to _____. 1) _____________________________ 2) _____________________________ ______________________________ 3) _____________________________ Read this part and answer the following questions: what position is being offered the sort of person the company is looking for how to apply for the job

2. Read the advertisement and answer: 1) What position is being offered? 2) The sort of person the company is looking for? 3) How to apply for the job? Software Developer. a degree in computer programming and at least four years’ experience; speak fluent Chinese and English; creative; able to work in a team Send a CV and covering letter to Mr Wang Feng, HR manager.

Step 1: listening to a job advertisement Step 1: listening to a job advertisement A. Listen carefully and take notes. Then fill in the blanks on page 26. B. Listen again and complete the notes.

Answers A (1) United (2) China (3) services (4) managers (5) management(6) trainees (7) research (8) full (9) weekend (10) Business Administration (11) English (12) player (13) work hard B (14) full CV (15) June

C. You want to apply for this job but are not sure how to write a covering letter. You search on the Internet and find the following example. Read it and underline all the examples of the applicant’s qualifications, experience, skills and personal qualities.

1. The applicant’s qualifications 2. Experience 3. Skills 4. Personal qualities a degree in computer programming working for Hanyang software a team player; work on my own; honest and hard-working speak English very well

Skills building 2: talking about your personal qualities I have some job-hunters here. Please find out their qualities. John is a construction worker. He can work very well with others. He is a team player.

This girl likes to learn. She is always improving her knowledge and skills. She is willing to learn.

She is a successful woman. She can work on her own without being told what to do. She is a self-starter.

Bill is an astronaut. He always has strong reasons for wanting to do something. He is motivated.

The bees are happy to work hard. They are hard-working.

She is a film star. She is always feeling and showing excitement and interest in what she does. She is enthusiastic.

He is a famous compere. He finds it easy to talk and listen to other people. He is a good communicator.

Talk about your personal qualities: a team player willing to learn a self-starter motivated hard-working enthusiastic a good communicator

Step 2: getting advice from a careers officer Step 2: getting advice from a careers officer You are a job hunter. You want to work in groups with other trainees to conduct research and support managers but aren’t sure which qualities are required. See what advice Mary, a careers officer, has to offer. can work with other people, find it easy to talk with and listen to others, a team player

You want to be a famous architect. You want to build more beautiful houses. Role play the scene. want to improve knowledge and skills; willing to learn, full training course

You want to run a company and be a boss yourself. work on your own without being told what to do; have strong reasons for wanting to do your work; feeling and showing excitement and interest in work

You really want to continue with your study but unfortunately you can’t afford it. You choose to work extra hours, for example, on weekends. be happy to work hard

Skills building 3: formatting a covering letter It will increase our chances of getting a job. 1. Why should we write a good covering letter? It should not be more than one page long and should only contain information relevant to the job advertised. 2. What should your letter be like?

3. How many paragraphs does a usual covering letter have? 4. What should you say in para. one? 5. What should you say in para. two? Four. Say why I am writing and where I saw the advertisement. Give my background and experience. Refer to my abilities and achievements. I should link my qualifications, experience and skills to those mentioned in the ad. Say I’m suitable.

6. What should you say in para. three? 7. What should you say in para. four? 8. What should you do after you have finished the letter? My personal qualities linked to those mentioned in the ad. I’m available for an interview. Read it through very carefully. Check for spelling and grammar mistakes. Check that nothing is left out.

9. What had you better do when your letter is ready? 10. When should you send your letter? Ask someone else to read it. When I am certain that it is definitely without mistakes.

Step 3: write a covering letter

Homework You are a would-be graduate from Tsinghua University majoring in English. Write a letter to a company applying for a position. Your letter should include: 1. An introduction of yourself. 2. Your qualification for the position. 3. Asking for an interview. Write a covering letter

Covering Letter From the website of 104 Occupation Agency, I learnt that you are offering a working opportunity of a general assistant with requirements of high demand of English and basic knowledge of trading and computer skills. As one who fits your qualifications and wants to learn more about trading business, I would like to apply for this position.

As an English major, I have not only mastered English and computer skills, but also acquired a fair amount of knowledge in trading business. I believe that I’m the person for the position you offer in the ad. I look forward to discussing how my qualifications meet your needs in an interview, and thank you for your consideration.