Task. B2 level.
Write about 180-200 words. At the end of this post, you will find information about how to write a letter and its structure.
You are searching for a job in Britain and a recent advertisement in an English magazine caught your eye. Write the covering letter including the following information:
- Your personal information.
- Why you think you excel in this position.
- Why you would like to work for them.
This kind of formal letters are written when you need to apply for a job or a course. You need to include your educational or professional qualifications, your personal experience, skills and qualities.
Normally, I start telling where I found that job offer and then I introduce myself, giving all the necessary details. I always try to present it in a clear order using the appropriate linkers.
If you make a good example, this will be really useful with any data that they provide you in the exam, you only have to adjust it to the data given. Besides, if you structure it well, you will never forget it.
And this could well be an example…
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing in connection with the advertisement for the volunteer photographer position published in JobMagazine on 2nd February. I believe that I am an excellent fit for this position as demonstrated by my extensive background experience.
I am 42 years old and I have a degree awarded by Universidad Politécnica de Madrid in 1998. Furthermore, I completed my education in England where I was studying a degree in Documentary Photography and English. In addition, I had a great opportunity to work as a photographer for 3 years in Africa, where I honed my personal skills. I believe that I possess the experience to excel in this position.
Currently, I am working in an important military magazine as an aide-de-camp in Afghanistan, but my contract finishes in March. As you can see, your volunteer offer fits perfectly with me as demonstrated by my experience. I consider myself adventurous, intrepid and ambitious, perfect qualities to face new experiences and challenges for this position. In addition to that, I have always wanted to carry out humanitarian work.
I look forward to hearing from you about this marvellous apportunity to make my dreams come true. If you had any further questions, please, contact me using the above information.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Yours faithfully,
Aixa.
Structure of a letter.
As you probably know, there are several kinds of letters such as:
- Letters of complaint.
- Letters of request.
- Letters asking for, giving, refusing or accepting information, an advice or an invitation.
- Letters expressing congratulations, thanks or regret.
- Letters of apology.
- Letters of application for a job.
- Letters to the editor or authorities, giving your opinion or suggestions.
The style of the letter depends on who it is addressed to. It is not the same to write a letter asking a university for information as it is to write an email to a friend. The passive voice can be used in formal letters, as well as complex sentences, no abbreviated forms, non-colloquial English and so on. Whilst informal letters can include, idioms, colloquial English, abbreviated forms, etc.
Be that as it may, a successful letter consists of:
- A suitable greeting, depending on the style: Dear Mr Smith, Dear Anne, Dear Sir or Madam…
- An introductory paragraph, where the reason for writing should be clearly exposed using expressions such as, I am writing to express my strong, I am writing in response to, I am writing to request, I was terribly sorry to receive…
- A main body, explaining the subject into separated paragraphs using, firstly, according to, as you can imagine, as we all know, for all that, not only, but also…
- A conclusion, in which you sum up the subject or express what you expect from them using, I expect to hear from you, I hope that this matter can be, without adding I would appreciate…
- An ending, depending on the style and the greeting. If you have begun a formal letter with “Dear Sir or Madam” as a greeting, you have to end with ”Yours faithfully” or alternatively, you decided to begin with “Dear Mr Smith”, you have to end with “Yours sincerely”. But there are others formal and informal endings such as: best wishes, with love, sincerely, regards, yours…
Here, you will find more examples of letters or click on Tag Cloud, in the sidebar menu.
