Homework, 5th November, 2015

This week I would you like to re-write a terrible job application letter. Some of the terrible things about it are obvious, but some are more subtle. In particular, you will need to keep an eye out for things that might be missing. Here it is:

Wally Bazoon

123 Fake Street

Fake Town

FA1 1FA

Dear Mr or Mrs

I am writing to apply for the job of IT technician at your company. Below I have outlined the reasons why.

Firstly, I am lazy, and very rarely get any work done. I would much rather sit around playing Grand Theft Auto 5 than doing work. Basically, work sucks. Secondly, I never show up on time as I just love sleeping too much. Sometimes I’ll sleep till, like, 5 o’ clock in the afternoon. Thirdly, I am a terrible leader and work badly in a team as well, as I often lose my temper and punch people. Fourthly, I have poor communication skills and just can’t deal with customers as they wind me up. Finally, I don’t have any of the skills necessary to be an IT technician, like programming or fixing software problems.

In terms of relevant experience, I have none. I have never worked in IT before. The closest I have come to this is that I spent three years as a chef on a submarine. I do have a laptop, but I don’t really know how it works. I have a few completely irrelevant qualifications, like a BTEC in PE, but apart from this, nothing.

For these reasons, I think you will agree that I am completely unsuitable for the job and I don’t expect to hear from you any time soon.

Seeya,

Wally

You can use the following prompt sheet to help you write your new version, along with the example letter I included in my previous post and the guidelines underneath:

Generic job application letter prompt sheet

Skills Leadership Being a team player Good communication skills Being independent and industrious Confident Following instructions
Experience/qualifications Working in a similar job for a certain number of years A university degree GCSEs/A Levels Certificates
Nouns Independence Motivation Help Creativity Imagination Skills Position Job Experience	Verbs Working Communicating Helping Thinking Doing Understanding Motivating Assisting Leading	Adjectives Independent Understanding Efficient Motivated Creative Imaginative Dynamic Industrious Resourceful

Generic job application letter structure guidelines

Your address, e.g.: Mr Quillfeldt 12 Bishop’s Avenue London SW6 6EG

The date in long form, e.g.: 15th September, 2015

The address of the person you are writing to, e.g.: The Manager Sunrise Café 16 Cornwall Road FS1 1FS

If you don’t know the name of the person you are writing to, start Dear Sir/Madam. If you do know the name of the person you are writing to, start Dear Mr if it is male, or Ms if it is a female.

In the first paragraph, explain why you are writing the letter, e.g.: I am writing to you to apply for the position of … Then explain where you saw the job advertised, e.g.: I saw the job advertised online/in a shop window/in a newspaper (pick one).

In the second paragraph, explain what skills you have that would be useful, e.g.: I am a good team player

In the third paragraph, explain what relevant experience and qualifications you have, e.g.: I spent two years working in a café. I have a food hygiene certificate.

In the fourth paragraph, sum everything up, e.g.: For these reasons, I believe I would be ideal for the job and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sign off. If you know the name of the person you are writing to, use Yours sincerely. If you don’t know the name of the person, use Yours faithfully.

Write your name