Formal Letter Writing - Application Letter

As an IGCSE student, you are still at school or college, and would only be looking for an evening or a holiday job. E.g. receptionist, a tour guide or someone who helps organise play activities for children. IMPORTANT POINT: this kind of job is not your career. You want a job for the money, the experience & something to fill your time. For these reasons: Language should be formal but not over formal Do not include previous employment experience or qualifications Write simply about yourself as you are now.

ExampleYou are looking for a holiday job & you see this advertisementPlaygroup HelpersThe village playgroup looks after children aged 5-10 while their parents are at work and during the school holidays.Playgroup helpers are needed to organise indoor and outdoor activities and to take part in childrens games and outingsHelpers must: Be able to supervise meals and make snacks Accompany children on day trips to local places of interestThe ability to speak another language would be an advantage

Applications from students will be considered.

Write a letter of application explaining why you think you would be suitable for the job

Where did you see the advertisement? On the noticeboard in the public library In the local newspaper In the village newsletter In the Post Office Window

How to begin.Begin your letter by referring to the job, saying where you saw it and when. Dear Sir/Madam,I was interested to see your advertisement for the playgroup helpers on this week's Haveeru newspaper.

BodyYou may want to give your age and explain your situation I am revising for my IGCSEs. I have just finished taking my IGCSEs. I have been under a lot of stress revising and would welcome a complete change from academic work. I would like to put my energy into something completely different from studying. You may want to mention any languages you have been studying. Be careful not to list the languages (one is enough) or give the impression that you are brilliant at it. Instead, say something like: I have a working knowledge of Russian Russian is one of my IGCSE subjects, but my spoken experience is limitedWhen writing about your qualities and abilities, try not to start by boasting:I am good at I enjoy .Or My friends tell me that I am good at My teachers tell me My music/sports/cookery teacher is usually pleased with my work/efforts.

Example Sentences

Although I do not enjoy cooking, I regularly prepare a variety of snakes for my neighbour's children when I babysit them each week. Although I not consider myself to be a particularly sporty person, I have successfully orgainised fun races for local children on several occasions.

IdeasPerhaps your parents both work and it is your responsibility to look after a younger brother or sister (or both!) when you come home from school. You may have accompanied a class of younger children from your school on a day trip to the zoo/park, etc.

AdviceDo not attempt to answer everything, just pick out one or two points and expand them to create interest.Do not try to sound wonderful at everything: Be modest!

ClosureFinish off with something like:I should be grateful if you would send me an application form and any other relevant information/details. Then the formal ending:I look forward to hearing from youYours faithfullySign the letter with your first and family name, then write it underneath the signature in capital letters, with your status in brackets:Susan MendesSusan Mendes (Miss)

Ending the letter1. Yours FaithfullyIf you do not know the name of the person2. Yours sincerelyIf you know the name of the person3. Your SignatureSign the letter with your first and family name, and then write it underneath the signature in capital letters, with your status in brackets

Example Application letterThis job application letter was written by a student. The comments show how the student has written the letter using the features discussed. Comments1. States what the job is2. States where she saw the advertisement3. States when she saw the advertisement4. States age5. States situation6. Creates interest through contrast7. States qualities and abilities8. Further supports the application. Two modest examples9. Appropriate ending

Formal Letter [Application] Notes / Grade 8 / 2012Page | 1

By Sheneen Abdulla