When you apply for a job, which of the following things should you do?

write a very long letter

use good quality writing paper

send a glamorous photo of yourself, if a photo requested

send a small passport-type photo if a photo is requested

send a letter with words crossed out in it

write very clearly

find out what you can about the establishment and its activities

prepare a few questions to ask the interviewer

dress very glamorously

dress smartly but quietly

get letters of reference from relatives

make a lot of critical remarks about your present employer or your college

ask questions about your responsibilities and duties

ask questions about salary, tips and fringe benefits

Fill in the gaps with the words in the box:

Mr J.R. Rover

Purcell Court

Hempton Road

Deddington

Dear (1)_______________

1 am writing to (2) ________________ for the (3) ______________ of station head waiter in your hotel which you (4) in the Catering Journal. As you will see from the (5) ______________ curriculum vitae, I have had three years' (6) _________ as a waiter in a three-star London hotel. My work has (7) _________ service in the bar and coffee shop and floor service. I am now chef de rang in the restaurant.

I have also (8) ____________ the National Catering Board's

courses in wines, bar work and food development.

In addition, I travelled to France and Italy during my college va­cations in 1999 and 2000, and worked as a kitchen porter in hotels in Paris and Milan. I am attending an evening (9) __________ in French at the moment.

I would now like to (10) _________ my professional and social skills in a superior establishment, and am therefore very inter­ested in the position you are (11) _________.

If you are interested in my (12) __________, 1 would be glad to attend an (13) at your convenience. I look ________________ (14) to hearing from you.

Yours (15)________________

James King

What can you say about the style and the form of this letter?

The letter of application can be as important as the C V in that it often

provides the first direct contact between a candidate and an employer. If this letter is not well written and presented, it will make a poor impression. The letter of application normally contains four paragraphs in which you should:

- confirm that you wish to apply and where you learned about the job;

- say why you are interested in the position and relate your inter­ests to those of the company;

- show that you can contribute to the job by highlighting your most relevant skills and experience;

- indicate your willingness to attend an interview (and possibly say when you would be free to attend).

Read James King's letter again and say whether it follows the above rules.

Note: James has never met Mr Rover, so he begins: Dear Sir, and finishes: Yours faithfully.

If he had already met Mr Rover, or if he had corresponded with him, he would begin: Dear Mr Rover, and he would finish: Yours sincerely.

Read out part of a job interview.

Mr Rover, the personnel manager, is interviewing James King for the station headwaiter's job at Purcell Court.

P.M. — Personnel Manager J.K. — James King

P.M.— Come in, please. Ah, James King?

J.K. — Yes, that's right, sir.

P.M.— Hello, do sit down.

J.K. — Good afternoon, sir. Thank you.

P.M.— Right. Well, now, I wonder — what do you know about Pur­cell Court?

J.K. — I know that it's part of the Inter-Metropolitan chain, that it has a high-class clientele, and that most of the work is for conferences.

P.M.— Yes, that's right. We have 42 bedrooms and six de luxe suites. The restaurant seats 60 covers. There are three bars and a lounge, and there's also a swimming pool, a squash court and a golf course. Then, let's see ... your duties. Your main duties would be the total service for six tables, that would be twenty covers. And you'd be responsible for a staff of three: a chef de rang and two commis waiters. How would you feel about that?

J.K. — I think I could manage that quite well, sir. What would the occasional duties be?

P.M.— Well, you'd have to cover for the barman sometimes. How would you feel about that?

J.K. — 1 would enjoy that, sir. I have some experience of working in a hotel bar, and I took a course in bar work last year.

P.M.— Yes, so I see from your CV. Then there would be other occa­sional duties: you'd have late duty every four days, and you might have to cover for the Breakfast Head Waiter some­times. Would that be OK?

J.K. — Yes, I wouldn't mind that at all, Sir.

P.M.— Right, then, the hours. You'd work 40 hours, five days a week, with your days off on rotation. On three days a week you would do breakfast and lunch, one day a week lunch and dinner, and one day a week dinner only. Right? J.K. — Yes, sir. -P.M.— Then holidays. There'd be four weeks a year.

J.K. — I see.

P.M.— And there are some fringe benefits, of course. For example, staff can use the swimming pool and squash courts at certain times. Also they can get a company card which gives them a discount in some shops. And of course, the staff meals are excellent. Now then, do you have any questions?

J.K. — Yes, sir. Would there be an opportunity to work abroad with the chain?

P.M.— You'd like to work abroad, would you?

J.K. — Yes, I'd be very interested in that.

P.M.— Well, yes, certainly. I see you're studying French, so that would be a help. Yes, the chain has three hotels in France, one in Switzerland...

a) Check if you understand the meaning of the following:

a high-class clientele

six de luxe suites

the restaurant seats 60 covers

a chef de rang and two commis waiters

the occasional duties

you'd have to cover for the barman sometimes

with your days off on rotation

on three days a week you'd do breakfast and lunch

fringe benefits

to work abroad with the chain

that would be a help

b) Summarise the information Mr Rover gives about:

the hotel

the staff for whom James King would be responsible

his occasional duties

his working hours; holidays; fringe benefits