Vocabulary notes

1. Stand out from – відрізнятись, виділятися від

2. Get caught in the rain – попасти під дощ

3. Grant smb. an interview – дати інтерв’ю

4. Knock for knowledge – уміння, спритність до знань

5. From the ground up – з нуля, з основ до

6. Be related to – мати відношення до

7. Set forth – висловлювати, пояснювати, представляти

8. At smb’s convenience – для зручності, як комусь зручно

9. Tax clerk – податковий агент

10. Talk in person – говорити особисто, віч-на-віч

11. Speak on smb’s behalf – говорити від чийогось імені

12. Blind newspaper – самвидат

Exercises

1. Transcribe and practice correctly the following words from the text.

Accept, resign, rarely, clue, sloppy, excuse, physical, smudge, erase, blur, erasure, margin, knock, flawless, accuracy, meticulous, proven, staff, loan, counselor, appear, routinely, fluster, sharpen, accomplish, resign, resignation.

2. Comprehension check

1. What are the types of employment letters?

2. An effective application letter can open doors to a bright future. Isn’t it right?

3. Does the physical appearance of an application letter help create a favourable impression of the applicant?

4. Which part of an application letter is the most important?

5. Why does a prospective employer like to get some additional information about the person he is going to hire?

6. What is the difference between letters of acceptance and letters of refusal?

7. It′s courteous to write thank-you letters to those who have written reference letters for you, isn’t it?

8. What should people who are looking for a job know before writing an application letter?

9. Why do employers prefer reading written documents to interviewing every applicant?

10. What are the sources of information about vacancies?

3. Write an appropriate letter according to each situation.

1. The following advertisements appeared in a recent edition of your local newspaper. Write a letter of application answering one of these advertisements.

Secretary: Small office needs someone capable of doing everything. Good position for the right person. Apply to Mr. Charles Kim, 72 Delaware Street.

Clerk-typist: Must be quick and accurate. Opportunity to learn real estate business in convenient downtown location. Salary open-fringe benefits. Ms. Donna Madden, Edgemont Building.

Travel coordination: Entry-level position. Work for a busy manufacturing, firm with people who are always on the go. Will teach the use of official Air Line Guide and routing maps. Much telephone work. No typing. Personal Director, Massey Corp., Eagleton Mall.

2. Write a letter to a teacher or acquaintance requesting permission to use his or her name as a reference.

3. Assume that you have had a personal interview for one of the jobs in exercise 1. Write a follow-up-letter to the person who interviewed you.

4. You have received a letter notifying you that you have been selected to fill the vacancy for which you had applied. Write a letter accepting the position.

5. Suppose that you have decided not to accept the position offered to you in Exercise 4. Write a letter of refusal.

6. Write a letter to the person who wrote a letter of reference for you, notifying him or her that you have accepted a position.

7. You have been employed in the office of the Reliance Electrical Supply Company for two years. A friend who works for the Pennington Advertising Agency has told you of a vacancy there, and you have applied for and have been offered the position which is better than your present one. Assume that you have already discussed this new job with your present supervisor. You must now put your resignation into writing. Write the letter.