Formal Letter [Application] Notes / Grade 8 / 2012 P a g e | 1

By Sheneen Abdulla
Formal Letter Writing -


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.


Example
You are looking for a holiday job & you see this advertisement






Applications from students will be considered.




Write a explaining why you think you would be suitable for LETTER OF APPLICATION
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.


BODY
You 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 limited
When 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
PLAYGROUP HELPERS
The 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 outings
HELPERS MUST:
Be able to supervise meals and make snacks
Accompany children on day trips to local places of interest
The ability to speak another language would be an advantage

Formal Letter [Application] Notes / Grade 8 / 2012 P a g e | 2

By Sheneen Abdulla
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.


Ideas
Perhaps 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.


Advice
DO 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!


CLOSURE
Finish 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 you
Yours faithfully
Sign the letter with your first and family name, then write it underneath the
signature in capital letters, with your status in brackets:
Susan Mendes
SUSAN MENDES (Miss)

ENDING THE LETTER
1. YOURS FAITHFULLY
If you do not know the name of the person
2. YOURS SINCERELY
If you know the name of the person
3. YOUR SIGNATURE
Sign the letter with your first and family name, and then write it underneath the signature
Formal Letter [Application] Notes / Grade 8 / 2012 P a g e | 3

By Sheneen Abdulla
in capital letters, with your status in brackets
This job application letter was written by a student. The comments show how the
student has written the letter using the features discussed.
Comments
1. States what the job is
2. States where she saw the advertisement
3. States when she saw the advertisement
4. States age
5. States situation
6. Creates interest through contrast
7. States qualities and abilities
8. Further supports the application. Two modest examples
9. Appropriate ending















Formal Letter [Application] Notes / Grade 8 / 2012 P a g e | 4

By Sheneen Abdulla