Cover of the textbook Speakout Advanced Plus - Students' Book

The key answer of exercise 7

The key to exercise solutions in chapter 3.1 - Ready or not for the textbook Speakout Advanced Plus - Students' Book with authors Frances Eales and Steve Oakes from Pearson Education

Question

  1. Work in pairs and discuss.
  2. What information is included in each paragraph? Make a list. How would you describe the tone of the email in three words?

Answer

a)

Question 2

a) A cover email / letter is different from a CV because a CV in Britain / the USA appears more like a list giving:

  • factual information - nationality, date of birth, contact details
  • dates and description of educational background
  • dates of previous employment and role and descriptions of duties within that role. (NB: the most recent job is first)
  • qualifications and professional skills
  • names of references

b) A cover email / letter is different from an informal email / letter because it provides the following information:

  • relevant aspects of the applicant's background / experience
  • shows that the applicant has some knowledge of the company's activities
  • conveys how the applicant sees themselves fitting in to the position / the company
  • expresses the applicant's personality to some degree
  • is respectful without being overly formal

b)

The content is in this order:

  • Say what job you're applying for and something specific about the company and its recent activities, relating this to your reason for applying.
  • Highlight key and relevant aspects of your experience. Help the reader make the connection between your experience and the position you're applying for.
  • Describe yourself, and how others see you professionally.
  • Say why you want to work for the company and why they should employ you.
  • Say what you are submitting with your email.
  • Say where the reader can find added documentation.
  • Ask the person to contact you.

Three words that might describe the tone of the email (but answers will vary!):

  • confident
  • friendly
  • respectful