This is an IELTS writing task 1 letter from the real general training exam on the topic of writing to your boss about an application letter at work.
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Dave
IELTS Essay: Application Letter
You are interested in applying for a new position at your company but have some questions. Write a letter to you boss. In your letter include:
- Which position you are considering
- What questions you have about it
- How your boss can help you decide whether or not to apply
Dear John,
I am writing to inform you of my desire to apply for the position of assistant to the regional manager and ask your advice as to my suitability for this role. The job opening was advertised in a recent company-wide memo and would involve working for Ted Johnson, who holds your equivalent position in the Lynn district.
I have several questions. Firstly, will you be willing to recommend me for this position if I choose to apply? Secondly, what are the primary role requirements for such an assistant? Finally, would it be possible to keep my current job if my application is unsuccessful?
I would also like to ask for your thoughts before submitting a final application. I’ve been working directly under you for 3 years so you can best assess my abilities. You could greatly help me by being direct and honest as to my potential and whether or not I am pursuing a viable career path.
Thank you for taking the time.
Best Regards,
David
Analysis
1. Dear John,
2. I am writing to inform you of my desire to apply for the position of assistant to the regional manager and ask your advice as to my suitability for this role. 3. The job opening was advertised in a recent company-wide memo and would involve working for Ted Johnson, who holds your equivalent position in the Lynn district.
- Address the letter to someone.
- Include your purpose for writing.
- Add in some more detail if you want.
1. I have several questions. 2. Firstly, will you be willing to recommend me for this position if I choose to apply? 3. Secondly, what are the primary role requirements for such an assistant? 4. Finally, would it be possible to keep my current job if my application is unsuccessful?
- Begin to develop the second point.
- Add more detail to it.
- Keep developing it.
- Put in as much as possible for a higher task achievement score.
1. I would also like to ask for your thoughts before submitting a final application. 2. I’ve been working directly under you for 3 years so you can best assess my abilities. 3. You could greatly help me by being direct and honest as to my potential and whether or not I am pursuing a viable career path.
4. Thank you for taking the time.
5. Best Regards,
6. David
- Develop the last point.
- Keep developing it.
- Finish developing it.
- Add a final thought at the end of the letter.
- Use a phrase like regards or sincerely.
- Write your name (or a fake one) at the end.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean? Take notes on a piece of paper to aid memory retention.
Dear John,
I am writing to inform you of my desire to apply for the position of assistant to the regional manager and ask your advice as to my suitability for this role. The job opening was advertised in a recent company-wide memo and would involve working for Ted Johnson, who holds your equivalent position in the Lynn district.
I have several questions. Firstly, will you be willing to recommend me for this position if I choose to apply? Secondly, what are the primary role requirements for such an assistant? Finally, would it be possible to keep my current job if my application is unsuccessful?
I would also like to ask for your thoughts before submitting a final application. I’ve been working directly under you for 3 years so you can best assess my abilities. You could greatly help me by being direct and honest as to my potential and whether or not I am pursuing a viable career path.
Thank you for taking the time.
Best Regards,
David
Answers
I am writing to inform you my purpose for the letter is
desire want
apply put in an application
position job
assistant to the regional manager working under a boss in charge of a large area
advice suggestion
suitability how well you would fit in
role job
job opening new position available
advertised opened up
recent company-wide memo message sent to the whole company
would involve is likely to entail
holds has
equivalent position same job
district area
several a bunch
willing able to do it
recommend give support
primary role requirements main job duties
would it be possible to keep could I potentially remain
current now
application noun for apply
unsuccessful doesn’t work out
thoughts ideas
submitting putting in
directly under working right below
assess form an opinion on
abilities capacities
greatly help be of much assistance
direct frank
honest truthful
potential possible
pursuing trying for
viable career path good way forward
thank you for taking the time thanks for listening
Best Regards sincerely
Pronunciation
aɪ æm ˈraɪtɪŋ tuː ɪnˈfɔːm juː
dɪˈzaɪə
əˈplaɪ
pəˈzɪʃən
əˈsɪstənt tuː ðə ˈriːʤənl ˈmænɪʤə
ədˈvaɪs
ˌsjuːtəˈbɪlɪti
rəʊl
ʤɒb ˈəʊpnɪŋ
ˈædvətaɪzd
ˈriːsnt ˈkʌmpəni-waɪd ˈmiːməʊ
wʊd ɪnˈvɒlv
həʊldz
ɪˈkwɪvələnt pəˈzɪʃən
ˈdɪstrɪkt
ˈsɛvrəl
ˈwɪlɪŋ
ˌrɛkəˈmɛnd
ˈpraɪməri rəʊl rɪˈkwaɪəmənts
wʊd ɪt biː ˈpɒsəbl tuː kiːp
ˈkʌrənt
ˌæplɪˈkeɪʃ(ə)n
ˌʌnsəkˈsɛsfʊl
θɔːts
səbˈmɪtɪŋ
dɪˈrɛktli ˈʌndə
əˈsɛs
əˈbɪlɪtiz
ˈgreɪtli hɛlp
dɪˈrɛkt
ˈɒnɪst
pəʊˈtɛnʃəl
pəˈsjuːɪŋ
ˈvaɪəbl kəˈrɪə pɑːθ
θæŋk juː fɔː ˈteɪkɪŋ ðə taɪm
bɛst rɪˈgɑːdz
Vocabulary Practice
Remember and fill in the blanks:
Dear John,
I_______________________u of my d________e to a_______y for the p_________n of a_______________________________r and ask your a________e as to my s____________y for this r______e. The j______________g was a____________d in a r________________________o and w______________e working for Ted Johnson, who h______s your e_____________________n in the Lynn d________t.
I have s__________l questions. Firstly, will you be w________g to r______________d me for this position if I choose to apply? Secondly, what are the p__________________________s for such an assistant? Finally, w_______________________________p my c__________t job if my a____________n is u_______________l?
I would also like to ask for your t____________s before s____________g a final application. I’ve been working d_______________r you for 3 years so you can best a_________s my a___________s. You could g_____________p me by being d_______t and h_________t as to my p_____________l and whether or not I am p___________g a v_________________h.
T_______________________________e.
B______________s,
David
Listening Practice
Learn more about this topic in the video below and practice with these activities:
Reading Practice
Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:
https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20140314-take-a-quiz-get-a-career
Speaking Practice
Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:
Work (Model answer available on my Patreon)
- Do you work or are you a student?
- Do you like your current job?
- In the future, do you want to change jobs?
Writing Practice
Practice with the related topic below and then check with my sample answer:
Write a letter to your manager about your work from the last year. Include
What you did
What you think you could improve
A training request
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