7 Job interviews 之一 Writing a cover letter

Sequence words

Use the sequence words afterward or subsequently to say what came next in a series of events or points in time.

• I got my engineering degree from Delft. Afterward, I began working for Smoot.

• I graduated from high school in 2004. Subsequently, I moved to England to study at Oxford.

Use following with an object to say what came next in a series of events or points in time.

• Following my promotion, I designed the Northside Professional Center.

• Following that, I was recognized as Architect of the Year.

Use previously to say what came before another event.

• I started here in May. Previously, I was working for a competitor.

Use prior to + object to say what preceded another event or time.

• Prior to my time managing HR, I wrote training courses.

Use the word currently to tell someone where you are working now.

• I’m currently working at Dewey and Jasper Inc.

Exercise:

I worked at IXW. Subsequently, I worked for

Smoot Inc.

• I worked at Smoot. Then I worked at IXW.
• After working at IXW, I worked at Smoot. (True)

Following my work at Jackson, I worked at Taylor Inc.

• After I worked at Jackson, I worked at Taylor Inc.(True)
• First I worked at Taylor Inc. Then I went to Jackson.

I started at IXW in March. Previously, I was at Taylor.

• I worked at Taylor. Subsequently, I was at IXW.(True)
• Prior to Taylor, I was working at IXW.

I’m currently at Smoot. Prior to that, I was at IXW.

• I was at Smoot. Now I'm at IXW.
• I worked at IXW. Subsequently, I got a job at Smoot.(True)

I’ve been here for three years. Previously, I was at IXW.

• Prior to working at IXW, I was working here.
• I was at IXW. Afterward, I came here. (True)

(Prior) to graduation, I got an internship at SWG.

I graduated in 2005. (Subsequently), I moved to France and stayed until 2010.
(Following) my promotion, I was sent to the factory in Paris.

I was just hired at the bank.
(Previously), I worked at IXW.
(Currently), I am working as a product manager.

Sample:

I received a bachelor’s degreein accounting from Harvard.

Following graduation, I worked at Crispo Inc. for three years.

Subsequently, I moved to Primo Products.

I was at Primo for two years.

I am currently working at Baker's Brand.

Career vocabulary

When you talk about your career, you will often need to mention positions you've held. Head is a general title that can mean directoror manager. The word head can be used as a noun, verb or adjective. When it's a noun, it's followed by the word of.

Noun

• He's the head of quality assurance.

Verb

• She heads the sales department.

Adjective

• He's the head teacher.

The following words are useful when talking about careers. Notice their different forms.

My greatest (accomplishment) was getting my doctorate.

Then I took a position as the head (of) risk management.

My (expertise) is in quality assurance.

You deserve some kind of (recognition – maybe an award!

I was the (head) teacher at Nalidge School for 10 years.

I was (recognized) for my hard work. I
got a promotion.

Describing your education

You can use the following expressions to write about your college education. Notice the prepositions that go with each expression.

• I graduated from Edinburgh University in 2010.

• I have a master’s degree in business from Beijing University.

• I’m currently working on an
  MBA.

• I majored in chemistry.

Describing your experience

Use expressions like these to write about your
work experience:

• I have a solid background in product development.

• I have extensive experience in managing big projects.

• I was promoted to director of sales in 2010.

Writing a cover letter for a job interview

When you are applying for a job, send a short cover letter with your resume.

Paragraph 1

After the salutation, tell the person what position you are applying for, and make a positive statement about your education and experience.

Paragraph 2

Next, summarize your education and experience.

Paragraph 3

Finally, refer to your resume, thank the person for considering you and close the letter.

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What position is this person applying for?

• manager
• supervisor
• director (True)

What degree does this person have?

• an MBA from Harvard
• a master's in accounting
• a master's in business (True)

Where did the person work after college?

• Smoot Inc.
• Cristo Systems (True)
• Bordeaux Consulting

Where is this person working now?

• Bordeaux Consulting (True)
• Smoot Inc.
• Cristo Systems

To: bmcclain@smoot.com
From: efstudent@efcourse.com
Subject: Director position

Dear Mr. McClain:

I am writing to apply for the director position at Smoot Inc. I believe my (extensive) experience and education make me a strong (candidate).

I graduated with a master's degree in business from the University of Paris. (Subsequently), I worked for three years at Cristo Systems. I am (currently) working at Bordeaux Consulting Inc.

Details about my education and (experience) are in the attached (resume). Thank you for considering my application. I hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely,

EF Student

He has a solid ______ in design.

• promotion
• director
• background (True)

She was just hired there. ______, she worked at IXW.

• Previously (True)
• Following
• Prior to

______ his years at SWG, he worked at IXW.

• Prior to (True)
• Afterward
• Subsequently

They are ______ working at Taylor Inc.

• prior to
• afterward
• currently (True)

She graduated in 2010. ______, she moved to Italy.

• Subsequently (True)
• Currently
• Following

______ his promotion, he was sent to the Berlin office.

• Previously
• Afterward
• Following (True)

I graduated ______ Simon Fraser University.

• from (True)
• at
• in

She has ______ experience in programming.

• background
• promotion
• extensive (True)

I was ______ to vice president of sales.

• promoted (True)
• majored
• considered

John majored ______ business.

• at
• in (True)
• to