New International Business English Overview

Home > English Language Teaching > New International Business English > For Students > Writing Paper Part 2

Writing Paper Part 2

You work as a Personal Assistant to the manager of an Australian training agency. You have received the following memo from your manager. You have selected two job applicants for her to interview. Part of the candidates' application forms are printed below, together with your notes.

Prepare a report (100-120 words) for your manager, giving your comments on the candidates and telling her the details of the interviews you have arranged.

MEMO

From: Harriet Dewey
To: Pat Franks
Re: Interviews for new receptionist

I won't have time to set up interviews for the receptionist vacancy before I leave for Tokyo. You'll be working with the new employee so could you look through the applications and make up a shortlist (max. 3 people) for me to interview? I'd appreciate a few notes on why you selected them and what we should ask them about. Interviews should take place on 16th or 17th Feb., so arrange suitable times with the candidates a.s.a.p. and confirm details to me.

Applicant 1

Title: Mr
Name: Daniel Harvey

Special Skills:
Typing course at Sydney Secretarial School - tested at speed of 30 wpm
Familiar with basic office machinery - small switchboard, copier, calculator, etc.

Work Experience:
1995 - School work experience (two weeks) on reception desk at Henderson Electronics, Sydney.
1998-2000 - Various temporary contracts, incl. dentist's receptionist.

Interests and Hobbies:
Treasurer of local cycling club

YOUR NOTES:
- good experience with equipment but doesn't mention computer skills - find out!
- why no longer contracts?
- avail. 2pm - 17th Feb.

Applicant 2

Title: Ms
Name: Melanie Bridget Bewley

Special Skills:
Conversational Japanese
Cert. in Word for Windows

Work Experience:
1996-1997 - Receptionist at Gray's Language School, Melbourne
1997-1998 - Travelling in Asia
1999-2000 - Unemployed

Interests and Hobbies:
Evening classes in Flower Arranging and Japanese

YOUR NOTES:
- interesting!
- experience in edu. company - relevant
- activities 1999?
- Cert. - level, type?
- NB not avail. on 16th or 17th but telephone interview OK at 1pm on 17th?

Key for abbreviations

Re: - regarding/about
max. - maximum
a.s.a.p. - as soon as possible
w.p.m. - words per minute
etc. - etcetera
incl. - including
avail. - available
cert. - certificate

Tips: Checklist

Look at your answer.

Is the style appropriate to the person you are writing for (in this case, semi-formal or formal)?
Would the person who received your document understand immediately why you were writing?
Have you mentioned every point you were asked for?
Have you included any unnecessary detail (there's no room for extra information!)
Is your answer inside the word limit?
Have you divided your answer into paragraphs (usually 2-4 paragraphs)?
Have you checked your spelling?