IELTS Job Application Letter: Topics, Format, Phrases & Sample
A job application letter is a formal or semi-formal letter in which you apply for a job, a work placement or a volunteer position. It is a common letter type in IELTS General Training Writing Task 1, and in CEFR and Multilevel writing tests too.
On this page you will find common application letter topics to practise with, a clear structure with useful phrases, and a real student letter corrected by an IELTS examiner.
Marked by an IELTS examiner See a real application letter with every mistake corrected and explained Band 6.5, with the exact changes that would take it higher. Tap any correction to see why it was made.IELTS job application letter topics
Application letter tasks usually ask you to say which job you want, why you are suitable and when you are available. Practise with these topics:
- Part-time jobYou saw an advertisement for a part-time job in a local café. Write to the manager saying why you want the job, what experience you have and when you can work.
- Summer jobA hotel is looking for staff for the summer season. Write applying for a job, describing your skills and saying which dates you are available.
- VolunteeringA charity is looking for volunteers for an event. Write explaining why you want to help, what you could do and how much time you can give.
- Tour guideA travel company needs tour guides for visitors to your city. Write applying for the job and explaining why you would be a good guide.
- Shop assistantA new shop is opening near your home. Write applying for a job as a shop assistant, describing your experience and personal qualities.
- InternshipYou would like to do an internship at a company in your field of study. Write explaining what you are studying, what you hope to learn and when you could start.
- TeachingA language school is looking for an assistant teacher. Write applying for the position and describing your language skills and experience with children.
- NetworkingYou met a businessman on a flight who suggested you contact him about a job. Write reminding him where you met, saying which job you want and why you are suitable.
- SportsA sports centre is looking for a part-time coach for children. Write applying, describing your experience in the sport and with young people.
- Office jobA company needs a receptionist. Write applying for the job, explaining your computer and communication skills and when you could attend an interview.
- Event staffA music festival needs staff to work at the event. Write saying which role you would like, why, and what relevant experience you have.
- PromotionA more senior position has become available at your company. Write to your manager applying for it and explaining why you are ready for the role.
Example job application letter task
Here is how an application letter task looks in the exam. The corrected sample letter further down answers this task:
Writing Task 1 General Training 20 minutes
You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
During a recent plane journey, you sat next to a businessman who owns a chain of restaurants. You talked to him and he suggested that you should contact him about a possible job in one of his restaurants.
Write a letter to this businessman. In your letter
- remind him when and where you met
- tell him what kind of job you are interested in
- say why you think you would be suitable for the job
Write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear ... ,
IELTS Job Application Letter Structure & Vocabulary
Follow this structure and use these phrases to organise your application letter and keep the right tone.
- 1Dear Sir or Madam,
- 2I am writing to apply for the position of…
- 3
- 4I would welcome the opportunity to…
- 5Yours faithfully,
John Brown
- Dear Sir/Madam, (or name if given)
- Position – where advertised, when?
- I would like to apply for the position of … advertised in "The Times" of January 19th / "The Wings" issue of December.
- I am writing with regard to your advertisement published in January's "Metro" / in yesterday's "The Times".
- I am writing to you to express interest in the ... position as advertised on your website.
- Skills, diplomas, experience, personality
- Age, qualifications, present job
- I am a ... with more than 10 years of experience in ...
- I am a recent graduate of the ... University and I have a significant background in ...
- I graduated from the University of ... with a degree in ...
- At present, I am employed as a ... by the company ...
- Experience
- As you can see from my CV, I am a ... with 10 years of experience.
- I had a one-year internship/apprenticeship with ... and the following 3 years ...
- For the past two years I have worked as ... / I was responsible for ...
- Skills and personal qualities
- I consider myself to be reliable, hard-working and enthusiastic.
- I am used to working at a fast pace to meet deadlines.
- Why are you interested? Motivation, interview, references
- I would like to apply my skills in your company.
- I believe the position you offer will give me the opportunity to ...
- If you find my skills and experience suitable, please contact me to schedule an interview.
- I feel that my experience in sales makes me well suited for this position.
- I consider myself a most suitable applicant for the job.
- I have enclosed my references and CV.
- I hope you will consider my application.
- I would be happy to send you references from my previous employers if you require them.
-
Formal ending, name, signature
- I would appreciate a reply at your earliest convenience.
- I look forward to meeting you to discuss the possibility of employment.
- Thank you for your time and consideration.
- Yours sincerely, ... (you know the name of the person you are writing to)
- Yours faithfully, ... (you don't know the name)
A real job application letter, corrected by an IELTS examiner
A student wrote this letter on the example task above, and an IELTS examiner marked it. Mistakes are in red and crossed out, and the examiner’s corrections are in green right after them. Hover over a correction, or tap it on your phone, to see why it was changed.
Writing Task 1 Student letter 20 minutes
During a recent plane journey, you sat next to a businessman who owns a chain of restaurants. You talked to him and he suggested that you should contact him about a possible job in one of his restaurants.
Write a letter to this businessman. In your letter
- remind him when and where you met
- tell him what kind of job you are interested in
- say why you think you would be suitable for the job
Write at least 150 words.
Begin your letter as follows: Dear ... ,
Dear TomMr Smith,
My name is Edmond Stafford, and we met on a flight from Osaka to Hong Kong ofwith Peach Airlines on the 1st of July, we arrived at arriving in Hong Kong at 3pm. and weWe sat next to each other, we talked during the flight and we exchanged our namebusiness cards. I believehope you will remember who I am. as you suggested I contact you regarding a job in one of your restaurants. Today I am writing to express my interest in thea position in the chain of your restaurants.
You have mentioned about your chain of restaurants and that you would like to expand it and use more information technology for you to manage them easily, especially the inventory and point of sales. As I told you during the flight, I am an IT expert, so I am particularly interested in thean IT system development jobproject which canto help you in these two areas.
I am a suitable person for you because I have 10 years of system development experience, specialising in point of sales systems for supermarkets and convenient stores. I believe my skills and experience can help you to set up and customise a robust point of sales system for your chain of restaurants. We can discuss this further face-to-face, and I am available anytime next week, you can call me by thethrough my contact information to decideset a date. I look forward to hearing from yousoon.
Thank you very much.
Yours sincerely,
Edmond Stafford
(229 words)
6.5
Examiner’s band scorefor the letter as written, before the corrections
What this letter does well
The examiner gave this letter band 6.5. All three bullet points are covered: where they met, the job the writer wants and why they are suitable. The experience is specific (10 years in point of sales systems), and the writer makes a clear offer to meet.
IELTS Job Application Letter FAQ
Quick answers to the questions students ask most.
Is a job application letter formal?
Yes, usually formal or semi-formal. Use “Dear Sir or Madam” and “Yours faithfully” if you do not know the name, or “Dear Mr Smith” and “Yours sincerely” if you do.
How do I start a job application letter?
Say which job you are applying for and where you saw it, for example “I am writing to apply for the position of… advertised on your website”.
What should I write about myself?
Only what makes you suitable for the job: relevant experience, skills and personal qualities. Invented details are fine, as long as they fit the job.
Can I use these topics for CEFR or Multilevel writing?
Yes. CEFR and Multilevel writing tasks often include application letters in very similar situations, so the topics, structure and phrases on this page work for those tests too. Check the word count your test asks for.
How many words should the letter have?
At least 150 words in IELTS. Most strong letters have 160–190 words.
