Question

[Lê Quỳnh Anh]

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 28 to 34.

A letter of application is a sales letter in which you are both salesperson and product, for the purpose of an application is to attract an employer’s attention and persuade him or her to grant you an interview. To do this, the letter presents what you can offer the employer, rather than what you want from the job.

Like a resume, the letter of application is a sample of your work and an opportunity to demonstrate your skills and personality. If it is written with flair and understanding and prepared with prefessional care, it is likely to be very effective. While the resume must be factual, objective, and brief, the letter is your chance to interpret and expand. It should state explicitly how your background relates to the specific job, and it should emphasise your strongest and most relevant characteristics. The letter should demonstrate that you know both yourself and the company.

The letter of application must communicate your ambition and enthusiasm. Yet it must be modest. It should be neither aggressive nor compliant: neither pat yourself on the back nor ask for sympathy. It should never express dissatisfaction with the present or former job or employer. And you should avoid discussing your reasons for leaving your last job.

Finally, it is best that you not broach the subject on salary. Indeed, even if a job advertisement requires that you mention your salary requirements, it is advisable simply to call them “negotiable.” However, when you go on an interview, you should be prepared to mention a salary range. For this reason, you should investigate both your field and, if possible, the particular company. You don’t want to ask for less than you deserve or more than is reasonable.

(Adapted from “Select Readings – Intermediate” by Linda Lee and Erik Gundersen)

What is the passage mainly about?

A. Things to avoid during a job interview

B. Advice on how to find a good job

C. Tips for writing an effective letter of application

D. Differences between a resume and a letter of application

Answer 1

[Dương Hoàn Anh]

Chọn đáp án C

What is the passage mainly about?: Nội dung chính của bài văn là gì?

A. Things to avoid during a job interview: Những điều cần tránh trong buổi phỏng vấn tuyển dụng

B. Advice on how to find a good job: Lời khuyên về cách để tìm việc làm

C. Tips for writing an effective letter of application: Tips để viết một lá thư xin việc hay

D. Differences between a resume and a letter of application: Sự khác nhau giữa Hồ sơ cá nhân và thư xin việc

Dẫn chứng (đoạn 1): To do this, the letter presents what you can offer the employer, rather than what you want from the job: Để làm được điều này, lá thư phải trình bày được những gì bạn có thể đưa ra cho nhà tuyển dụng, thay vì những gì bạn muốn từ công việc đó.

Ta thấy ngay mở đầu tác giả định nghĩa “thư xin việc” sau đó đưa ra hướng đi đúng cho một lá thư xin việc, các đoạn tiếp theo phân tích kĩ hơn và đưa ra lời khuyên về việc viết một lá thư xin việc có hiệu quả.