General Training Writing Task 1 · formal · application

Application letter to Mr Moore for waiter position

A restaurant has advertised in a newspaper that a waiter/waitress is required for evening work. It has also been mentioned that the prospective candidate should have some experience.

Write a letter to Mr Moore describing your previous experience and explaining why you would be suitable for the job. In your letter:

how would you describe your previous experience in the hospitality industry to Mr. Moore?
what specific skills and qualities would you highlight to demonstrate your suitability for the job?
how would you express your interest in the position and request for an interview in a polite manner?

Write at least 150 words. You do not need to write any addresses. Begin your letter: Dear ...,

Band 8 sample letter

Dear Mr Moore,

I am writing to express my keen interest in the waiter position advertised in the local newspaper. With my background in the service sector, I am confident that I would be a valuable addition to your restaurant team.

Regarding my experience, I spent two years working at The Grand Bistro, a busy establishment in the city centre. During this time, I managed high-volume dinner services, handled customer enquiries, and ensured that food safety standards were strictly maintained throughout the evening shifts.

My primary strengths include an ability to remain composed under pressure and a keen eye for detail. I possess excellent communication skills, which allow me to build rapport with patrons, ensuring a pleasant dining experience. Furthermore, I am highly reliable, punctual, and comfortable working in fast-paced environments where teamwork is essential.

I am very enthusiastic about the possibility of working at your restaurant and would appreciate the opportunity to discuss my application further. Please let me know if you would be available for an interview at your convenience. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Yours sincerely,

Jonathan Sterling

183 words. Names and details are invented; write your own.

Why this scores well

A Band 8 response addresses all three bullet points with specific, relevant details while maintaining a consistently formal tone. A common mistake at Band 6 is failing to provide specific examples of experience, instead offering vague statements like 'I have worked in restaurants before' without context.

Write to an organisation or someone you do not know: open with Dear Sir or Madam, close with Yours faithfully.
If you know the person's surname, use Dear Mr or Ms and close with Yours sincerely.
No contractions, no slang; polite indirect requests such as I would be grateful if you could.

Useful phrases from the letter

keen interest: a strong desire or enthusiasm for something
high-volume: dealing with a large number of customers
composed: having one's feelings and expression under control
build rapport: develop a positive and harmonious relationship
patrons: customers of a shop, restaurant, or service
at your convenience: at a time that is most suitable

Write your own and get a band

Answer this prompt in a timed General Training writing test and get a band for task achievement, coherence, vocabulary and grammar, with the sentences to fix.

Practise IELTS General writing

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Frequently asked questions

Is this letter formal or informal?

Formal. Write to an organisation or someone you do not know: open with Dear Sir or Madam, close with Yours faithfully.

How long should an IELTS General Training letter be?

At least 150 words, and 160 to 200 is the comfortable range. Spend about 20 minutes on it and leave 40 for Task 2, which carries twice the marks.