General Training Writing Task 1 · formal · application

Letter to an employment agency seeking part-time work: IELTS formal letter sample

An IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 formal letter with a Band 8 sample answer, why it scores well and the phrases worth borrowing for your own letter writing.
  • 184 words
  • Formal letters
  • Application
  • 20 minutes

The task

You are looking for a part-time job.

Write a letter to an employment agency. In your letter:

  • →introduce yourself
  • →explain what sort of job you would like
  • →and say what experience and skills you have

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

Model answer

Band 8 sample letter

Band 8184 words. Names and details are invented; write your own.

Dear Mr. Henderson,

I am writing to express my strong interest in securing part-time employment through your agency. Having recently relocated to the city, I am eager to contribute my professional skills to a local business while pursuing further studies.

I am particularly interested in administrative or customer service roles that offer flexible scheduling. My preference lies in positions that allow for around twenty hours of work per week, ideally within an office environment or a reputable retail establishment where I can engage directly with clients.

Regarding my background, I possess three years of experience as a receptionist at a busy legal firm. During this tenure, I honed my ability to manage high-volume enquiries, maintain digital filing systems, and provide exceptional administrative support. Furthermore, I am highly proficient in the Microsoft Office Suite and hold a certification in business communication. My colleagues have frequently commended my reliability, attention to detail, and ability to remain composed under pressure.

I have attached my curriculum vitae for your review and would appreciate the opportunity to discuss any suitable vacancies at your earliest convenience.

Yours faithfully,

Jonathan Sterling

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.

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Examiner's view

Why this scores well

This letter achieves Band 8 by addressing all bullet points with specific, relevant details while maintaining a consistently professional and polite tone. The most common mistake in Band 6 answers is failing to provide concrete examples of previous experience, resulting in vague claims that do not convince the reader of the candidate's suitability.

  • →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.

6 phrases

Useful phrases from the letter

  • securing

    successfully obtaining or achieving something important

  • tenure

    the period of time someone holds a position

  • honed

    sharpened or improved a skill over time

  • proficient

    competent or skilled at doing something

  • commended

    praised formally or officially for an achievement

  • vacancies

    available jobs or unfilled positions within companies

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 many words 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.

What does the examiner look for?+

This letter achieves Band 8 by addressing all bullet points with specific, relevant details while maintaining a consistently professional and polite tone. The most common mistake in Band 6 answers is failing to provide concrete examples of previous experience, resulting in vague claims that do not convince the reader of the candidate's suitability.

Keep practising

More application letters

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