You recently took a part-time job working for a local company: Semi-Formal Letter [IELTS General Writing Task 1 ]

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.
You recently took a part-time job working for a local company. After a few weeks, you realized there were some problems with the job.
Write a letter to the manager of the company. In your letter:
explain why you took the job
describe the problems that you experienced
suggest what could be done about them
Write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear ………………..,

Writing Task 1: How to Solve

Model Answer:

Dear Mr. Jenkins,

I hope this letter finds you well. I recently commenced a part-time role at Thompson Enterprises, specifically in the Marketing Department. I am writing to share my observations and concerns about some issues I’ve encountered during my tenure here.

Initially, I was drawn to this position due to the company’s reputation for fostering a creative and dynamic working environment. Moreover, being a Marketing student, I believed this role would provide me with invaluable practical experience, complementing my academic pursuits.

However, over the past few weeks, I have faced a few challenges. Firstly, the onboarding process seemed to lack structure. I wasn’t provided with a clear overview of my duties, and there was no proper training session arranged for the software tools we use. Secondly, communication between team members is often ambiguous. We use multiple platforms for internal communications which often leads to missed messages and, in some cases, missed deadlines.

To address these issues, I’d like to suggest a more structured onboarding program for new joiners, possibly comprising hands-on training sessions. This would not only make newcomers feel more welcome but also ensure they are well-prepared for their roles. As for communication, it might be beneficial to streamline the communication tools we use. Perhaps we could rely on a single platform for team communications to avoid confusion and enhance productivity.

I am grateful for this opportunity and believe that addressing these challenges can only improve our already excellent company environment. I am keen to discuss this further if you find it necessary.

Thank you for your understanding and consideration.

Warm regards,
Samantha Carter


Writing Task 1: Questions and Answer


Important Vocabulary:

  1. Onboarding
    • Definition: The action or process of integrating a new employee into an organization or familiarizing a new customer or client with one’s products or services.
    • Example: The company has an onboarding process of two weeks for its new employees.
  2. Ambiguous
    • Definition: Open to more than one interpretation; not having one obvious meaning.
    • Example: His reply to my question was ambiguous, leaving me even more confused.
  3. Streamline
    • Definition: To make an organization or system more efficient and effective by employing faster or simpler working methods.
    • Example: The company hired a consultant to help streamline its business processes.
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