Prof. Dr.-Ing. G. Gäßler Course: Technical English UNIT: 9.1

Department of Civil Engineering Page: 1

Munich University of Applied Sciences […\Techn-English-Unit 9-1 The Covering Letter - Version-02.wpd]

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The Covering Letter*)

(1) A covering letter should be enclosed whenever you send your résumé to a prospective

employer. (2) While it rarely gives any information that is not included in your résumé, its

enclosure is an act of courtesy and a sign of a serious and professional approach to job

hunting. (3) It gives each employer you approach an indication of personal attention that

would not be shown by the arrival of an unaccompanied résumé.

(4) It makes no difference whether you are sending the résumé in answer to an ad or as part of

your personal mailing campaign; the covering letter will always follow the same simple rules.

(5) It should be brief, limited to one page, and of no more than four paragraphs. (6) Unlike the

résumé, it should never be reproduced, but always individually typed. Needless to say, it

should be neatly typed and conform to the standards of business correspondence.

(7) Whenever possible, the letter should be addressed to a particular individual in the

company, preferably by name, if you cannot ascertain the name, adress the letter to the

personnel director, or, by title, to the head of the department that you are hoping to work in.

(8) In answering an ad, however, address your letter as the ad indicates. (9) If this is nothing

more than a box number, don’t try to guess the title of the person who will be first to see the

résumé.

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*) by courtesy of Prof. Dr. P. East, Munich University of Applied Sciences

Prof. Dr.-Ing. G. Gäßler Course: Technical English UNIT: 9.1

Department of Civil Engineering Page: 2

Munich University of Applied Sciences [...\Techn-English-Unit 9-1 The Covering Letter - Version-01.wpd]

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(10) Your first paragraph of the covering letter should tell why you are writing to that

particular company. (11) If it is an answer to an ad, you so state, and give the name and date

of the publication where the ad appeared. (12) If a friend who is an employee of the company

has suggested you apply, you should give the name, title or job category, and department

where employed. (13) If writing as part of your own mail campaign, you should explain in

two or three lines why work with that particular company interests you.

(14) The following one or two paragraphs should point out the salient features of your

résumé that could be of interest to your correspondent. (15) These could be features in either

your educational background or your work history. (16) In certain circumstances, you could

elaborate slightly on one or two details of your résumé. (17) But again, whatever is said

should be said briefly.

(18) The last paragraph should be a closing, indicating your hope that you have created

interest in yourself and suggesting further communication to arrange an interview.

(19) As your covering letter is used to highlight certain aspects of your résumé, the same

résumé can be used to pursue different job opportunities. (20) The covering letter, stressing

your most appropriate skills and talents, can be geared to each particular company that will be

the recipient of your résumé. (21) Not only does this immediately call attention to your

possible value to that company, but it personalizes the letter and makes it clear that it is not a

simple form letter sent out with each copy of your résumé.

Prof. Dr.-Ing. G. Gäßler, LB English UNIT: 9.2Department of Civil Engineering Bachelor Course Page: 01Munich University of Applied Sciences [...\Techn Engl Skriptum Bachelor \Unit 9-2 Cold Application-with CV-02.doc]

“Cold” application by a student seeking a traineeship in a British firm:

Max Musterman, B.Sc.

Ayinger Str. 36

D-80333 München

phone: ++49 (0)89 1234567

e-mail: max-mustermann.gmx.de

14 January 2019

Mr. Frank Sutherland

B.Sc., M.Sc.

Director of Engineering, Geotechnical Division

Keller Ground Engineering

Beechwood Lane

Crudley CD6 7OP

Warwickshire, England

Dear Mr. Sutherland,

The German Geotechnical Society supplied me with your address, as a world-wide operating

contractor in special ground engineering. I am writing to see if I could work as a trainee at your

company for a 2-month period during summer.

As you will see from my attached CV, I am a master student of civil engineering at the Munich

University of Applied Sciences. My master course covers soil mechanics and special ground

engineering as well as a basic grounding in project management. My previous practical

experience has also been in special foundation engineering as trainee at the head quarter of the

BAUER Company in Schrobenhausen, Germany where I was involved in feasibility studies of

international projects of bridge foundations.

As well as experience in cooperating with international consultants, I can offer a good knowledge

of English technical terms in civil engineering as I am taking a course in Technical English (5

ECTS credit points) this winter term.

If you need any further information, I would be happy to supply it immediately. Our summer

vacation runs from 31 July to 3 October, and I am available any time during this period. I look

forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

Max Musterman

Prof. Dr.-Ing. G. Gäßler, LB English UNIT: 9.2Department of Civil Engineering Bachelor Course Page: 02Munich University of Applied Sciences [...\Techn Engl Skriptum Bachelor \Unit 9-2 Cold Application-with CV-02.doc]

CURRICULUM VITAE

Max Musterman

Ayinger Str. 36

D-80333 München

Date of Birth: 04 July 1995

Nationality: German

Education

Oct. 2018 – present Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften München (University

of Applied Sciences Munich, Master course.

July 2018 Bachelor Diploma, Grade: 1.3 (= “very good”).

Oct. 2015 – July 2018 Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften München (University

of Applied Sciences Munich), Bachelor course.

Oct. 2018 – Sept. Voluntary work at the Bavarian Red Cross Organisation

June 2014 Abitur (A-level), Grade: 1.7 (= good)

Sept. 2005 – June 2014 Gabriel v. Seydl Gymnasium, Bad Tölz (Comprehensive School)

Languages

German native speaker

English B2 level

French A2 level

Personal Interests

Sports

Volunteer teacher of handicapped children

Prof. Dr.-Ing. G. Gäßler, LB English UNIT: 10.0Department of Civil Engineering Bachelor Course Page: 01Munich University of Applied Sciences [..\Script Bachelor Course\Unit 10-0 Introduction to Presentation in Unit 10.1-Version-02.doc]

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Presentation*)

Highway Curve Realignment

Project Case Study

Author: Prof. Rahim, CALPOLY, San Luis Obispo, CA

(see presentation in the next Unit 2.1)

*) by courtesy of the author (presentation given by the author in WS 2018/19 at the faculty of Civil Engineering)

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GaviotaStatePark

Project Limits(Northbound Only)

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Existing

Highway,

Looking

Northbound

Existing Benches Eliminated

New Concrete Barrier

Catchment at Base of New Cut

Approximate New Top of Cut Slope

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EXISTING CONDITIONS

PROPOSED REALIGNMENT

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EXISTING CONDITION

PROPOSED REALIGNMENT

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NEW NB LANE CURVE ALIGNMENT

REMOVED ROADBED

LANDFORM GRADED SLOPE

REMOVAL OF EXISTING NB LANES

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❖Circulate Draft Environmental Document - February 2013

❖Final Environmental Document - November 2013

❖Obtain Coastal Development Permit – October 2015

❖Complete Final Design and

Right of Way - October 2015

❖Begin Construction -

Spring 2016

❖Complete Construction –

Summer 2017

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Questions?

Prof. Dr.-Ing. G. Gäßler Technical English Unit: 10.3-VOC

Department of Civil Engineering Bachelor Course Page: 1Munich University of Applied Sciences [Technisches Englisch Skriptum\Unit 10-3 VOC Vocabulary-Road Construction-02.doc]

alignment the fixing of points on the ground in the correct lines for setting out

a road

realignment improving of a given alignment

pavement 1. whole construction of a road (including subgrade, subbase, base

and finally the wearing course)

2. any hard floor of tiles, bricks, concrete, wood or stone blocks

3. only in BE: the lay term for a footway

environmental impact effect on the environment (e.g.: emissions of gas carbon dioxide or

nitrogen oxides into the air from power stations or motor cars)

specification written description of the workmanship and materials for a particular

job (it has to be read in relation to the drawings and bill of quantities)

award of tender (bid) notification by the client of acceptance of one tender (commonly the

cheapest tender (BE) or bid (AE)

northbound (southbound) leading to the north (south) [e.g.: northbound lane of an Interstate

Highway]

hazardous waste dangerous chemical or even toxic debris (e.g.: from industry)

bench or berm a horizontal ledge in the sloping surface of an embankment or cutting

catchment area 1. drainage basin

2. small strip along a road in a cutting to catch falling stones or rock

pieces

to obliterate to destroy and remove something completely (here: the surface of a

road) so that nothing remains

rumble strip on a highway, a slightly raised strip of asphalt or plastic across the

lane to warn the driver of approaching hazard

kerb (BE), curb (AE) a hard stone like granite or good quality precast concrete used for

bordering a road and limiting the footway

safety edge a special type of a high curb that prevents the driver from leaving the

the road or lane (in order to protect contraflow traffic, in particular)

road junction a meeting of roads at the same level