Page
'THE' CHINA MAIL, JULY 9, 1988.
Got The Job GIRLICASS
Private Secretary to Managing|tioned copies of Director of Shipping firm requir-enclosed.
testimonials
ed. Apart from usual qualifica- · Four times I typed the letter out: tions the successful applicant before I felt satisfied with the will have tact and be able to do spacing, the typing itself and the a simple job well. Apply Box expressions used in the sentences.
A straightforward advertisement in the morning papers and within forty-eight hours many ambitious girls had applied for the job.
I was the lucky one.
Yet my qualifications were by no means as good as many of the others who applied for the post,
"However did you do it?" asked some of the disappointed ones.
"Just luck," I was tempted to reply.
But it was not all luck.
I knew that it wasn't always the neatest typist or the speediest shorthand writer who got the job. So I know a little bit, at any rate, about applying for a post.
'I had to be different.
First
*
the letter.
I bought some really good cream- coloured notepaper, quarto size. Creám is just a little distinct from the average business white and yet is not showy.
My own typewriter was a wee bit out of line, so I begged the use of an almost new machine from а friend.
Four times I sighed at my own carelessness, but I realised the effort was well worth it.
Employers judge whether to in-. terview a girl solely from her letter of application.
Testimonial copies I also typed afresh. A philanthropist might get sentimental over a grimy testi- monial, but certainly not a busi-
ness man.
Letter and enclosures I posted in a larger-than-average cream en- velop.
It was 9in. by 4in. to be exact, and consequently stood out from the others.
Not that some of those weren't "different"
from the mass. They were.
I saw them after I'd got the job. They fairly screamed for notice. There was a scented deep rose envelope and letter that looked like a message from the boudoir.
Another so "art and crafty" it al- most seemed, like tweed.
view.
(Copyright, 1638, by The Bell Byndicate, Inc.)
Page
-5-28
"A woman takes the biggest chance," says pertinent Polly, "when she thinks it's her last chance."
Except one thing.
A surprising number were hand- written on very indifferent, cheap paper.
When my future employer asked Then there were those who want-duced pencil and note-book, he re- me to take down a letter and I pro- ed to lay down demands and condi-
marked. tions.
.
JUMBLE SALE
Union will be holding a Jumble The St. John's Cathedral Mother's
Cathedral Hall at 8 pm. Gifts of sale on Friday July 29, in the
unwanted clothing, books or articles. of any description will be gladly ac- cepted and should be sent to St. John's Cathedral Office before or on
"Oh! you've brought your own materials!"
There was just that touch of ap-jagua noth-preciation in his voice that told me
I'd beaten the first girl.
Lunch at 12.30 p.m., please; half- hour for tea interval; no overtime on Mondays and Fridays. I had known a girl with almost The wise virgins asked for perfect qualifications turned downing but a chance to work for the because her typewriting was firm. Minor points can usually be ragged.
adjusted once the job is landed.
Episode Number Two was the in- terview.
The letter itself I confined to 200 words. That is quite enough for anyone to read when the applica-I tions are likely to inundate the employer.
Paragraph-one-referred to the advertisement. Paragraph two told my age, education, experience, shorthand and typing speeds.
Paragraph three explained what kinds of work I had done, with special emphasis on those which would normally be the work of a private secretary.
The fourth paragraph expressed hope that the opportunity would be given for an interview and men-
Witty Kitty
You no er generatiór
lieve
the world
You
I sponged and pressed the frock had chosen to wear, bought a new buckle for the belt and new narrow pleated frilling for the neck of the dress.
gloves. My own were a little shab- I begged a loan of my sister's
by.
That was how one evening was spent before the interview.
The second evening I sat down
dow for an hour and polished up the contractions for the shorthand shipping trade.
I was lucky, too, in getting re- ference books with particulars of the new firm and of the kind of. business it carried on.
- I put on make-up for the inter- view. It gives one confidence though it has to be used with res- traint. Finger-nails for a typist must not be too long and the varn- ish should be clear.
1. arrived five minutes early, waited for three minutes outside the building, then suddenly remem bered I'd forgotten to bring pen- cils and a small note-book.
I rushed to buy them and arriv- ed breathless but just on time.
There were several girls in the waiting-room.
By the window sat a quiet, at- tractive girl, perfectly dressed. She radiated competence.
I sighed. This was the winner, felt aute,
And she was the first to go in.
was next. My silly heart thumped, but I reminded myself to speak slowly and very distinctly.
To be candid, I don't remember much what happened at that: inter-
The last-minute rush to the sta-
tioners had been worth while after Friday morning July 29, and ad-
dressed "Jumble Sale;'
all.
COMPANY
Small Deposit
and
$3.25 PER MONTH
Enquire at the Showrooms how you can POSSESS 8 “FRONT-
| LINE" NEW WORLD GAS COOKER on Special Hire Purchase
Terms.
THE HONGKONG AND CHINA GAS CO., LTD.
Central Showrooms.
Kowloon Showrooms,
Gloucester Building. Phone 24704. 246, Nathan Road.. Phone 57341.