Case study-Fast Fitness

A chain of health clubs needs to find a new manager in Brazil. Appointing the right person is essential for the success of

the business.

Step 1: Job advertisement and background:

Step 2: Information on the applicants

Background

Fast Fitness owns and operates a chain of health and leisure clubs in the United

States. Two years ago, the company

decided to enter the South American

market. It began by opening six clubs in São Paulo, Brazil. The clubs appeal mainly

to people aged 20–40. All the clubs have a

gymnasium, with the latest equipment, an aerobics studio, a swimming pool, sun

decks, a café, bar and clubroom. Four of

the clubs are located in areas where large

numbers of Japanese, Spanish, Chinese and Italian immigrants live.

The performance of the clubs has been

disappointing, and none of them has reached their turnover and profit targets.

Many members have not renewed their

membership, and the clubs have not attracted enough new members. Fast

Fitness recently advertised for a General

Manager. His/Her main task will be to

boost sales at the clubs and increase profits.

General Manager

Required for our chain of Health and Leisure Clubs

• Negotiable salary • Excellent benefits package

The job

• Leading, coordinating, and motivating staff.

• Increasing the revenue and profits of the six clubs in São Paulo • Exploiting new business opportunities

• Liaising with and motivating our team of managers and their staff

• Contributing to marketing plans and strategies

The person

• Dynamic, enthusiastic, flexible

• A strong interest in health and fitness • A good track record in previous jobs

• The ability to work with people from different cultural

backgrounds

• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills • A flair for new ideas and organizational skills

Fast Fitness, 80 Front St,

New York NY 10003–1324

Step 2: Cover letter: In groups, write a cover letter one of the applicants might have sent to FastFitness. Use the job

advertisement, the profile cards and the vocabulary bank at the end of the worksheet. (150-200 words)

LAYOUT

14 Bay Tree Road

Birmingham

B23 6TY

Mr Guy Saleh 10 April 2012

S&G Publishing Carstairs Street

London

W12 6YG

Dear Mr Saleh,

I am writing to apply for the position of Editorial Assistant which was

advertised in the latest edition of Gulf News.

I am currently employed by a Market Research company as a research

assistant, but am keen to pursue a career in publishing, because I enjoy reading and write my own poetry.

As you will notice on the attached CV, I graduated in European Literature. At University I gained considerable experience working on the student magazine,

so I am familiar with editing techniques. I work well under pressure and enjoy

working in a team. In addition, I speak English fluently.

I would be available for interview from next week. Meanwhile, please do not

hesitate to contact me if you require further information.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

Margaret Roan

Write your address in the top

right corner but not your name

Salutation

Dear Sir/ Madam : if you know

the position, but not the name

Dear (name): If you know the person’s name.

Common Titles

Mr for men Mrs for married women

Miss for unmarried women

Ms for women if you don’t know or prefer not to specify

marital status

Ending

Yours sincerely : if you know the person’s name

Yours faithfully: if you do not

know the person’s name.

Sign the letter, then print your name and position under your

signature

INSTRUCTIONS

Before writing, ask yourself why you are the right person for the job: Which of your qualities might be essential for the job? What contributions can you make to the company?

In your cover letter, emphasise why you are the ideal candidate for the position.

Structure and Content

Introduction: Mention where you found out about the job offer and show interest in the position. Details: Give reasons for your application: Why are you the ideal candidate? What relevant qualifications,

experiences do you have? (Important: refer to the requirements given in the job description.)

Conclusion: Demonstrate your interest in the position once more – say when you are available for an interview. Important Tenses: Present Perfect / Simple Past (for experiences gained) - Simple Present (for general information)

Step 3: Job interview As pair work, listen to the three or four answers giving by the applicant you’ve been assigned during his/ her job

interview. Guess what the questions were.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Step 4: Select the right candidate

1) Form new groups-Each new group will be composed of:

a. one person who has worked on Martha Gomez’s profile b. one person who has worked on Silvia Cominelli’s profile

c. one person who has worked on Sean Wilder’s profile

d. one person who has worked on Paulo Goncalves’s profile

2) Hold a meeting to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each person. Rank the four candidates in terms of their suitability for the job.

Martha Gomez Silvia Cominelli

Strengths Weaknesses Strengths Weaknesses

Sean Wilder Paulo Goncalves

Strengths Weaknesses Strengths Weaknesses

3) One spokesperson for each group will justify his/her choice to the other spokespersons.

Vocabulary bank

COVER LETTER

Introduction

I was interested to see your advertisement for (position) in (paper) / on (site).

I noticed with interest your advertisement for (position) in (paper) / on (site) I am applying for the position of (position), which was advertised (date) in (paper).

(Name) advised / informed me of a (position) that is available at your company.

I was referred to you by (name), who informed me of a (position) that is available at your company. (Name) informed me that you are / your company is / (name of the company) is looking for someone with (skills).

The position seems to fit very well with my experience / education / background / skills / career interests / ...

I am very interested in applying for the position (of ...) My experience / education / background / skills / ... make me an ideal candidate for the position.

I have the experiences / skills / ... you desire (in your advertisement).

From my enclosed CV / Resume you will find that my experiences / skills / ... meet the requirements you have outlined

for the position. I believe that my enclosed CV / resume will demonstrate that I have the experiences / skills / ... you seek.

Details According to your advertisement, your position requires (skills). These skills I have developed during ... (experience).

I understand the position requires (skills). I ... (details why you meet the requirements).

I recently graduated from (university) with a degree in (field). Since 2002 / For 2 years I have been working for (company).

Following my training as a (job title), I spent (time) working for (company).

As (current job) for (company), I have developed my skills and experience as (job title)

Prior to my current position, I was working for (company), where I ... (jobs, tasks, skills). Throughout my career I have acquired a thorough knowledge of ...

I have more than ... years of ... experience.

My experiences / skills / ... will provide your company with a highly productive (job title). I have always had a strong interest in ...

I am very competent in ...

I very much enjoy both ... and ...

My experience in (field) have convinced me that (future position) is a career option I would like to explore. My high degree of motivation has been appreciated by my previous employers.

Thanks to my high degree of motivation I was quickly promoted to positions of greater responsibility.

The enclosed CV / resume elaborates on the details of my skills and experience.

Conclusion

I would like very much to talk with you concerning a position at your company / (name of the company). I am eager to talk with you about the contribution I could make to your firm.

I would appreciate the chance to meet with you to discuss how I could be a vital part of your company.

I am confident that I can perform the job effectively, and I am excited about the idea of working for your firm.

If you would like to schedule an interview or otherwise discuss my interest in this position, please call me at the number listed above.

You may reach me at the above phone number or email address.

I will call you in a few days / next week / in early July / ... to discuss an interview. Should you have any questions before that time, feel free to call me at the number listed above / to contact me via the

email address listed above.

I look forward to our meeting./ I look forward to meeting you./ I look forward to talking with you. /I look forward to hearing from you soon./ I look forward to meeting with you to discuss the ways my skills may best serve your company.

Thank you for your time and consideration./ Your consideration is greatly appreciated./ Thanking you most sincerely for

your time and consideration.

Useful words

but / still /

however especially /

mainly /

particularly

before

as / because /

since so that

then / after that

that's why / so

either ... or

after all

after of course

though / although

/ even though

or

as soon as

as long as finally /

eventually

in spite of / even

so / all the same

perhaps ...

above all neither ... nor

because

first of all

for example / for

instance