Rémy Beijing
Is this sounding too formal

Dear Sirs

 

I am pleased to have learnt from your website that you are currently looking for a location interpreter for your forthcoming exhibition in...  I would like to avail myself of this opportunity to apply for this post.

 

<em>avail oneself of sth</em>

 

Given that this is a formal job application, the letter should be in formal style.

My question: is this sounding a bit too formal? or even old-fashioned?

Thanks to let me know your thoughts.

Dec 17, 2014 12:45 PM
Comments · 5

Hi steerpike & Jemma & Su.Ki.

 

Thanks for your reply. Got it!

 

 

 

 

December 17, 2014

I agree. It's a wee bit too formal.

December 17, 2014

Correction:

"I would like to apply for the post of " is what a native speaker would use.

 

December 17, 2014

Very old fashioned. My theory is that some textbooks copy from the last one and that style of English was last used decades ago.

 

"I would like to apply for this post of " is what a native speaker would use.

 

The covering letter is just to get them to read your CV. Keep it simple.

 

December 17, 2014

It is a little bit too formal, in my opinion. I love old-fashioned words like 'avail' but in that context it is too much. Perhaps you could just say, "I would like to apply for this post." I hope that helps!

December 17, 2014