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LANGUAGE FOR HAIRDRESSING LEVEL 4
ACTIVITY 9
LETTER AND CV
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
In the learning activity the learners will:
• analyse a letter and CV
• write the first draft of a letter and CV
• assess their own and a peer’s work.
The activity should take about five hours.
ASSESSMENT ACTIVITY
In the assessment activity learners will:
• write the final draft of a letter and CV.
The assessment should take two or three hours.
OUTCOMES
US 11853 Communication for hairdressers
SO2 Communicate effectively with clients, colleagues and prospective employers –
written communication.
US 7784 Communicate in a business environment
SO1 Describe various ways of communicating orally and in writing.
SO5 Site examples where language must be clear and concise.
SO6 Describe potential barriers to communication and give potential solutions for each
barrier.
SO8 List various appropriate communication methods.
SO9 Check that spelling, punctuation and grammar are accurate.
UNIT 3 CAREER PREPARATION Activity 9 Letter and CV 147
LANGUAGE FOR HAIRDRESSING LEVEL 4
STARTING OFF
Put this activity in context by examining newspaper advertisements for hairdressers.
There are many fields where hairdressers could work, but in this activity we will use the
example of a salon throughout. Salons are the biggest employers of hairdressers.
Job ads inserted by salons are usually only two lines long and don’t give much information
other than a phone number to call.
Choose one ad and ask your learners what they would like to know about this job before
they apply for it. You will probably get answers such as:
• where is the salon?
Hairdresser reqd.
• when does the job start?
Tel. 222-8964
• what would I be required to know and do?
• what would my hours be?
Then ask your learners where they could find the answers to these questions. (They could
phone the salon and ask.)
Once they are satisfied that they meet the requirements of the job and that it suits them,
then they can apply for it.
RECOMMENDATION
We recommend that this activity be done towards the end of the year, so
that your learners will be applying for a real hairdressing job and will
therefore be looking at a real advertisement.
LEARNING ACTIVITY
This activity focuses on two of the most common types of written communication required
in the job application process:
1. a formal letter applying for a job
2. a curriculum vitae (CV).
The learning activity consists of three types of activities:
1. Analysing a formal letter and a CV
2. Writing the first draft of a formal letter and CV
3. Assessing their own and a peer’s written work.
These will be discussed in more detail on the next page.
Give your learners the Criteria for Assessment for the letter and CV before you start.
Discuss the criteria with the class and tell them to bring the list to class every day as they
will be referring to it throughout the activity.
UNIT 3 CAREER PREPARATION Activity 9 Letter and CV 148
LANGUAGE FOR HAIRDRESSING LEVEL 4
ANALYSE A LETTER LETTER
Analyse a letter
The letter of application is short but very important as it is the
Write a letter
first impression that a prospective employer will have of the
Assess a letter
learner. If the letter is untidy, ungrammatical and sloppily put
CV
together it will count against her immediately. The employer
Analyse a CV
will wonder how much care the applicant would take over her Write a CV
hairdressing work if she can’t even spend any effort on a short Assess a CV
simple letter.
Ask the learners what the content of such a letter would be. It should state, briefly:
1. what job the learner wishes to apply for
2. where the job was advertised
3. what the learner is doing this year
4. what qualifications she has/will obtain this year
5. a brief mention of any experience (details will be in the CV)
6. contact details
7. a list of any attached documents e.g. certificates, CV.
1 Worksheet 1
Give the learners a copy of Worksheet 1 and let them work in pairs. In this worksheet they
will analyse a letter, identifying errors and correcting them. They will:
• decide what to leave out/add/modify
• explain the changes they have made.
Discuss their answers as a class afterwards.
The letter itself is exaggerated but is based on common mistakes made in letters of
application.
UNIT 3 CAREER PREPARATION Activity 9 Letter and CV 149
LANGUAGE FOR HAIRDRESSING LEVEL 4
WORKSHEET 1
ANALYSE A LETTER
Read the letter below and answer the questions which follow. The writer of letter
is responding to an advertisement for a job as a hairdresser at the Salon Sharon.
It is a part-time job and the contact person is Sharon de la Cruz.
Cape Town
22 December
Dear Sir
I want the job. I’m the perfect person for the job. I cut my
small brother Henry’s hair and I also cut the hair for my Uncle
Lenny and my auntie Sophie and I permed my Ma’s hair and I
coloured my great grandmothers’ hair. My mother says I cut
hair very good.
May God Almighty bless you if you give me this job.
Ever faithfuly yours
Clothildette
1. What should be left out of this letter? Why?
2. What has been left out and should be included? Why?
3. How would you change the language of the letter? Why?
4. How would you change the layout of the letter?
UNIT 3 CAREER PREPARATION Activity 9 Letter and CV 150
LANGUAGE FOR HAIRDRESSING LEVEL 4
Discussion of the letter
LETTER
Analyse a letter cont.
In your class’s discussion of the letter, the following points
Write a letter
should emerge:
Assess a letter
CV
Content Analyse a CV
• Experience should be mentioned briefly e.g. I have had Write a CV
some informal experience doing the hair of relatives. Assess a CV
• Her mother’s opinion is not relevant in this context.
• Calling on God to bless the reader of the letter is unlikely to help. It is more likely to
irritate the reader.
Much content has been left out:
• the full address of the applicant
• the date in full, including the year
• the name of the contact person mentioned in the ad
• the name of the salon
• the address of the salon
• what job the learner wishes to apply for
• where the job was advertised
• what the learner is doing this year
• what qualifications she has/will obtain this year
• contact details
• a list of any attached documents e.g. certificates, CV
• an appropriate conclusion.
Language and Layout
• Spelling mistakes (faithfuly)
• Grammar mistakes (cut the hair for my Uncle Lenny, I cut hair very good.)
• Inappropriate language: a) contractions – I’m – not appropriate in formal letter; b)
vocab: I want the job – rather: I would like to apply… and (c) I am perfect… Rather
say: I think I am well-qualified/suited for the job.
• A bigger space should be left below the address and above the
conclusion.
Ma
Uncle Lenny
Henry
Auntie Sophie
UNIT 3 CAREER PREPARATION Activity 9 Letter and CV 151
LANGUAGE FOR HAIRDRESSING LEVEL 4
WRITE A LETTER LETTER
Analyse a letter
After the discussion your learners should be ready to write their
Write a letter
own letter. If this is not a genuine letter of application then they Assess a letter
should bring along an appropriate hairdressing ad or make one up. CV
Analyse a CV
Give the learners copies of the Criteria for Assessment (Letter of Write a CV
Application) and talk through it if necessary. They will use this as Assess a CV
a guideline while writing and as an assessment guide later.
The letter they write should look something like this:
18 Kelpie Street
Mossel Bay
6500
4 December 2004
Mrs S. De la Cruz
Salon Sharon
44 Symphony Rd
Mossel Bay
6500
Dear Madam
Application for part-time hairdressing job
I would like to apply for the part-time hairdressing job which was advertised in
the South Cape Times of 3 December 2004.
I am currently studying at the George Campus of the South Cape College and will
completing my Level 4 Hairdressing Certificate at the end of the year. This
includes the Trade Test. I have informal experience of cutting and colouring.
A copy of my CV is attached.
I can be contacted at the above address or tel: (0421) 444 2893 or email:
lmokgoro@hsdl.com
Yours faithfully
Lerato Mokgoro (Ms)
UNIT 3 CAREER PREPARATION Activity 9 Letter and CV 152
LANGUAGE FOR HAIRDRESSING LEVEL 4
ASSESS A LETTER LETTER
Analyse a letter
Learners will then exchange letters with a partner and assess each
Write a letter
other’s letters, using the Criteria for Assessment as a guideline. This
Assess a letter
should take five to ten minutes. Learners will then write a second
CV
and final draft of the letter. This will be a summative assessment
Analyse a CV
activity. Write a CV
Assess a CV
ANALYSE A CV
Some salons will require applicants to attach a CV to the application, LETTER
others won’t. Even if a CV is not required it’s a good idea to take it Analyse a letter
along to the interview. Write a letter
Assess a letter
If your learners have already learned how to do a CV then you can move CV
through this section quite quickly. If not, then talk them though the Analyse a CV
example of a CV on the next page, using the Criteria for Assessment (CV) Write a CV
as a guide. Emphasis that: Assess a CV
• it is important to describe one’s skills and qualities
• Any part-time work should be mentioned. The reason for this is that in any job one
develops skills and qualities which can be transferred to another job. For example a
hairdressing learner who had a holiday job as a petrol attendant should mention this in
his CV because, as a petrol attendant, he may have developed the following skills and
qualities:
communicated clearly and politely
was always punctual
could work under pressure
worked well with a team
always applied safety measures
could deal with a crisis
followed instructions accurately
kept calm no matter how rude customers were
used his initiative when there was a problem or to prevent a problem.
All of these skills and qualities are also required of hairdressers.
Note: Being a petrol attendant does not automatically mean that one will develop the
above qualities. For example, some petrol attendants are lazy and have no idea how
to communicate clearly and politely.
2 Worksheet 2 will give the learners practice in identifying transferable skills.
There are 101 ways of writing a CV. On the next page is one example of a CV.
Ask the learners what they notice about its content, structure, language and layout.
UNIT 3 CAREER PREPARATION Activity 9 Letter and CV 153
LANGUAGE FOR HAIRDRESSING LEVEL 4
CURRICULUM VITAE
OF
JAYA MAHLANGU
GENERAL DETAILS
Name Jaya Maria Mahlangu
Home address 18 Willow St
Streamdale
7044
Telephone number (0224) 772 9812
Date of birth 12 September 1988
Nationality South African
Languages My home language is Sotho but I can also speak, read and
write English, Tswana and Xhosa competently. I have a
basic understanding of Afrikaans.
Health Excellent
Present occupation Learner
EDUCATION
Secondary
College Streamdale College (2005 – 2006)
I am busy completing my National Certificate in Ladies
Hairdressing (Caucasian and Afro)
Subjects:
Fundamentals (Language and Mathematical Literacy)
Consultative skills and scalp and hair treatment
Chemical reformation of hair
Hair cutting
Hairstyling
Hair colouring and lightening
Proficiency in salon services
High school Heights High School (2002-2004)
My computer keyboard skills are good and I am competent in Word and Excel.
ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS
2006 Some of my classmates and I painted a design on one of
the outside walls of the college. We did it on our
initiative. The design incorporated symbols associated with
our college and the neighbourhood. This project taught me
a lot about planning and teamwork.
UNIT 3 CAREER PREPARATION Activity 9 Letter and CV 154
LANGUAGE FOR HAIRDRESSING LEVEL 4
2005 – 2006 At college I have played social basketball. Sport has taught
me to analyse my mistakes; to be creative; to accept
defeat graciously and to enjoy victory without being
arrogant.
2003 – 2004 I served at my high school tuckshop. From this
experience I learned to work fast and accurately; to
be patient and to be organized. I also learned the
importance of punctuality.
PART-TIME WORK
2005 -2006 (voluntary, unpaid)
I do cutting, styling and colouring on a regular basis for neighbours and family members in
order to get practice. This experience has given me the opportunity to develop several
hairdressing skills and to put creative ideas into practice. It has also taught me a lot about
problem solving, decision making and expressing myself tactfully.
2005-2006
I work at Checkers during the school holidays and on Saturdays. Initially I was a packer
but now I work at the till. This work has taught me how to stay calm and friendly under
pressure and how to cope with repetitive tasks. I have also learned how the quality of
my work affects others.
2004
I worked as a waitron at a local restaurant. I learned how to communicate clearly, with
different types of people. I also learned much about time management.
REFEREES
Ms T. Moodley Principal
Streamdale College
Streamdale
Telephone: (0224) 772 7328
Mr G. Rand Manager
Checkers Supermarket
Streamdale
Telephone: (0224) 778 8923
Ms M. Sono Tuckshop manager
Heights High School
Streamdale
Telephone: (0224) 772 7328
UNIT 3 CAREER PREPARATION Activity 9 Letter and CV 155
LANGUAGE FOR HAIRDRESSING LEVEL 4
Further points on the CV LETTER
Analyse a letter
As you discuss the CV with your learners you could raise the Write a letter
following issues: Assess a letter
CV
• It is important that your CV is totally honest. Ask them why. Analyse a CV
The gains of lying in one’s CV are short-lived as lies are usually Write a CV
Assess a CV
found out. The consequences are big. Companies do not want
to hire dishonest people.
• Ask what the difference is between a referee and a testimonial. Learners often find
this confusing. A referee is someone who the prospective employer will phone. This is
why it is not necessary to give their address. A testimonial is a piece of paper on which
someone has written about you. This person will not be phoned.
• Do not put the names of relatives or friends as referees, even if they hold important
positions. They will be seen as biased.
• Interviewers often ask questions based on your CV. For example: if, in your CV, you
said that as a petrol attendant you learned to work under pressure, then the
interviewer might ask you to give an example of a pressure situation at work and how
you dealt with it. So, before your interview, read over your CV carefully and think
about what questions you could be asked.
You will find more information about CV writing in “Further Guidelines on Writing Your
CV”, below.
UNIT 3 CAREER PREPARATION Activity 9 Letter and CV 156
LANGUAGE FOR HAIRDRESSING LEVEL 4
WORKSHEET 2
TRANSFERABLE SKILLS AND QUALITIES
Choose one job below and specify how it relates to hairdressing i.e. what skills and
qualities are transferable to hairdressing. Assume that these people are good at
their job.
JOB SKILLS AND QUALITIES
shelf packer in a
supermarket
cashier
chef at a fast food
chain
saleslady
waitron
bricklayer
singer
firefighter
UNIT 3 CAREER PREPARATION Activity 9 Letter and CV 157
LANGUAGE FOR HAIRDRESSING LEVEL 4
WRITE A CV LETTER
Analyse a letter
It is now your learners’ turn to write a CV. Remind them to Write a letter
refer to the Criteria for Assessment when writing their CV as Assess a letter
it will provide them with guidelines to good CV writing. CV
Analyse a CV
Further guidelines can be found on the next page. Write a CV
Assess a CV
ASSESS A CV
LETTER
When your learners have completed their CVs then let them Analyse a letter
exchange CVs with a partner. They will use the Criteria for Write a letter
Assessment to check each other’s work. Assess a letter
CV
After making any necessary changes they can hand in the second Analyse a CV
draft for summative assessment purposes. Write a CV
Assess a CV
ASSESSMENT
Formative
Formative assessment will take place when your learners analyse the different pieces of
writing; when they write the first draft and when they assess each others’ work. From
their comments, criticisms and writing you will be able to establish how well they
understand the concepts and conventions associated with these genres. This will guide you
as to how much input you need to make.
We would recommend that you read the first draft of the letter and CV, after a peer has
assessed it. Write a few comments but don’t mark it. Point out types of mistakes made
e.g. spelling error or topic sentence too long, but don’t correct anything for the learner
i.e. don’t do their work for them.
If you find that there are certain mistakes that come up over and over in the learners’
work then compile a worksheet of common errors, taking one error from each learner’s
letter /CV. Don’t choose examples which will give reveal the identity of the learner.
Tell the learners how you have the compiled the worksheet. If they know this then no-
one will feel picked on.
Summative
There are two summative assessment activities:
1. the final draft of job application letter
2. the final draft of the CV.
UNIT 3 CAREER PREPARATION Activity 9 Letter and CV 158
LANGUAGE FOR HAIRDRESSING LEVEL 4
FURTHER GUIDELINES ON WRITING YOUR CV
General information
• The CV should be accompanied by a short covering letter
(see details under “Covering Letter”).
• Keep your CV short (one or two pages). Companies often receive
hundreds of applications and they do not want to wade through
long CVs. If you have a lot to say, select what is most important
and leave out the rest.
• Your CV must be concise and match the job requirements.
• Employers are interested in skills and experience. Qualities such
as honesty and integrity can be explored during an interview.
• When emailing, don’t send your CV as an attachment. The recruiter
should be able to see at a glance what you’re offering.
• Provide proof of your qualifications, for example certified photocopies of certificates.
• Mention courses of study which you didn’t complete – if they are relevant to the job.
• Keep a copy of your CV. Save it on computer of possible because you will need to
update it regularly.
Content
• Have four or five main sections, for example:
- general details
- education
- activities and achievements
- work experience
- referees
• Use reverse chronological order for lists, for example put the most recent job first,
followed by the job before that.
• Put fewer details for earlier jobs, unless they relate strongly to the position.
• Never put someone’s name down as a referee if you haven’t asked him/her to be your
referee. If the company phones him up it will be obvious that he knows nothing about
this arrangement and it will reflect very badly on you. It could lose you the job.
• At least one referee on your list should be someone who is in contact with you this
year. Prospective employers want to know what you are like now. If you only have
referees from the past it will look suspicious.
Thanks to Riana Stemmet for many of the above points.
UNIT 3 CAREER PREPARATION Activity 9 Letter and CV 159
LANGUAGE FOR HAIRDRESSING LEVEL 4
Presentation
• It is a good idea to have a cover page for your CV with
written in big bold letters on it. CURRICULUM VITAE OF
• Be neat and concise – the plainer the better. (YOUR NAME)
• Don’t be afraid of white space. A cramped CV is
difficult to read.
• Use white paper.
• No spelling or grammar errors. Get someone to
proofread your CV.
• There should be no visible alterations or smudges.
• Attach a covering letter with a paper clip.
• Use an A4 envelope. Don’t fold the CV.
Covering letter
• Maximum one page
• Contact details are clearly displayed.
• State which job you are applying for and mention where you saw the job advertised
(e.g. name of newspaper and date on which the ad appeared). Quote a reference
name or number if applicable.
• This is a formal letter, in tone, format and language.
NEXT
In this Activity your learners learned how to do the written work associated
with applying for a job.
A week or two after applying for a job, your learners might be called for an
interview. The next step therefore, is to prepare for the interview. Guidelines
on how to prepare for the interview can be found in Activity 10.
Thanks to Riana Stemmet for many of the above points.
UNIT 3 CAREER PREPARATION Activity 9 Letter and CV 160
LANGUAGE FOR HAIRDRESSING LEVEL 4
CRITERIA FOR ASSESSMENT
LETTER OF APPLICATION
SELF ASSESSMENT, PEER ASSESSMENT AND ASSESSMENT BY THE LECTURER
Name of learner Class
QUESTION Yes/No COMMENT
CONTENT
1. Does the letter contain the following: Y
• the full address of the applicant N
• the date in full
• the name of the hairdresser/owner
• the address of the salon
• an appropriate salutation
• the subject of the letter
• the name of the job for which the
learner wishes to apply
• list of attachments
• a formal ending, with the learner’s
signature
2. Is all of the content relevant to Y
purpose of the letter? N
FORMAT AND LAYOUT
3. Has the format and layout of a formal Y
letter been followed? (positioning of N
the addresses; highlighting the
subject; spacing between sections of
the letter etc)
LANGUAGE
4. Is the language reasonably Y
grammatical? N
5. Is the language appropriate to the Y
audience and genre i.e. formal? N
UNIT 3 CAREER PREPARATION Activity 9 Letter and CV 161
LANGUAGE FOR HAIRDRESSING LEVEL 4
CRITERIA FOR ASSESSMENT
CV
SELF ASSESSMENT, PEER ASSESSMENT AND ASSESSMENT BY THE LECTURER
Name of learner Class
QUESTION Yes/No COMMENT
CONTENT
1. Does the CV contain information Y
concerning: N
• General details
• Education
• Activities, achievements, interests
• Work experience (if applicable)
• Referees
in less than three pages?
2. Is the content sufficient, relevant and Y
realistic? N
3. Have skills and qualities been Y
mentioned? N
STRUCTURE, FORMAT AND LAYOUT
4. Is the CV clearly divided into four or Y
five sections? N
5. Has the format and layout of a CV Y
letter been followed? (point form, N
spacing between sections; headings in
bold capital letters; sub-headings in
bold lower case; indentation; most of
the details on the right hand side etc)
LANGUAGE
6. Are there no spelling errors with the Y
language being reasonably N
grammatical?
7. Is the language appropriate to the Y
audience and genre i.e. formal? N
UNIT 3 CAREER PREPARATION Activity 9 Letter and CV 162
LANGUAGE FOR HAIRDRESSING LEVEL 4
The following Critical and Developmental Outcomes are reflected in the above activity.
CRITICAL OUTCOMES
1. Identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using
critical and creative thinking have been made
2. Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, community
3. Organise and manage oneself and one’s activities responsibly and effectively
4. Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information
5. Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes
of oral and/or written presentation
7. Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising
that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.
DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOMES
In order to contribute to the full personal development of each learner and the social and
economic development of the society at large, it must be the intention underlying any
programme of learning to make an individual aware of the importance of:
4. Exploring education and career opportunities.
UNIT 3 CAREER PREPARATION Activity 9 Letter and CV 163
