Application Letter Critique

Muhammad Irfan Bin Mohd Margono

National University Of Singapore

Faculty Of Engineering

+65 91234567

 September 15, 2012

Dear Sir/Madam,

Re: Graduate Professional Excellence – Purchasing Requisition ID – 00028297

I am writing to apply for the Rolls-Royce Professional Excellence Programme. As requested, I am enclosing a completed job application, my certification, which includes my pre-university academic record and resume.

I have just graduated from the National University of Singapore with B.Eng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering, specialising in Aeronautical Engineering. During my tenure there, I have undertaken modules on Business Studies and Management. I was a part of Rolls-Royce’s Summer Internship Program in the United States, specialising in Sales Support. In my 12 weeks there, my main task was to prepare proposals and contracts which were presented to prospective clients. In addition, I prepared sales reports, presentations and updated marketing materials. Preparing the reports required me to be very meticulous and precise in order to capture the company’s figures accurately. If there was a discrepancy in the figures, I would alert my mentors and superiors immediately. Even though the programme was demanding, I found myself to be comfortable with the environment in the company and admired the work ethic of my mentors and superiors.

As I have enjoyed being an intern in the company while I was an undergraduate, I would like to further my career with Rolls-Royce. Furthermore, the opportunity presented in this listing is very captivating and attractive. I strongly believe that my prevailing qualities, extensive knowledge and education will make me a competitive candidate for this position.

I look forward to speaking with you about this employment opportunity. I can be reached anytime at the number mentioned above. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Yours Faithfully,

Muhammad Irfan Bin Mohd Margono

Resolving Interpersonal Conflict

First of all, interpersonal conflict, to me, is what happens when there is a disagreement between two parties.  This disagreement could cause the two parties to have negative feelings or attitudes towards one another and could also lead to physical conflict.

During National Service, I experienced an interpersonal conflict between two of my men in my unit. One of them, CPL Ahmad (not his real name), was the platoon's toilet cleaner. CPL Ahmad was not happy with a platoonmate called LCP Ah Seng (once again, not his real name) whom he suspects is leaving nasty surprises in the cubicles and not cleaning up after himself. As the platoon's toilet cleaner, CPL Ahmad has no choice but to clean the toilet spotlessly before any area inspection. He found this very unfair as the responsibility of keeping the toilet clean was his and not the entire platoon's.

One day, CPL Ahmad had enough of LCP Ah Seng and took a mop from the toilet and mopped LCP Ah Seng's bed. A heated argument filled with beautiful Hokkien words ensued. Hearing the commotion, I came to see what was going on. I stopped the argument and requested the two of them to tell me their individual accounts of what happened. CPL Ahmad admitted to what he had done and LCP Ah Seng also admitted to being the one leaving nasty surprises in the cubicles. I punished both of them by making LCP Ah Seng the new platoon's toilet cleaner and I had to give CPL Ahmad an extra duty.

What I learned from this was that, if one happens to have a conflict with someone, he should do his best to resolve it by talking and expressing his concerns or disagreements with the other party. If the other party does not want to co-operate or compromise, he, in this case CPL Ahmad should take the matter up to his superiors, in this case, me. If LCP Ah Seng does not want to co-operate with CPL Ahmad, taking the matter up to someone of authority would be more effective as that someone would be able to set ultimatums or punishments if LCP Ah Seng is still uncooperative. CPL Ahmad definitely should not have took matters into his own hands and mopped LCP Ah Seng's bed. Such an act escalated the conflict and further deteriorated the relationship between the two of them.

How would you resolve such a conflict if the other party is adamant and remains uncooperative?

Once again, I'll end with some lighthearted humour.