English Language Centre

In a job application letter, you often have to emphasise your qualifications. In doing so, you will naturally use prepositional phrases and phrasal verbs including prepositions.

For each option, choose the appropriate preposition or choose '-', which means no preposition. You can check your answers at the end of the exercise.

During my summer internship programme last year, I worked a hotel.

Answer:
in

Explanation:
For most buildings, such as hotels, use in. For more general locations, use at; e.g. at school, at work. For more details, see Prepositions and Geography.
As the part-time accounts clerk, I had to handle several major accounts when the full-time regular staff were leave.

Answer:
on
As the Publicity Coordinator, I had to liaise the chairman of all the other clubs.

Answer:
with

Explanation:
Verbs for communication often use the preposition with, followed by the person or people: e.g. communicate with clients, talk with/to customers, chat with colleagues.
I was the Assistant Stage Manager for an annual drama production by the University Drama Society. I found the position quite demanding since I needed to know the schedule of the different working teams very well.

Answer:
-
In all that I do, I emphasise the importance of developing a good rapport with clients.

Answer:
-

Explanation:
emphasise is NOT followed by on.
As the Class Representative, I discussed the students' comments with the department.

Answer:
-

Explanation:
discussed about is wrong. Use about after talked.
In year 2, I was employed by my own department as a Student Assistant and I reported the Head of Department directly.

Answer:
to
As the Chairman of the Departmental Student Association, I had to head 4 teams to make sure that our functions were run smoothly.

Answer:
- or up

Explanation:
American English: British speakers would just say 'head', or more likely, 'lead'.
My summer work experience has taught me how to monitor the general market situation closely.

Answer:
-
As the Assistant Coach of the Badminton Team, I need to deal many aspects of the administrative work.

Answer:
with

Your total score is:

The Use of Prepositions in Application Letters