Post #3: Application Letter Critique

18 February 2013

Lim Wei Zhe

136B Hillview Avenue #01-01

Mobile: 96377118

Email: A0087220@nus.edu.sg

To The Hiring Manager

Human Resource Department

Shell Eastern Petroleum (Pte) Ltd 

Shell House, 83 Clemenceau Avenue   

Application for an internship

I am writing to express my interest in an internship position in Shell. I am currently in my second year in NUS, taking a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering (Honours). I am keen on an internship with Shell, because it is a global organization with endless opportunities for growth and personal development. In Singapore, the Shell Bukom refinery is the largest Shell refinery in the world, where innovation and cutting-edge technology is deployed to sustain a successful business model. Beyond that, I am also amazed by the company’s efforts at fostering a safe and environmentally sustainable workplace. I definitely would love to be part of this global organization.

During my internship with Renewable Energy Corporation, I cooperated with process engineers at the manufacturing line. In the 3 months there, I learned firsthand how engineers collaborated to resolve bottlenecks and streamline production processes. Furthermore, I was involved in a project that greatly reduced solar cell waste, receiving the STAR award at the National IQC assessment for the project.

In addition to attaining strong academic results, I actively participated in student organizations. In my first year, I was in the NUS canoe committee, organizing biannual canoeing events, in addition to frequent canoeing sessions. I was also race route in-charge for the NUS RowRunRace 2012 biathlon, successfully managing a team of marshals for a turnout of more than 300 participants.

Currently, I am an active member in the NUS Toastmasters Club, where the positive environment allows me to improve my oral communication and leadership skills. As an engineering student, I understand that strong technical skills are important, but insufficient. Effective communication is essential to articulating our ideas, and working with others. I am confident that the skills I have learned will put me in a good position to excel with Shell.

Thank you for you time to review my application. I enclosed my resume for your consideration, and I keenly look forward to a face-to face interview with you to discuss my suitability for this internship. I can be contacted at 96377118 or a0087220@nus.edu.sg at your convenience.

Yours sincerely,

Wei Zhe

Post #2: Resolving Interpersonal Conflict

National Service is a time when every Singaporean boy undergoes his first transition. It is a place where we are shoved out of our comfort zone, and entrusted with our first responsibilities as adults. Many recruits have had different army experiences, but it definitely represents a long, arduous, yet ultimately fruitful experience.

Personally, I had conflicts frequently during my time, especially with my superiors. My immediate superior, Vincent, was an army regular who was brash, vocal, and extremely irrational — typical traits of many army regulars.

As I was a tank driver and technician, Vincent would frequently assign me repair jobs. This, was where our conflicts would come in. His directions were brash and commanding, but they often made no sense! Often, I would try to clarify his instructions or discuss possible alternatives, but anything except a straightforward "Yes, boss" always angered him.

To elaborate on the scenario, I noticed he always had something against the more educated, university-bound recruits. We were generally polite and friendly, but he would always try to put us in a spot. It was like working with a ticking time bomb! In the army, we also had to obey a high degree of subordination towards our superiors. If we had any form of confrontations with them, we had to be extremely tactful; we didn't want to spend our weekends on guard duty!

As my personal motivations were to get the job done while staying out of trouble, I often avoided instances of conflict. I also tried to maintain a positive, friendly working relationship. However, instances of conflict still occur.

Imagine you were in my shoes for this scenario: Vincent tasks me to replace a tank spare part, which I personally find to be just slightly worn, but still in perfect working condition. Thus, I am reluctant to proceed, as the spare parts are expensive, and the job would take an entire afternoon of my labour.

In this scenario, how would you discourage Vincent from proceeding with the job?