Application letter (edited)

Lee Chin Lin Jacqueline

12 Apple Crescent

Singapore 123456

+65 8976 8765

Jacqueline@es2007s.com

8 February 2012

BMSI Business Centre (BBC)

Agency for Science, Technology and Research

20 Biopolis Way

#07-01 Centros

Singapore 138668

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am expressing my interest in the above-mentioned position as advertised online at Jobstreet on 7^th February 2012.

I will be graduating from National University of Singapore (NUS) with a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in life science with a specialization in biomedical science in June 2013. Being part of your company is a big opportunity for me given my keen interest and passion in immunology. SiGN’s aim of expanding and strengthening immunology research in Singapore will positively impact our community and I hope to be part of this.

In my course of study at NUS, I have gained relevant knowledge, skills and technique in research that will allow me to work efficiently in the laboratory. With a clear understanding in laboratory procedure, I will be able to assist research groups without hindering the project's progress. With an inquisitive mind and an ability to think on my feet, I believe I’ll be able to contribute positively to research progress as these are mandatory qualities of a researcher.

On top of having worked in labs in NUS, I’ve also had opportunity to intern at Kemin Industries where I had the chance to work on bacteria cultures. This experience had taught me valuable skills in the field of research and had allowed me to familiarize myself in labs. Hence, I am comfortable to work in laboratories and have also learnt to be flexible and adaptive to accommodate to the schedule and needs of the project researchers.

Apart from being well equipped with relevant knowledge and research techniques, I am also a good team member. I served as the Sports Director of the 30^th Science Club Management Committee and have gained valuable insights of being both a team leader and member. I understand the importance of excellent teamwork and complementation in a research group and is willing to be a supportive team player.

Last but not least, I am willing to learn new techniques and make up for any lack of experience as a fresh graduate with diligence. I hope my assistance to SiGN's research projects will be able to contribute to the success of the company's new discoveries.

Thank you for taking time to consider my application. I hope to hear from you soon.

Yours sincerely,

Ms Jacqueline Lee

#2 Resolving Interpersonal Conflict (Edited 13/02/2012)

Joann, Amelia, Jasmine and Nicole met on the first day of school in their junior college, ACJC. They were allocated to the same class with classmates from a wide array of schooling backgrounds. Due to the various schools in which these girls have attended previously, they are more comfortable to converse in English and were "in the same frequency." They formed a clique and got along very well. However, this did not last for long.

Amelia came from a well to do family and tend to be very insensitive at times. She makes fun of classmates who were less fortunate than her and has a bad habit to showing off. For example, during Mid-Autumn Festival, she emphasized that the mooncakes in which she had given to each of her teacher were bought from the Shangri-La Hotel to everyone she met that day. Jasmine is an opinionated and judgemental person. Although she is fully aware that Amelia is simply tactless and is harmless in her intentions, Jasmine is often agitated by her actions. However, she choose not to voice out her unhappiness directly to Amelia, instead she complains to Nicole and Joann who share the same sentiments.

The problem was never solved but there was no fights within the clique as they often laugh the matter off. However, in the period leading towards the A-level preliminary examinations, a big fight occurred between Amelia and Jasmine. Amelia had a habit of checking on everyone's revision progress and making sure she is doing more than what the rest is doing. She constantly planned gatherings and dinner get-togethers for the clique but never turned up for any of them giving excuses for her absence at the very last minute. The other three girls suspect that Amelia was trying to reduce the amount of revision time they had for the examination. They were aware that Amelia had asked for their progress to make herself feel good that she is more prepared for the examinations than they were.

Two weeks before the Preliminary Exams, Amelia started a conversation with Jasmine asking her if she had finished her revision for the Chemistry paper. She continued on to boast that her parents had hired a school teacher who charged 80 bucks per hour to tutor her and have finished all the other school's mock papers. This was the last straw for Jasmine who was extremely stressed by her commitment in the school's Tennis Team as well as the upcoming exams. In reply, she snapped, "Its none of your business."

Her reply shocked Amelia who widened her eyes and glared. Jasmine, who was already fuming continued to shout at Amelia. One year worth of pent up frustration was relieved all at once. There was no turning back for their friendship. Things became awkward between the girls because of Jasmine and Amelia's strained friendship and after awhile, Amelia choose to find other friends to hang out with.

After graduation, Amelia went to California for foundation studies and continued to New York while Jasmine continued her tertiary education in a local university. In a recent class gathering when Amelia returned home from the States, the two girls attempted to engage in a conversation to catch up with each other's life. Unfortunately, it was still a rather awkward.

How can Jasmine and Amelia resolve the tension and continue being friends again?